7 Natural Antibiotics & Their Uses

When most people think of antibiotics they think of the doctor prescribed medications used  to treat infections. Antibiotics, or antimicrobials, are any agent that is able to kill or stop the growth of infection due to bacteria or other pathogens. Antibiotics are not effective against viruses and only useful when the illness-causing agent is bacterial or fungal. 

Pharmaceutical antibiotics come with a list of side effects which are mainly due to their ability to kill all types of bacteria in the body, even the helpful ones. Increased risk of fungal infection and gastrointestinal distress are extremely common side effects and it may take long periods of time to fully restore our helpful bacteria in the body after antibiotic use. 

Many people do not realize that nature provides us with many natural antibiotics found in plant compounds which can help limit the growth and spread of bacteria. Although it is not recommended to substitute these doctor-prescribed antibiotics for natural treatments, natural antibiotic compounds could potentially be helpful in the prevention of illness caused by bacterial and fungal pathogens. Natural antibiotics may also come with side effects especially if they are used improperly but are likely to be a safer alternative for the prevention of illness. 

Here are some natural options that have been scientifically shown to have antimicrobial properties and destroy many different types of bacteria. It is important to remember to consult your healthcare provider before beginning use of any new supplement or nutritional strategy. It is also important to understand that the majority of these have not been tested in humans and are NOT substitutes for doctor-prescribed antibiotics. 

1. Garlic

Garlic is a superfood that has been shown to have many awesome health effects in addition to it's antimicrobial properties. Studies have demonstrated it's ability to lower cardiovascular disease risk markers and help improve blood sugar (1,2)

Allicin is a compound found in garlic that is responsible for many of it's antimicrobial effects. It has been shown to help destroy bacteria and parasites, and some studies even demonstrate some effectiveness for reducing the occurrence of the common cold (3).

Garlic can be used in many ways to limit the growth of harmful microorganisms. It can be used to cook, season (powdered), and preserve foods. Garlic extracts and allicin are also commonly used as supplements for many conditions including high blood pressure, blood sugar dysregulation, and preventing infection.

2. Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca)

Tea tree oil is a very powerful extract that is used for many things. Although many of it's health claims have not yet been validated by research, it still shows some promise for many things.

Skin and oral health is one of the primary uses of tea tree oil as it's addition to dental and topical skin care products has been shown to help improve many conditions like acne, seborrheic dermatitis, gingivitis, and other conditions related to infection (4). 

Tea tree oil may also demonstrate its antimicrobial activity against common pathogens found on many surfaces. It also has been shown to repel certain insects and bugs (5). For this reason, tea tree oil is an excellent option as a natural cleaning product. Diluting a small amount of tea tree oil with water in a spray bottle is a great way to clean the surfaces of countertops, tables, door handles, and some furniture. 

The essential oil of tea tree is also commonly diffused into the air to eliminate possible airborne pathogens. 

It is important to note that because tea tree oil is so powerful, remember to adequately dilute it and use a carrier agent to prevent physical harm. 

3. Thyme Essential Oil

Thyme oil is an extremely powerful antioxidant and has been used to prevent many types of infections. It has also been shown to be effective against many foodborne pathogens including E.Coli and other common disease-causing bacteria (6). 

Thyme oil has many uses, some of the most common include diffusion as aromatherapy, topical application for skin conditions, and natural insect repellant.

The active ingredient in thyme oil (thymol) is also found in a product derived from black cumin (nigella sativa) called black seed oil. Black seed oil is another product that has many claims for medicinal use and is often sold in supplement form for many conditions.

The uses for thyme oil are very similar to those of tea tree oil and it is equally as important to adequately dilute thyme oil for safety. 

4. Ginger

Ginger is another superfood that has many uses in addition to it's antimicrobial activity. It has been shown to be effective for certain viruses (7), improving digestion (8), blood sugar regulation (9), lowering inflammation (9), and more. 

Lab studies have shown the ability of ginger to be an antimicrobial agent against many pathogens including strains of candida and streptococcus (10). 

For these reasons, the addition of ginger to any meal is a delicious and excellent option. Ginger tea's are also becoming a extremely popular for many health benefits. 

5. Echinacea

Echinacea is a group of plants which have been used for centuries for their medicinal properties, which is now commonly found in many natural products for relief of the common cold. 

The extract of echinacea has been shown to have anti-fungal properties by disrupting fungal cell walls. This could potentially be beneficial for helping the body rid itself of yeast (candida) overgrowth and infection (11).

Although there is no known treatment for virus-caused illness like the common cold, echinacea has shown some benefit in clinical trials. A 2015 meta-analysis found that although echinacea may not completely prevent or treat it, the use of echinacea is associated with a lower incidence of the common cold (12). 

Although the benefits aren't well-documented, using throat lozenges or other products that contain echinacea could theoretically be useful while fighting off colds. 

6. Oregano

Oregano is a plant in the mint family which has been used medicinally since ancient times. The plant extract is still used medicinally as an oil, called oregano oil or oil of oregano. 

Research on oregano oil shows that it has some antimicrobial properties. One study demonstrated that the active component of oregano oil (carvacrol), has antiviral properties (13). Another study reviewed the potential uses of oregano in food products, showing it's ability to act as an antimicrobial and antioxidant (14). 

One of the best ways to use oregano oil's antimicrobial properties is by diluting it and using it as a surface cleaning product to destroy left-over bacteria on food surfaces. A 2013 study reviews the use of oregano oil for hand washing and surface cleaning, noting that it may be a safer option compared to conventional cleaning products with less adverse health and environmental effects (15). 

7. Cinnamon

Cinnamon has many well-demonstrated health effects for things like high cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar regulation. It also has been shown to have antimicrobial effects, destroying many different kinds of bacteria, parasites, and fungi (16). 

Cinnamon can be beneficial when added to many food and drink products. It's essential oil may also be used in cleaning products and diffused to potentially eliminate many surface and airborne pathogens. 

The Bottom Line:

Nature presents us with many natural compounds to help eliminate harmful microbes. These compounds are commonly found in our foods and spices, but their highly-concentrated extracts are becoming popular. Although much of the research is only in animal and lab models, these compounds could potentially be beneficial for the prevention of bacterial illnesses.

Before using these products it is important to understand a few things. First, nothing should replace doctor advice and prescription medication for infection. Second, many of these extracts are highly-concentrated and care should be used when deciding how much to dilute these products in order to use them safely. Third, you should consult a well-trained healthcare practitioner before use as they many of these products may interfere with medications or other individual factors.