Natural Alternatives to Antibiotics

While antibiotics are sometimes necessary to treat a variety of conditions and infections, antibiotics are often used when they are unnecessary for treatment. Overusing antibiotics can cause problems with one's immune system, and can disrupt the natural balance of healthy versus unhealthy bacteria in the body. There are alternative herbal remedies to use instead of antibiotics to treat a number of conditions.

Echinacea

Echinacea is an herb that promotes the proper functioning of the immune system, and it has antifungal and antiviral agents that help fend off infections. Echinacea has glycoproteins, volatile oils, polysaccharides, alkamides, and flavonoids that work in unison to treat a variety of ailments. This herb also helps in relieving pain, in diminishing inflammation, and in providing the body with necessary antioxidants. It has been used to treat Candida infections, ear infections, sinusitis, athelete's foot, respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, allergies and wounds. Consuming this herb at the onset of a cold can diminish the time that you experience cold symptoms.

Children can be offered echinacea based on their weight; a child should take one-third of the amount that an adult would consume. The herb should be consumed for seven to 10 days to gain its full benefits; adults can consume echinacea as a tea by mixing 1 to 2g of dried echinacea in 1 cup of steaming hot water for 10 minutes.

Siberian Ginseng

This herb is adaptogenic, which means it helps restore the body to its natural state of balance. This herb is used to improve the functioning of your immune system, and to diminish symptoms associated with the flu and common cold. Siberian ginseng also promotes stamina and intensifies muscular strength, and has been used to treat people with herpes simplex 2 to diminish the frequency of herpes outbreaks. Siberian ginseng contains eleutherosides and polysaccharides responsible for immune system improvement. Children should not consume this herb, but adults can consume the herb in capsule form at a dosage of 3000mg per day for immunological support.

Goldenseal

Goldenseal is an herb that contains berberine, which is used to successfully destroy germs and bacteria, particularly those associated with Candida infections, viruses and parasites. Berberine is also an ingredient responsible for encouraging the activity of white blood cells and improving immunological functioning. This herb can be used as an alternative antibiotic topically and orally.

Children can use goldenseal at one-third the dosage an adult would consume orally to treat infections and viral conditions. Adults can safely consume up to 2000mg three times a day of the herb in capsule form to treat viruses and bacterial infections internally. To use goldenseal on wounds, the liquid extract of the herb can be placed on a clean cloth and applied topically to the area. To treat ear infections, 120mg of the extract can be mixed with olive oil and put into the ear with an ear dropper.

Goldenseal powder can be used to treat infections of the mouth and throat; mix 1/2 tsp. of the herbal powder with 1/4 tsp. salt in 1 cup of warm water and gargle with the mixture. For vaginal infections caused by yeast infections, create the same mixture, allow it to settle, strain the mixture over a cheesecloth to remove any floating debris, and use as a douche once daily for a two to three days. Goldenseal can also be used to alleviate infections of the eye; mix 1 cup of fresh spring water with 1/2 tsp. of powdered goldenseal and 1/4 tsp. salt to create an eye wash.