Natural Antibiotics

I always wondered what people did in the olden days when there were no prescription antibiotics. Well, of course, there were natural antibiotics! Here are a few that you may want to take note of:

Sage
Properties: anti-microbial
Used for: throat infections
Thyme
Properties: anti-microbial

Oregano
Properties: anti-microbial
Used for: chest, lung, and yeast infections
Interesting fact: My co-workers swear by oil of oregano. They distribute it covertly like an illegal drug when bad coughs and throat infections are going around the office.
Parsley
Properties: anti-microbial
Raw Garlic
Properties: anti-biotic, anti-viral, anti-parasitic, anti-fungal
Used for: wound infections, ear infections, dysentry
Active ingredient: allicin
Interesting fact: Garlic juice, water, and sphagnum moss was used to bandage wounds in WWI and prevent gangrene and blood poisoning.
Echinacea
Properties: anti-biotic, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-microbial, anti-parasitic, immune stimulant
Used for: coughs, colds, sore throat, infections
Interesting fact: Echinacea was widely used by Native Americans for a wide variety of conditions.
Golden Seal
Properties: anti-biotic, immune stimulant
Used for: streptocci infections, bacterial, fungal, and protozoal infections, dysentry, cholera
Active ingredient: berberine
Oregon Grape Root
Properties: anti-biotic, immune stimulant
Used for: streptocci infections, bacterial, fungal, and protozoal infections, dysentry, cholera
Active ingredient: berberine
Barberry Root Bark
Properties: anti-biotic, immune stimulant
Used for: streptocci infections, bacterial, fungal, and protozoal infections, dysentry, cholera, may shrink tumours, pinkeye,
Active ingredient: berberine
Wild Indigo
Properties: anti-biotic, anti-inflammatory
Used for: detoxifiying the liver and blood, swollen glands, strep or sore throat, mouth sores, tonsilitis, pneumonia, meningitis, and food or blood poisoning
Active ingredient: baptitoxine
Eucalyptus
Properties: decongestant, anti-septic, anti-biotic, anti-viral, anti-fungal
Used for: influenza virus, tuberculosis, chronic coughs, respiratory infections
Interesting fact: Koala bears eat eucalyptus leaves almost exclusively.
Raw Unfiltered Honey
Properties: antibiotic
Used for: treating cuts, burns, and scrapes
Aloe Vera
Properties: anti-septic, anti-bacterial
Used for: sore throat, sun burns, skin infections, wounds
Interesting fact: Aloe is a mild laxative, so don't eat too much of it! In Japan, you'll find aloe in some yogurts and beverages. (You'll find it here too. I found an Aloe juice beverage at T&T just the other day! It tastes good!)

Other helpful natural immune boosters to help you fight infection:

Vitamin C
Properties: builds immune system by increasing white blood cell production to fight infection


CAUTION!
Natural treatments can be dangerous for pregnant women and children. You can also have allergies to these herbs and roots, so consult a doctor before using them. If you notice any pain or swelling of the throat, hives on the body, nausea or fever, seek medical attention immediately!

Sources
reikinurse.com
skrewtips.com
vitaminsdiary.com
Garlic: An Herb Society of America Guide