Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Natural Remedies For Infections

By Jennifer King

Antibiotics were the pills to cure all infections, now they are the cause of most bacterial infections. The problem appears to be in the innate ability of a virus to mutate and develop means they have grown resistant to our synthesized drugs.

Try as we might to develop more powerful classes of drugs the diseases all too soon seem to outpace efficacy. There are other considerations regarding the lasting effects of taking courses of antibiotics too. Apart from killing the infection the antibiotics were intended for, they also kill beneficial bacteria that are important for a healthy body.

Our beneficial bacteria are the foundation of a healthy immune system. It is the job of this good bacteria to fight infections and protect us. However a one or two week course of antibiotics from your doctor may cure the illness that took you to the surgery but it will also wipe out your allies and leave you more vulnerable to illness.

So what can be done? Well mother nature has been around longer than modern science and she can still help us. Natural alternatives to anti bacterial drugs are a lot more gentle on your system by being less aggressive.

As natural alternatives to prescribed medicines the following are all considered to provide effective antibiotic properties.

Echinacea - purple coneflower

Echinacea contains antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties which do not act directly on a virus but stimulates your own immune system. Echinacea promotes killer T cells and white blood cells to attack the infection from the cause.

Garlic - Allium sativum

Garlic has been used for medicinal purposes for years. Because of its power it has been used to treat typhoid and tuberculosis long before modern day drugs took over. Used to dress wounds in the First World War garlic's legendary healing benefits combat Ear infections, intestinal parasites and yeasts, colds and flu and bronchial infections. Catarrh is also reduced with the use of garlic.

Eucalyptus - Blue Gum Tree

Eucalyptus was first used by Aborigines, but is now used worldwide as an antiseptic. Over the years it has been used to treat respiratory illnesses, tubercular coughs and it fights diphtheria. Its effectiveness is derived from the plant's antiseptic properties and in that it helps dilate bronchioles to aid breathing. - 14130

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