"Let your food be your medicine, and your medicine be your food." Hippocrates
In herbology they are called astringent meaning foods and herbs that are natural blood cleansers and antibiotic in nature. The word anti (against) – biotic (life), refers to a list of pharmaceutical antimicrobials designed to kill harmful bacteria in the host body. Problem is these synthetic forms of antibiotics kill off both the good and bad bacteria leaving the body depleted of living microflora that supports immune function.
Including foods and herbs that contain antibiotic properties in your diet can support your immune system and help to defend you from certain infectious bacteria. This can also be said for organisms such as the Lymes spirochete and Candida Albicans, an overgrowth of yeast. There are many foods and herbs known to have natural antibiotic qualities; and with an increased resistance to pharmaceutical antibiotics in people today, it is wise to eat foods that work in your defense on a daily basis.
This is not to imply that you should not take antibiotics when deemed necessary by your medical doctor. However, knowing how to use certain foods as medicine can help you to cut down on over using synthetic antibiotics for minor health conditions. Naturally, consult your physician before proceeding.
Onions and Garlic
Close relatives and both contain antibacterial properties. Onions and garlic have been used to treat everything from minor illness to major disease and inflammation, both internally and externally. The sulfur compounds in onions and garlic are the key elements for use as an antibiotic. In one study, garlic was tested on mice against an antibiotic-resistant strain of Staphylococci. The results showed the garlic had protected the mice against the pathogen and significantly reduced any inflammation. Both have been used to help fight off the residual effects of colds and flu, while garlic’s antifungal properties help prevent yeast infections and combat viral conditions, onion’s high phytonutrient content are known to “mop up” free radicals that can lead to cancer in the body.
Honey
Honey was used as an antibacterial treatment long before synthetic antibiotics were developed, in cultures all over the world, for wounds and illness. Honey contains an enzyme, antimicrobial in nature, which releases hydrogen peroxide and prohibits the growth of certain bacteria. In Chinese medicine honey is thought to harmonize the liver, neutralize toxins, and relieve pain; and its antibacterial properties are effective in the treatment of the bacterium Heliobacter pylori or stomach ulcer.
*14 healing remedies with honey*
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/14-healing-remedies-with-honey.htmlCabbage
A member of the cruciferous vegetable family, along with broccoli, kale, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, cabbage has long been recognized for its healing powers. One reason is the cancer fighting sulfur compounds. Another is that fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C are considered a natural antibiotic and a one-cup serving of cabbage provides about 75% of your daily adult allowance. Cabbage juice is highly recommended in the treatment of stomach ulcers. Drink half a cup of fresh cabbage juice 2-3 times a day, between meals for two weeks. Add half a teaspoon of raw, unfiltered honey and sip slowly, even chewing a bit to get the enzymes going. Topically, raw cabbage leaves applied to tender breasts can relieve inflammation from mastitis, fibro cysts and menstrual breast tenderness.
Fermented Foods
Today more and more doctors recommend you take a probiotic in conjunction with antibiotic treatment to replace the good bacteria, microflora, that is also being destroyed in the digestive system. Fermented vegetables loaded with microorganisms may prove to be superior to taking a capsule from the health food store. Raw, unpasturized sauerkraut (there’s that cabbage again), raw pickles, cultured vegetables, and kim chi are all excellent ways to introduce probiotics back into your intestines. Begin with a few teaspoons and increase as desired.
Herbs
There are many herbs with antibiotic properties, so listed here are the culinary herbs you might use to cook with on a daily or weekly basis. Continue to enjoy them for their taste knowing they are supporting your immune functions as well.
Allspice, Anise, Basil, Bay leaf, Caraway seed, Cardamom, Chervil, Chili peppers, Cinnamon sage, Cloves, Coriander, Cumin tarragon, Dill, Fennel, Ginger, Rosemary, Lemon balm, Marjoram, Mints, Mustard, Nutmeg, Oregano, Parsley, Pepper, Thyme
Flu-Fighting Spices
Feed a fever, starve a cold. Or is it the other way around? Maybe both! Foods not only nourish and sustain our bodies, but are also rich in compounds that prevent disease and fight infection. This list of common kitchen herbs used to spice up foods are an excellent and all-natural way to treat common ailments, and they also have flu-fighting properties.
Try one of these spices and feel better soon!
Anise: Aids in digestion and helps stop coughing.
Basil: Helps clear head congestion during a cold.
Cardamom: Helps digestion of dairy products and soothes the stomach to treat indigestion.
Cilantro: Helps prevent food poisoning and removes mercury from the body. Cilantro is the name of the young green leaves of the coriander plant.
Fennel: Controls bad breath and, when chewed after spicy meals, masks the odor of garlic and onions.
Oregano: A favorite in Mediterranean cooking, oregano has powerful infection-fighting properties.
Peppermint: Stops intestinal gas, calms indigestion, controls nausea, and sweetens the breath.
Parsley: Promotes urinary flow and provides antioxidants.
Rosemary: A powerful antioxidant, rosemary also had microbe-fighting properties, and it helps calms nerves.
Sage: Treats the congestion and stuffiness associated with colds, clears headaches, and kills parasites, bacteria, and yeasts. Sage oil may improve memory.
Thyme: Well known as a natural antibiotic, it kills parasites and yeast. It can also soothe the chest and halt coughing.
Turmeric: The main ingredient in curry, turmeric adds zest and color to foods. It’s cancer fighting and lowers unfavorable bacteria in the gut that cause gas and bloating. It has anti-inflammatory properties.
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Easy-to-Grow Medicinal Plants
Aloe Vera
Common Uses: Soothing cuts and burns. Its ability to heal sores and soothe itchy skin—and modern science has followed their lead. Researchers have touted aloe vera for treating herpes blisters, burns, wounds, and frostbite.
Calendula (C. officinalis)
Common Uses: Used externally on skin abrasions, minor burns, and wounds. Used internally for minor digestive irritation. Flowers are edible and can be used to liven up the look of a green salad, for instance.
Chickweed (Stellaria media)
Common Uses: Raw chickweed, including the stem, leaves and flowers, can be eaten in salads, or cooked like spinach, which is what it tastes like. It has diuretic properties that help to cleanse the kidneys and urinary tract without depleting essential minerals.
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)
Common Uses: The root and leaf are used externally to help heal cults and wounds. A comfrey tea is used to relieve coughs; the plant is reputed to help internally with healing, even of broken bones and fractures (although there is debate about the safety of using it internally).
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
Common Uses: Everything about this plant has called to me from my childhood blowing dandelion seeds in the wind to making dandelion flower tonic and root tincture for strengthening the liver. Dandelion is a highly treasured food and medicine in many parts of the world, while here in the U.S. we treat it like a pariah. The roots and leaves can be used to treat liver disorders, anemia and diabetes. Dandelion also has diuretic properties that help to open the kidneys and increase the output of urine, removing harmful substances from the system.
*Eating dandelion*
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/eating-dandelions.html#Echinacea (E. angustifolia, E. pallida, E. purpurea)
Common Uses: Echinacea is used as a general immune system booster used to prevent and fight colds, sore throats, and sinus infections. It is also used for respiratory tract and lower urinary tract infections. It is used externally for skin abrasions and ulcerations.
Fennel
Common Uses: Calming digestion. It’s no coincidence that Indian restaurants set out tiny bowls of fennel seeds to chew on after dinner. Anethole, the active ingredient inside the seed, relaxes the smooth muscles of the stomach, easing digestion. Even the ancient Romans praised its healing properties, including scientist Pliny the Elder, who listed 22 medical uses for it.
Lavender
Common Uses: Easing insomnia. Lavender has a sedative effect on the central nervous system and releases muscle tension.
Nettle (Urtica diocia, U. gracilis)
Common Uses: Nettle is used as a nutritive tea and is good for treating acidosis. It is also used for chronic bladder irritation and as a pain-reliever on painful or arthritic joints. The nutritious leaves are also eaten, cooked or steamed, similar to spinach. Nettle has been used to help nursing mothers produce milk.
Spearment
Common Uses: Boosting energy. Spearmint’s probably best known as a stomach soother, aiding digestion while easing stomach spasms.
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