Although there may be times when an antibiotic is necessary, for the majority of the time, they are over-prescribed, which has led to antibiotic resistance.
When you take an antibiotic, not only does your body builds resistance to it, but some surviving bacteria also build resistance to the drug, deeming it useless for the next round (this is why doctors stress to patients to finish the full round of antibiotics to make sure no bacteria linger and build resistance).
Bacteria are incredibly intelligent, and can mutate (change) to protect themselves from the drug. When patients do not finish full rounds of antibiotics, or if their illness remains even after a round of antibiotics, these bacteria multiply and pass on their resistant properties to other bacteria.
Antibiotics also kill good bacteria in the gut, which when destroyed, make your immune system even weaker. This is why you should always be taking a high-quality probiotic when sick (I like the company Puradyme. I am not affiliated with them, I just love their products).
And whether you want to consume antibiotics or not, you are likely eating them in your food (if you consume conventional meat and dairy, that is). Consuming the dairy or meat products of animals that have been pumped full of antibiotics subjects your body to these drugs. Over 70% of all antibiotic use in the United States is used for the beef industry – meaning just 30% of antibiotic use is reserved for medical reasons.
Essential Oils And Improving Your Health
You can easily improve your own health, which will mean improving the health of others in the long run. Here are some tips to keeping yourself healthy:
– Get enough sleep (8-9 hours every night)
– Buy organic produce and meat/dairy if you so choose to consume animal products (plant-based will make you less sick in the long run)
– Only take antibiotics when absolutely necessary and only when you have a bacterial infection, not a viral infection
– Build your immune system by consuming a daily probiotic and eating plenty of leafy greens and fresh veggies and fruit
– Stress less – practice yoga or mindfulness meditation
– Choose natural alternatives to antibiotics such as essential oils, garlic, lemon, manuka honey, and apple cider vinegar
– Drink 2-3 litres of water daily
– Exercise 4-5 times a week, even if it is just 30 minutes of walking a day
Natural approaches to healing the body aren’t “quack” science as many believe. Our ancestors have used these methods for centuries, before we were colonized by the masses and stripped of our culture and precious knowledge that came with it.
Did you know that over 50% of the drugs in clinical use today contain natural products (and their derivatives and analogs)? These natural products are synthesized from plant compounds, except…why not just give the patient the whole plant food instead of synthesizing a certain compound from it, sticking it in a concoction of dyes, chemicals and preservatives, and then giving it to the patient? It simply does not make any sense.
At least 120 well-known drugs still contain chemical substances that are derived from plants, such as codeine, digitalis (for heart patients), ephedrine (Sedated), Aspirin, and morphine, to name a few.
Essential oils can actually penetrate cells to kill viruses and bacteria, whereas antibiotics cannot. This is why essential oils are so effective at healing the human body (without the side effects, and without antibacterial resistance).
These essential oils are known antibacterials. Use them as suggested:
Eucalyptus: helps expedite the healing process of wounds, and protects wounds from exposure to air. Also works great for relieving coughs and sinus congestion. Use topically (dilute in carrier oil if your skin is sensitive) or aromatically (breathing in or in a diffuser). Do not ingest (1).
Peppermint: inhaling peppermint can help clear sinus infections. It also helps teeth and gums fight off harmful bacteria. It contains menthol, camphor, and carvacrol, which can fight off dangerous bacteria like salmonella, E.coli, and staph (2). Use externally (dilute in carrier oil if your skin is sensitive), inhale, or put some into your toothpaste, if you like making your own coconut oil baking soda toothpaste. Ingest in fresh form, using the whole plant instead of the essential oil.
Lavender: another great essential oil to help treat various skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, and other inflammatory skin conditions. It helps to speed the healing of wounds, cuts, burns and sunburns, while preventing scarring (3). Use externally (dilute in carrier oil if your skin is sensitive), or inhale to receive relaxing benefits. Consuming lavender tea can also provide antimicrobial benefits.
Lemon Grass: lemon grass is highly anti-microbial, inhibiting the growth of bacteria both externally and internally (4). It helps treat urinary tract infections, malaria, typhoid, as well as food poisoning and bacterial skin conditions. Use externally (dilute in carrier oil if your skin is sensitive), inhale, or if you want to consume, use the whole plant instead of the essential oil.
Oregano: this oil helps reduce bacterial cell density by disturbing the cell membrane and killing off cells. It has been discovered to help protect against many strains of bacteria like E. coli, staphylococcus, and salmonella (5). It is even more potent when combined with silver nanoparticles, otherwise known as colloidal silver. Oregano oil can be taken internally – follow directions on bottle.
Thyme: a great antimicrobial, thyme can help protect our bodies from harmful bacteria like salmonella (6), MRSA, and Staph. It could potentially be used as an antimicrobial preservative for food. Use thyme oil externally (dilute in carrier oil if your skin is sensitive), or use fresh thyme internally.
Tea Tree Oil: an incredibly effective anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-microbial (7). It is one oil that you can apply directly to your skin without first diluting it in a carrier oil.
Bergamot: possesses powerful anti-bacterial properties, and has been used to eliminate intestinal worms. It can also help speed the healing of mouth ulcers, cold sores, herpes, as well as shingles and chicken pox. Use externally (dilute in carrier oil if your skin is sensitive), or use internally by diluting one drop of food-grade bergamot essential oil into 4 fluid ounces of liquid.
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