Winter is just a few steps away. In recent years, more and more people associate winter with weak immunity, colds, fever, drugs and antibiotics. Not too optimistic, right?
To catch a cold in chilly weather is a fairly common phenomenon, and medications, especially antibiotics, are not always necessary. The World Health Organization continues to remind us that excessive use of antibiotics, which some drink at the first symptoms of a cold, can lead to antibiotic resistance. Therefore, it is best to avoid taking antibiotics when you do not need them.
Fortunately, nature took care of the fragile person, having long created natural antibiotics. Many plants have antibiotic properties, and each of them has its own "spectrum of action", like synthetic ones. Of course, the strength of the effect of plants and berries cannot be compared with pharmaceutical antibiotics. But on the other hand, natural antibiotics have a big plus: nature has come up with special substances that simultaneously protect against bacteria, viruses and fungi. That is, it has created more advanced drugs, unlike laboratory ones, which fight only with certain groups of bacteria or viruses.
And one more thing: many natural antibiotics are right in your kitchen. If you don't believe, see the list below:
Basil
It is an almost universal natural antibiotic, has disinfecting and bactericidal properties and protects the body from various infections.
It is used for colds, flu – it expels phlegm from the bronchi, relieves coughing. It can reduce temperature, relieve insomnia and nervous tension.
This herb and infusions from it perfectly help with inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: gastritis, enteritis, colitis. It can also be used to lubricate skin areas affected by eczema or psoriasis.
How to use? Use fresh. Add to salads or ready-made dishes at the very last moment, so as not to "kill" the spicy aroma. You can also use basil essential oil, which has a bactericidal effect, or try basil decoction (4 tablespoons of chopped leaves, maybe even dried, and 250 ml boiling water) which helps with tonsillitis and headaches.
Mustard
The main beneficial properties of mustard are antimicrobial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory effects. In addition to antiseptic properties, this plant perfectly neutralizes and removes toxins from the body. It is also generally accepted that mustard significantly speeds up metabolic processes in the body, contributing to better digestibility of heavy foods.
Use it at the first symptoms of a cold and sore throat, lingering cough, but when there is no fever.
How to use? You can use it in the form of mustard plasters, sprinkle dry powder into socks (if there is no fever), or eat ready-made mustard spread on black bread.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is not just a natural antibiotic, but also an excellent immunomodulator and tonic.
It is useful for acute respiratory viral infections and colds, as it has a pronounced diaphoretic effect, for depression and migraine, flatulence and diarrhea.
How to use? Add it to tea or hot milk. Cinnamon bark, when boiled and gargled, has an antiseptic effect. The alcoholic extract of Chinese cinnamon bark has a detrimental effect on tubercle bacilli and viruses.
Blueberry
The berries contain an aspirin-like substance that has analgesic and antipyretic effects. Blueberries kill bacteria in the urinary tract and prevent infection from spreading throughout the body.
It is useful for high fever, colds. Decoctions and fruit drinks from blueberries have a high anti-inflammatory effect, they are often prescribed for inflammation of the lungs, kidneys or bladder.
How to use? Blueberries are eaten fresh, because it is in fresh berries that the concentration of nutrients is highest. You can also make fruit drinks from them, or you can just insist, pouring water.
Grapefruit
Scientists have found that the substances contained in grapefruit seeds are able to effectively resist more than 800 strains of bacteria and destroy about 100 varieties of fungi. For this reason, grapefruit is actively used for the preparation of drugs designed to combat pathogens.
It is also used to prevent colds. Grapefruit pulp is good for the gastrointestinal tract and helps lower blood cholesterol levels.
How to use? You can eat half a grapefruit every day, or squeeze the juice out of the whole. But the juice is best diluted in half with water.
Cabbage
Cabbage has antimicrobial properties. Also, cabbage leaves and stumps contain sugar, fiber, as well as carotene, folic acid, potassium, calcium, phosphorus salts and all the vitamins we need.
It is used for insomnia, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, and migraines.
How to use? Not only fresh in salads, but also squeezing cabbage juice, as well as sauerkraut, because it is such cabbage that is most useful – its antibiotic properties only increase.
I'm sure you already know about the antibiotic properties of onion, garlic, lemon, ginger, and honey. I am not going to dwell on them, as these products are often spoken of in the context of colds and flu. But what about the ones on the list above? Did you know about these natural antibiotics?
I would be very happy if the information provided is useful to you. Don't get sick, but if it happens, don't forget about these natural medicines that can be very helpful.
Best regards!