Antibiotic Alternatives Your Doctor Won’t Tell You About

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We don’t want anyone to get us wrong – antibiotics are a good thing. Ok, they are a great thing. They are true life savers that have given us longer lives, stopped many life threatening infections, and they have also stopped almost all childbirth-related infections and deaths. When it comes to serious life threatening infections such as pneumonia, meningitis, and Lyme disease, antibiotics are vital when it comes to saving lives.

The problem lies with the way we have overused antibiotics. By the time most children hit their second birthday, they have already received at least one course of antibiotics, most times unnecessarily. Antibiotics will do nothing to stop colds, flus, most sore throats, coughs, or runny noses, yet, doctors will give out antibiotics to make parents happy.

In fact, the Centers for Disease Control states that at least 50 percent and perhaps as much as 70 percent of the antibiotics prescribed today are completely unnecessary. Most Americans are so accustomed to taking antibiotics for every little thing that we have come to believe these drugs are not only appropriate, but safe, and this is where the problem lies.

Antibiotic resistance is a threat to the entire world. Don’t confuse what antibiotic resistance is: It’s not when YOU or your body becomes resistant to a particular antibiotic, it’s when the bacteria itself LEARNS and changes in response to antibiotics. Over time, this means that antibiotics are no longer effective and cannot kill certain types of bacteria.

Let’s not forget that if you consume conventional dairy or meat products, you are still consuming antibiotics. Just two glasses of conventional milk each day gives you a dose of about 50 micrograms of tetracycline.

Doctors should tell us that healthy lifestyles and a more natural diet is the best way to avoid antibiotics in the first place. When was the last time your doctor recommended that?

Eating an organic, natural diet loaded with plenty of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and organic protein, getting plenty of rest and moderate exercise will keep your immune system strong and in good fighting condition to kick just about anything it encounters to the curb.

But for those times your body needs a little extra help, we have a list of eight of the best herbs around. All of these herbs can prevent infection, improve the immune system and are perfect for assisting the body in fighting those everyday virus and respiratory infections.

1. Maitake Mushrooms

These types of mushrooms support a healthy immune system. When consumed regularly, they can prevent those annoying upper respiratory infections such as ear infections, sinus infections, and coughs. You can eat them fresh, or consume them via supplements.

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2. Elderberry

This wild herb and berry has been well studied and found to be a very effective treatment for flu symptoms in both children and adults. Take elderberry syrup at the first sign of the flu for best results. You can also consume this via capsules, but syrup has been shown to work best.

3. Andrographis

This is a little known herb that is the perfect preventative measure. If you want to avoid things such as wintertime colds, sinus infections, viral sore throats, or bronchitis, then this is the herb to take. If you feel a cold coming on, taking andrographis in combination with Siberian ginseng has been shown to be super effective at cutting the duration of the cold to a minimum.

4. Echinacea

Contrary to popular belief, Echinacea won’t actually treat the symptoms of cold or flu, but it is effective for prevention. Start taking Echinacea about three weeks before the cold and flu season hits. Continue taking it until the weather breaks and you know spring is near. This should help prevent you from getting sick in the first place.

5. Garlic and Lemon

This super combination not only fights viruses, but bacterial infections as well. The icing on the cake here is that it improves your immune system at the same time. The best way to use garlic is to cut up organic cloves and add them to your cooking and meals. The same with lemon. Add lemon juice to your vegetables and water. Aim to consume two whole garlic cloves each day and the juice from one lemon for best results.

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6. Ginger

For fighting viral infections, ginger cannot be underestimated. Not only does ginger warm up the body, but it helps ease those aches and pains, such as headaches, the often come with viruses. Ginger tea, especially with a little lemon juice and honey, is one of the best things you can consume when you have a cold or the flu.

7. Green Tea

If you suffer from frequent sinus infections, this is the remedy for you. Consuming two cups of green tea each day will stop those infections. Opt for real green tea from Japan that you brew fresh yourself. You can drink it iced if you prefer, but avoid the cans or bottled stuff. If you love green tea, feel free to drink five or more cups each day.

8. Pelargonium

Sometimes called umckaloabo or umcka, this little known herb is fantastic for dealing with just about any virus you can think of: Colds, flus, sinus infections, it can even help with bronchitis. Take according to the package directions, and prepare to be amazed.

You don’t have to choose between suffering with a cold, flu, or other type of infection or taking those chemical filled over-the-counter remedies. You also do not have to take antibiotics simply because your doctor prescribed them. Ask your doctor if antibiotics will truly help you and if they are truly necessary. Protect yourself by simply choosing to go the natural route rather than take antibiotics that may not work to help you with your current problem

Of course, pregnant women, nursing mothers, or those who are under a doctor’s care for any type of health problem should speak to their doctors ] before consuming any supplement or herb to ensure that there are no dangerous drug interactions.

References:

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

www.umm.edu

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