Natural Antibiotic Alternative #5 – Echinacea
Echinacea has a particular scent that instantly opens up your airways. That’s how you know it is effective for colds, sinus infections, strep-throat and other respiratory issues.
The purple coneflower is pretty to grow in your garden and can be made into a tea, extract, juice, powder, or cream for treating a number of infections.
“There have been more than 300 scientific investigations on the immune- enhancing effects of Echinacea—one of the most popular herbs in the treatment of the common cold” #1.
Paired with goldenseal, Echinacea helps knock out strep throat. It has also been used to treat a range of problems “from skin wounds to dizziness” #2.
Lyme Disease and vaginal infections are also among its uses.
Natural Antibiotic Alternative #5 – Aloe Vera
Perhaps you’ve already experienced the skin-soothing wonder of aloe vera gel. But beyond its ability to soothe damaged skin, aloe vera has been shown effective in the treatment of-
- gum disease
- hypertension
- angioedema (rapid swelling from trauma or allergies)
- ulcerative colitis
- diabetes
- peptic ulcer
- and other skin issues, such as psoriasis
- Seborrheic Dermatitis
- plaques from the shingles virus, and
- cuts and scrapes
It’s ability to “inhibit the production of reactive oxygen metabolites and inflammatory mediators by human colon epithelial cells” makes it effective in treating the symptoms of Crohn’s Disease—a particularly uncomfortable and often untreatable disease #3 It can also help relieve asthma symptoms in sufferers who are not dependent on corticosteroids.#4
Ref:
#1 The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, p 437;
#2. Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine, p 53
#3 The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, p 467
#4 Other references: The New American Herbal and The Herbal Drugstore for more about the antibiotic properties of aloe vera.
Ref: Compiled by Marjory Wildcraft who is an Expedition Leader and Bioneer Blogger with The [Grow] Network
