Natural Antibiotics: Risks and Benefits

Germans swallow around 3,000 tons of antibiotics every year. But the artificial bacteria killers often do not help. An expert explains why this is and why herbal antibiotics work better.

Before you next resort to chemically synthesized antibiotics, you should think about the natural effects of antibiotic plants, which can also help against bacteria, viruses and fungi. We will introduce you to the best natural antibiotics.

Natural antibiotics – the best herbal helpers

Cranberries
Their ingredient proanthocyanide (e.g. in “Salus CranBlu aktiv”) prevents bacteria from settling in the bladder mucosa.

Eucalyptus
The essential oil cineole (e.g. in “Soledum”) inhibits the growth of bacteria and viruses in respiratory tract infections and blocks neurotransmitters that e.g. B. constrict the bronchi in asthmatics.

Cape Pelargonium
Its active ingredient EPs 7630 fights bacteria and viruses without interfering with their metabolism (no resistance). Helps especially with acute bronchitis (e.g. “Umckaloabo”).

Nasturtium
The pungent mustard oils in the pretty flowering perennial have a toxic effect on many organisms. This is how the plant protects itself from predators, which also explains the strong effect against viruses and bacteria. Ideal for urinary tract infections (e.g. in “Cystinol” or “Angocin”, in pharmacies). The richly contained vitamin C also supports the weakened immune system.

Myrtle
The active ingredient myrtol (e.g. in “Gelomyrtol forte”) inhibits bacterial growth and curbs inflammation in the throat, throat, bronchi and paranasal sinuses.

Purple Coneflower
Many studies document the success of echinacea as a herbal all-round antibiotic that quickly relieves and heals infections such as streptococcal angina (tonsillitis) and strengthens the immune system (e.g. “Echinacea ratiopharm”, in pharmacies).

Yarrow
It also contains the essential oil cineole. There are also antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic proazulenes (e.g. in Sidroga medicinal tea).

Thyme
The essential oil thymol inhibits the growth of bacteria, viruses and fungi. It also promotes expectoration (e.g. “tetesept cold capsules”).

Wasserdost
Xylane (e.g. in “Contramutan”) strengthen the immune system and prevent pathogens from settling on the mucous membranes.

Rockrose
The active ingredient Cystus 052 (e.g. in “Cystus 052 organic throat lozenges”) prevents viruses from penetrating body cells.

Plants protect themselves from germs with special substances (defensins). People can also benefit from this effect and thus avoid conventional antibiotics in the case of mild infections. However, in the case of serious bacterial diseases, antibiotics cannot be dispensed with.

Turmeric
The spice also has great healing properties. The ingredient curcumin obtained from the turmeric bulb (e.g. in “curcumin loges”, in pharmacies) has a strong anti-inflammatory effect. The medical guidelines therefore recommend it for the treatment of chronic intestinal inflammation (ulcerative colitis).

Eyebright
In the case of styes or conjunctivitis, eyebright preparations (e.g. “Euphrasia comp. Augensalbe” or “Euphrasia Augendrops”, both available in pharmacies) relieve the symptoms and allow the inflammation to heal.

Calendula
Infected, poorly healing wounds, abscesses and boils respond to calendula. The preparations (e.g. “Calendumed”, pharmacy) are often also tolerated in the case of daisy family allergies.

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Problems and risks of antibiotics

It doesn’t work without antibiotics, even if more and more germs are becoming immune to them,” says Prof. em. Franz Daschner, infectiologist from Freiburg. The pharmaceutical industry, the doctors and patients and the poultry farmers are to blame for the latter. In the following interview, the chairman of the “viamedica – Foundation for Healthy Medicine” explains how all of this is connected. And he names highly effective wonder weapons from nature that often fight bronchitis or bladder infections better than antibiotics from the test tube.

Tolfioow: How dangerous is antibiotic resistance?

Prof. Daschner: They are among the biggest infectious problems worldwide. Hundreds of thousands die every year from infections caused by antibiotic-resistant germs. Ever since antibiotics became available to medicine, the number of bacteria against which they are no longer effective has steadily increased. This dilemma will become even worse in the next ten or twenty years because the pharmaceutical industry is now bringing fewer and fewer new antibiotics onto the market.

Why are there fewer and fewer new antibiotics?

The fact is that between 1960 and 1990 around 40 new active ingredients came onto the market – but since 2000 only a handful. The reason: the development of a new antibiotic is extremely expensive. It costs about half a billion to a billion euros. Of course, the manufacturers say to themselves: “If resistance develops so often, our new agent will quickly become ineffective. The effort isn’t worth it.” So the old, less effective preparations have to be used more often. This also promotes resistance.

Are doctors exacerbating the problem of antibiotics being used in an inflationary manner?

Yes. In Germany, it is mainly paediatricians and general practitioners who use antibiotics incorrectly or too often. For paediatricians, it’s all about their patients. The younger the child, the more likely it is to have an infection. And many parents are overly anxious and insist on an antibiotic prescription. It so happens that e.g. For example, in the case of a simple middle ear infection, contrary to current therapy guidelines, a broad-spectrum antibiotic is prescribed. Overwork also plays a role for general practitioners. If they have to “smuggle through” 40 patients or more in one morning, there is not enough time for the individual, and often for the diagnostics as well. Then reaching for the antibiotic prescription is a lot quicker.

Doctors use antibiotics wrong – what do you mean exactly?

They prescribe antibiotics for infections of the upper respiratory tract more often than average. They overlook the fact that 90 percent of these infections – from the common cold to sinusitis – are caused by viruses. Antibiotics only fight bacteria. If the doctor does not make this distinction, it is not surprising that the patient, as a medical layperson, thinks “antibiotics help against everything that causes an infection” and very often demands the drugs.

But these days, rapid tests can help differentiate.

Yes, the PCT test e.g. B. gives a certain certainty that it is a bacterial infection. Measuring C-reactive protein, an “inflammatory” protein, also makes sense. Its value is increased when there is an infection, especially a bacterial one. The result of this test is not 100% reliable either, but it provides an initial indication. Then there’s the strep test, which is a swab in the throat. With its help, the doctor can determine whether it is A streptococci, the most common trigger of bacterial angina. But there are still no rapid tests with absolute diagnostic information.

Is the patient to blame if antibiotics don’t work properly?

In many cases yes. That’s why I urge everyone: Don’t let the package insert unsettle you. The listed side effects must be listed according to legal requirements, but they usually occur less frequently than feared. Take the antibiotic exactly as your doctor prescribed. Even if you feel better. Then the symptoms are gone, but the bacteria are not. penicillins e.g. eg you have to take ten days for angina, cephalosporins five days. Do not keep the antibiotic to swallow it yourself the next time you have an infection. Never take antibiotics without a doctor’s recommendation.

Do certain foods reduce the effectiveness of antibiotics?

Yes, e.g. For example, orange juice, dairy products or muesli can reduce the effectiveness of antibiotics. And with certain z. B. against high blood pressure or heart disease, there may be interactions. Patients should also strictly adhere to the time intervals between taking antibiotics. My advice for doctors and patients: In the case of mild and moderate infections of the respiratory tract, phytopharmaceuticals with proven effectiveness should be used.

plants against bacteria

Plant medicine against bacteria – does it work?

Yes. Remember that natural phytopharmaceuticals have existed on our planet for millions of years. In nature’s struggle for survival, plants ultimately had to defend themselves against attacks by bacteria, viruses and fungi. With the help of such secret weapons, pharmacologically highly effective substances, they successfully prevented and still prevent microorganisms from eating them up. And these have not yet succeeded in developing resistance to phytopharmaceuticals. The reason for this is probably that the herbal protective substances are a combination of different active ingredients and not a single substance. It is probably much more difficult for microorganisms to become immune to such a group. As a natural antibiotic z. For example, the Cape geranium has been studied very intensively.

How does it work?

Its active substance EPs 7630 covers the mucous membrane cells of the respiratory tract with a kind of protective film and thus prevents bacteria from attaching themselves. It also promotes phagocytosis, i.e. the “eating capacity” of the white blood cells, and increases “intracellular killing”. This means killing bacteria that have managed to penetrate a body cell. It works in a very similar way with a virus infection.

So help for self-help?

Exactly. Incidentally, many other phytopharmaceuticals also work in the same way. In general, one has to say that all phytopharmaceuticals that we have on the market have proven their effectiveness in clinical studies.

And how do the dyes from cranberries work?

The anthocyanins in the juice of the large cranberry ensure that rod-shaped coliform bacteria from the intestine, which cause 80 percent of bladder infections, turn into spherical structures. As a result, they can no longer attach themselves to the bladder mucosa.

In a test conducted by the Federal Government for the Environment and Nature Conservation in January, more than half of the broiler chickens were contaminated with resistant germs. What do you think?

This is a catastrophe – and highly dangerous! Because the use of antibiotics despite the ban means that resistant bacteria are practically bred. Of course, they pass from animals to humans. Everyone who comes into contact with this poultry is guaranteed to have resistant germs in their intestinal flora. There they produce enzymes that render antibiotics ineffective. And poultry usually comes into the kitchen as raw meat – this is how the resistant germs get on our hands, on the cutting board and finally in our bodies. A result of this are e.g. B. Salmonella infections.

Can medicine no longer count on antibiotics in the future?

Yes, antibiotics are still among the most effective medicines. An example: In the past, 95 percent of patients with meningitis died, today 95 percent survive. We still have antibiotics that have an effective therapeutic spectrum. And it will be another ten years before they are possibly replaced by the promising active ingredient group of antimicrobial peptides.

Take antibiotics properly

There are three important rules to remember when taking prescription antibiotics:

1. Give the body time to heal

Our immune system can deal with most infections on its own. It just takes some time and rest. Listen to your body’s signals. It often helps to get a good night’s sleep and let your immune system do its job.

2. No antibiotics for viral diseases

Colds, bronchitis, flu – viruses usually trigger colds. However, antibiotics only work against bacteria. Taking which would be completely useless in this case. If your doctor nevertheless wants to prescribe you an antibiotic, ask them to first identify the bacterial pathogen

3. Take as directed

If you end the therapy on your own, bacteria can remain and resistance can develop. Therefore, be sure to complete the prescribed dose – and never take antibiotics on your own.

Crystal Waston MD

Crystal Waston has a degree in Cross Media Production and Publishing. At vital.de she gives everyday tips and deals with topics related to women's health, sport, and nutrition.

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