The Power of Nature: 4 Natural Antibiotics in Your Kitchen

Antibiotics are a marvel of modern medicine, helping people recover from infections that a little more than 100 years ago may have been fatal. Though a fairly new medical treatment, natural antibiotics have been around for millions of years. In fact, the kitchen is home to many natural antibiotics. Like your immune system, natural antibiotics in food protect against harmful microorganisms.

Can natural antibiotics found in your kitchen benefit you? Let’s see what science has to say.

Understanding natural antibiotics

Natural antibiotics are the bioactive substances in plants that fight off harmful microbes. Despite the name, natural antibiotics don’t have the same mechanisms of action as prescription antibiotics.

Food contains substances that protect against bacteria. These substances are called antimicrobial agents, and they may kill, stop, or slow down the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms. Antimicrobials aren’t the same as antibiotics. Antibiotics are prescription medications that inhibit, damage, and destroy harmful bacteria.

Natural antibiotics in your kitchen may offer some benefits, like preventing illness or helping you recover from a mild infection. However, natural antibiotics cannot replace prescription antibiotics.

Top antibacterial foods and their benefits

Researchers are still learning about antibacterial agents in food, how they work, and their potential benefits. Most of the information available comes from laboratory, cell, and animal studies, so it’s not clear how natural antibiotics help people.

Some of the top antibacterial foods with promising evidence include:

Garlic

Garlic is a flavorful spice and a staple in many cuisines. Many cultures also consider garlic a powerful therapeutic agent, using it to treat conditions like colds, allergies, and high blood pressure.

Garlic possesses antibacterial properties, as evidenced by studies demonstrating its ability to hinder the growth of harmful bacteria such as Shigella spp., Escherichia coli (E. coli), and antibiotic-resistant strains like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Researchers attribute most of the bacteria-fighting benefits in garlic to allicin, the same compound responsible for its distinct taste and smell.

Honey

Honey is one of the oldest natural antibiotics, dating back to Ancient Egypt where it was used orally and topically to treat infections and wounds. Many compounds in honey may protect against bacteria.

Honey is a natural source of hydrogen peroxide, an antiseptic and disinfecting agent. The natural sweetener also has a low pH and water content, creating an environment that inhibits bacterial growth.

Though there’s evidence that honey may slow the growth of bad germs, it’s not clear what type or amount of honey works best.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a golden spice with a distinct flavor and the main ingredient in curry. Curcumin is a polyphenol compound in turmeric linked to its antibacterial activity.

Laboratory studies show that curcumin has antibacterial potential against some bacteria like S. aureus, E. coli, and Bacillus species. However, results are inconsistent, so it’s not clear how well the spice might work in protecting you from infections, if at all.

Cabbage

Cabbage is a hearty vegetable rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and other health-promoting compounds. Preliminary evidence suggests that the cruciferous vegetable has antibacterial properties that may help against bacteria that cause pneumonia.

One laboratory study found that antibacterial and antifungal extracts from cabbage leaves inhibit the growth of disease-causing microorganisms like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus. Researchers concluded that cabbage and its extracts may serve as a potential antibacterial and antifungal agent.

Though scientists are excited about the potential benefits of the antibacterial properties in cabbage, research is still in the early stages.

How natural antibiotics work in the body

How natural antibiotics work in the body is unclear. Natural antibiotics may kill, stop, or slow down the growth of bacteria. Their effectiveness depends on the germ; in some cases, they may not work at all.

While it’s not clear how well natural antibiotics work against infections, they may support immune health. The antibacterial properties in food may fight off germs before they have a chance to multiply, potentially helping prevent infections.

The natural antibiotics in your kitchen also contain agents that may reduce inflammation and protect against viruses, benefiting your health in other ways.

Integrating antibacterial foods into your diet

Integrating antibacterial foods into your usual diet is the safest way to gain health benefits. Taking a natural antibiotic in supplement form or using it like a medicine may cause unwanted side effects or interact with medications. Talk to your doctor about supplements before adding them to your routine, as they can provide individualized guidance about safety and dosage.

Garlic is a natural blood thinner, and taking too much increases the risk of bleeding, making it potentially unsafe if you take blood thinners or need surgery.

Honey is safe for most people. However, honey isn’t recommended for children under 12 months because it may be contaminated with bacteria that cause infant botulism, a life-threatening infection that causes muscle weakness and difficulty breathing. You also want to talk to your doctor about honey safety if you have a bee allergy.

The role of antioxidants in antimicrobial foods

Antimicrobial foods are rich in antioxidants, substances that protect cells from oxidative damage. Early research suggests that the antioxidants may work with the antibacterial compounds in the fight against illness.

Some of the antioxidant-rich antimicrobial foods include:

• Beans
• Nuts
• Green tea
• Herbs and spices (oregano, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, etc.)

Like natural antibiotics, these foods enhance the quality of your diet. Add antioxidant-rich foods to your meals to gain health benefits and extra protection against disease. Sprinkle beans in salads, snack on nuts, and flavor meals with herbs and spices.

Answering common misconceptions about natural antibiotics

The natural antibiotics in your kitchen are rich in nutrients that benefit your health. When they are part of a balanced diet, they may be beneficial against illness. However, they can’t replace medical treatment.

Natural antibiotics aren’t effective against all infections, and relying on natural remedies when treating an infection may lead to complications. Additionally, natural antibiotics can’t protect against viruses, fungal infections, and other non-bacterial diseases.

No single food, ingredient, or nutrient can protect you from disease. Your best natural defense against illness is a varied diet that emphasizes nutrient-rich foods.

Natural antibiotics for specific health issues

The evidence to support the use of natural antibiotics for specific health issues is sparse. If you have a health issue and want to use natural therapies, talk to your doctor.

Ear infections, for instance, are common and may clear up on their own, but sometimes, antibiotics are needed. There’s some evidence that garlic may inhibit the growth of strains of bacteria that cause ear infections. However, the natural remedy doesn’t work as well as prescription antibiotics.

At the same time, people take turmeric believing that it helps manage arthritis, digestive problems, and respiratory infections. However, there’s little evidence to support the health claims. Researchers report that the active ingredient in the spice — curcumin — is difficult to study because it’s unstable and not well absorbed into the bloodstream.

Bottom line

Natural antibiotics in your kitchen may help you stay well so you don’t need antibiotics. However, they’re not a substitute for antibiotics prescribed by your doctor for an infection.

It’s safe to include foods rich in natural antibiotics in your diet. These foods are rich in many nutrients that benefit your health. Eating a varied diet filled with nutrient-rich foods is your best defense against disease.

In the end, make sure to consult with your doctor before taking any natural antibiotic supplements.