Are Essential Oils the New Antibiotics?
Simply put, antibiotics are poisons that are used to kill. Only licensed physicians can prescribe them. The drugs are used to kill bacteria. Certainly, many people have benefited from using them. However, if bacteria were the only organisms that antibiotics killed, much of this book would be unnecessary. In fact, I contend that poisons that kill small organisms in small doses — organism-specific varieties notwithstanding — can also kill big organisms, when they are taken in big doses. You, my friend, are a big organism.
How Antibiotic Overuse Affects You
Let?s begin with what?s within your control: how you use antibiotics. Many of us were raised seeing antibiotics as the ultimate solution for any infections or illnesses that we may have had.
Sure, your stomach would be a little upset but ultimately the infection would disappear and you could go on with your life; no harm done, right?
Wrong.
The reality is that using antibiotics for minor infections leads to two serious consequences. Your own immune system will begin to feel the strain because antibiotics are completely indiscriminate when it comes to eliminating bacteria.
This means that antibiotics will destroy the ?good? bacteria allocated in your gut that actually help develop your immune system and improve your body?s efficiency at removing toxic metals.
This is why I recommend using antibiotics only when your family doctor deems it necessary to treat a serious infection.
Unfortunately, our personal decisions are not the only factor in this escalating problem. We also need to realize that the behemoths of the food industry are rapidly complicating the issue.
How Big Business Is Making Bacteria Stronger
As of today, the beef industry alone represents 70% of all antibiotic use in the United States. Let that sink in?.
This fact, when added to the rampant use of pesticide-poisoned food to feed the cattle and the inhumane of growth hormones pumped into these creatures; make these companies on of the biggest dangers to our healthcare system.
The PR departments from these companies will argue that these ethically questionable and dangerous business practices are all done for our sake. The reality is that all this is done in the name of maximizing profit at our expense.
What Can You Do?
Besides making sure your money speaks for your convictions by purchasing certified organic and natural meat products you can also begin by finding and using natural alternatives to antibiotics.
As always, if you see that your infection is still resisting treatment, make sure to visit your doctor.
This is where essential oils come in.
Yes, they?re so much more than fancy scents or massage oils. Did you know they can be used as:
? The key ingredient for most natural cleaners.
? Alternative to highly toxic cosmetics.
? Natural pest controls.
Why Essential Oils Rule
Essential oils have been around for centuries, fighting everything, whether we?re talking?essential oils for anxiety and depression to essential oils for arthritis?and allergies, so the idea of using them to fight infection is not anything new. They?ve been used to stave off anything from disease-causing bacteria and viruses to fungus. Ultimately, evidence shows that antibacterial essential oils?can effectively kill bacteria without becoming resistant to it making, them great antibacterial and antimicrobial resources.
What I?ve found in clinical practice and consistent in medical literature is that oregano, cinnamon, thyme and tea tree oils are some of the most effective antibacterial essential oils for fighting bacterial infections.
1. Cinnamon Oil
Not only do I love the taste of cinnamon and use it all the time in my wellness tonics, baking and on my gluten-free oatmeal, but it?s even better knowing that every time I consume it, I?m fighting off potential bad bacteria in my body.
Studies published in the Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice?were conducted on the effectiveness of cinnamon oil against ?planktonic E. faecalis? in a root canal procedure. The results showed that?the cinnamon?essential oil?eliminated bacterial growth after seven and 14 days of procedure, making it a compatible natural option.
The study concluded that ?Cinnamomum zeylanicum essential oil is an efficient antibacterial agent against planktonic and biofilm E. faecalis and?has can be a great?antimicrobial agent in root canal treatment.
2. Thyme Oil
Thyme oil is great as an antimicrobial. Studies were conducted at the University of Tennessee?s Department of Food Science and Technology?to evaluate its effect against bacteria found in milk and salmonella. Like with the cinnamon essential oil, droplets of thyme essential oil with the GRAS recognition (generally recognized as safe) were placed on the bacteria.
The results, published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology,?indicate that the ?nanoemulsions? could be great options for protecting our bodies from bacteria?by using thyme oil?as an?antimicrobial preservative for?food. Wouldn?t this be a better choice than the usual chemical approach? Of course!
3. Oregano Oil
Interestingly, yet not surprisingly, bacterial resistance to standard?antibiotics has?become a big problem in the health industry. This has brought more attention to plants as possible alternatives to fight bad bacteria.
Studies have shown that oregano?oil?and silver nanoparticles, also known as colloidal silver, have potent antibacterial activity?against some drug-resistant bacterial strains. Results?showed that both?individual and combined treatments provided?reduction in cell density, which gives way to?antimicrobial activity through the?disruption of cells. Overall, these results indicate that oregano essential oil?can be an alternative in the control of infections.
4. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is an amazing alternative?to fighting bacteria topically. Research out of India showed?that tea tree oil was effective against E. coli and staph infections when combined with eucalyptus, one of my recommendations for helping fight infections found in chest colds. The studies revealed that upon application, there was an immediate effect followed by a slow-released effect over a 24-hour period. This means that there is an initial cellular response?at the moment of utilization, but the oils appear to continue?working?within the body, making it a great option as an antimicrobial as well.
I recommend mixing one of these oils, or a combination, with one teaspoon of Manuka honey and/or coconut oil and applying topically to the affected area. You can even combine one drop each of oregano oil, cinnamon and thyme with Manuka honey and take it as a tonic, though I always suggest you ensure that you?re fully educated about all oils before ingesting them, especially if you have a medical condition or are pregnant or breast-feeding. Ultimately, what?s great about these oils is that they?re more gentle on the gut lining and can be used for short periods internally, and longer externally, as long as your doctor approves and you don?t have any negative reaction to them.
Many of my patients have great results against bacterial infections when working with a protocol that includes antibacterial essential oils, bone broth?and probiotics.
Benefits and Uses of Antibacterial Essential Oils
1. Fight Bacterial Infections, such as Candida and E. Coli
Essential oils have been?known to exhibit antibacterial properties for a very long time. A study was conducted using 52?different essential oils against various bacterial strains, including?candida, salmonella and staph infections, along with skin infections and pneumonia. Two oils that the study specifically noted as being most effective were thyme essential oil and vetiver oil. This is why?many pharmaceuticals may be looking to plant extracts to play a role in medicine and as preservatives.
2. Combat?Staph Infections
Several oils were studied at the Department of Biological Sciences at Manchester Metropolitan University against various staph infections, including patchouli oil, tea tree oil, geranium oil, lavender oil and grapefruit seed extract. They were used individually and in various combinations to evaluate how effective they may be in providing antibacterial activity against ?three strains of Staphylococcus aureus specifically Oxford S. aureus NCTC 6571 (Oxford strain), Epidemic methicillin-resistant S. aureus (EMRSA 15) and MRSA (untypable).?
When used as vapors, the combination of grapefruit seed extract and geranium oil were most effective as antibacterial agents, as was a combination of geranium and tea tree oil.
3. Help Fight Infections Found in Hospitals
It?s no wonder that some people are uncomfortable when going to hospitals due to the numerous infections that are found there. Several essential oils were tested against Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which can cause severe problems with infections involving soft tissue, bone or implants. Tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil showed positive results in their ability to fight several bacteria. In fact, these oils have been used in medicinal environments against various strains that have become resistant to other preventive medicines.
Further testing was evaluated using other essential oils, including thyme, lavender, lemon, lemongrass, cinnamon, grapefruit, clove, sandalwood, peppermint, kunzea and sage oil. Most effective were thyme, lemon, lemongrass and cinnamon oil ? however, all oils showed considerable antibacterial protection as effective topical treatments.
4. May Battle?MARCoNS
MARCoNS is a tricky strain of bacteria defined as multiple antibiotic-resistant coagulase negative staph. MARCoNS is challenging because it has this unique ability to protect itself from treatment, even antibiotics, by forming a protective biofilm.
According to research published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, certain antimicrobial essential oils were able to get rid of bacteria within biofilms much better than prescribed antibiotics. The study tested a few essential oils to see how well they could be at killing biofilms formed by ?Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAO1), Pseudomonas putida (KT2440), and Staphylococcus aureus SC-01. P. aeruginosa? which is a bacteria found in soil, water and animals, providing the perfect pathway into the human body. Because biofilms are able to avoid treatment with antibiotics and may cause severe, even deadly, infections, there is a need for other safe and effective treatments that don?t create resistance to these dangerous strains. Cinnamon essential oil has been studied and may have the much-needed antibacterial fighting protection.
5. Stave Off Bacteria While Traveling
Bacteria enters the body through openings, such as the mouth, ears and nose. You can eat them if the animal or plant you consume?contains a virus or bacteria. They can be obtained through swimming in or drinking bacteria-infected water. These invaders can even get into the body through the pores of the skin.
But one of these easiest ways to get an infection is through the air. You can breathe it in, which may lead the bacteria to the lungs. This is why it is so important to cover your mouth when sneezing.
Traveling, especially in airports and train stations, can put you in a highly bacteria-susceptible position. We all have to breathe, but taking some precautions before, during and after travel can really help. I have a favorite tonic that I like to take?the day before and the day of travel. I basically make?a tonic using the ingredients from my Secret Detox Drink, but I add a drop of oregano oil, which is a natural antibiotic that can help fight off invaders as you come into contact with them. Oregano essential oil was used in research?to show its efficacy against certain bacterial strains. Results indicated that oregano essential oil contained positive bacteria-fighting and antimicrobial effects.
The Importance of Probiotics
I can’t stress enough the importance of consuming foods rich in natural probiotics, especially if you have an infection of any kind. Your gut serves as your second brain, and even produces more serotonin?known to have a beneficial influence on your mood?than your brain does. It is also home to countless bacteria, both good and bad. These bacteria outnumber the cells in your body by at least 10 to one, and maintaining the ideal balance of good and bad bacteria forms the foundation for good health?physical, mental and emotional.
Most disease originates in your digestive system. This includes both physical and mental disease. Once you heal and seal your gut lining, and make your digestive system work properly again, disease symptoms will typically resolve.
The GAPS protocol, created by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, is designed to restore the integrity of your intestinal lining by providing your body with the necessary building blocks needed for healthy enterocyte reproduction, and restoring balance to your gut flora. I recommend your listening to my interview with Dr. Campbell-McBride about how to “heal and seal” your gut for optimal health. She cured her son’s autism through her deep understanding of the importance of balanced intestinal flora, developing the GAPS (Gut and Psychology Syndrome) nutritional program.
