Alternatives To Antibiotics

[Ice_nine]

Are there any folks who know some ish I can pick up at the grocery store that are good for fighting off infections? I feel a sinus infection/sore throat thing happening all up in my head, and there are multiple impediments to getting antibiotics from the doc's.

 

I tried google but I feel like crap and I'm not willing to sift through more crap and this laptop is cooking.

 

Phatmass, my life is in your hands. Don't let me down.

[TheresaThoma]

Well I have heard essential oils work well. I'm not exactly sure though about which ones would be best.

[Archaeology cat]

Garlic. Eat it. Gargle with Listerine. Drink tea with honey and lemon. Lots of water.

[truthfinder]

For head/sinus problems, I always go for the Neti-pot.  They sell the solution that goes with it.

[Era Might]

Nothing beats antibiotics like death. Get it? Get it?

Edited July 27, 2013 by Era Might

[OnlySunshine]

You might want to try some xylitol.  You can buy it at some health food stores (and grocery stores, sometimes) and it comes in packets.  At health food stores, they sell a xylitol nasal spray that supposedly kills germs and prevents sinus infections because it is a natural antibacterial.  It's relatively harmless to use, as well.  If you can only find the packets, you can use one in a neti pot along with some sterile saline rinse and it should help.

 

Xlear Nasal Spray

 

Medical benefits of xylitol

[truthfinder]

Isn't xylitol the ingredient in sugar-free gum that if you chew too many pieces it will give you diarrhea?

[Anastasia13]

Garlic is antibacterial.

 

Chrysanthimum tea is antimicrobial. (Try an Asian grocery store.)

 

Oregano may be antibacterial.

 

These may help you with a mild infection, but if you are really sick, please don't skip the doctor.

[Anastasia13]

Bacteria:

 

Garlic is antibacterial. (Raw is best, but you can only do a small amount like that or you can get sick to your stomach, plus the taste is way stronger. Spaghetti for dinner might taste better.)

 

Chrysanthimum tea is antimicrobial. (Try an Asian grocery store.)

 

Oregano may be antibacterial. (Health store might have it.)

 

These may help you with a mild infection, but if you are really sick, please don't skip the doctor.

 

Herbs for General Immune Boost:

 

Echinacea (tea (found at least at Target) or supplement drug stores, health stores)

 

Goldenseal (I've only done this in supplement form, from drug store and health store)

 

There is a Korea recipe for tea with Korea red jujube (fruit) in tea with honey, but I am not sure what else. I found a drink with Korean red jujube at an Asian market.

 

Vitamin C, works best when taken with Vitamin E.

 

Wheat grass shots have as much vitamins as over half a lb of green veggies. (smoothie places have these)

 

Symptoms:

 

Throat:

tea (hydrates, loosens phlem, provides base for other things)

honey (soothes)

lemon (for phlem)

gargle with warm salt water

 

Sinuses:

neti pot (cleans it out, mild salt helps sinus tissue)

hot pepper foods (clears sinuses a little)

 

Cough:

Omija tea (also Asian)

 

Cough Off tea (I found this at Target, contains liquorish which is good for breathing/coughs, and has other herbs)

 

Halls or other eucalyptus cough drops help with all three of these. Available at grocery, drug, or some discount stores

 

Don't forget your decongestant. 12 hour Sudafed always works strongest on me.

[dUSt]

Amputation is a good way to eliminate infection without antibiotics.

[Tufsoles]

For head/sinus problems, I always go for the Neti-pot.  They sell the solution that goes with it.

 

What they said.

and Ricola..

Edited July 27, 2013 by Tufsoles

[southern california guy]

You can try "probiotics" -- the type of beneficial bacteria that is put in milk to thicken it and make yo gurt.   Acidophilus is a good probiotic.  Just make sure that you take plenty -- and make sure that you take it first thing in the morning.  I always buy the type that is kept in the refrigerated case at the store.  And I usually just by the cheapest brand that I can find.  You can test it out by putting it in milk.  If the milk thickens and begins to turn into yo gurt then you know that you have a good live culture.  Kefir is also excellent.  And good whole milk yogurt are also great.  But I have heard that they are all best taken in the morning.

[Seven77]

No antibotics. Pray hard.

[Basilisa Marie]

I swear by garlic and sinus rinse.

 

Eat a whole clove, or heat up some chicken stock (or chicken soup, if easier), and slice up like four cloves of garlic and stick them in there. Eat soup.  Take shower to was off garlic sweat from your skin.  :)

 

Get a neti-style squeeze bottle or pot.  Mix up a packet or like a teaspoon of NON-IODIONIZED (it'll burn otherwise) salt in about 8 ounces of warm water, and rise your sinuses.  That way you'll get clean from the inside and the outside. :) 

[Gabriela]

I have regularly recurring sinus infections and I have found that the following work great:

 

Definitely the neti pot. Careful not to overdo it or else it will irritate your sinuses more. And always use the pre-mixed solution packets AND DISTILLED WATER. If you use tap water or even filtered water, it's likely to worsen an infection.

 

Apple cider vinegar, organic, cold-pressed, with the mother, bla bla bla. Just buy Bragg's brand. (Drink it. Don't squirt it up your nose!) NOTHING can survive this stuff. It's like a miracle panacea.

 

INSANELY spicy food. You can make a spicy tea by boiling cayenne pepper (or whatever hot peppers you have on hand) in water with whatever hard spices you like (cinnamon, clove, cardamom, etc.) for flavor. I'd sweeten with honey if I were sick. Especially if your throat hurts.

 

Garlic. You must eat this raw. The active ingredient with antibiotic properties is allicin, which is deactivated when heated.

 

Gargling with Listerine and/or salt water.

 

Orange juice, or any other citrus fruit/juice, to boost your immune system.

 

SLEEP! If you keep running around at your regular pace, your body will not have the energy to fight off the infection by itself.

Edited July 28, 2013 by curiousing