SurvivalMedicineBlog

Herbalbiotics – Natures Antibiotics

Of concern when confronting the idea of a severe SHTF situation or TEOTWAWKI is the loss of access to antibiotics. Let’s face it, without them, we are susceptible to a whole host of unpleasant to extremely uncomfortable, if not life threatening situations. There is much discussion in some circles that advocate the stockpiling of modern antibiotics, which, if you can do so legally and safely, then by all means have at it. But you will need the knowledge to know when and how to use them, what they work on and dosage information and to also be aware that some people are deathly allergic to them too (not to mention the side-effects that can come with them). On the otherhand, you can also ‘stockpile’ herbs that are antibiotical in their nature. Again, you will need to know basic usage and dosage and the nice thing about herbs is that you can seal them in mylar, freeze them, tincture them yourself or even wildcraft them going forward in the event of long-term disruption. Personally I prefer to go the herbal route as a first line of defense, finding herbs in many cases to be more effective, with little or no side-effects and definitely much cheaper. So here goes my favorite ‘list’ of herbalbiotics that I keep on hand in tincture and loose dried herb form.

While this not a complete description of the particular herbalbiotic, this will definitely give you a good idea of where to start and the basics. Next time you get a sinus infection or a cut gets infected, why not try an herbal remedy first so that you can begin to understand the power of herbs in helping beat infections.

Not all herbalbiotics are used for the same type of infection. Each herbalbioitc helps with infections of a particular nature dealing with a particular body system. Do your research and know what to use and when to use it otherwise you are wasting the herb. Also, note that with most infection it is wise to also use at the sametime a blood purifier to help remove the toxins and infection from the body…see article on Blood Purifiers (coming soon!). It is also helpful to use an immune system stimulator at the onset of any infection…see article on Immune System Stimulators (coming soon!)

And lastly- Like modern antibiotic or antivirals, use your preferred herbalbioitc for a minimum of 7 days, and preferably for 10 days, everyday. If you stop taking it as soon as you feel better, your problem may come back.

Goldenseal- (or substitute Oregon Grape Root, it is used the exact same way)

Goldenseal is one of the go-to-it, heavy hitters in the herbal world and as such, in the past few years it has been over harvested in the wild. While I include it here on the list and believe that is a very important ‘must’ have, I caution you to find a good source that is organically farm raised instead of wild collected for commercial purposes. You do not necessarily need to purchase the root either, I have found that the leave or ‘tops’ can be just as effective as the root. I encourage you, if you can, to include this in the list of herbs that you cultivate for yourself.

Best Uses:

Think mucous and membranes, infections that cause the production of copious amounts of mucous, pus or open wounds. Or any organ of the body that has a membrane such as the eye or uterus. Where ‘heat’ is present.

Sinus Infections and sinusitis where the mucous (or snot) is green or yellow and infection is suspected.

Ulcers of the skin (which is a membrane) including canker sores and herpes.

Thrush (think mucous like coating) and certain types of Strep.

Upper Respiratory Infections where there is much mucus present and coughed up.

Infected gums and related mouth infections.

Female reproductive infections including uterine infections (or other infections that cause a mucous to occur such as yeast infections).

Diarrhea due to pathogens (bacterial infections including E.Coli)

Ear infections due to bacteria

Infections of the urinary system including the bladder and UTI’s (think membrane wall).

Also good for all types of skin ‘infections’ including psoriasis, measles and chicken pox (as a wash to prevent infection) 

How to Use/Applications: (Be sure to see “How to Make A…”)

TINCTURE –Goldenseal tincture can be used at doses of 0.5 – 2 ml 3 times daily for the treatment of any type of mucous condition, taking more than this can cause a laxative effect! The tincture should be used to treat excess nasal mucus and lung mucus; it can be used to treat gastroenteritis and diarrhea, and excess vaginal discharge and menstrual bleeding in women. May also be used in conjunction with Echinacea for preventing systemic body infections from surgery and wounds and sepsis. 
WASH –Goldenseal maybe used as a herbal wash for bathing irritant skin inflammations, including eczema/psoriasis and measles, smallpox and chickenpox or other skin inflammation issues to help prevent infection and heal the sores. A wash may also be used in preventing infections in other types of open wounds (ie cuts, scrapes, gunshot wounds). If you will be using a wash for invasive wounds, be sure to boil the water and then add the tincture, making sure that the water remains sterile/clean.
MOUTHWASH/GARGLE – Two to three ml of goldenseal tincture in ½ cup of lukewarm water for gum disease, sore throats, mouth ulcers, and mucous conditions in the mouth.
DOUCHE – Goldenseal tincture can be diluted using 2 – 3 ml water, and the solution can be used as a douche for treating excess vaginal discharges and several types of yeast infections in the vaginal area.
CAPSULES – Goldenseal herbal capsules can be used at doses of a single 200 mg (00) capsule, 3 times daily, this dosage can be used to treat excessive phlegm and gastric or different types of respiratory infections.

EARDROPS – Herbal goldenseal eardrops can be used for treating ear infections, the eardrop solution is made by mixing ten ml of the goldenseal tincture in a hundred ml of water – this solution can be dripped into the affected ear in cases of serious otitis media and in cases of blocked ears.

DRIED POWDER- The loose powder of Goldenseal may be used to treat the sores due to type I and II herpes. A small amount of powder applied directly on location of the sore and then rubbed in, 3 times daily.

Do NOT use Goldenseal if PREGNANT.

Do NOT use Goldenseal for more than 2 weeks at a time. A break of at least 2 weeks in between usage is indicated before starting use again.

Overuse can harm the gastrointestinal tract. Follow instructions carefully.

USE CAUTIOUSLY IN DIABETICS as it may lower blood sugar levels

 

Usnea-

Best Uses:

Athlete’s Foot

Bronchitis/ Pneumonia/Colds

Bacterial Infections

Burns

Flu

Fungus Infections

Mastitis

Ring Worm

Sinus Infections

TB

Vaginal Infections

UTI

Strep and Staph Infections

Can help those with suppressed immune system:

chronic fatigue, herpes, HIV, lupus

Anthrax of the Skin possible inhalation and gastro help too

 

How to Use/Applications:

TINCTURE- 2-5 ml 3 times daily. The tincture of Usnea is best used for internal problems such as colds, Lupus, Bronchitis, etc.

DOUCHE- 5ml  of tincture in 2-3 ml of water, use daily for up to 10 days.

SALVE- best to use a salve of Usnea for external infections except for burns.

WASH-either 5ml of tincture in ½ cup of warm water or make infusion as a wash for burns.

INFUSION- may make infusion for internal use…1 cup 3 times daily

 

Uva-ursi, Bearberry

Best Uses of:

This is the go-to herbalbiotic for Urinary Tract infections/problems.

Kidney stones

Kidney and Bladder Infections

Gonorrhea

Gout (Uric Acid problems)

Some action for all mucous membrane infections.

 

How to Use/Applications:

REMEDIAL TEA-Two step process-

1st: soak handful of freshly plucked leaves in some brandy, these leaves must be allowed to stay and infuse into the brandy and kept covered for a week

2nd:Boil 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped or cut bearberry leaves in 1 cup of water for 20 minutes (gently).

After this has been done (boiled and cooled) add a teaspoon of the brandy soaked bearberry infusion to each cup of tea and drink it lukewarm as and when needed. (up to 6 times daily)

INFUSION-

Soak herb overnight (12-24 hours) to reduce tannin levels.

3 tablespoons of herb goes into 1 quart boiling water. Bring to a gentle boil and then reduce heat to simmering and cover. Allow to sit covered at simmering for 10 minutes. Turn off heat and allow to sit until ‘warm’. Strain and drink one cup 3 times per day.

Tincture- 5 ml 3 times a day for no more than 10 days.

Capsules- 250-500 mg 3 times a day for no more than 10 days. 

Taking for too long of a time period may result in overdose symptoms.

 

To boost maximum benefit of Uva-ursi it is also recommended to make a mixture of baking soda and water (6-8 grams added to the water) daily. DO NOT DO THIS IF YOU ARE ON BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATION!!

 

MAY INDUCE MILD NAUSEA IN SOME PEOPLE

AVOID USE IN THOSE WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY INFLAMMATION!!

AVOID USE DURING PREGNANCY

Avoid eating foods such as sauerkraut, the vitamin C, and fruits or fruit juices and all similar products that are rich in acids – these reduce the effectiveness of bearberry.

Garlic –

Best Uses-

Almost for anything that is considered an infection, may use as a preventative.

Shows great promise against MRSA and other drug resistant bacteria.

It is broad spectrum and as early as 1987 it was noted for its antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antiprotozoan and antiviral effects.

Below is a partial list of that garlic can help fight against:

Acinetobacter calcoaceticus

Aspergillus flavus

Aspergillus fumigatus

Aspergillus parasiticus

Aspergillusniger

Bacillus cereus

Candida albicans

Candida lipolytica

Cryptococcus neoformans

Cryptosporidium

Debaryomyces hansenii

Escherichia coli

Hansenula anomala

Herpes simplex virus type 1

Herpes simplex virus type 2

Histoplasma capsulatum

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Human rhinovirus type 2

Influenza B

Kloeckera apiculata

Lodderomyces elongisporus

Parainfluenza virus type 3

Vaccinia virus

Vesicular stomatitis virus

Micrococcus luteus

Mycobacterium phlei

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

Pneumocystis carinii

Proteus vulgaris

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Rhodotorula rubra

Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Salmonella typhimurium

Salmonella typhimurium

Shigella dysenteriae

Shigella flexneri

Staphylococcus aureus

Streptococcus faecalis

Torulopsis glabrata

Toxoplasma gondii

Vibrio parahaemolyticus

How to Use/Applications:

To use garlic as an antibiotic take it internally and, if appropriate, apply it directly to an infection. For internal use, try one of the following forms using 1-2 (4 grams) of cloves at a time (approximately 1-2 tsp of minced garlic) 3 times daily or in a bad or acute situation take every 3 hours until symptoms begin to subside and then extend out the time in one hour increments until you are taking every 8 hours. Or if you choose to use and store commercially prepared garlic oil 250mg 3 times daily should work also but again, you may take (if it doesn’t cause you gastro distress) every 2 hrs in the beginning for no more than 2 days. Take for at least 7 days for medicinal purposes. If using as a preventative take 1 500mg garlic oil capsule daily or 1-2 crush/minced cloves daily. If using in cooking, larger amounts will be needed in order to obtain protective and medicinal results as cooking destroys some of the constituents of the garlic that are helpful.

Garlic vinegar. 2-3 cloves crushed/minced to 1/3 cup of vinegar, strain take all 3 times daily.

Garlic honey. 2-3 cloves to 1/3 cup of honey…take use 2 tsp every 2-4 hours as needed.

(Do not use honey in children under the age of 1 and be sure you know where the honey came from!)

For external application, use caution putting crushed garlic directly against the skin, because it can cause burns. Here are some forms you can use for direct application of garlic as an antibiotic:

Blend up three cloves of garlic in a cup of water and apply as a wash. Make a larger amount of this mixture and use it as a sitz bath or foot bath for infections of the feet or pelvic area.

Crush 1 medium garlic clove, and dilute the juice with 1/3 cup of water. Use it as nose drops or a gargle.

Some conditions that can be effectively treated with garlic:

Note: Crushed garlic applied directly to the skin can cause burns, dilute!

Also, never take garlic on an empty stomach, this can cause unpleasant distress.

Bites and Stings        Apply crushed and moistened garlic directly to the bite or sting

Bronchitis            Use raw garlic in one of the forms listed above

Candida infection        Use both internal and external applications if appropriate

Common Cold         Take internally

Diarrhea and Dysentery    Take internally

Ear Infections        Soak crushed garlic in oil, and apply the oil directly to the ear.

Fungal Infections        Apply garlic oil directly, blend up garlic in warm water to make    a soak or compress. Also take internally.

Herpes            Take fresh garlic orally, and apply garlic blended in a little water directly to the sore.
Infections            Take garlic internally and apply directly to an infected wound.

Influenza            Take internally at the first threat of exposure.

Parasites            Blend three cloves in a palatable medium and take internally, three  times a day, for a total of nine cloves.

Vaginal Infection        Use a douche, with three garlic cloves blended in a quart of water. Strain through cheesecloth first to remove the solid matter. 

DO NOT USE IF ON BLOOD THINNERS garlic is an anti-coagulant. And do not use if using other herbs with blood thinning properties.

DO NOT USE GARLIC POST SURGERY

USE CAUTIOUSLY IN DIABETICS as it may lower blood sugar levels

Do not take garlic in large medicinal amounts and use acetaminophen at the sametime.

Remember that garlic is strong medicine and like modern antibiotics, it may cause upset in the intestines…be sure after treatment to eat yogurt or something that will help re-establish the GI tract flora.

 

Honey – honey is a time honored antibiotic, especially for infections of the skin!

Best Uses-

Cuts/Scrapes

Burns

Insect bites

Yeast infections (as a douche)

Eczema and psoriasis

Fungal infections

Other wounds of the skin

Conjunctivitis (as a lotion)

Super Bugs (MRSA comes to mind)

 

How to Use/Applications:

SALVE- use honey as a natural salve and apply as needed (cleaning wound in between) and cover when possible.

WASH/DOUCHE- 1 part honey to 3 parts water and dissovlve together and apply on location as needed.

LOTION- dissolve equal parts of honey and water. For using in cases of conjunctivitis apply carefully and gently and keep the eyes closed while it is on.

Calendula-

You wouldn’t think of this but Calendula is excellent for minor skin infections, kinda like Neosporin el’natural!

Best Uses:

Minor wounds

Burns

Bruises

Reduce Scarring

Sore Throats

Diaper Rash

Low level internal infections

Ulcers (both internal and external)

 

How to Use/Applications:

TEA : Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1-2 tsp. of dried calendula petals. Steep for 10 min, then strain. Drink 2-3 cups of warm tea daily.

WOUND DRESSING: Make a compress pf calendula tea (above) and apply to the affected area. (this is best method for external use)

GARGLE: Unless your doctor directs otherwise, use calendula tea as a gargle or rinse to relieve inflammation in the mouth or throat. Gargle with warm tea several times a day.

OINTMENT: This can be bought in stores or prepared at home by mixing a few drops of calendula oil with skin lotion. Apply it to cuts and scrapes and when put into zinc oxide ointment works to help heal diaper rash.

DO NOT USE IF PREGNANT OR HAVE HAY FEVER

 

So, this is it folks! Get your herbs together and be prepared to help yourself in case you need it! You may be asking, where is Echinacea? I thought that was an antibiotic…well, technically it is an immune stimulator with some antibiotic and antiviral properties, but its main use is as an immune stimulator which is why you will see it paired with herbalbiotics…get’em coming both ways!

 

Remember-

Usnea and Goldenseal are the heavy hitters and very versatile in their nature. Bearberry is excellent for the urinary system and Garlic is good for broad spectrum, but there are many cautions for using it in medicinal amounts. Honey and Calendula are great for the skin. Honey and Usnea are indicated for super bugs (though garlic and goldenseal may also work).

Like modern antibiotic or antivirals, use your preferred herbalbioitc for a minimum of 7 days, and preferably for 10 days, everyday. If you stop taking it as soon as you feel better, your problem may come back.

 

An alternative to Goldenseal would be Oregon Grape Root and maybe used the same way.

 

 

 

As reference:

 

http://www.benefits-of-honey.com/antibiotic.html

http://medherb.com/Materia_Medica/Allium_sativum_-_Antibiotic_and_Immune_Properties.htm

http://herbs2000.com

http://medherb.com/Therapeutics/Immune_-_Lymphatics_and_antibiotics.htm

http://www.natural-healing-guide.com/medicinal-plants.htm

July 13, 2011 - Posted by Survivingshtfmom | Guidelines, Herbs, Self-Help | Alternative medical care, Antibiotic, Calendula, Garlic, goldenseal, Herbalbiotic, medical help, Natural Antibiotic, Oregon Grape Root, preparedness, self-care, SHTF, survival medicine, Tinctures, Usnea