Preventing the Need for Antibiotics

Of course, before we get started, everyone should know that keeping a healthy body requires you to be in touch with how your body is feeling and the awareness of it being run down and taking evasive measures early on to avoid a full blown infection.  If you have the tendency to burn your candle at both ends or over work or over exercise when you just start to feel tired then the risk of developing an aggressive bacterial infection that will require antibiotics increases.  You should know that the common uses for antibiotics can almost always be avoided by using herbs, avoiding sugar and fruit juices, changing your diet, resting and generally allowing your body to develop the fever that will naturally kill off the infection.  The greatest thing about your body is that it has the natural ability to kill off infections such as bacteria, viruses and yeast.  All you have to do is to give your body's immune system the right environment so this can happen easily and quickly with as little discomfort as possible.  These infections that I am referring to are generally sinus, ear, urinary tract and upper respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pharyngitis.  How do you prevent the need for antibiotics?  Read on...

1. At the first sign of cold/infection or flu you must stop and rest, drinking a lot of fluids (not alcohol, soda, diet soda, coffee or fruit juices), and avoid at all costs the use of NSAIDS such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen or anything else that would reduce a fever.  Fever is your body's natural response to infection and without it the bacterial infection can overpopulate, thus causing green or yellow discharge.  Drink hot drinks and keep warm so that your body can develop the fever, hot baths can help accelerate this process.  Usually a cold rinse after a hot bath will kick start your immune system as well.
2. Common herbs to take at this time are usually Echinacea, Goldenseal, Astragulus or Oregon Grape Root.  Licorice root tea can be used for short amounts of time if you do not have blood pressure issues.  Vitamins and minerals include Vitamins C, B complex, beta carotene/Vitamin A (such as in carrots and carrot juice), zinc and selenium, omega 3 fatty acids.  Check with your doctor about this before starting supplements that you do not have adequate understanding of.
3. Lemon water (juice of 1/2 lemon with 1/2 cup water will break up mucous) and 1 tablespoon of honey (Manuka honey works best and is most antibacterial).
4. D-mannose and cranberry capsules will get rid of about 90% of urinary tract infections without antibiotic usage.
5. Goldenseal and Astragulus will get rid of most bronchitis and sinus infections.
6. The homeopathic remedy of Pulsatilla will get rid of the majority of ear infections.

Follow these instructions and you can be on the road to saving antibiotics for the really severe infections so that the likelihood of contracting or developing antibiotic resistant infections are decreased.  Live well!