Herbal antibiotics

Herbal antibiotics are medicinal herbs that contain antibacterial compounds beneficial in the treatment of bacterial infections including those affecting the respiratory, gastrointestinal and urinary tract as well as wounds. 

Notably, herbal antibiotics play an important role in helping to treat drug-resistant bacteria. 

Plants naturally produce phytochemicals as a defence mechanism against microbes. These compounds have been shown to disrupt bacterial cell walls, inhibit enzyme function or interfere with DNA replication. 

Antibacterial compounds found in some herbs attack bacteria through multiple mechanisms (unlike synthetic antibiotics that mostly have a single target), which makes it more difficult for bacteria to develop resistance. A number of herbs can be taken alongside pharmaceutical antibiotics and have even been shown to enhance their effectiveness, reduce the dosage and toxic side effects, and restore the activity of antibiotics against resistant strains. Some herbs have even been shown to break down biofilms (protective layers that bacteria create to help shield them from antibiotics) exposing bacteria to treatment. 

Pharmaceutical antibiotics absolutely have their place in the treatment of numerous infections, however with an increase in drug-resistant bacteria it is important to consider the beneficial role herbal medicine can play in the treatment of these infections.

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