Today we hear a great deal about the "superbugs" such as MRSA (Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus), a bacterium that has developed a resistance to the common antibiotic methicillin, or Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter, Enterobacter, and Pseudomonas. These bacteria have developed their immunity to antibiotics as a defence technique. Since the 1940s, we have bombarded our bodies with an arsenal of "wonder drugs" not only for the more serious bacterial maladies such as strep throat (streptococcus), but for many viral illnesses as well. When physicians see patients suffering from colds or flu, they have commonly written prescriptions for antibiotics despite the fact that these ailments are viral in origin. Some claim they do it to ward off any potential secondary infections. Others shrug the practice off as just something to make the patient feel they are at least getting something--more or less, then, a high-priced sugar pill without the sugar.
In a report (see http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/acd/docs/MRSA-TPHJulAug05.pdf) written here in Los Angeles concerning occurrences of MRSA in public facilities, the statistics are alarming. Jails, hospitals and other local institutions are already experiencing what a nightmare the resistant germs are causing. How soon before this threat to our health is in local schools and eventually, individual homes?
In addition to the germs developing resistance to antibiotics, in such cases, people are frequently having the "good" bacteria in their gastro-intestinal tracts killed off. These "friendly germs" are important in the maintenance of a healthy digestive system. The results are often seen in the way that some often have upset stomachs and diarrhea following a dose of antibiotics.
Yet another repercussion of the over-use of these drugs is that many patients, having been exposed to them repeatedly over the years, have developed allergies to their medications--especially the penicillin drugs. Being derived from mold, which is a notorious allergen, this is one of the most common of drug allergies. These allergic reactions often are severe to the point of being life-threatening, triggering asthma attacks and even anaphylactic shock.
In many cases, it is possible to utilize natural substances--plant materials--in place of pharmaceutical antibiotics. Considering the source of penicillin, for example, which is a mold derivative, it is reasonable to turn to such sources for treating many bacterial infections. Garlic, for one example, contains allicin, a natural antibacterial chemical. Cinnamon, in addition to its glucose-controlling properties is also an effective bacteria-killer. Capsaicin (from jalapeno peppers),tea tree oil and cloves are more examples of herbal substances, commonly found in many homes, of natural bactericides.
Of course, it's always up to the individual to decide on choosing pharmaceutical or natural remedies. The superbugs, though, as well as the "regular" germs, need to be stopped somehow before they can cause rampant damage to the population. It isn't likely they will develop resistance to natural substances like those described above.
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