More and more people are turning to natural remedies, especially for day-to-day injuries and ailments.  The concept of antibiotics goes back well before the discovery of penicillin.  In fact, some of the natural medications used most have good antibiotic properties.

Whether you are suffering from a cut or scrape, or a classic cold, flu, earache, or UTI there are remedies that can assist your body in getting rid of it and getting you back on your feet.

Natural Aspirin

The most commonly talked about Salicylic Acid, or natural aspirin, is Willow Bark.  Used for thousands of years, modern-day aspirin was originally produced using the herbs Meadowsweet and Willow Bark, then synthesized later. The problem is, when natural ingredients are copied and created in a lab then sold as a drug, they often create side-effects that natural sources won’t.

But, before you start a collection of Willow Bark or Meadowsweet to use during your next headache, check out this surprising list of foods and other sources that naturally contain this amazing compound:

Apples

Avocados

Blueberries

Broccoli

Cauliflower

Cherries

Chili peppers

Cucumbers

Eggplant

Grapefruit

Grapes

Kiwi

Licorice, the herb (Not the Twizzler)

Paprika

Peaches

Plums

Radishes

Raspberries

Spinach

Strawberries

Turmeric

Zucchini

Can I just say, WOW!

Honey

Every version of pure honey has natural antibiotics as well as a number of other healing benefits. Honey has also been used for several millennia worldwide to fight infections. We now know it is effective against over 200 strains of bacteria. You can use it internally to fight off many of these or use it topically in the place of store-bought antiseptic for small wounds and skin infections.

Also, Read This:  “Honey Vinegar Cough Medicine”

The best source of honey is raw, local honey, like the kind sold at your local farmer’s market.  Local honey will also aid in building up a resistance to local hay fever allergens as well.

Ginger

Fresh ginger has antibiotic properties.  It’s especially good against foodborne pathogens like Salmonella and Listeria, used as a tea with lemon and honey, it’s great for fighting again a cold or even the flu. Ginger is also an excellent anti-inflammatory that can aid in the relief of inflammation issues like arthritis and asthma.

Raw Garlic

Also a good defender and fighter against colds and the flu, garlic has been used for ages to remedy fungal infections, UTI’s, and intestinal parasites. The Allicin in garlic even has the ability to kill viruses that are prone to becoming immune to prescription antibiotics.

Unfortunately, cooking garlic will kill Allicin, negating these healing properties, so you’ll have to use it raw.  Whether you choose to peel it and cut it into small pieces to swallow pill style or mash it up with some honey, raw garlic is a great way to stay healthy during cold and flu season.  Just keep some breath mints, or fresh mint, on hand.

Related Article: Home Remedies Only Mother Nature Could Come Up With

Turmeric

Turmeric is not only tasty but it is good medicine. It will strengthen your immune system and destroys bacteria that leads to disease.  This spice is also great for the stomach in a number of ways that will cleanse and balance our systems. Turmeric is another multi-talented herb that is a good antibiotic as well as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent.

Buy it or Grow it

Thanks to the rise of urban and suburban organic farms, these items are becoming more and more easily obtained.  If you’re into DIY, try growing some of these options your own in a garden or on your kitchen window sill in decorative pots.  You can even start your own Bee Colony for the “most local” honey possible.  This will almost guarantee you’ll have what you need when you need it.