Antibacterial herbs
Bacteria, fungi and other harmful organisms is a problem for all living organisms. Some plants have developed various chemical compounds to neutralize these attacks. Just like the rose and blackberry have their thorns to protect them from large browsing animals, plants also conduct a secrete warfare on a molecular level to avoid getting eaten by miniscule attackers. This is why so many plants around the world have antibacterial properties.
Garlic
Garlic has a long history of being used as an antibacterial herb. Hippocrates, Pliny the Elder and Dioscorides all mention the use of garlic for various conditions, including parasites and respiratory ailments. In labratory tests garlic has been found to have antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal propertis.
Raw garlic is more potent, and the green dry “folds” in the centre of each clove is particularly pungent. If you wish to use garlic it is important to crush it, chew it or damage it in some other way since this is how the sulphur compound allicin becomes available.Generally speaking you should avoid aged garlic since younger garlic contains more allicin.
Garlic has been extensively used to fight various problems in traditional medicine and the Cherokee did for instance utilize it as an expectorant (agent which dissolves thick mucus) for coughs and croup. In 1858, Louis Pasteur reported on the antibacterial properties of garlic and garlic has found its way into modern medicine, e.g. by functioning as an antiseptic to prevent gangrene in wounded soldiers during World War I and World War II.
Indian almond
The Indian almond tree play an important role in the folk medicine of many native communities throughout Asian and Latin America.
Indian almond leaves aka tropical almond leaves are often used in folk medicine to cure stomach problems such as dysentery. Leaves or bark ground up with some water has also been placed on the skin to help wounds heal and combat scabies and leprocy. Tradional Samoan medicine suggest placing Indian aka tropical almond leaves on wounds to prevent and threat infection.
Salvia / Common sage
Common sage, Salvia officinalis, this herb is rich in oil. The Latine name for sage, salvia, means “to heal”. The plant is an integral part of traditional European medicine. It has also been extensively used in European cousin due to its peppery taste and beneficial properties.
The essential oil found in common sage contains cineole, borneol, and thujone, and modern research have found that the plant has antibiotic properties.It is also antifungal, astringent and antispasmodic. Do not use or consume sage in combination with central nervous system stimulantes as this can very dangerous.
This herb was usually one of the ingredients in the sk four thieves vinegar used against plague during the many plague outbrakes in Europe during the dark ages. People covered their bodies in the vinegar in an attempt to ward off the plague, and cotton masks were soaked in the concoction before being placed over the face to prevent the plague from enteringThere were a lot of different recipies but they usually combined sage with other herbs such as lavender and thyme.
