A natural alternative to conventional antibiotics

Natural sources of treatment have long been sought by humans as a safe alternative to conventional, synthetic medications and antibiotics in order to avoid their complications. The repeated use of antibiotics, especially in minor illnesses results among other side effects and complications, in weakened immunity, antimicrobial resistance, and susceptibility to fungal infections as that caused by Candida albicans. The prolonged use of antibiotics also may lead to gastrointestinal tract disturbances, which usually results in discontinuation of the treatment. We have studied a natural therapy consisting of Allium sativum, Zingiber officinale and Apis mellifera for their potential use in infections. Each component was extracted and prepared according to standard methods and in-vitro tested as a single component and in combination on Staph. aureus, Strep. pyogenes, E. coli and Candida albicans and compared with the standard amoxicillin disk. The combination proved effective in-vitro and hence in-vivo testing was carried out on albino mice to test for antibacterial and analgesic activities as well as prophylactic potential. From both the in-vitro and in-vivo testing, it is concluded that these herbs are effective as antibacterial agents.