Protecting Your Family From Infection

Help your body do what it does naturally: fight off germs

Bacteria are all around us. In fact, they’re even in us. Over the ages, we’ve managed to evolve so that we can coexist peacefully with most bacteria, and even use some of them to our advantage. The remaining portion the immune system takes care of…most of the time. For those occasions when you find yourself overwhelmed by a bug, you don’t have to look for a doctor to write you a prescription for the latest $150 antibiotic. Instead, you can help your body do what it does naturally—fight off germs.  Here’s a quick rundown that you might want to print out and keep in your medicine chest.

Citricidal is an extract of grapefruit seeds. It’s one item I wouldn’t be caught without when I travel, because just a few drops of it in a container of water will make the water safe to drink. (At least as far as bacteria are concerned. It won’t do anything about pesticides, chemicals, or other contaminants.) Citricidal is available from Nutriteam.

Hydrogen peroxide, or H₂O₂, is useful against so many conditions, it appears to be the closest thing to a “miracle substance” you’ll ever come across. It’s been proven to be beneficial in everything from anemia to yeast infections. (I’d bet there’s something starting with a “Z” as well.) Sticking with infections, though, H₂O₂ fights bronchitis, gum disease, prostatitis, sore throats, sinus infections, and ulcers. All it takes is a few drops daily of a 35 percent solution. (See the cautions below.) I recommend a program in which you gradually build up the amount you’re taking. The dosages here should be taken three times per day, mixed into 6 to 8 ounces of juice or distilled water.

One caution about using hydrogen peroxide internally: The “pharmaceutical grade” solution available at any grocery or pharmacy contains added stabilizers, and should not be used internally. For most applications, you can use a 3 percent solution you make yourself by adding one ounce of 35 percent food grade H₂O₂ to 11 ounces of distilled water. (Don’t use chlorinated water in the mixture; it will degrade the hydrogen peroxide.) The 35 percent food grade hydrogen peroxide is available from the American Municipal Chemical Company. You need to know that 35 percent hydrogen peroxide is somewhat dangerous to handle, so you’ll need to be careful when you’re adding drops or making the 3 percent solution. If you spill any on your skin rinse it off immediately, and be sure to keep it out of the reach of any children or household animals. After using some to make a dilution, store the rest in the freezer. If you feel like you’re going to use a fair amount of this, it pays to buy it in larger quantities because the federal government requires a $20 HazMat shipping surcharge per package.

Neem is a tree that grows in India and Burma. Residents of those areas chew neem twigs to keep their mouths and gums healthy. Neem appears not to have an effect on many types of bacteria, but it does work against both the virulent S. aureus and the bacteria that causes salmonella poisoning. Neem oil, skin creams, and soaps are available from the Ayurvedic Institute.

PAV tree pitch is made from the resin of various fir trees. It’s useful for all kinds of skin infections, not just bacterial ones. I’ve heard of it being used to treat infected wounds, ringworm, nail fungus, and even warts. Simply spread it on the affected area. PAV is available from NATR.

Propolis is used by bees like caulking, sealing every crevice and walling off any invaders that make their way into the hive. Its antibacterial properties help preserve the sterile hive environment. Much of the research on propolis has been done in the former Soviet Union, earning it the title of “Russian penicillin.” It’s used topically to treat infections in the mouth and on the skin. Taken internally, propolis fights infections in the digestive and urinary tracts. Propolis is available in creams and lotions, toothpaste, chewing gum, and capsules and lozenges. It’s available from Beehive Botanicals.

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that disrupts the growth of common bacteria, including Streptococcus mutans—bacteria implicated in dental caries (cavities), and ear and sinus infections. It appears that the bacteria recognize xylitol as food, but then can’t digest it for their own energy—so they starve. Xylitol is available in gum, and as a nasal spray to take care of sinus infections. It’s available from NOW foods and Xlear.