Oil of Oregano instead of Antibiotics?!
Question: Oil of Oregano instead of Antibiotics?
I've avoided oral antibiotics all my life, my parents didn't approve of giving me any as a child either. I'm curious to know if I can take oil of oregano or the other alternative, oil of grapefruit(?) instead of antibiotics?
Answers:
Best Answer - Chosen by Voters
No.
Many middle ear infections are viral in origin, however if it is bacterial, you might require antibiotics.
Now, the quacks claim that oregano oil is an antibiotic. This claim is based on a *test tube* study. The quacks always confuse basic science research with clinical research. Basic science research involves working with test tubes and performing research on animals. It does not involve humans, which is clinical research.
Basic research alone is a poor predictor of the actual medicinal effects it will have on the human body. Human physiology is complex.
Suck it up and take the antibiotics. Where there is a valid indication to use them, and you take them as directed (and finish the course) there is no issue.
The latest home remedy for external ear infections is hydrogen peroxide. Middle ear infections/otitis media will usually clear up without intervention. Antibiotics do not kill all the bacteria, some will become resistant and create a biofilm which will come back to haunt you again later.
Grapefruit seed extract is safer than oil of oregano -- the latter will kill good gut bacteria like antibiotics will, which is not a good idea. 80% of your immune system is in your gut, so killing off the organisms that protect you for the sake of a nuisance problem isn't worth the tradeoff.
Contrary to the opinions of mouthy natural medicine trolls you and your parents are very much on the right track.
Why would you go to the hospital if you are against medicine? Why not go to the sald bar? I suspect because you wanted something that would work - take the antibiotic. No reason to risk going deaf.
Why risk losing your hearing by using unproven remedies when you've got relatively safe and effective antibiotics for your infection?
As long as you take the recommended dosage of the antibiotic you should be fine.
No
Basic research alone is a poor predictor of the actual medicinal effects it will have on the human body. Human physiology is complex.
No, they prescibed the antibiotics for a reason.