Confused About Antibacterial Herbs

Treatments, possible treatments, unsubstantiated/unproven treatments. Consult your doctor first.
bocdrt
New User
Posts: 8
Joined: Thu May 19, 2016 1:20 am

Confused About Antibacterial Herbs

Postby bocdrt » Fri Mar 23, 2018 8:46 pm

I see that a lot of people in the forum take antibacterial herbs like goldenseal, oil of oregano, etc.

I have two questions:
- Won't these also kill the good bacteria in the body? I've heard at least that oil of oregano is very strong.
- For the ones who take them / have taken them, how do you use them? Do you take them during your antibiotic treatment? Immediately after to prevent a relapse? Or only if you have symptoms? I've searched the forum but it seems like everyone is doing it differently, trying to figure out of there is some consensus.

Thank you!

MKW
Regular Contributor
Posts: 392
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2016 9:49 am

Re: Confused About Antibacterial Herbs

Postby MKW » Sat Mar 24, 2018 12:22 am

Hi, this is something there does not seem to be many legitimate studies for.
I am currently taking some herbal antimicrobials including berberine and oregano oil provided by a nutritionist/functional medicine specialist to treat SIBO. But I am a year out from a successful FMT.
As far as taking this stuff during the relapse window, you might hurt yourself more than help due to killing off good bacteria. I have read conflicting info on whether or not oregano oil kills good bacteria. I have read more info that berberine is good bacteria sparing. And I found one NIH article that taking berberine after c Diff antibiotic treatment decreased relapse rate.
So again there is mixed info on this. I think it is best to stick with whatever the doctor treating you recommends. Many people take Florastor probiotic during antibiotic treatment, then a high quality multi strain probiotic for a couple months after to help prevent relapse. Also kefir is a great natural probiotic source.


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