The Top 3 Herbs to Help Prevent Colds, Flu, Food Poisoning, and More

Just this past week, my boyfriend, Alex, ate some questionable steak.

Well, in all honesty, it was not questionable. It was 100% rotten. Somehow, he suffered through two big bites of it before asking me to try a piece.

I no sooner touched it to my tongue that I knew this steak had TURNED.

I slapped the fork out of his hand and forced two capsules of oregano oil into his mouth.

Now, I may have been a bit overcautious, since he didn’t eat much of the steak. But with the current epidemic of antibiotic-resistant superbugs reaching a critical level, I don’t take any chances.

According to the CDC, almost every type of bacteria has become stronger and less responsive to antibiotics. Microbes that were once easily treated with a round of antibiotics can now be deadly, especially in children and older adults with weakened immune systems.

And if you end up in the hospital due to a bad case of food poisoning, your chances of catching one of these superbugs increase dramatically.

Luckily, Mother Nature has provided us with natural antibiotics that can help keep us healthy before we get sick, and help treat us when we do.

Oregano oil is one of the best options to protect against food-borne illness. There’s a plethora of research showing oregano oil is effective against bacteria, yeasts, parasites, even MRSA.

For daily immune system support, add fresh or dried oregano to your meals. You can also easily make oregano-infused oil at home by packing a jar with fresh or dried oregano, covering with olive oil, and letting sit for a few weeks. Oregano oil capsules are also available.

As for Alex — thanks to natural antibacterial power of oregano, all he suffered was a bit of extra stomach gurgling.

If you get hit with a spring cold, want to prep your body against a sneezing neighbor on a crowded flight, or may have eaten something questionable, here are two more herbs with well-researched antibacterial and immune-supporting properties:

  1. Garlic has been used medicinally for thousands of years to prevent and treat infections. Current human research suggests aged garlic extract can help prevent and shorten the duration of colds.

As a daily preventative, add chopped garlic to as many meals as you can. To treat during an infection, eat a couple of whole cloves a few times a day. Though you can swallow whole, the active compounds are released when crushed or chewed. If you’re not a fan of the taste, opt for garlic supplements.

  1. Olive leaf is another herb that has been used medicinally for centuries. The main active component in olive leaf is oleuropein, and it’s been shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-atherogenic, antimicrobial, antiviral, and blood pressure-lowering effects.

Though olive leaf isn’t commonly used culinarily, olive leaf tea is available. You can also find it in capsule form. Look for a product that’s standardized to at least 15% oleuropein content.

***

Many readers have asked where to buy some of the products we’ve talked about in Living Well Daily.

I always encourage buying from your local health food store when you can. Ask the salesperson what brands they trust and recommend. They’ll also usually order a product for you if they don’t have it in stock.

Vitacost.com is an online store I have frequently used, trust, and recommend. They also tend to have very good prices.

In addition, you may have noticed Living Well has decided to create our own line of supplements. Frankly, we want to be able to provide our readers with a brand we trust 100%, and the only way to know we’re recommending a quality product is to be 100% involved with its production.

We inspect and audit every manufacturer we decide to work with and demand rigorous testing of our products to ensure quality. We’re working hard to bring you the highest-quality, most effective supplements we can.
In fact, keep an eye on your inbox, because we’ve got something VERY exciting coming down the line VERY soon.

To living well,

Jasmine LeMaster

Health researcher

View More Free Articles

The BEST Time to Drink Coffee for Your Heart [STUDY]

That first cup of coffee in the morning isn’t just about waking up anymore… New research suggests that the TIMING of your daily brew could also make a big difference in protecting your heart health. And if you’re sipping coffee throughout the day, you might want to rethink that habit. Here’s why… A groundbreaking study...

Read This

A HOT Secret to Better Health (No Gym Needed!)

Looking for a way to boost your health without hitting the gym? Well, there’s an ancient practice that might offer the perfect solution—giving you similar benefits to exercise while  sitting back and relaxing. And while not everyone has access to this therapy, it can be a life changer if you do. Swedish scientists, collaborating with...

Read This

Could Your Dinner Be Harming Your Brain? (Serious Risk!)

Most of us think about food in terms of flavor, satisfaction, and, occasionally, our waistlines. But new research suggests what’s on your plate could have serious long-term consequences—especially for your brain. A study from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston found that eating processed meats, like hot dogs, bacon, and sausages, is linked to an...

Read This

Early Heart Disease Warning Signs Most Folks Miss

When most folks think of “heart problems,” they picture someone clutching their chest in sudden, severe pain. But the reality is that heart disease often announces its presence in far more subtle ways. Recognizing these early warning signs could be the key to early intervention and life-saving treatments… There isn’t just one “first sign” of...

Read This

Why Does Scratching Feel So Good… If It’s So Bad?

You know that feeling—you get an itch, and no matter how much you try to ignore it, it takes over your brain until you finally give in. You scratch… and for a blissful moment, relief washes over you. But then, BAM! The itch comes back, angrier than ever. Sound familiar? Turns out, there’s a scientific...

Read This

Break Free from Back Pain NATURALLY

“I’m having lower back pain on both my left and right side. They have tried steroid injections, physical therapy, and dry needle injections and nothing seems to work. Any ideas that you might suggest?” —Still Aching Dear Aching, It’s incredibly frustrating when conventional pain treatments don’t provide the relief you’re seeking. When my patients struggle...

Read This

This Afternoon Beverage Break SLASHES Diabetes Risk

If you’re like most folks (and certain newsletter-writing doctors), you probably reach for another cup of coffee when the afternoon slump hits. Well, new research suggests switching your afternoon beverage choice could do more than keep you alert… it could shield you from type 2 diabetes. In fact, this simple drink swap could slash your...

Read This

Nightly "Brainwashing" Protects Your Memory

Think skipping sleep is no big deal? Think again. Groundbreaking research reveals that deep sleep does more than just help you feel refreshed. Another CRITICAL memory-preserving process is taking place behind the scenes. But here’s the concerning part… If you’re taking a sleeping pill, you might be blocking this crucial step. Here’s what you need...

Read This

The “Harmless” Additive DESTROYS Your Brain

Ever wonder why ice cream stays creamy in the freezer? Or why peanut butter doesn’t separate? The answer is emulsifiers—common food additives that manufacturers love. However, new research suggests these “harmless” ingredients could be causing serious brain damage. And they’re hiding in more foods than you can imagine… A disturbing new study published in Brain,...

Read This

One Move Adds 5 YEARS to Your Life

Believe it or not, the fountain of youth might be closer than you think… A groundbreaking study reveals that a simple activity you’ve been doing since you were a toddler could add YEARS to your life. And the best part? It won’t cost you a dime… New research published in the British Journal of Sports...

Read This