Within the world and scope of everyday commerce, we deal with natural ways to treat health challenges in pets and people daily. From our position in the marketplace, we have access to thousands of natural foods. They range from our macro foods such as meat, potatoes and vegetables to the micro nutrient foods such as salt, pepper, herbs and spices.
The introduction of antibiotics to the field of medicine has been credited with saving countless lives, turning serious and life-threatening infections into temporary ones. However, with the millions, if not billions of prescriptions for antibiotic drugs that have been written over the years, there comes a serious price: microorganisms are adapting. We now have what’s called “super bugs.”
In the past we fought off infections even before antibiotics were discovered. The body has the natural ability to fight all types of challenges, especially when it is supported by proper nutrition including select botanicals. We must also understand that antibiotics only work on bacterial infections. If the infection is viral, yeast, or fungal, antibiotics will not help at all and will kill much of the beneficial bacteria throughout the body, specifically in the digestive tract. Super bugs don’t respond to regular prescriptions of medicinal antibiotics either. We need to take serious measures to deal with the problem of antibiotic resistance.
There are a plethora of natural herbs and botanical antibiotics that can handle the ongoing assaults on the body that our pets and ourselves face daily. Along with that, there are actually additional benefits that these natural products offer as most are antiviral and anti-fungal as well. In fact, because these herbs and botanicals are foods, they only target pathogens that are foreign to the body.
Do you know the health benefits of sea salt, turmeric, curry, basil, rosemary, pepper and a whole host of other things we add to our diet? Did you know that if you apply raw honey to a cut, scrape or a bite, an infection will NOT develop? Do you know that most cold and flu symptoms in our pets and ourselves are chemical irritants? Most of these symptoms are self limiting, meaning the body will heal by allowing the body to heal itself.
We already mentioned raw honey as one of our choices and there are many more. In fact, many are already in your home. Do you have Turmeric, Ginger, Cayenne or other spicy pepper powders? How about Triphala, Pau d’Arco, Echinacea and Apple Cider Vinegar? All can be used in food, water, broth, smoothies and applied topically when mixed with safe healthy oils such as organic coconut or hemp oil. When used in food, we are supporting the immune system. It can be used topically on a wound, for periodontal issues or as drops for ears. Using in food is best, as it supports the natural defenses.
The choice is yours. Do you handle the small health challenges with a species appropriate raw natural food diet along with the natural antibiotics and cures that were provided from nature and work – or do you continue to cultivate new super bugs that continue new health challenges to only require more toxic solutions?
Bill Piechocki, nutritionist and Dr. Diane Sudduth, DVM are partners in Fiesta Pet Deli in Pompano Beach, FL, and co-hosts of the PetHealthCafe.com radio show. Our 40 years in the animal field has provided us unparalleled vision and information which we pass to our clients daily. We can be reached at 800-940-7387. Call us for a free consultation, we would be more than happy to help.