The bacteria Staphylococcus aureus can cause serious illness in humans and animals. While there are traditional treatments for this condition, the use of certain plants as a remedy has gained popularity in recent years.
In a moment, we’ll look at some of the plants that have been found to be effective against Staphylococcus aureus, and we’ll talk about their potential as a natural alternative to pharmaceutical treatments.
What is a cure?
A cure is a remedy or treatment that results in the complete resolution of a disease or ailment, resulting in the restoration of good health.Â
It is a powerful concept that represents hope and healing for those who are afflicted with illnesses or conditions that affect their quality of life.
A cure is a vital goal for medical professionals and researchers, as it represents a tangible way to positively impact the lives of individuals and communities worldwide.
While not all diseases or conditions are curable, medical advances and research bring us closer to discovering new treatments and therapies that can improve outcomes and alleviate symptoms. This brings us to…
Bactericidal agents
Bactericidal agents are antimicrobials that kill bacteria by interfering with their cell walls, membranes, or metabolic pathways. They are a valuable tool in the fight against bacterial infections and the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
This is the opposite of what bacteriostatic agents are but not the direct opposite.
Bactericidal agents can be used as drugs for the cure of infections but not all bactericidal agents are useful.
For instance, a study carried out in 2011 revealed that Daptomycin was an excellent bactericidal agent against the gram-positive bacteria streptococcus pneumoniae, the causative agent of pneumonia but this same agent was not useful for the treatment of pneumonia.
Bacteriostatic agents
Unlike bacteriocidal agents, bacteriostatic agents are a type of antimicrobial substance that halt the growth of bacteria without necessarily killing them.
They inhibit the metabolic processes of slow-growing bacteria which prevent their reproduction.
Because bacteriostatic agents don’t actually kill the bacteria, they may not be effective in treating severe infections where rapid elimination of the bacteria is required.
Bacteriostatic agents are sometimes used in combination with bactericidal agents to kill bacteria.
Plants/herbal cure for staphylococcus aureus
Plants can either be bactericidal or bacteriostatic agents. The only conclusive measure for these is for extensive research to be carried out on a variety of plants. What leaf treats staph? Here’s a comprehensive list.
- Allium sativum (garlic)
- Zingiber officinale (ginger)
- Curcuma longa (turmeric)
- Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf)
- Aloe barbadensis miller (aloe vera)
- Lycopus europaeus (bugle weed)
- Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary)
- Syzygium aromaticum (Cloves)
- Moringa oleifera (Moringa)
Can garlic cure staphylococcus aureus?
Garlic is well-known for its antimicrobial properties and has long been used to treat bacterial infections. Staphylococcus aureus is a bacteria that can cause a variety of infections such as skin infections, pneumonia, and sepsis.
Although there is some evidence that garlic may have an inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus aureus, there is no definitive scientific evidence to support the claim that garlic can cure Staphylococcus aureus infections at this time.
A study carried out in 2021 aimed to investigate the potential of raw garlic consumption in reducing the carriage of Staphylococcus aureus among university students.
The participants were then randomly assigned to either the intervention group (two grams of raw garlic per day) or the control group (no garlic).
The presence of Staphylococcus aureus in nasal swabs from both groups was measured after a 12-week intervention period.
The study discovered that the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus was significantly lower in the intervention group compared to the control group.
Further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of garlic consumption in treating Staphylococcus aureus infections.
Effect of garlic on Staphylococcus aureus
Garlic contains several organosulfur compounds, including allicin, which have antimicrobial properties.
These compounds have been shown to inhibit and even kill the growth of various bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus.
Garlic may be effective in treating Staphylococcus aureus infections, according to some studies, but more research is needed to confirm this.
How long does it take for garlic to kill bacteria?
Laboratory studies (in vitro) have shown that allicin is able to kill bacteria in a relatively short amount of time.
However, it is important to keep in mind that the effectiveness of garlic and its active compounds may be different in the human body compared to in the laboratory.
This is because factors such as how well the compounds are absorbed, distributed, and metabolized by the body may affect their ability to kill bacteria or have other health benefits in vivo, or in the living organism.
Can garlic and ginger cure staphylococcus aureus
The effect of garlic on Staph has been seen. Now, let us look at ginger.
Ginger is a popular spice that has many health benefits. Gingerol and shogaol, two compounds found in ginger, have been found to have antibacterial properties.
Several studies have shown that gingerols and shogaols have antibacterial activity against a wide variety of bacteria.
Among these are Helicobacter pylori, Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus.
Gingerols and shogaols have been shown to inhibit bacterial growth and the formation of biofilms, which are bacterial communities that can cause infections.
Researchers conducted a laboratory study to investigate whether ginger and honey have any antimicrobial effects.
They used a sample of bacteria derived from teeth that had been extracted during orthodontic treatments.
The results showed that ginger extract had antimicrobial properties and was effective against the tested bacterial strains, such as Staphylococcus aureus.
Additionally, the study found that the antimicrobial activity of ginger extract increased in proportion to the concentration used, meaning higher concentrations resulted in greater inhibition of bacterial growth.
These findings suggest that ginger may have the potential as a natural antimicrobial agent to combat bacterial infections.
How to use garlic and ginger to cure staphylococcus?
Although garlic and ginger may have antimicrobial properties, it is currently unknown what dosage or mode of administration is most effective for treating Staphylococcus aureus infections.
It is important to note that treating bacterial infections with garlic and ginger alone is not recommended because it may not completely eliminate the bacteria and may contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance.
However, garlic and ginger can be incorporated into soups, stews, and stir-fries, or can be eaten raw.
Crush or chop garlic and let it sit for a few minutes before cooking or eating to maximize its antimicrobial properties, as this activates the release of the beneficial compound allicin.
Can ginger, garlic, and turmeric cure staphylococcus
We’ve seen the effect of garlic and ginger on Staph aureus. Now, let us look at turmeric and the benefits it holds.
Studies have shown that turmeric has antimicrobial properties due to an active ingredient called curcumin. This chemical compound possibly makes it effective in fighting against Staphylococcus aureus.
The compound has been proven to inhibit the growth of bacteria and may even have the potential to kill them.
Apart from this, curcumin has also been found to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which could be beneficial for your overall health and immune system.
The study Curcumin, a Natural Antimicrobial Agent with Strain-Specific Activity suggests that curcumin has strain-specific antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and other bacteria and may be effective in treating infections caused by antibiotic-resistant strains of these bacteria.
This is done by disrupting cell membranes and interfering with bacterial signaling pathways.
Another study carried out to determine the effectiveness of curcumin against both methicillin-sensitive S. aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus revealed that curcumin exerts even more potent effects when used in combination with various other antibacterial agents.
Does bitter leaf cure staphylococcus aureus
Just like other plants mentioned above, there’s currently no scientific evidence to support the claim that bitter leaf can cure Staphylococcus aureus infections.
However, there are studies stating that this plant has antimicrobial activities against some bacteria.
A study revealed that the plant extracts were more susceptible to Staphylococcus aureus, followed by Escherichia coli and then Candida albicans.
Can aloe vera cure staphylococcus aureus
Aloe vera has been traditionally used for medicinal purposes, particularly for its anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties. Its efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus infections has not been well-established.
For skin infectious, aloe vera gel extracts were tested against some common skin infection pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, shigella, and Salmonella spp.
It was recorded that these bacteria were highly susceptible.
What Next?
If you suspect you have a Staphylococcus aureus infection, seek medical attention and adhere to the recommended treatment plan, which may include antibiotics.
Incorporating garlic and ginger into your diet, on the other hand, may be beneficial to your overall health and immune function.