Novartis stops antibiotic development: Herbal alternatives now even more important

One of the world's largest drug manufacturers has announced that it will completely withdraw from research into new antibiotics. In view of the increasing multi-resistance to super-resistance, this is a clear setback for one of the greatest problems in modern medicine. The example of Novartis also makes it clear that industry is barely able to recoup the high research expenditures.

There have not been any major leaps in development for a good 30 years; the half-life of a new active ingredient until resistance develops has now become very manageable. It is high time society as a whole rethought to stop this growing threat. Everyone can do something about it.

At the State Horticultural Show in Würzburg 2018, we are currently presenting various plants with germ-inhibiting ingredients that can be grown, easily processed and safely used in your own garden until October. To this end, we provide valuable tips 15 to 20 times a week in the form of guided tours and lectures - that adds up to around 400 dates in just under six months of the garden show.

Cruciferous vegetables (mustard, horseradish, radish, types of cabbage, watercress) and cruciferous species (nasturtiums), which in nature use the hot mustard oils to defend themselves against attacking viruses, bacteria and fungi, are shown in particular. We can use them preventively and therapeutically in the respiratory and urinary tracts, the combination of horseradish and nasturtium has been part of the medical guidelines for the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections since last autumn.

In addition, the leek oils from various representatives of the leek genus also play a larger role, the most prominent being garlic and onion. But wild garlic, chives and vegetable leek also contain these substances. Similar to the cruciferous vegetables, the leek plants use the hot oils exclusively to ward off microorganisms.

It looks a little different with the essential oils, which we show by means of various mint flowers (thyme, sage, mint, rosemary, lavender) and umbellifers (fennel, anise, caraway). The oils fulfill a double function, especially in the mint family: they are not only a warfare agent, but also an attractant. The plants attract insects to pollinate. But they also successfully defend themselves against various germs. Studies have shown that the essential oil of thyme in particular is surprisingly effective against many multi-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus.

What all these agents have in common is that they not only inhibit or kill bacteria, as is the case with classic antibiotics, but also various viruses. It should be noted that around 90 percent of all colds are purely viral. Without a bacterial finding, the prescription of classic antibiotics is now considered a mistreatment.

Most of the plants mentioned have been used for a long time in the kitchen and in medicine. They do not interfere with our intestinal flora, so the dreaded undesirable effects of classic antibiotics are eliminated. In addition, no resistance to the herbal multi-substance mixtures has been observed in practice so far, so we can use them very safely, both preventively and therapeutically.

So there are actually reasons enough to forego the classic antibiotics in the case of lighter infections and to rely on herbal remedies such as horseradish, thyme or garlic first. Phyto first! Then we will be left with the classic antibiotics for the serious infections for which we urgently need them.