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Can I Use Antibiotics and Natural Remedies for Strep Throat?

Posted By Bridget (Bali, Indonesia) on 06/28/2016

Hello, I am a long-term traveler currently in Bali. I was just diagnosed with strep throat today. I was trying to avoid antibiotics but I was in so much pain and at the point of barely being able to swallow a sip of water (I am still at this point), so I went to a local clinic. I took the first dose of antibiotics today and am wondering if I'm too late to start trying these other methods as well. Does anyone know anything about this? Antibiotics have caused me a lot of problems in the past, so that is why I wanted to avoid them, but I am in a foreign country where I don't speak the language and don't have any friends here with me to rely on, so it's just hard. I want to feel better and don't want to risk something worse occurring.

Replied by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 06/28/2016

Dear Briget,

Try a gargle with cayenne and salt water. You wouldn't be taking it internally and need to worry that it would counteract your medication. (Some herbs can make the effect of medication stronger. I think cayenne could do that.)

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup water

Mix together. Put on lip balm so you don't burn your lips. Gargle the mixture and spit out. It brings immediate relief to pain and we have seen in cure strep throat quickly. It is super hot and spicy! But it is worth it.

We also use garlic internally for strep throat. As much as a clove per meal. I am not aware of garlic or any other foods being incompatible with antibiotics. Activated charcoal powder or clay would not be compatible with anti-biotics.

I hope you feel better soon!

~Mama to Many~

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