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How to Use Natural Antibiotics for Bacterial Infections: A Clinician’s POV

Written by Dr. Michael Ruscio, DC on February 17, 2025

Written by Dr. Michael Ruscio, DC on February 17, 2025 — Reviewed by Hilary Watts

• Vector-Borne Microbial Infections|
• Natural Antibiotics|
• Effectiveness|
• Best Natural Antibiotics|
• Creating Resilience|

Fatigue, bloating, brain fog, joint pain, reflux, and anxiety may all stem from an unhealthy gut. Diet, probiotics, and an elemental diet are the front-line therapeutics we use in the clinic—and they tend to tackle these symptoms for most of our clients successfully.

But what happens when you are still plagued with symptoms after working hard to maintain a gut-healthy diet and probiotic routine? If you aren’t responding as expected, it’s time to go back to the drawing board and consider other root causes, like chronic infections. 

Recently, my team and I have been diving into the research on vector-borne microbial infections (VBMs), the symptoms they cause, and the natural antibiotics and natural remedies used to treat them.

In this article, I’ll share some background on VBMs and how they can derail your progress. I’ll also get into the natural antibiotics we use for bacterial infections and other natural ways to support your body when fighting a chronic infection.

What are Vector-Borne Microbial Infections?

VBMs are infections you can get after being bitten or scratched by vectors (like fleas, ticks, mosquitos, biting flies, mice, dogs, and cats) that carry offending pathogens 1. Many of these infections are caused by bacteria. 

Some of the most common VBMs infections include:

• Bartonellosis: Illness caused by Bartonella bacteria, including cat scratch disease
• Babesiosis: A parasitic disease spread by ticks
• Borreliosis: Commonly called Lyme disease, this is a bacterial infection spread by ticks 

VBMs cause disease in the body by:

• Dysregulating the immune system
• Disrupting the body’s smallest blood vessels
• Creating biofilms that allow them to hide from the immune system

Symptoms of VBMs

VBMs can cause symptoms that wax and wane, like:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Brain fog
• Body aches

VBM symptoms may even mimic Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in some people. 

Having three or more chronic symptoms of any kind (including chronic or unexplained digestive conditions) should trigger the suspicion of VBMs, according to a 2021 observational study 2. 

Chronic VBM symptoms can include:

These are all pretty common symptoms that can be attributed to other conditions, so it’s easy to understand how VBMs may go undiagnosed. 

In our clinic, if a client struggles with several of the symptoms above, VBMs aren’t the first place we start. But if our clients don’t heal completely with traditional therapeutic interventions and medical advice, then we consider VBMs as a root cause.

Treating VBMs

It’s not always necessary to treat VBMs like bartonellosis and babesiosis. Both of these are generally mild, and a healthy immune system can take care of them. However, you may need treatment with conventional and natural antibiotics if symptoms persist or are serious 3 4.

Borreliosis (Lyme disease) is a different situation—it’s very important to get treatment with a combination of conventional antibiotics 5, 6, ideally with natural antibiotics, too. 

What Is a Natural Antibiotic?

A natural antibiotic is a plant compound with antibacterial properties and antimicrobial properties—this means it can help inhibit not only bacteria but other microorganisms like viruses, yeast, and parasites 7.

It’s different from a conventional antibiotic, which is a prescription medication (like penicillin) used to prevent or fight bacterial infections (like MRSA). 

Some of the more commonly known natural antibiotics include:

• Oregano oil (carvacrol essential oil)
• Garlic extract (Allium sativum)
• Goldenseal
• Clove oil (eugenol)
• Echinacea 
• Ginger
• Manuka honey
• Coconut oil
• Thyme essential oil

As I discuss in Healthy Gut, Healthy You, these herbal preparations are powerful natural compounds with antibacterial effects that also act as:

• Anti-inflammatory agents
• Antioxidants
• Antifungals

Many of these natural products and home remedies have been used for centuries to treat various ailments, including 8:

• Respiratory tract and sinus infections
• Coughs
• Digestive distress and ulcers
• Staphylococcus aureus and strep infections
• Urinary tract infections
• Wounds
• High blood pressure

Natural antibiotics can also be advantageous for gut infections like small intestinal bacterial or fungal overgrowth (SIBO or SIFO), Helicobacter pylori, and parasites.

Many of our clients in the clinic have used our four herbal dietary supplement preparations as part of my Great-in-8 gut-healing protocol with great success.

Can Herbal Remedies Effectively Treat Bacterial Infections?

There are fewer studies on the use of natural antibiotics (herbal antimicrobials) to treat infectious diseases. But herbal antimicrobials can be effective for both irritable bowel syndrome and SIBO 9 10.

And unlike prescription antibiotics, many herbal antimicrobials also have health benefits outside their antibacterial activity, like:

• Lowering inflammation 11 12
• Curbing depression 13
• Fighting other bacterial and fungal imbalances 7
• Improving cognitive function 14
• Reducing mental fatigue 15 

In my experience, layering in natural antibiotics for bacterial infections fosters more complete healing, and here’s why.

Conventional antibiotics effectively treat bacterial infections, and they’re usually the first-line treatment for some VBMs. But research suggests up to 35% of patients may not fully recover 8.

Additionally, antibiotic use can come with side effects, and the overuse of antibiotics can contribute to antibiotic resistance. Resistant bacteria are very difficult to treat 8.

What are the Best Natural Antibiotics for Bacterial Infections?

We have limited research on natural antibiotics for vector-borne microbial infections. But the in vitro research (cell research) is very promising and suggests the most effective herbal antimicrobials for VBMs may include 8 16 17 18 19:

• Cryptolepis sanguinolenta
• Artemisia annua (sweet wormwood)
• Polygonum cuspidatum (Japanese knotweed)
• Juglans nigra (black walnut)

It’s tempting to experiment with natural antibiotics for bacterial infections on your own. But it’s important to seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional before adding herbal supplements. 

Furthermore, improving the body’s terrain before starting natural antibiotics for bacterial infections is crucial. In my experience in the clinic, clients who focus on creating a healthy foundation first tend to have better results.

A Healthy Foundation and Resilience Support Natural Antibiotics

With a healthy immune system, it’s possible to clear certain VBM infections like bartonellosis and babesiosis without adding conventional or natural antibiotics. Borreliosis, on the other hand, does require antibiotics. 

A resilient body makes it less likely that a VBM will significantly impact health and quality of life.  So, no matter the type of infection, I encourage my clients to create a healthy foundation and improve gut health to support resilience before, during, and after treatment.

Diet

Living with a chronic infection can make it challenging to focus on eating healthy foods. However, diet is, without a doubt, one of the most impactful strategies for improving immune system function, gut health, and quality of life. 

There are many wholesome meal pattern options, but we keep it simple and tend to start with the Paleo diet because it can:

• Lower inflammation 20
• Improve blood sugar control 21 22
• Reduce or eliminate food allergens 23

If the Paleo diet doesn’t feel right, other options exist. But it’s probably best to work with a healthcare provider who can help you design a meal plan that meets your nutritional needs and is realistic and easy to follow. 

Sleep

Restful sleep is crucial for proper immune system function. But it might seem out of reach when dealing with the symptoms of a chronic infection. 

A few tips for improving sleep include:

• Create a relaxing bedtime routine
• Go to bed and wake up at the same times each day
• Get early morning natural light
• Avoid caffeine after 12 pm
• Avoid bright lights within an hour of bedtime
• Avoid heavy meals and intense exercise within three hours of bedtime
• Practice a daily stress management technique

If implementing these tips consistently doesn’t lead to better sleep, it may be best to discuss sleep issues with a professional.

Stress Management

Unmanaged stress can further burden the immune system, making it difficult to fight off and overcome VBMs. While it’s impossible to eliminate all stress, it is possible to practice simple strategies that help your body become more resilient to stress.

Consuming a whole-foods, anti-inflammatory diet and getting sleep dialed in are great for reducing stress. Other helpful tips include:

• Spend time in nature
• Implement a daily meditation, yoga, or deep breathing practice
• Get a healthy amount of exercise

Exercise

Exercise is a great way to lower stress, improve gut health, and enhance immune system function 24 25. But, depending on the severity of VBM symptoms, a routine exercise program may be quite difficult.

I encourage my clients to simply start by walking as much and as often as they can. As symptoms improve, then they can consider adding cardiovascular and resistance training sessions. 

Gut Health

Creating a healthy foundation with diet, stress management, sleep, and exercise goes a long way toward securing great gut health. Additional gut-supportive measures include:

• Probiotics
• Glutamine
• Elemental diet

Overcome Chronic Infections with Natural Antibiotics and a Healthy Foundation 

Many of our clients experience significant symptom improvement with natural remedies like diet, probiotics, and lifestyle. But when vibrant health isn’t regained with these therapies, we investigate VBMs as a root cause.

Some VBMs may require conventional antibiotic treatment. But natural antibiotics for bacterial infections are another possible option. Use should be guided by a trained healthcare professional.

No matter the type of infection, creating a healthy foundation can improve the internal terrain, fostering more complete healing. We’d be honored to partner with you on your health journey. Contact us for an appointment at the Ruscio Institute for Functional Health.

The Ruscio Institute has developed a range of high-quality formulations to help our clients and audience. If you’re interested in learning more about these products, please click here. Note that there are many other options available, and we encourage you to research which products may be right for you. The information on DrRuscio.com is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.