(Natural News) Polyphenols are active plant compounds whose health-promoting activities are well-documented by studies. These secondary metabolites are produced by plants to boost their defenses against ultraviolet radiation and pathogens, indicating that they are natural antioxidants and antimicrobials. But these beneficial properties of polyphenols are not only applicable to plants. Multiple studies suggest that these compounds – […]

(Natural News) Spanish researchers evaluated the antimicrobial activity of red wine and polyphenol-rich enological extracts against periodontal pathogens, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Fusobacterium nucleatum, as well as total bacteria growing in an in vitro oral biofilm static model. Their findings were published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Previous studies show that […]

(Natural News) Basic hygiene practices such as washing hands with soap and water are taught from childhood. On top of washing, many people also use antiseptics to better get rid of germs. Rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and iodine are some common antiseptics found in most homes. (h/t to BeansBulletsBandagesAndYou.com) Which is which: antiseptics, disinfectants, and […]

(Natural News) Bacteria represent just one part of a large and thriving community of microorganisms that the human body plays host to. These microbes can be found in different parts, including the skin, the oral cavity, and most notably, the gut. While bacteria, together with other microbes, contribute to the maintenance of good health, certain […]

(Natural News) According to a recent study published in mSystems, an open access journal run by the American Society for Microbiology, people introduce chemicals to the environment wherever they go. These chemicals called antimicrobials are often used in disinfectants and cleaners to kill microorganisms that can cause diseases. When these chemicals settle in indoor dust and spread in public […]

(Natural News) A tiny flowering plant with a devilish name and a great reputation in Irish folk medicine turns out to have a cornucopia of natural antioxidants and essential oils with potent antimicrobial activity. Polish researchers reported that the devil’s-bit (Succisa pratensis) appears to live up to its traditional use as a natural remedy for infections. […]

(Natural News) The jatropha (Jatropha curcas) is not limited to serving as a significant and sustainable source of biofuel. Moroccan researchers reported that the leaves of this perennial plant contain an essential oil that can kill microorganisms and scavenge free radicals. Native to Mexico, Central America, and northern South America, the jatropha has spread across the world, having been transplanted […]

(Natural News) An African medicinal plant might be a potential means of treating infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Researchers from Côte d’Ivoire studied the therapeutic potential of extracts from cherry mahogany (Tieghemella heckelii), a tree that grows in certain African countries like Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire. S. aureus is one of the bacteria commonly […]

(Natural News) Côte d’Ivoire researchers tested cherry mahogany (Tieghemella heckelii) for its antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). They reported that extracts from the stem bark of the African medicinal plant were able to inhibit the growth of different strains of the drug-resistant pathogenic microbe. The study was supported by the Institut Pasteur Côte d’Ivoire. Its findings were […]

(Natural News) Adding dill (Anethum sowa) to your recipes will not just improve the taste of your meals. The roots of this common spice contain plenty of phytochemicals that protect cells from harmful bacteria, microbes, and free radicals, reported Bangladeshi researchers. In addition to serving as a spice, dill also functions as a medicinal herb. […]