Neosporin is the most popular OTC topical antibacterial medication in America. Neosporin ointment is used for preventing infection due to minor cuts, scrapes, and burns. Neosporin ointment is an antibiotic combination. It works by killing sensitive bacteria on the skin or in wounds. But it may have some side effects due to overuse.
-It can cause skin irritation. About 25% of users experience this, sometimes severely.
-It contains petroleum. Neosporin consists of several antibiotics suspended in a petroleum jelly and European Union has banned many petroleum jelly products, and experts are concerned they could be linked to cancer. Women with breast cancer have twice the levels of hydrocarbons in their breasts than women who haven’t had breast cancer.”
-It may prevent the body from building natural immunities. We’ve all heard of the “hygiene hypothesis,” which asserts that lack of exposure to pathogens increases the incidence of autoimmune disease.
Make Your Own Natural First Aid Ointment
Ingredients:
– 3 cups of coconut oil
– 2 ½ tablespoons of organic, raw, comfrey leaves
– 2 ½ tablespoons of dried or raw plantain leaves
– 1 ½ tablespoons of calendula flowers
– 1 ½ teaspoons of organic Echinacea root
– 1 teaspoon of yarrow flower oil
– 1 teaspoon of organic, farm fresh beeswax
– ½ teaspoon of vitamin E oil
Directions:
Put all the ingredients into your 3 cups of coconut oil and let sit on a low heated burner for about 2 hours (or until the mixture becomes green).
Once the mixture appears green, put it through a strainer and discard of the used herbs, leaves, and roots.
When the oil has been separated from the herbs, add the organic beeswax and return the mixture to low heat.
Once the mixture is a smooth, soft, waxy texture, pour it into a reusable bottle or reclosable jar. If you have an empty lip balm tube, you can pour some of the mixture in that; it makes for a great portable Neosporin applicator!
Additional Sources:
http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2010/04/neosporin-otc-drugs-avoid.html
https://gimmethegoodstuff.org/whats-wrong-with-antibiotic-creams/
http://livingtraditionally.com/make-your-own-natural-first-aid-ointment/
http://gazettereview.com/2015/07/natural-alternatives-for-neosporin/
