Evidence supporting the use of: Tannins
For the health condition: Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Tannins are a diverse group of polyphenolic compounds found in many plants and have a long history of use in traditional medicine for their astringent, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. In recent years, there has been growing scientific interest in the potential of tannins as alternatives or adjuncts to antibiotics, particularly in the context of increasing antibiotic resistance. Several in vitro studies have demonstrated that tannins can inhibit the growth of various pathogenic bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella species. The mechanisms proposed include direct disruption of bacterial cell walls, inhibition of enzymes critical for bacterial metabolism, and chelation of metal ions needed for microbial growth. Some animal studies also suggest that tannins can reduce the severity or duration of bacterial infections, especially in gastrointestinal contexts (e.g., controlling enteric pathogens in livestock). However, the bulk of the evidence is preclinical, and robust human clinical trials are lacking. Therefore, while scientific validation is emerging, the level of evidence supporting tannins as antibiotic alternatives remains limited (rated 2/5). Further research, particularly well-designed human studies, is needed before tannins can be recommended as reliable alternatives to conventional antibiotics.
Other ingredients used for Antibiotics (alternatives to)
10-Hydroxy-2-Decanoic Acid2'-Fucosyllactose
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
3-Phenyllactic Acid
Acemannan
Ajoene
Alantolactone
Alchornea
Algae
Algal protein
Allicin
Alliin
Allyl sulfide
alpha-terpineol
Alstonia scholaris
anamu
Andrographis
andrographolide
Asteraceae
astragalus
aucubin
azelaic acid
Bacillus
bacillus clausii
Bacillus indicus
Bacillus licheniformis
bacillus subtilis
bacteria
baicalin
Baphicacanthus cusia
Basidiomycota
bee hive
bee products
bee propolis
benzyl isothiocyanate
berberine
betulinic acid
Bidens pilosa
black cumin
black walnut
Blue-Green Alage
Bombax
Borassus aethiopum
Brazilian peppertree
Brevibacillus laterosporus
Butea monosperma
butyric acid
Calotropis gigantea
capric acid
caprylic acid
carvacrol
caterpillar mushroom
Centipeda
chalcone
Chinese raisintree
cinnamaldehyde
cinnamic acid
citral
Clerodendrum indicum
Clostridium butyricum
clove
coconut
coconut oil
colostrum
copaiba oil
Coptis chinensis
curcumin
Dichrostachys glomerata
Embelia
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
eugenol
European Elder
flavonoids
Fomes fomentarius
fungus
gallic acid
garlic
garlic bulb
geranium
ginger
glyceryl monolaurate
golden shower tree
goldenseal
gooseberry
green tea
Guava
heal-all
Helicteres isora
Herb Robert
honey
honeysuckle
horseradish
Houttuynia
Indian coraltree
Indian fagonia
Indian tinospora
Isatis
isoquinoline alkaloids
Kefir
L. lactis
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus
Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Lactobacillus fermentum
Lactobacillus johnsonii
Lactobacillus paracasei
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactococcus lactis
Lactoferrin
Lactoperoxidase
Lantana camara
lauric acid
Lauric arginate
Lentinula edodes mycelia
Leptospermum scoparium
lichen
Litsea
Lysimachia
lysozyme
Mastic gum
melaleuca alternifolia
Monolaurin
Morinda
Mushroom
Myrrh
Naphthoquinones
Nasturtium
Neem tree
Nigella seed
Nimbidin
Nisin
Oleuropein
Oligosaccharides
Onosma bracteatum
oregano
oregon grape
oriental arborvitae
Oroxylum indicum
Osha
oyster mushroom
paederia foetida
Paenibacillus polymyxa
pagoda tree
papaya
Paris polyphylla
pau d'arco
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
Petiveria
phenolic compounds
phlorotannins
Phycocyanin
Physalis angulata
pistacia integerrima gall
plantain
Platycodon
Plectranthus amboinicus
Pleurotus eryngii
polylysine
polysaccharides
Premna
Propolis
red alder
red root
rhizome
Rhus coriaria
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
sage
saponins
Sarcandra glabra
Self-Heal
Sesbania
shiitake mushroom
Sicklepod
Simaruba
Solanum indicum
Sophora
Spanish Needle
Spilanthes
Streptomyces
Streptomyces cellulosae
Streptomyces fradiae
Streptomyces griseoflavus
Sulfated polysaccharide
Sweet Annie
Tagetes
Tamaricaceae
Tannins
Terminalia
Thaumatococcus daniellii
Thiosulfinate
thyme
Thymol
Thymoquinone
Trametes
Tremella
Tulbaghia
turmeric
vitamin C
Wasabi
Wrightia tinctoria
Xanthorrhizol
Yellow root
Zinc
Other health conditions supported by Tannins
Abdominal PainAbrasions
Abscesses
Acid Indigestion
Anal Fistula or Fissure
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Bleeding (external)
Boils
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cuts
Diarrhea
Dysentery
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Hemorrhoids
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Inflammation
Itching
Poisoning (general)
Sore Throat
Strep Throat
Ulcerations (external)
Ulcers
Urinary Tract Infections
Wounds and Sores
