One of the greatest achievement of conventional Western medicine has been the development of antibiotics. Unfortunately the over marketing of these wonder drugs is rapidly undercutting their usefulness to physicians. We now know that pathogens rapidly gain resistance to antibiotics through genetic changes, and also through their ability to become dormant in the presence of these chemicals. Bacteria are able to form biofilms which cannot be penetrated by antibiotics that would otherwise be effective; viruses survive antibiotic attack by hiding within cells. Long term use of antibiotics has limited effectiveness, although we now known that such long term use leads to nutrient depletion, destruction of beneficial bacteria and harmful effects on the endocrine and other body systems.
Antibiotics are useless against viruses. What is worse, by killing healthy gut bacteria, you may weaken the body’s response when attacked by a virus. A study by the Francis Crick Institute found that “…gut bacteria help to keep non-immune cells elsewhere in the body prepared for attack They are better protected from flu because antiviral genes are already switched on when the virus arrives. So when the virus infects a prepared organism, it has almost lost before the battle starts. By contrast, without gut bacteria, the antiviral genes won’t come on until the immune response kicks in. This is sometimes too late as the virus has already multiplied many times, so a massive, damaging immune response is inevitable.” (Cell reports, July 2, 2019, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31269444)
Natural Treatment Approaches
The Western Naturopathic approach: Current research is again looking at natural substances to overcome pathogen invasion. Several herbs have been found that are able to penetrate biofilms. Over 2000 years of herbal research have identified many herbs and other natural substances that are themselves effective against pathogens including bacteria, mycoplasma, viruses, molds and parasites.
Naturopaths also follow the principle that diminished host resistance causes infectious diseases. Infectious organisms are always present in the host or the environment, but infection does not occur unless our resistance in compromised through lifestyle, environmental toxins, nutritional deficiencies and allergies and hypersensitivities. A strong immune system is fundamental if the body is to resist infections.
Use of herbs is far more effective than drugs for treating certain viral infections, such as the common cold and influenza; drugs are essentially ineffective for these conditions. Most importantly, herbs are much gentler to the body and safer than drugs. Herbs treat infection without damaging the patient’s underlying constitution. This allows the patient to recover faster, and become more resistant to secondary or recurrent infections.
Traditional Chinese Medicine shares the same approach. One of the fundamental concepts in Traditional Chinese medicine is that “superior medicine prevents disease, and inferior medicine treats disease.” The TCM physician chooses herbs to clear Heat, expel Cold, relieve Toxicity, and reduce Damp, and to reduce inflammation in upper, middle, and lower burners. Others may be chosen to correct Spleen and Kidney Deficiency or other underlying weakness.
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Statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat and cure or prevent disease. Information provided by CHS is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. Any information given is only intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from scientific world literature. You are encouraged to make your own health care decisions based upon your own research of the subject and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.