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Antibiotic
alternatives Note: The information on this website is presented for
educational purposes and This document was provided by Antibiotics can and do save lives daily. They also, when overused or used inappropriately, cause problems which include the promotion of resistant strains of major disease-causing organisms along with damage to the natural bowel flora which act to detoxify and protect against yeast and bacterial overgrowth in the gut. Alternative medicine takes the position that a purely ‘antibiotic’ approach to infection is of limited value in most instances. Lifestyle How well microorganisms flourish in the body, and how sick they may make us, depends largely on the environment in which they find themselves 1 . This can be influenced not only by how toxic we may be but also by whether or not we are nutritionally deficient, and by the influence of a host of mento-emotional stress factors on the immune system, something now well studied under the title psychoneuroimmunology.2 This ‘soil’ in which any infection is acting will also be influenced by the way previous illnesses have been treated, the drugs and surgical procedures used, and the residues of unresolved health problems which we may carry.3 Cumulative effects of stressors If a person has multiple serious infections and illnesses, and these are all taking place in a body which has been compromised by previous and current illness, drug use, poor diet, exposure to environmental toxins, emotional stress and spiritual emptiness, lack of exercise or adequate rest – the chances of any treatment succeeding may be limited.4 These stress factors and infections need to be addressed and if at least some can be relatively easily modified for the better – by getting enough sleep and rest, by learning relaxation methods and stress-coping strategies, by improving the diet and encouraging detoxification and by doing whatever can be done – using the best of orthodox and/or alternative methods – to deal with infections and other health problems – the chances of relative or complete success are made greater. 5 First steps The best starting point might well involve an inner resolution to provide adequate nourishment, to avoid environmental toxicity, to do whatever can be done to improve emotional and spiritual well-being and to undertake physical exercise as appropriate (breathing, stretching, gentle aerobic exercise) as well as ensuring that enough rest and fresh air as is available. Antibiotics There are times when antibiotics may be lifesaving – keep this in mind as we consider some of their negative effects. Without exception antibiotics damage internal eco-systems, most notably the intestinal flora which are a major protector against pathogenic bacteria and yeasts, as well as having many other beneficial influences on the body in terms of detoxification and nutrient supply. If antibiotics are being used supplementation with high potency colonising strains of Bifidobacteria (for the large intestine) and L.acidophilus (for the small bowel) is important. This supplementation should continue during and for some weeks after antibiotic medication. BioCare’s excellent product REPLETE is highly recommended.
Herbal alternatives Use of botanic medicine is widespread and has attracted the attention of major pharmaceutical manufacturers since if they can slightly modify a natural product, and patent this, a bonanza awaits their shareholders (there being little financial mileage in marketing natural products!). The following list of herbal substances is not definitive but represents good examples of what is available.
Combinations Subhuti Dharmananda Ph.D. maintains that skilled blending of individual herbs, using very specific guidelines as to what categories of herbs are best mixed together, leads to better results than their individual use.6 His own recommendation for a herbal combination in treatment of immune suppression was (1987) the ‘Astragalus eight herb formula’ which contains astragalus, codonopsis, atractylodes, schizandra, glycyrrhiza, ganoderma, ligustrum, and eleuthero-ginseng. Current formulations in widespread use include 7 : COMPOSITION A This incorporates 28 herbs (as at January 1992) and has as its major ingredients (the others support the specific actions of the main herbs) the following (% of total compound of each of these is given in brackets): Astragalus (5.9), Ginseng (2.7), Glycyrrhiza (1.7), Atractylodes (2.7), Citrus (1.3), Ganoderma (12.0), Salvia (3.5), Peony, Isatis (7.7), and Hu-Chang (Polygonum cuspidatum) (4.5). Dharmanada reports on the efficacy of this approach in the following summary.8
ASTRA 10 The Bastyr University’s one year HARP study on the effectiveness of a naturopathic approach to immune suppression, employed as part of its protocol a combination product which contained four of the original Dharmananda formulation herbs, along with six others. They used a product called ‘Astra 10’ (a patent Chinese medicine) which contains: Astragalus, Conodopsis, Glycyrrhiza, Atractylodes, Dioscorea, Broussonetia, Isatis, Laminaria, Bupleurum, Lycium and Cynamorium. Of these the researchers believe that Astragalus and Isatis are the most important (see below for individual characteristics of some of these)9. Astragalus membranaceus Immune system enhancer (increased phagocytosis, enhanced T-cell transformation, increased numbers of macrophages, increased IgA and IgG levels, induced formation of interferon, enhanced blastogenesis in white blood cells of normal and cancer patients)10 Indications: swellings, night sweats, skin ulcers, detoxification, cancer, need for immune enhancement.11 Dionaea muscipula – Venus fly trap plant (carnivora) Immune stimulator and modulator (increases number and activity of T-cells, increases phagocytosis of macrophages); improves clinical response in patients at all stages. Used intravenously, intra-muscularly by inhalation and orally 12,13, 14 Indications: need to enhance immune function; treatment of infections. Echinacea Immune enhancement (macrophage activation, antifungal, inhibition of viral infection)15, 16 Indications: Viral infection; need for immune enhancement. Garlic Antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral as well as effective against worms and protozoa including organisms resistant to standard antibiotics 17, 18, 19 Indications: infection of any of the above Ginseng (or Eleutherococcus – ‘Siberian Ginseng’) This is an adaptogen which enhances resistance to all forms of stress with tonic effects on the thymus gland 20, 21 Indications: illness and stress Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) Immune system enhancer 22 (improved macrophage activity, improved production of interferon), inhibitor of viruses 23 . This remarkable herb has a broad spectrum antimicrobial action against numerous pathogenic bacteria etc. (for example Staph.aureus and Candida albicans)24, 25, 26 Licorice extract protects l tissues from free radical damage, especially the liver.27 l against allergy and its effects, most notably related to skin conditions.28, 29 l the thymus gland from shrinking when steroids such as cortisone are used and enhances the anti-inflammatory effects of cortisone 30 Indications: Need for immune enhancement, inflammation, allergy, cortisone medication, liver dysfunction. Hydrastis canadensis (Golden seal) Immune enhancer (macrophage activation, Natural Killer Cells more active); enhances gastro-intestinal function (n.b. diarrhoea); antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal including Giardia lamblia, and Candida albicans 31, 32, 33 Indications: Need for immune enhancement; intestinal infection. Minor Bupleurum Composition: This combination is used to treat hepatitis and other conditions associated with immune depression. It contains Bupleurum, Scutellaria (anti-inflammatory and containing anti-oxidant flavonoids), Ginseng (adaptogen), jujube, glycyrrhiza (multi-purpose), Pinellia (anti-inflammatory and mucolytic), Citrus and ginger (for their essential oils which promote digestion and reduce nausea). Overall the combination improves digestion – whatever the causes. Isatis Broad spectrum antibacterial, antiviral agent which calms inflammation and lowers temperature. Indications: Inflammation, fever, detoxification, need for immune enhancement.34 NOTE: All herbal compounds and many individual herbs are toxic if used in excessive amounts. Many produce mild digestive side effects.35 Advice from an expert is always prudent if consideration is being given to embarking on use of herbal products. Nutritional ‘antibiotics’ Vitamin C to bowel tolerance: The heroic use of vitamin C has been shown to act against viruses in general; to protect tissues against inflammatory damage resulting from bacteria and virus activity; to have specific antiviral activity and to boost immune function, specifically of macrophages and neutrophils.36, 37, 38, 39 Dosage is stepped up by a gram per day, starting at one or two grams/day. When diarrhoea/loose bowel motion is noted the dosage taken the previous day is reverted to and maintained.40 Some people find they reach bowel tolerance when taking as little as 5 to 10 grams daily, whereas others seem able to exceed 50 grams without such symptoms. Biochemical individuality plays part in this difference. Beta carotene 300,000 units per day will have antiviral effects, protect against tissue damage, and raise levels of CD4 Iymphocytes.41Probiotics – ‘friendly bacteria’ Almost every person with immune system problems has a compromised internal ecology affecting their bowel flora. When the flora are healthy they help detoxify the bowel, manufacture B vitamins and keep yeasts and undesirable bacteria in check. The flora is easily damaged by antibiotics, steroid drugs, unbalanced diet and stress. Repopulation (‘reflorastation’) of the intestines requires two organisms in particular to be regularly supplemented – L.acidophilus (for the small intestine) and Bifidobacteria (for the colon). This is especially urgent if yeasts (such as candida albicans) are present and active. Dosage depends on the strain taken and expert advice is urged.42 An approach which enhances internal ecology, modulates and enhances appropriate immune response and which deactivates invading pathogens is more likely to be helpful than methods which while deactivating pathogens also kill ‘friendly’ bacteria and encourages resistant strains to appear. References available on request. LEON CHAITOW Leon Chaitow ND DO is a senior lecturer on the University of Westminster’s BSc, MA and MSc courses in complementary health care. He practises privately at the Hale Clinic, London and in an NHS practice as a consultant naturopath and osteopath. He is editor of The Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies and a prolific author and lecturer in the UK and abroad. His books Candida Albicans – Could yeast be your problem? (Thorsons – revised 1995) and Principles of Fasting (Thorsons 1996) are of particular relevance to people with compromised immune function. He is currently working on a book for Thorsons (to be published Spring 1998) entitled The antibiotic crisis – antidotes and alternatives. |