Although we have come to depend on antibiotics for almost every illness, resistant strains of bacteria are becoming more and more common. Experts point to the overuse of antibiotics as the cause. This is particularly disturbing since international travel and unregulated immigration can bring us into contact with some serious diseases. Alternative medicine, which has resurrected many old folk remedies, may hold the answer to infection control with folk remedies.
Antibiotics were once seen as miracle drugs, curing fevers and diseases that once were fatal. Blood poisoning and gangrene used to be real dangers, but the new drugs have made them rare today. However, adding antibiotics to animal feed, prescribing them too often for minor complaints, and using them in home sanitizing products have led to scary new strains of resistant germs. Doctors are encountering infections they can't handle.
Contagious diseases seem to be becoming more serious, and international travelers may carry them from one country to another in a way that was not possible in former times. A population may have little or no immunity to a germ from another country, and an epidemic can spread rapidly. Other diseases that may have been stamped out in certain areas can reappear, like tuberculosis has done in the United States.
So what can people do to protect themselves? Natural healers tell us to strengthen our immune system. This defense against illness is part of the human body, but it can become weak and ineffective if care is not taken. An overload of stress, too much antibiotic use (as medicine, consumed in food, or used in sanitizing products for the home), and poor dietary and lifestyle choices can cause our natural defenses to fail.
Immune system boosters are now a multi-million dollar industry. Probiotics - supplements of beneficial bacteria to replenish the colonies in our digestive tract - are important. Herbs from around the world are known to be helpful in shielding us from bacteria and viruses. Echinacea is an American herb that fights colds and flu. Another is elderberry. Minerals are used, too; think of the zinc lozenges that people take for cold relief.
One natural antibiotic, which bacteria are not resistant to, is silver. The mineral has been used as a purifying and healing agent since ancient times. Travelers used to put silver coins in milk to keep it fresh. Modern research confirms silver's antibacterial properties, and it is widely used in water purification and industry to keep bacteria from flourishing in tubes and pipes. It is considered a safe dietary supplement, although care must be taken to know the quality of preparation and the purity of the product.
Silver is considered a safe dietary supplement as long as it is not overused. Take too much of it and you can turn blue. However, this is a rare condition, only seen after long-term, excessive intake of the mineral. It you are afraid to use it regularly, it still might be good to have some on hand in case of emergency. It can be used topically to treat injuries or taken internally to ward off the Avian Flu or SARS. Although these claims are disputed by many health professionals, lots of private consumers swear by this health aid.
There are all kinds of home remedies for infection, from raw goat's milk to onion poultices and wraps made of spiderwebs. It just could be an old folk remedy that pulls you and your family through an illness or injury.
Antibiotics were once seen as miracle drugs, curing fevers and diseases that once were fatal. Blood poisoning and gangrene used to be real dangers, but the new drugs have made them rare today. However, adding antibiotics to animal feed, prescribing them too often for minor complaints, and using them in home sanitizing products have led to scary new strains of resistant germs. Doctors are encountering infections they can't handle.
Contagious diseases seem to be becoming more serious, and international travelers may carry them from one country to another in a way that was not possible in former times. A population may have little or no immunity to a germ from another country, and an epidemic can spread rapidly. Other diseases that may have been stamped out in certain areas can reappear, like tuberculosis has done in the United States.
So what can people do to protect themselves? Natural healers tell us to strengthen our immune system. This defense against illness is part of the human body, but it can become weak and ineffective if care is not taken. An overload of stress, too much antibiotic use (as medicine, consumed in food, or used in sanitizing products for the home), and poor dietary and lifestyle choices can cause our natural defenses to fail.
Immune system boosters are now a multi-million dollar industry. Probiotics - supplements of beneficial bacteria to replenish the colonies in our digestive tract - are important. Herbs from around the world are known to be helpful in shielding us from bacteria and viruses. Echinacea is an American herb that fights colds and flu. Another is elderberry. Minerals are used, too; think of the zinc lozenges that people take for cold relief.
One natural antibiotic, which bacteria are not resistant to, is silver. The mineral has been used as a purifying and healing agent since ancient times. Travelers used to put silver coins in milk to keep it fresh. Modern research confirms silver's antibacterial properties, and it is widely used in water purification and industry to keep bacteria from flourishing in tubes and pipes. It is considered a safe dietary supplement, although care must be taken to know the quality of preparation and the purity of the product.
Silver is considered a safe dietary supplement as long as it is not overused. Take too much of it and you can turn blue. However, this is a rare condition, only seen after long-term, excessive intake of the mineral. It you are afraid to use it regularly, it still might be good to have some on hand in case of emergency. It can be used topically to treat injuries or taken internally to ward off the Avian Flu or SARS. Although these claims are disputed by many health professionals, lots of private consumers swear by this health aid.
There are all kinds of home remedies for infection, from raw goat's milk to onion poultices and wraps made of spiderwebs. It just could be an old folk remedy that pulls you and your family through an illness or injury.
About the Author:
This online page has up-to-the-minute information about infection control that people need to know about. To learn more about our consulting services, visit the relevant website on http://jmboyceconsulting.com/about-us right now.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment