Kids in Wisconsin are now back in school. This is the best time for infections to be passed from family to family. Viral and bacterial infections have afflicted man since the dawn of time. Our bodies have developed the ability to fight off infections, but sometimes our body's resources of are not enough to combat pathogens. Fortunately modern medicine has developed antibiotics that save countless lives.
In some cases, antibiotics are no longer effective due to the rise of more virulent, or extremely strong, strains of bacteria. In addition, antibiotics are not effective against viruses. There are very few anti viral drugs, and vaccinations are only available against a limited number of specific viruses.
The answer to this situation may lie in a return to ancient forms of medicine. Biomedical science is currently studying traditional herbs and their effects on infectious pathogens. Many traditional herbs have well-established antibiotic and anti viral properties. Traditional forms of herbalism have diagnostic criteria on how to use certain herbs to fight infections.
Historically, herbalists have sought substances that help treat the many ailments that afflict their communities. They did not recognize bacteria or viruses, but they understood the dynamics of body symptoms and foods found in their environment. Over many generations, herbal treatments were refined to a high degree. Symptoms were matched with specific formulations that mixed the main herb with other herbs to enhance or control the effects. Like many medicines, these herbs were only to be used as long as necessary to affect a change in the patient. The goal was to help the patient's own healing abilities to overcome the infection.
Traditional herbal systems such as Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine have specific diagnostic criteria for proper herbal use. These diagnostics do not coincide with modern biomedical disease definitions. As a result, it is important that an herbal practitioner is consulted. Proper herb use is determined by the rules of that herbal system, not the biomedical disease definitions that determine pharmaceutical treatment.
While neither biomedical nor traditional medicines have all the answers to the many ailments that afflict man, understanding of strengths and weaknesses in various medical systems can help patients get the best possible care.
For more information check out these related articles on ear infections, ear infection guide, echinacea,common colds, infections, herbal history, herbal safety.
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