Natural Alternatives to Antibiotics - Revised and Updated : How to treat infections without antibiotics

222 Pages·2003·1.35 MB·English

Natural Alternatives
to Antibiotics
Dr John McKenna
Newleaf
This book is dedicated to four very special people in my life—Charity, Jackie,
Marianne and David—my children.
Contents
Cover
Title Page
Dedication
Foreword
Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1: The History of Antibiotics
From early times to the nineteenth century
Honey
Garlic and onions
Moulds
Wine and vinegar
Copper
Antibiotics in ancient Africa
The nineteenth and early twentieth centuries
Good bacteria
Pyocynase
Salvarsan
The penicillin era
Streptomycin
Chloramphenicol
The cephalosporins
The tetracyclines
Newer antibiotics
The most recent antibiotics
The future
Chapter 2: Bacterial Resistance to Antibiotics
Resistance to antibiotics: is it really a problem?
Melbourne, Australia
Why do bacteria develop resistance?
Case history 1: Mark – Influenza
Case history 2: John – Recurrent sore throat and tiredness
Antibiotic use in animals
Pet foods
Laboratory reports
How do bacteria develop resistance?
Spontaneous mutations
Plasmids
Japan
South Africa
Transposons
Has bacterial resistance always been there or did we create it?
Do plasmids and transposons favour bacterial survival?
The consequences of resistance
Summary
Chapter 3: The Use and Abuse of Antibiotics
Antibiotics are now being rendered useless
The dangers of excessive antibiotic use
Resistance
Allergic reactions
Intestinal problems
Case history 3: Sarah – Abdominal pain and loss of appetite
Specific problems with certain antibiotics
Chloramphenicol
Tetracyclines
Aminoglycosides
Sulphonamides
Antibiotic abuse — the reasons why
What if an antibiotic must be used?
Case history 4: Gerard – Recurrent ear and chest infections
Chapter 4: Conventional and Alternative Medical Approaches
The conventional medical approach to treating infections
The alternative medical approach to treating infections
Chapter 5: Childhood Infections
Upper respiratory tract infections (nasal, sinus, throat and ear infections)
Lower respiratory tract infections (chest infections)
Croup
Bronchitis
Case history 5: Seán – Persistent cough
Wheezy bronchitis and asthma
Recurrent respiratory infections
The child who does not get better
1. Tuberculosis
2. Cystic fibrosis
3. Mycoplasma pneumonia
4. Reduced IGA
5. Inhalation of a foreign body (e.g. a peanut or wheel of a toy car)
Infections of other parts of the body
Gastro-enteritis
Urinary tract infections
Summary
Chapter 6: Herbal Medicine
Herbs — part of Nature’s energy cycle
Herbal medicines and synthetic drugs: a comparison
Herbal medicine and intuition
Echinacea purpurea — the immune herb
How does Echinacea work?
What is Echinacea used for?
How do you take Echinacea?
Is Echinacea safe to use?
Summary
Wild Indigo (Baptisia tinctoria)
How does Wild Indigo work?
What is Wild Indigo used for?
How do you take Wild Indigo?
Is Wild Indigo safe to use?
Summary
Usnea barbata — the herbal antibiotic
How does Usnea work?
What is Usnea used for?
How do you take Usnea?
Is Usnea safe to use?
Summary
Honey
What is Honey?
How does Honey work?
What is Honey used for?
How do you take Honey?
Is Honey safe?
Summary
Grapefruit Seed Extract
What is GSE?
How does GSE work?
What is GSE used for?
How do you take GSE?
Is GSE safe to use?
Summary
Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)
How does Tea Tree Oil work?
What is Tea Tree Oil used for?
How to use Tea Tree Oil?
Is Tea Tree Oil safe to use?
Summary
Other medicinal herbs
Sage (Salvia officinalis) and Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Marigold (Calendula officinalis)
Garlic (Allium sativum)
Wormwood (Artemisia absinthum)
Summary
Thuja occidentalis
How does Thuja work?
What is Thuja used for?
How do you take Thuja?
Is Thuja safe to use?
Summary
Esberitox — an exciting new herbal immune stimulant
What does Esberitox contain?
How does Esberitox work?
What is Esberitox used for?
Are there side effects?
Summary
Case history 6: Jennifer – Glandular fever
Immunol — a powerful immune booster
What does Immunol contain?
What is Immunol used for?
Are there side effects
Summary
Summary
Chapter 7: Homeopathic Medicine
Simple and complex homeopathy
Complex homeopathic remedies
Toxiloges
Echinacea compositum
Engystol
Case history 7: Jackie – tonsilitis
Adverse effects of antibiotics
Summary
Simple homeopathic remedies
Case history 8: Karen – Recurrent chest infections, tiredness, aches and
pains
The importance of homeopathic vaccination
Chapter 8: Nutritional Medicine
Water
Sugar
Processed foods
Live yoghurt
What does live yoghurt contain?
How does live yoghurt differ from commercially-produced yoghurt?
Why is it beneficial to take live yoghurt?
1. Effects of the intestinal flora on colon cancer
2. The intestinal flora and calcium absorption
3. The intestinal flora and cholesterol
4. The intestinal flora and constipation/diarrhoea
5. The intestinal flora and antibiotic therapy
6. The intestinal flora produce vitamins essential for well-being
7. A healthy intestinal flora can prevent bowel infections
8. The intestinal flora stimulates the immune system
Probiotics supplements
Prebiotics
Whey
Proteins in whey
1. Beta-lactoglobulin
2. Alpha-lactalbumin
3. Immunoglobulins
4. Lactoferrin
5. Lactoperoxidase
Summary
Case history 9: Jane – Intestinal problems
Chapter 9: Nutritional Supplements
Vitamin C
Recent controversy in the press about vitamin C
Daily requirements
The evidence — vitamin C works
How vitamin C works
The best form of vitamin C
Other benefits of taking vitamin C
1. It protects against arthritis and other degenerative diseases
2. It counteracts asthma
3. It prevents cancer
Summary
Zinc — a vital trace element
Zinc and the immune system
Sources of zinc
Is zinc supplementation safe?
Summary
Personal note
Chapter 10: The Role of Stress
Stress and infections
Case history 10: André – Severe asthma
Stress and the common cold
Stress and the mental state
Stress and the emotional state
Summary
Protecting against stress
The role of exercise
The role of relaxation
Adrenal gland support
Herbs to support the adrenal glands
Ginseng