by PF Louis
November 17, 2011

from NaturalNews Website

A close friend was put into a long term antibiotic regimen for a very unusual and difficult bacterial chronic lung infection. She started noticing nerve pains, arthritic symptoms and insomnia after a few months despite dosing up heavily with probiotics.

After visiting an amoxicillin forum, she discovered that many others had similar side effects.
 

Antibiotics, probiotics, and the medical monopoly paradigm

Almost everyone who knows anything about gut flora knows it's wise to take probiotic dense foods and supplements during and after antibiotic use. But when is the last time an MD gave that recommendation when he or she wrote up an antibiotic prescription for you, a family member or close friend?

The same person mentioned earlier told various MDs in the clinic her problems; they all frowned and shrugged. They had never heard of her side effects, which were corroborated by several amoxicillin users on a forum.

Still, not one doctor asked if she was taking probiotics. In all likelihood, her case is not an unusual one.

A big bugaboo in medical circles is antibiotic resistant microbes and MRSA, the virulent staph resistant bacteria that has become a bit of an epidemic. The medicos blame frequent and overused antibiotics that bacteria have evolved to overcome.

But they keep prescribing antibiotics, even for long term dosage.
 

Antibiotics are everywhere

Meat and dairy consumers who don't bother to select organic dairy or meat from grass fed livestock are taking in antibiotics constantly. Antibiotics are injected into livestock and also put into their food.

Subsequently, humans who consume those animal-products are taking in the same antibiotics. Despite pressure, The FDA has thus far refused to ban antibiotics from animal feed.

The ostensible use of antibiotics for preventing disease in overcrowded factory farms has concealed a secret that is even worse:

the antibiotics make the livestock fatter more quickly by destroying their probiotic intestinal flora.

But the factory farmers love that!
 

Human intestinal flora destruction invites physical and mental issues

Getting fat faster happens with humans on antibiotics too, for the same reason it happens with farm animals, gut flora destruction. Besides being important for digestion, probiotic intestinal flora have more than one immunity function.

The first is to prevent the bad bacteria or fungal microbes from getting out of hand. Too much Candida yeast and not enough friendly bacteria create Candida overgrowth, which is a quality of life damper and potentially a symbiotic haven for cancer cells.

Though probiotic bacteria do go after pathogens, the obvious good guy bad guy game goes beyond direct conflict.

Even from the gut, probiotic bacteria plays a role in triggering disease-killing cells in the blood as well as serving other immune regulating functions in both blood and organ cells. Digestion is very important, but gut probiotic microbes go beyond digestion and make up to 80% of our immune system.

Recently, a small number of medical pioneers have come across evidence that the rising numbers of mental disorders can be traced to intestinal flora imbalances. Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride has based her pediatric practice in the UK on fixing all kinds of behavioral and eating disorders by using diet and probiotics to restore gut health.

She had discovered what she calls GAPS (Gut and Psychology Syndrome) by curing her son of autism. That's way beyond the medical monopoly paradigm! You can find more on her work here.

Antibiotics may have their place and time but it's not everywhere or all of the time. Many consider it wise to opt for herbal antibiotics as an alternative.
 

Sources

• http://www.livestrong.com/article/203530-side-effects-of-long-term-antibiotic-use/

• Long-term impacts of antibiotic exposure on the human intestinal microbiota

• http://naturalsociety.com/antibiotics-could-be-to-blame-for-skyrocketing-mental-illness-rates/
   

Herbal Antibiotic Alternatives
by Pina LoGiudice, ND, LAc
Director, Inner Source Health
June 09, 2011

from Doctoroz Website

The Bad News - Antibiotics Are Not Working

Since the accidental discovery of penicillin in 1929 by Alexander Fleming, antibiotic use has saved countless lives.

Unfortunately, antibiotics are losing their effectiveness. Today, modern medicine faces the challenge of antibiotic resistance, thanks to the overuse of antibiotic medication. One example is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which now accounts for approximately 20% of serious infections in some areas of the United States.

MRSA is also now becoming resistant to vancomycin, the choice medication for this serious problem.

Interestingly though, back in the 1930s, Fleming lectured throughout the world, warning that less than judicious use of these drugs could lead to problems. He cautioned us not to give penicillin unless there was a clear need for it. Fleming noted in his early experimentation clear evidence of bacteria’s ability to get around antibiotic exposure.

This is because bacteria can quickly change its machinery to avoid the killing effects of the antibiotics.

Besides overuse, the addition of low-dose antibiotics in our animal feed is also to blame. Antibiotics are employed not so much to stop infection, but to make the animal grow faster artificially.

Way back in 1977, the FDA concluded that adding low-dose antibiotics to animal feed raised the risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Despite this knowledge, we still continue this practice today.
 

The Good News - There Are Antibiotic Herbal Alternatives

We can help the situation and avoid antibiotic drugs by harvesting the powerful substances nature has given to us.

Both animals and man have harnessed the medicinal power of herbs for at least as long as history has been recorded. Plant alternatives use different mechanisms of action.

As such, herbal antibiotic choices can help without further contributing to resistance issues.

Many common ailments such as,

• sinus problems

• sore throats

• simple urinary tract infections

• superficial wounds,

...do not necessitate drugs in most cases.

Many times, these can be effectively treated with the right lifestyle changes and botanical medicine care.
 

Immune Support - Start With a Good Lifestyle

Antibiotics kill the vast majority of the bacteria, but it is up to our body’s immune system to finish the job and get rid of the rest of the bugs.

To use a military analogy, our immune system acts like the “ground troops” that come in to get germs that are still entrenched after the antibiotic “carpet bombing” has cleared out the larger mass.

Harnessing the healing power your body possesses requires taking good care of yourself. It is important to remember that in most cases, bacteria can take over only when the environment allows.

My recommendations to keep your immune system strong include:

• Getting quality sleep (at least 8 hours)

• Exercising regularly

• Eating healthy whole foods and avoiding sugar intake

• Practicing relaxation, such as meditation or yoga

• Maintaining healthy relationships and following your passions

All of the above are important for a balanced body.

These will help you prevent an infection - and help treat one most effectively if it occurs. These lifestyle recommendations will also help herbal antibiotic alternatives work their best.
 

Antibiotic Alternatives - Four Herbs to Know

The following plant medicines are very effective choices in helping us avoid pharmaceutical antibiotics.

Along with many other botanicals, these have been used to fight infections for thousands of years. I see them work everyday in my own practice. They have proven to be quite safe when used in the short term at standard dosage.

When used in conjunction with the aforementioned health recommendations, these can be valuable allies to keep in your natural medicine cabinet.

1. Goldenseal (Hydrastis):

   Hailing from the northwest United States, goldenseal is a potent antibiotic, well known to help treat sore throats as well as digestive infections which can cause diarrhea.

    

   The Native Americans taught us that goldenseal has the ability to soothe the linings of the mucous membranes of the respiratory, digestive and genitourinary tracts while effectively clearing bacterial invasion.

    

   A few drops locally can stop a sore throat in its tracks.

   
    

2. Oregon Grape (Berberis aquifolium):

   Also from the Northwest, Oregon grape contains a substance known as berberine, which can stop bacteria from adhering to the walls of the intestine and urinary tract.

    

   When used as a tea, it is a wonderful way to wash away urinary tract infections; it can be used in dried capsules or liquid tincture to treat digestive tract conditions like infectious diarrhea.

   
    

3. Andrographis paniculata:

   This Asian herb with thousands of years of traditional use is now being proven through modern research as being able to disrupt the quorum-sensing system of bacteria.

    

   This system helps bacteria attach to each other and thrive as a community. Andrographis basically helps break up the bacterial “party.” As a result, it is beneficial to treat symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections and sinus problems.

    

   Numerous studies report its ability to reduce upper respiratory infection symptoms, such as fatigue, sore throat, cough and headache.

   
    

4. Manuka honey:

   The sweetness of Manuka honey is already being used in hospitals in protocols for wound care.

    

   You can place the honey directly on gauze and cover the wound. Typically, the bandage is replaced three times a day. Although studies show most honey has antibacterial activity, manuka honey seems to be especially potent due to a compound called methylglyoxal.

    

   In fact, studies have confirmed its activity against a wide range of medically important bacteria, including MRSA.

Always Be Safe

It is important to note that there are cases where conventional drug antibiotics are still be the safest choice.

For example, cases of sepsis (blood infections), certain pneumonias, kidney infection and excessively high fever may require a potent drug antibiotic. A naturopathic doctor or holistic physician well-versed in botanicals can help you decide which herb is appropriate or when a drug is needed.
 

Conclusion - It Is Up to Each of Us

To truly slow and eventually reverse antibiotic resistance, it will require us to stop using antibiotics unnecessarily on an individual level, and as a world community by ceasing the use of antibiotics as growth enhancers in animal feed.

Using herbal medicines like goldenseal, Oregon grape, andrographis and manuka honey can help us make natural choices for our best medical care - and we can then save the drug antibiotics for when they are really needed.