| People have been using herbs to fight infection since | | | | Sales of vitamin E are now increasing, perhaps due to |
| time immemorial, although it was not until Linus | | | | the general increase in life expectancy in the western |
| Pauling's 1970 book promoted the view that adults | | | | world. Folic acid is another vitamin that has recently |
| should take 1g of vitamin C a day to avoid the | | | | found favor, and is known to protect developing |
| common cold that vitamin supplements were used to | | | | fetuses from spina bifida and other neural tube |
| fight specific ailments. The book created a storm | | | | defects. It is known to prevent the formation of |
| when published and was responsible far a massive | | | | diseases in unborn children, and a deficiency can |
| increase in sales of vitamin C supplements. This view | | | | cause a number of mental diseases including |
| has since been disputed by many medical people, but | | | | schizophrenia. In spite of this, it is still the most |
| Joe Public still uses vitamin C supplements to ward | | | | common vitamin deficiency in the world, and folic acid |
| off a cold and treat one. The majority believe that | | | | supplements are highly recommended, especially to |
| the supplement is effective, so perhaps more work is | | | | women of childbearing age, and to pregnant women. |
| needed on this use for the vitamin. What is known is | | | | In addition to vitamins, many herbs have specific |
| that vitamin C is a very strong antioxidant, and large | | | | properties that make them ideal for fighting infections |
| doses of it can only help the body to fight the | | | | and disease. In fact there is currently an explosion in |
| ravages of free radicals. Today, the use of herbal | | | | the scientific study of the medical basis for this use |
| remedies and vitamins to fight infections is | | | | of many herbs. One of the most frequently used is |
| commonplace, and the science behind their use is | | | | liquorice, and the scientific basis for the use of this |
| much better understood. Take vitamins for instance. | | | | plant in medicine has been proved and accepted |
| Vitamin C, again, although promoted to avoid the | | | | beyond doubt. Liquorice root is still one of the most |
| common cold, is not only a strong antioxidant as | | | | used and most important herbs in Chinese medicine, |
| previously stressed, but also has antiviral properties | | | | and is used extensively for urinary and digestive tract |
| and is though to be useful in the prevention of viral | | | | problems. It has a very wide range of uses, including |
| infections. It is a very versatile vitamin, and a widely | | | | the treatment of TB and diabetes as well as the |
| used one. Vitamin A, and its relatives the carotenoids, | | | | more mundane coughs and sore throats. Garlic has |
| are important parts of the immune system that help | | | | strong antibiotic properties, and in addition to warding |
| mucous membranes resist microbiological attack. | | | | off vampires the herb can be used to fight a wide |
| There is generally sufficient vitamin A in a normal | | | | variety of bacterial infections. The complex |
| diet, however, so that supplementation is rarely | | | | polysaccharides found in the herb astragalus boost |
| needed, and can even have an adverse effect, | | | | the immune system, and astragalus is very useful in |
| especially with young children. It is primarily in | | | | the event of bacterial infections. A supplement can |
| developing countries that vitamin A supplements are | | | | be used for a number of different infections. The |
| most commonly needed, and the vitamin has been | | | | same is true of echinacea, native to North America, |
| found to reduce the mortality rate through measles | | | | and whose proven applications are for sore throats |
| infections. It is recommended by the American | | | | and the common cold. A lot of nonsense has been |
| Academy of Pediatrics that children with measles | | | | written about echinacea, but these uses are proven. |
| should be initially be given a high dose of vitamin A, | | | | Another application for echinacea and garlic is in the |
| even in developed countries, but otherwise such a | | | | treatment of infections such as abscesses and boils. |
| supplement is rarely recommended for children. The | | | | An aloe vera poultice is also effective in drawing and |
| two big killers in Third World countries are measles | | | | soothing an abscess. Bilberry can also be used for |
| and pneumonia, but unfortunately vitamin A does not | | | | such infections. If the boil or abscess is large, an |
| appear to have an effect on pneumonia. It is still a | | | | application of vitamin E oil can help to reduce the |
| huge killer disease. Vitamin D, long considered the | | | | scarring. Vitamin E is excellent for the skin, and it aids |
| Cinderella of the vitamin world, is now believed to be | | | | healing by preventing infection. If you have a urinary |
| effective in fighting TB, influenza and HIV as well as | | | | infection, dandelion is an excellent treatment. It is also |
| colon cancer and the bone problems it has long been | | | | a diuretic, and gives your whole water works a great |
| associated with. The problem with this vitamin is that | | | | clean out. It is also a useful herbal treatment for |
| it is not found in many foods, and relies on sunlight | | | | hepatitis, and the milk from the stems is a good cure |
| for its synthesis in the body. Recent studies have | | | | for warts. Apply it thrice daily until the wart |
| found it to clearly be associated with the immune | | | | disappears. You can make a dandelion tea by infusing |
| system, to help to regulate the growth of body cells | | | | the leaves or the roots. The majority of modern |
| and to play an active part in the human metabolism. | | | | medical investigation into the uses of vitamins and |
| The argument for a vitamin D supplement, long been | | | | herbs in fighting infections is spent on ratifying beliefs, |
| regarded as unnecessary, has suddenly been turned | | | | and determining the scientific basis for them. It is |
| on its head. Vitamin D is now one of the chief | | | | doubtful if new uses for herbs are being researched, |
| vitamins and is under very extensive ongoing study. | | | | but what is undoubtedly being done is work on the |
| Vitamin E is a strong antioxidant that has recently | | | | synthesis of the active ingredients. The cost of |
| been found to reduce the incidence of colds and | | | | herbal remedies could then perhaps be reduced. |
| upper respiratory tract infections in older people by | | | | Suggested resource: Herbs and vitamins are widely |
| strengthening the body cells. Although a vitamin E | | | | used in treating infection, and more information on |
| supplement has hitherto been regarded as | | | | those highlighted can be obtained from the website |
| unnecessary, it now being seen as an advantage, | | | | where a wide range is offered and discussed. |
| especially in the elderly, and it also strengthens cells. | | | | |