Asthma

Asthma can stem from a combination of causes. There is often an allergic component that triggers asthmatic attacks. In some cases the cause is purely genetic while in others it may be an acquired reaction to exposure to an irritant. The state of the nervous tone of the body can also lead to bronchial spasms. In predisposed people, tension, anxiety, hyperactivity or exhaustion can cause so much stress that an asthma attack is triggered off.
The rate of asthma in the Western world is rising rapidly, especially among children. Reasons often given to explain this phenomenl rise include: increased stress on the immune system due to greater chemical pollution in the air, water and food; earlier weaning and earlier introduction of solid foods to infants; food additives; and genetic manipulation of plants, resulting in food components with greater allergenic tendencies. The latest findings link the chlorine in swimming pools with increased asthma.
It has been known for over 60 years that most asthmatics produce too little hydrochloric acid in their stomachs. In 1931, Bray showed that 80% of sufferers had below normal acid amounts and that asthma can be improved by supplementing acid intake: glutanic acid, betaine and pepsin, stomach bitters and other digestive enzyme supplements. Many asthmatics also have poor pancreatic function and inadequate secretion of digestive enzymes.
As a result, high protein food may not be digested completely and, when absorbed into the bloodstream, may evoke an allergic reaction such as wheezing. Aspirin and non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs can induce asthma attacks in sensitive individuals.
Following an asthma attack, drink a large amount of liquid as soon as you are able in order to encourage the coughing out of secretions. To prevent and reduce the severity of asthma attacks, make it a habit regularly throughout the day to help liquify mucus. A periodic juice fast, three days a month, helps rid the body of toxins and mucus.
A diet rich in raw fruits and vegetables and free of animal products is recommended. Milk and dairy products tend to increase mucus production. Animal products produce leukotrienes, which contribute to inflammatory reactions.
Vitamin C http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/11240/Solgar-Ester-C-Plus-Tabs-1000mg-Vitamin-C-90-Tablets/ is an important nutrient, as it helps to stabilise cell walls in all types of allergic response and has an anti-histamine effect. Vitamin C http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/11240/Solgar-Ester-C-Plus-Tabs-1000mg-Vitamin-C-90-Tablets/further protects the body from the effects of toxins and increases resistance to infections. Taking 1g of timed release vitamin C each day can be a great help to a sufferer of asthma.
Taking the herb Astragalus in tablet http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/11347/Solgar-SFP-Astragalus-Root-Extract-60-Vegicaps/ or tincture http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/44624/Astragalus-Tincture-215ml/ form will assist the immune system in such a way as to lessen the allergic reaction of the body. This herb is often used to treat hay fever, allergic sinusitis and asthma, as the basis of those diseases is the same as a dysfunction of the immune system.
A very useful combination of herbal juices to treat asthma is Plantain http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/40314/Salus-Plantain-Plant-Juice-200ml/, Coltsfoot http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/40307/Salus-Coltsfoot-Plant-Juice-200ml/ and Thymehttp://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/40315/Salus-Thyme-Plant-Juice-200ml/ . This combination will often help the asthma sufferer by reducing the congestion of mucus in the lung as well as strengthening the lung tissue in order to ease the symptoms of breathlessness and wheezing, Prevention of chest infections in asthmatics is very important. To prevent infections, use Echinacea tincture http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/43317/Echinacea-Tincture-215ml/ at the first sign of a cold or sore throat: taking 5-10ml every couple of hours will often help to clear a cold in 12-24 hours.

Antibiotic Resistance Part Two

Antibiotics where initially developed in the 1940’s and their discovery was hailed as one of the bigger breakthroughs in medical history. It must be remembered that millions died commonly of simple infections before their discovery. But today the real value of antibiotics is in sharp decline due to the massive worldwide abuse of antibiotics.
Even during the early stages of antibiotic development it was clear that some bacteria could survive and multiply in the presence of antibiotics. These bacteria had acquired resistance to the effects of those antibiotics.
In the early 1980’s a number of hospitals in Melbourne were plagued with infections which were resistant to almost all known antibiotics. The bacteria were not just resistance to antibiotics, but also to antiseptics, making it virtually impossible to kill. Only one antibiotic worked against it, vancomycin. Today even this antibiotic has not killed this bacterium in certain hospitals. So, it is now clear that we are facing a potentially disastrous situation.
Why did this happen? We have used antibiotics in an irresponsible way. Overuse and using antibiotics in animal foods are major errors that need to be changed, antibiotics don’t kill viruses, but how often do we use them for viral infections?
A common sense approach is needed in treating common infections. Let the body fight the infection with the help of common herbs and rest, which allows the body to build up one’s natural resistance.
Up to 50% of all infections in children are respiratory by nature. Upper respiratory tract infections such as colds, flu and snotty noses are viral so antibiotics have no part to play in their treatment. Even if the discharge from the nose is yellowish or greenish, swabs consistently show no bacterial growth. If in doubt, have a nasal swab done by your family doctor as this will show whether the infection is bacterial or viral.
Anti-viral treatments include Echinacea root tincture http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/43317/Echinacea-Tincture-215ml/, Plantain juicehttp://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/40314/Salus-Plantain-Plant-Juice-200ml/ and Vitamin C http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/11240/Solgar-Ester-C-Plus-Tabs-1000mg-Vitamin-C-90-Tablets/and Zinc .http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/44222/Sona-Zinc-60-Tablets/ Echinacea is best taken as a liquid extract or tincture. In liquid form, it is more easily absorbed into the bloodstream and it works better I find than either tablets or capsules. Echinacea is generally recognized as being one of the safest remedies. It is effective against a wide range of microbes, including many viruses, bacteria and fungi. It can be used to treat most types of infection. Echinacea can also be used externally to treat wounds that are infected.
If you or your children are getting lots of infections, then it may be necessary to build up the immune system. Herbs that will do this include Astragalus http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/44624/Astragalus-Tincture-215ml/which can be given to children on a long term basis if they are prone to infections.
Vitamin C is also anti-viral as well as anti-bacterial; it also enhances aspects of a person’s immunity. You can take up to ten grams of vitamin C (adult dose) during an infection. To enhance immunity take 2-3 grams of a timed released vitamin C each day. Take 1 gram each eight hours. Since the Vitamin C is not stored in the body, there is no concern about overloading the body with too much.
If you have to take an antibiotic then be sure to take acidophilus supplement during and after course of treatment to get the ‘‘good’’ bacteria in balance so the immune system gets back in shape.

Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic resistance is on the rise. Many factors are involved in antibiotic resistance. Evolution plays a role, any organism, bacteria included, naturally includes variants with unusual traits – in this case, the ability to withstand an antibiotic attack on a microbe. When a person takes an antibiotic, the drug kills the defenseless bacteria, leaving behind those that resist it. These bacteria then multiply, increasing their numbers a million fold in a day, becoming the predominant micro-organism.
Though bacterial antibiotic resistance is a natural phenomenon, social factors also contribute to the problem. These factors include increased infection, coupled with inappropriate antibiotic use.
More people are contracting infections for example; sinusitis among adults is on the rise, as are ear infections in children.
Between 1985 and 1992 it was found that nearly double the amount of prescriptions were prescribed for both these conditions in the USA. This along with wide spread use of antibiotics in livestock leads to increased antibiotic resistance.
Antibiotics were initially developed in the 1940’s and their discovery was hailed as one of the biggest breakthrough in medical history. It must be remembered that millions died commonly of simple infections before their discovery.
So what can we do? Increasing our immunity to infection must be the first step. Using herbs like Astragalushttp://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/44624/Astragalus-Tincture-215ml/ , Reishi mushrooms http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/15361/Reishi-90-capsules/ or Cordyceps http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/search.aspwill help our body’s resist infection. Along with lifestyle changes like eating a whole food diet reducing sugar and eating plenty of fruit and vegetables.
A common sense approach is needed in treating common infections. Let the body fight the infection with the help of common herbs and rest, which allows the body to build up its natural resistance.
Up to 50% of all infections in children are respiratory by nature. Upper respiratory tract infections such as colds, flu and snotty noses are viral so antibiotics have no part to play in their treatment. Even if the discharge from the nose is; yellowish or greenish, swabs consistently show no bacterial growth. Anti – viral treatments include Echinacea root tincture http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/43317/Echinacea-Tincture-215ml/, Plantain juice http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/40314/Salus-Plantain-Plant-Juice-200ml/ and vitamin C http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/11207/Quest-Vitamin-C-1000mg-Timed-Release-60-Tablets/ and Zinc http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/38846/Lifeplan-Zinc-Gluconate-10mg-100-Tablets/. Echinacea is best taken as a liquid extract or tincture. In liquid form, it is more easy absorbed into the blood stream and it works better I find than either tablets or capsules. Echinacea is generally recognized as being one of the safest remedies. It is effective against a wide range of microbes including many viruses, bacteria and fungi. It can be used to treat most types of infection.
Plantain juice works like an antibiotic. It can be used to treat sinusitis, chest infections, ear infections and urinary tract infections. It also works to decongest nasal passages by helping the mucus membranes work better and therefore very useful in blocked sinuses. Plantain contains a chemical called Aucubin which acts like an antibiotic without any bacterial resistance occurring due to naturally occurring variation. Plantain has been used through out the world from China to Europe for the last 3,000 years at least. It is a very safe and gentle herb to use and can be taken by very young children for most infections, without side – effects. Combining Echinacea root tincture and Plantain juice is very effective treatment for most common infections.