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