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Katmandu
13th September 2012, 06:54 PM
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Antibiotics for Strep Throat Completely Worthless for at Least 70% of Cases
Lisa Garber
Activist Post
http://www.activistpost.com/2012/09/antibiotics-for-strep-throat-completely.html#more

Millions of Americans visit their doctors and receive antibiotics for a sore throat annually. According to the Infectious Diseases Society of America, 70 percent of people receive antibiotics. Antibiotics, however, do not target viruses, which cause the majority of sore throats. What we’re finding is that antibiotics for strep throat are worthless majority of the time, and this is only from a mainstream medical perspective.

The IDSA released new guidelines on Tuesday declaring that antibiotics should only be administered to patients who test positive for streptococcus bacteria, or strep. Currently, only 20 to 30 percent of the children and 5 to 15 percent of the adults who receive antibiotics for sore throats have conditions—like strep— even treatable by the antibiotics.

Harmful Antibiotics Over-Prescribed

The IDSA’s preferred types of antibiotics are penicillin or amoxicillin. Even they are admitting that some antibiotics like azithromycin and cephalosporin are becoming increasingly ineffective against resistant bacteria. Antibiotic resistance is only one issue the mainstream medical establishment is facing.

All antibiotics, however, destroy beneficial bacteria found in the gut. And many of the issues perpetuated by antibiotics use do indeed have to do with the destruction of vital beneficial gut bacteria. This can lead to severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, and other symptoms. What the IDSA isn’t saying, however, is that antibiotics have been linked to more serious conditions.


One report published in the popular journal Nature has revealed that antibiotics could be to blame for skyrocketing mental illness rates due to the depletion of this beneficial bacteria. Antibiotics for strep throat or any other condition may also lead to:

Rising rates of mental illness
Obesity
Diabetes
Metabolic Disease
Sudden death

It is no secret that antibiotic overuse has become an extremely serious problem that the mainstream medical establishment should be fixing. But instead, antibiotics continue to be given out like candy, leaving scientists in fear that these frequently ingested medications are perpetuating disease impossible to treat.

They’ve [antibiotics] changed health and medicine over the last 70 years. But when doctors prescribe antibiotics, it is based on the belief that there are no long-term effects. We’ve seen evidence that suggests antibiotics may permanently change the beneficial bacteria we’re carrying, says New York University Langone Medical Center’s Dr. Martin Blaser.

Antibiotics for Strep Throat? No thanks. Try Natural Remedies for Sore Throats and Strep

Rather than relying on harmful antibiotics for strep throat, consider natural remedies for sore throat or strep throat treatment. People have been using solutions like garlic, vitamin C, cayenne pepper, and honey for generations to prevent and treat strep throat. Perhaps the most effective home remedy for strep is apple cider vinegar.

If you suspect that your sore throat is caused by strep—the onset of pain will come on suddenly, swallowing will hurt, and you may have a fever without other symptoms of the common cold—simply gargle with unfiltered apple cider vinegar diluted with warm water, or try another natural solution.


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Herbal Remedies for Strep Throat or Sore Throat
Posted by Herbal Legacy admin in Health, Herbal Remedies, Herbs
articles.herballegacy.com/herbal-remedies-for-strep-throat-or-sore-throat/

from “Safety of Herbs” - A Healthier You Radio Show with Master Herbalists David and Fawn Christopher

We have been effective dealing with strep throat with a very simple combination of herbs. This is a very valuable formula that has saved us hundreds and hundreds of dollars in medical expenses and gotten us over these kinds of conditions quickly.

Here’s the formula:

* One tablespoon of pure honey
* ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper
* Four cloves of garlic pressed through a garlic press

Those are the proportions, but you’ll need more than that, so take four tablespoons of honey, one teaspoon of cayenne pepper and sixteen pressed cloves of garlic, and mix that all together. Take ½ teaspoon to one teaspoon of the formula every 30-60 minutes.

Don’t wash it down - let the honey coat the throat, then the cayenne, being a rubefacient, will bring blood into the area, and then your immune system will be stimulated with the garlic. Garlic is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral, so anything that may be causing the sore throat the garlic, along with the cayenne and the honey coating the area, will take care of the problem.

How long does it take to get over strep throat with the standard medical procedure? 10 days. This herbal remedy will generally get you over strep throat in 24 hours.

Let’s look at another thing - the doctor who wrote the book, “Don’t Drink Your Milk” (Frank Oski, M.D.) observed through his case studies that his patients who drank milk were the ones who got strep consistently, while his non-milk drinking patients did not get strep, so milk is certainly a factor in strep throat.

Garlic, cayenne, honey - another safe and effective herbal remedy with no side effects. You know it is going to work, and it’s going to work nine days faster than the standard medical procedure.

(Note on the honey - it needs to be pure honey. Most beekeepers feed their bees sugar, which weakens the bee’s immune system, so they get mites coming into the hives. To prevent mites from coming into the hives they give them antibiotics, further weakening the immune system of the bees. Find local honey where the beekeeper doesn’t feed the bees sugar and doesn’t give them antibiotics. You can often find good results if you check with your local health food store.)

Printable Version: http://www.herballegacy.com/Strep.pdf

Neuro
14th September 2012, 04:45 AM
I thought you had to replace the honey, you had taken from the hive with a sugar solution, otherwise the bees would starve to death... Do they just take part of the honey, and mix the rest with sugar for the bees to eat?

SLV^GLD
14th September 2012, 06:30 AM
Pretty disingenuous article if you ask me.

Streptococcus is bacteria, not a virus so antibiotics should be effective. That the majority of sore throats are viral is true. That antibiotics are prescribed for these viral sore throats may be true. In my experience the doctor has taken a swab of my throat and verified it to be strep before prescribing antibiotics. In one case I was certain I had strep and the swab tested negative and I got no antibiotics as it should be.

That antibiotics effectiveness has decreased over the years is true and a likely culprit is blanket prescription.

All of what I just said is completely twisted up in the article, though.

Neuro
14th September 2012, 06:39 AM
Even if there is a Streptococcal infection, that would respond to antibiotics, you'ld be better off in the long run if you don't resort to them, in most cases (the primary exception would be if you are not in a good general health, and fighting off this infection would tax your resources too much)...

SLV^GLD
14th September 2012, 10:56 AM
I'm not discounting your position as I have no verifiable research on the matter. However, I have been told that letting a strep infection run it's course does long-term damage to vital organs like the heart and lungs. If this is the case then that classifies as taxing the old resources too much in my book.

Neuro
14th September 2012, 11:06 AM
I'm not discounting your position as I have no verifiable research on the matter. However, I have been told that letting a strep infection run it's course does long-term damage to vital organs like the heart and lungs. If this is the case then that classifies as taxing the old resources too much in my book.
In my life I've had a sore throat, probably 50 or more times, statistically that means about 10-15 of those were a Strep infection, I have never taken or been given antibiotics for a sore throat, and my heart and lungs work just fine. I would say that you have been fed a myth!

The question is who benefits from you believing this myth?

Bigjon
14th September 2012, 11:08 AM
I drink milk all the time and I can't remember ever having strep throat.

I say BS.

Katmandu
14th September 2012, 05:34 PM
Pretty disingenuous article if you ask me.

Streptococcus is bacteria, not a virus so antibiotics should be effective.

I would rather take a natural cure that works, over a pharmaceutical cure, any day.

Old Herb Lady
22nd September 2012, 09:04 PM
In my life I've had a sore throat, probably 50 or more times, statistically that means about 10-15 of those were a Strep infection, I have never taken or been given antibiotics for a sore throat, and my heart and lungs work just fine. I would say that you have been fed a myth!

The question is who benefits from you believing this myth?

Then you were fortunate to have a well functioning immune system that took care of your strep infection & didn't cause you any damage.

Not everyone is like that. Though I would never treat a strep infection with antibiotics (herbal antibiotics yes) the strep NEEDS to be addressed,
if it is not, I have seen it do damage and I know a child that died from it.

Neuro
23rd September 2012, 04:50 AM
Then you were fortunate to have a well functioning immune system that took care of your strep infection & didn't cause you any damage.

Not everyone is like that. Though I would never treat a strep infection with antibiotics (herbal antibiotics yes) the strep NEEDS to be addressed,
if it is not, I have seen it do damage and I know a child that died from it.
Yes, my immune system is strong, because I let it work, it really isn't due to good luck. Sure you can die from infections if you have a weak constitution. You can also die from anaphylactic shock if you happen to be allergic to anti-biotics (usually a side-effect from over-use).

Old Herb Lady
23rd September 2012, 05:27 AM
Yes, my immune system is strong, because I let it work, it really isn't due to good luck. Sure you can die from infections if you have a weak constitution. You can also die from anaphylactic shock if you happen to be allergic to anti-biotics (usually a side-effect from over-use).

I didn't say anything about luck. Fortunate enough meant you know how to keep your immune system well.
Nor am I talking about taking a prescription antibiotic.
Herbal antibiotics yes.
I am trying to say that it is not a myth, neuro, strep can cause a lot of problems if not treated.
Plus, who wants to walk around in that much pain ?

Neuro
23rd September 2012, 06:03 AM
I didn't say anything about luck. Fortunate enough meant you know how to keep your immune system well.
Nor am I talking about taking a prescription antibiotic.
Herbal antibiotics yes.
I am trying to say that it is not a myth, neuro, strep can cause a lot of problems if not treated.
Plus, who wants to walk around in that much pain ?
In general people would do very well if they just understood and respected the fundamental nature of pain, instead of attempting to suppress it at any given moment.

The mammalian immune system has evolved over a hundred million years to handle infections effectively and safely, and that includes streptococcal infections, certainly at times weak individuals not able to adapt to the environment got culled, and certainly if you happen to be that individual you'ld benefit from anti-biotics, but it would be a pity if you were that individual because you have overused anti-biotics and never allowed your immune system it's proper 'exercise'. I would estimate that 90-95% of antibiotic prescriptions have not been to the long term benefit of the user. Sometimes it is a lifesaver though...

Old Herb Lady
23rd September 2012, 06:28 AM
Ok. Third try. I am not talking about antibiotics.

If someone has strep and does some gargling with herbs it will kill the infection. That s not suppressing the pain.
It is getting to the root cause of the problem, healing it and therefore the throat feels better.
For example, echinacea/goldenseal tincture mixed with a little water and gargling will boost the immune system
AND kill the infection. People wouldn't abuse antibiotics if they knew how to take care of themselves.

It still needs to be treated ! Just because you don't/didn't treat yourself, others need treated.
So if one of your patients has strep----you'd say what to them ? Just deal ? I don't understand what you mean.
Herbs for strep are absolutely a must, IMO. I would never just let it ride out. Taking too much of a chance.

Neuro
23rd September 2012, 06:51 AM
If it kills the bacteria that is the cause of the infection, it is per definition an anti-biotic, whether it is herbal or not. And if you let those herbal anti-biotics do the job instead of your immune system you weaken the immunesystem. Sure take herbs containing vitamins and minerals that strengthen the immune system to better be able to deal with the infection if needed, but letting a herb derived chemical to do the killing for you shouldn't be the first thing you do when getting an infection, and yes if someone asks my opinion on how to deal with a sore throat I would tell them to let their immune system battling it out, if it becomes apparent that the immunesystem isn't capable of doing it's job, then they can take an anti-biotic...

Old Herb Lady
23rd September 2012, 07:11 AM
First, The herbs I suggest increase the bodies white blood cell production immediately, which in turn increases the immune system , then the immune system helps to kill the infection. Those herbal antibiotics are FOOD not chemicals.
I do not make nor sell nor buy nor ingest chemicals nor suggest chemical treatment whatsoever, so I definitely don't know what you are talking about. Putting that natural food/ herbs into your body is a must !
I am absolutely shocked that you could suggest looking at a persons throat with sacs of pus, white spots, red, inflamed sore throat and tell them to let it ride out instead of boosting their natural immunity via herbal antibiotics.

Herbal antibiotics are life giving. Prescription antibiotics are harmful and decrease your immunity and are meant to take place of your immune system, that's why peoples immune systems get damaged from antibiotics.

Herbal antibiotics are the opposite. They build the immune system not tear it down. They only help you, not harm you.
Relying on nature is what people need to learn more of. We are natural beings and need to put natural substances into our bodies. Then the next time that same person gets a sore throat or a strep infection they're body can fight it off better because their immunity is stronger ....I'm sorry that you are confused about the complete differences in herbal antibiotics vs pharmaceutical antibiotics. They work totally different in the body.

The herbs are not killing the infection, neuro, they are increasing the immunity which kills the infection.
The contact of the herbs to the strep in the throat is just an added benefit and to get some relief from the pain !

Ive seen someone get septic, so I know what I'm talking about .
It needs treated.

Neuro
23rd September 2012, 07:47 AM
Just for the record OHL, I don't look at patients throats, it is not my scope of practice. If people ask for my non-professional recommendation, re their sore throat, I would sometimes give it if I think the person could handle it. As I stated above I have probably had way more than 50 sore throats in my soon 44 years of existence, afaik (I can't be certain if my parents gave me antibiotics when little) I have never had anti-biotics for a sore throat, sometimes I have used lemon, honey, garlic etc. But not really in a regular systematic manner. Each time I have recovered to good health, and the times of suffering make me appreciate the times when I am not to a fuller extent. I really don't think having multiple untreated strep throat infections have harmed me in any way, on the contrary it has made me stronger.

Sorry herb lady those herbal concoctions you are using consists of chemicals, just as foods, just as anything material around you, the difference is that nature made them, but if it is not the raw herb, but an extract, or a potion etc, it has been refined to some degree to make the active ingredients more prominent. Many pharmaceutical drugs are also refined, but usually to a higher degree. In reality from a philosophical point of view, there is not a huge difference between your approach as a herbalist and the approach of pharmaceutical medicine.

Neuro
23rd September 2012, 07:59 AM
Btw here is the chemical compounds of Echinacea courtesy of Wikipedia:
Active substancesLike most unrefined drugs from plant or animal origin, the constituent base for echinacea is complex, consisting of a wide variety of chemicals of variable effect and potency. Some chemicals may be directly antimicrobial, while others may work at stimulating or modulating different parts of the immune system. All species have chemical compounds called phenols (http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_phenol), which are common to many other plants. Both the phenol compoundscichoric acid (http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cichoric_acid) and caftaric acid (http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caftaric_acid) are present in E. purpurea, other phenols include echinacoside (http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echinacoside), which is found in greater levels within E. angustifoliaand E. pallida roots than in other species. When making herbal remedies, these phenols can serve as markers for the quantity of raw echinacea in the product. Other chemical constituents that may be important in echinacea health effects include alkylamides and polysaccharides (http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polysaccharide).

Old Herb Lady
23rd September 2012, 08:27 AM
yeeeeeiiiikes !!!!! WOW ! So WRONG lovey ! The chiropractors in my community are my best referrals ! You should come to one of my seminars. You're not in the U.S, tho !!

I do not ISOLATE any of those constituents out of the plant, ever ! The plant is given in it's wholesome state !
If an herb steeps in a menstruum of say vinegar or vegetable glycerin etc.....it's still in it's complete WHOLESOME STATE.

Pharmaceuticals are NOT natural, they are toxic and if any of them are "plant derived" there is no life of the plant left in it & it's completely adulterated.

The chiropractors that I work with are all AWESOME....I don't try to tell them that if someone has a subluxation at C-5 that really the problem
is a pinched nerve at L-3 because I wouldn't haven't A CLUE as to what the hell I was talking about !!

I didn't go to chiropractor school. You didn't go to Natural Healing/Herb School.

You are a chiropractor & I'm an herbalist. Those 2 are supposed to WORK TOGETHER to heal people.

Wow you're stubborn ! Maybe I should try to tell you about how chiropractic adjustments are just like going to an orthopedic for a hip replacement then.

Totally opposite Neuro-logical !!!!!

Neuro
23rd September 2012, 09:27 AM
OHL there is no contradiction in using an orthopedic surgeon in replacing a non functional hip joint beyond recovery, with an artificial joint that provides normal pain free motion. It makes perfect sense from a neurological chiropractic viewpoint. Sure if the joint can be restored with Chiropactic then of course that is much better. I had a hip replacement myself 2 years ago, after having constant pain for 23 years following AVN. Just the last 10 years the technique improved for my type of condition, and I decided to have it done after it had been tested out for 7-8 years. There is however a contradiction philosophically to use chemicals to treat symptoms, no matter if the chemicals are natural.

Neuro
23rd September 2012, 02:20 PM
Btw OHL. I want to state that I am not an enemy of Herbalists. I would prefer to take natural herbs, before taking synthetic pharmaceuticals, under the condition that my body is not able to cure the ailment on its own accord. I find though that most often the body is able to cure most problems itself given that it is in good balance.

Some pharmaceuticals, are life savers though, like Insulin and antibiotics, where they actually treat the cause of the disease. However most pharmaceuticals are not, they just treat the symptom of the underlying imbalance, such as anti-hypertensives, anti-inflammateurs, opiates, and after using them you end up being worse than you were before, others are pure toxins like chemotherapy. Certainly I do think there is a place for drugs and surgery, but it should be used selectively. Probably the best results in terms of economy and health of the population would be if about 5-10% of all health problems were treated allopathically, the rest balanced with nutrition, exercise, herbalists, rest, chiropractic, acupuncture, massage, homeopathy etc. The pharmaceutical industry have managed to change the balance to 90%, and it costs people an arm and a leg, and people just get sicker...

gunDriller
25th September 2012, 06:29 AM
antibiotics are useful but only once in a great while.


in 2006 i cut my foot about 5/8" deep (i measured it after the dust settled) in between 2 toes. that's what i get for leaving stainless solar panel reflectors in my living room (i was cleaning the closet) & stubbed my toe.

i didn't want to go to the emergency room. no way i'm paying the money-grubbers $1000.

but i was concerned about infection. the thing i cut it on was clean but i knew that an infection would 'greatly complicate matters'.

after i had it bandaged up using clean sterile cotton sheet and duct tape, i took 500 mg of Penicillin.

2 days later i got in to see a "doctor" ... cost $120 ... she said it looked OK, no infection. but she refused to re-bandage it, sent me out of the office wearing duct-tape.

it took 6 weeks to heal.


the second time, i got a lung infection. one of the guys in our swimming group, by coincidence, sent a wave of water at me & i inhaled it. i coughed some of it up.

stupidly, i kept swimming. if it happened again, i would stop swimming & cough as much of the water out of my lungs as possible.

within 24 hours i had all the symptoms of a lung infection. i wasn't interested in paying the money-grubbers for a chest X-ray. i determined that a normal antibiotic for a bacterial lung infection is Cephalexin. just happened to have some, within date code. i took that, a few times. it took a week for the crap to wash out of my system/lungs.

now i know why having a bad cold can dehydrate you, your body spends a lot of its water producing mucus. i was coughing up at least a pound of mucus a day.

i know, charming :)