Antimicrobial Awareness Week; Herbal Medicine in the Fight Against Disease?

It is the World Health Organisation’s World Antimicrobial Awareness Week and the spotlight is on antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance

What is Antimircobial Resistance & Why does it Matter?

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer respond to the medicines regularly used to treat them, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death. As a result of drug resistance, antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines become ineffective and infections become increasingly difficult or impossible to treat.

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) is a global campaign that is celebrated annually to improve awareness and understanding of AMR and encourage best practices among the public and healthcare practitioners who all play a critical role in reducing the further emergence and spread of AMR.

While the benefits of antibiotics, anti-viral’s and other antimicrobial medicines have changed the prospects of certain infections beyond traditional recognition, it is also clear that infectious diseases remain major clinical problems, and with every new epidemic, it becomes increasingly clear that the conventional approach to preventing and treating infections doesn’t have all the answers.

The Importance of an Efficient Immune System

Infectious illness arises when two factors come together: contact with an infectious agent (microbe) and more importantly, the people’s susceptibility to the infectious agent. The presence of infectious agents is natural, they are in our air, mouths, digestive tracts, our food and our water. There is ample evidence that people (and animals) with a well-balanced and active immune system are less susceptible to pathogens and fight off infectious diseases more effectively without the need for antibiotictreatment. This is surely where we need to focus? 

So how do we keep our immune systems healthy?

Herbal medicines have been used for centuries to support normal immune function and promote health and are prescribed based on a combination of traditional use, clinical experience and modern research.

Our approach to optimising immunity involves using a bespoke combination of herbs based on the type and frequency of infections, the medical history of the patient and their current health status. Commonly this may include the following categories of herbs:

·     Immune enhancing herbs such as Baptisia tinctoria, Andrographis paniculata or Echinacea Spp., these are at the core of the treatment of any infection, acute, chronic or reoccurring and to help improve resistance to infections.

·     Relevant antimicrobial herbs with antibacterial, anti-viral or anti-parastic activity such as Artemisia annua, Thymus vulgaris, Barosma betulina.

·     Mucus membrane tonics; the membranes that line our respiratory and digestive tracts are the major first point of contact and defence against the majority of pathogens. We rely on these membranes being intact and in good health in our defence against disease. There are several herbs used to support the health of these membranes, to soothe, heal and reduce inflammation, including herbs such as Plantago lanceolata.

·     Warming circulatory stimulants to promote defensive immune activities and support the transport of immune cells around the body. In the case of acute infections herbs such as Zingiber officinalis can be used, Zingiber is also anti-inflammatory so has the potential to reduce infection-driven inflammation.

·     Herbs to support a particular organ if it’s the subject of infection i.e. the lungs in respiratory illness/coughs with herbs such as Glycyrrhiza glabra, the GI tract in digestive infections with herbs such as Cinnamomum zeylanicum,  the bladder in urinary infections with herbs such as Equisetum arvense and Barosma betulina, the prostate with herbs such as Serenoa repens or the skin with herbs such as Calendula officinalis.

·     Tonic and adaptogenic herbs in recurrent infections, to support convalescence from previous infection or in chronic fatigue, to improve well-being, resilience and resistance to stress- all of which contribute to effective immunity. Herbs in this category include Astragalus membranaceus and many more.

·     Topical antimicrobials can be applied directly in the case of skin, nail or vaginal infections in the form of oils, creams, lotions etc.

CAN HERBAL MEDICINE HELP ME? 

If you feel that your immune system is functioning below par or you are suffering with regular infections, a consultation, bespoke herbal medicine and some dietary alterations could help break the cycle and improve your resistance to infection.

Call Ginny on 07736829755 for a free 10 minute consultation to find out how herbs could help you or book now on the button below.

A Natural Approach to the Menopause.

The menopause is when the body moves from having periods regularly to them stopping altogether.  Whilst it is a totally natural phenomenon it doesn’t mean that it can’t be really tricky to navigate.  The most typical symptoms include hot flushes, poor sleep, anxiety, low mood, headaches, dryness, poor memory & concentration and irregular or heavy periods.

Herbs have been used by women for centuries to ease them through the menopause by helping to control the symptoms while the body gets used to the altered hormone status- the new normal. Working with your body (and mind) to help it to adapt to its new hormone profile is a really positive approach to take.

If you’re looking for a natural, HRT free approach to the menopause then I believe the plant world has a huge amount to offer.

The Menopause & Perimenopause

You’re technically in the menopause if you haven’t had a period for 12 months. The phase before this is known as the perimenopause which for many women is when symptoms start. Before your periods stop, hormone levels fluctuate while your body attempts to stimulate ovulation. As a result, periods may become irregular and vary from heavy to light, PMS may appear or worsen and other common menopausal symptoms can begin.

Bespoke medicines to smooth the menopausal transition. 

How can herbs help? Firstly, everyone is different so there is no set combination of herbs that is right for everyone. The art and science of a Herbalist is their ability to look at each person as an individual and work out which herbs will best support them.

Typically, we chose from:

Herbs with hormone-regulating properties: These typically are used with the aim of controlling hormone fluctuations during the perimenopause and to gently bring about a mild oestrogenic effect after the menopause when oestrogen levels are low. In this way, many women find that herbs help their bodies adapt to hormone changes. Herbs with different hormone regulating properties are used at different phases of the menopause and according to the pattern of symptoms each individual presents with. Typically, these herbs help with many of the menopausal symptoms, although I find that they work best in combination with herbs with other actions such as those below.  

Adrenal adaptogens: Stress and sleep disturbance often make flushes, low mood, poor energy and anxiety worse. Women in this situation often describe themselves as ‘running on adrenaline’ and being unable to switch off. This is considered by Herbalists to be an inappropriate adrenal response due to a ‘locked-on’ stress response and adaptogenic herbs are prescribed to counter act this and minimise the effects of stress on the body.

Anti-hydrotic herbs: These are herbs that are used to help reduce the sweating associated with some hot flushes both during the day and at night.

Nerve tonics & anxiolytics (anti-anxiety): Where anxiety and mood changes are involved herbs from this category are chosen alongside the adaptogens to calm anxiety and improve mood. This group of herbs can also be used for sleep disturbance, both in the main medicine to prepare ahead for a good night’s sleep, and where necessary in a bespoke sleep mix taken at bedtime to encourage a better quality of sleep and to reduce night flushes and episodes of waking.

Liver support: Traditionally herbs to support the function of the liver have been included in prescriptions for many conditions as the liver is a major organ in our metabolism and excretion pathways. During the menopause it’s no different and they are often used to support the metabolism of hormones and help optimise digestive health.

Others: During a detailed consultation, all aspects of health are discussed and appropriate herbs included in the medicine for example, cardiovascular support, immune support, skin herbs, addressing recurrent UTI’s etc. If there is something specific that is bothering you alongside your menopausal symptoms, we can incorporate herbs for this as appropriate.

Diet, lifestyle and supplement advice is always given as part of a detailed treatment plan in order to work holistically and because good nutrition, exercise and stress management are the cornerstones of good health. I have put some self-help tips below to get you started:

Self help

Studies have shown that regular exercise is associated with fewer menopausal symptoms. Both aerobic exercise and low intensity exercise, such a yoga, were associated with improved quality of life, better sleep and fewer flushes, and regular exercise has also been shown to reduce the chances of depression.

A daily half a cup of soy nuts eaten throughout the day showed a significant reduction in hot flushes in a randomised cross-over study.

100g of tofu and 1 tablespoon of linseeds added to the diet everyday could reduce mild flushes and vaginal dryness suggested another study.

Coffee, excessively spicy foods and alcohol seem to aggravate flushes and should be minimised. Drinking or eating foods that are hot can also trigger a flush.

Light, loose fitting clothing made from natural fibres such as cotton are less likely to aggravate sweating.

A folded sheet or towel can be slept upon to be removed in the night once it becomes wet rather than changing the sheet (if this is happening, you really do need some herbs!)

Controlling your stress levels will reduce added pressure on your adrenals and can help to improve sleep, well-being, concentration, mood, reduce anxiety etc.

If you are struggling with menopausal symptoms call for a free confidential discussion about how herbal medicine could help you on 07736829755 or email me. I have helped many women through the menopause and would be delighted to help