Read The Everything Guide to Herbal Remedies Online
Authors: Martha Schindler Connors
The Everything Guide to Herbal Remedies (24 page)
The most common viral infections in humans, by far, are colds and flu. But viruses can also cause infections and diseases ranging from mild (mononucleosis) to severe (dengue fever and AIDS).
Warts are small, generally harmless growths on the skin. Most often they’re just ugly, but in some cases they can be problematic. Common warts appear most often on the hands; plantar warts are on the soles of the feet; genital warts are found in the pubic area and on the genitals. They’re caused by human papillomavirus, or HPV, a version of which can lead to cervical cancer.
OTC wart medications containing concentrated salicylic acid (Compound W, Transversal PlantarPatch) are often recommended for warts (except those on the face or genitals). These products dissolve the wart over a period of weeks, but they’re highly corrosive and can burn the surrounding skin if not applied carefully. Some doctors prescribe stronger medications or remove warts via surgery, cyrotherapy (freezing), or electrocautery (burning). Genital warts are often treated with topical applications of imiquimod (Aldara), an immunomodulating drug that can cause itching, burning, and other side effects.
Cold sores, also known as oral herpes or fever blisters, are caused by a type of herpes simplex virus (a relative of the one that causes genital herpes; see below). This infection is highly contagious—and permanent (it can recur indefinitely). After the initial sore heals, the virus settles into a dormant state in your nerve cells, where it will remain until it’s reactivated (often by stress, trauma, or excessive sun exposure).
Many plants are natural antivirals. Green tea extracts can fight flu viruses and are also the key ingredient in sinecatechines (Veregen) ointment, a prescription drug that’s approved by the FDA as a treatment for genital warts. Another genital wart drug, podophyllotoxin (Podofilox), is derived from two types of mayapple trees,
Podophyllum peltatum
and
P. hexandrum.
Conventional medicine treats viral infections with oral or topical prescription medications such as acyclovir (Zovirax) or penciclovir (Denavir), which suppress the virus. Acyclovir can cause side effects like diarrhea and vomiting (in the oral preparation) and burning and inflammation (in the topical form). Topical denavir can cause headache, skin reactions, and changes in your sense of smell or taste. These herbs offer another type of relief:
| • Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) | Echinacea is a powerful weapon against viral infections. It’s lethal to several pathogenic viruses, including the strain of herpes that causes cold sores, and can help boost your internal defenses as well. |
| • Garlic (Allium sativum) | Garlic is a proven antiviral and can help fight infection both inside and out. Research shows that fresh garlic extracts can eradicate the viruses that cause herpes (as well as influenza and the common cold), and an isolated garlic compound has been shown effective against warts. |
| • Isatis (Isatis tinctoria) | This Chinese herb, taken in combination with astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus), accelerates the healing of cold sores and warts. |
| • Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) | Topical applications can reduce the size and severity of cold sores, shorten their healing time, and prevent the spread of the infection. |
| • Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) | Licorice root contains phytochemicals that have been proven effective against several types of infectious viruses, including those that cause cold sores. |
| • Sage (Salvia officinalis, S. lavandulaefolia) | Applied topically, sage extracts can halt viral infections. Research shows that a combination of sage and rhubarb (Rheum officinale, R. palmatum) can heal cold sores as well as the prescription drug acyclovir. |
Bacteria are everywhere, and most of the time they’re harmless (some are even beneficial to human health, such as the
Lactobacillus,
a.k.a. “friendly” bacteria, in yogurt). But whenever there’s a break in the structural integrity of your skin—whether it’s a burn, a superficial scrape, or a deep puncture—you’re opening the door to bacteria. If enough of them get in to overpower your body’s defenses, you’ll have an infection.
Although any wound is open to bacterial invasion, open wounds (ulcers), large or severe burns, and bites are the most likely to become infected. Signs of infection include acute pain (it hurts more than you think it should), pus, and swelling that extends past the immediate area and feels hot.
Many bacterial infections in humans can be traced to two kinds of bugs:
Staphylococcus
(staph) and
Streptococcus
(strep) bacteria. Staph infections typically involve the skin but can also affect the internal organs. Strep bacteria cause strep throat as well as several skin infections. Both are producing increasing numbers of drug-resistant strains.
Conventional treatment will depend on the severity of the infection. In many cases, you’ll be given a prescription for oral antibiotics that are effective against the bacteria causing your infection. Oral antibiotics can contribute to the development of drug-resistant bacteria, and taking them long term can compromise your immunity.
This inflammation of the hair follicles can occur anywhere there’s hair. In most cases, the problem starts when the follicles are damaged by friction or abrasion (as in shaving), or blockage (wearing tight clothing), then invaded by
Staphylococcus
bacteria.
Conventional medicine typically treats folliculitis with antibacterial cleansers like triclosan (Dial Antibacterial Moisturizing Body Wash) or triclocarban (Safeguard Antibacterial Soap). These are serious chemicals—they’re also used in industrial disinfectants—that have been linked to neurological and hormonal problems. You also may be given a prescription for an oral antibiotic (see above) or a topical antibiotic like mupirocin (Bactroban), which can cause burning, pain, and itching.
Impetigo is a superficial skin infection caused by staph or strep bacteria. It produces small blisters or scabs that generally start on the face and may move to other parts of the body.
Cellulitis is an infection of the deep layers of the skin caused by bacteria—most often strep—that enter through a cut, burn, or other skin injury. Left untreated, it can spread to the lymph nodes and become life threatening. People who already have another type of infection or a chronic condition (like diabetes) that can impair circulation are most at risk of developing cellulitis.
Conventional medicine treats impetigo with prescription-strength topical antibiotics (see above); more serious cases might get a prescription for oral antibiotics. Cellulitis is treated with oral antibiotics (see above).
Many herbal remedies can be used alone or in conjunction with antibiotics to treat bacterial infections:
| • Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) | Barberry contains powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory chemicals that can inhibit bacteria from attaching to human cells. The same antibacterial chemicals are found in goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis). |
| • Cat’s claw (Uncaria guianensis, U. tomentosa) | This traditional Peruvian remedy has proven antimicrobial effects—and can inhibit the activity of strep, staph, and other bacteria. It’s also a proven anti-inflammatory and immunomodulator. |
| • Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) | This herb is used in Ayurvedic medicine to foster all kinds of tissue repair. Recent research shows its ability to kick-start immune response, speed skin healing, and inhibit bacterial growth. |
| • Saint John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) | Best known for its antidepressant capabilities, Saint John’s wort is also a traditional remedy for skin problems caused by bacterial infection. |
| • Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) | Witch hazel bark is a classic treatment for itchy and inflamed skin (it’s also astringent, so it helps dry up blisters). Recent research shows it can help halt staph infections (even the drug-resistant kind). |
The world is full of molds, yeasts, and other types of fungi, most of which do more good than harm (think beer and penicillin). And most of the time, even pathogenic fungi can live in and on the body without any problem. But these organisms can cause infection if their numbers get out of control or if the body’s immune system is suppressed.
Ringworm has nothing to do with worms (even though its scientific name,
tinea,
means “growing worm” in Latin.) It got its moniker because a
tinea capitis
infection sometimes has a round shape, as if a worm were curled up under the skin. Ringworm is an infection of a type of fungi called
der-matophytes,
which may—or may not—line up in a ring-like formation.
Parasitic fungi called
dermatophytes
are responsible for the superficial skin infections commonly, if crudely, known as ringworm
(tinea capitis),
athlete’s foot
(tinea pedis),
and jock itch
(tinea cruris).
A tinea infection usually isn’t serious, but it can be itchy and uncomfortable; when it strikes the scalp, it can cause hair loss. Tinea-causing fungi thrive in warm, damp places, and are spread by direct contact: You can catch them by touching a person (or a pet) who’s infected or from a damp surface, such as the shower in the health club.
Tinea infections can also occur around and under the nails—most often, the toenails—leaving them yellowed, thickened, and crumbling. This condition is called
tinea unguium.
Candida
infections, called
candidiasis,
are caused by the yeast-like fungus
Candida albicans.
Vaginal candidiasis is characterized by sticky white or yellowish discharge, burning, and itching (see
Chapter 3
). Other
Candida
infections include oral thrush, which affects the mouth and throat, and skin infections like intertrigo (which occurs in skin folds) and some cases of diaper rash (see
Chapter 6
).
Most tinea infections are treated with OTC topical antifungals such as clotrimazole (Mycelex, Lotrimin), or miconazole (Desenex, Monistat), which occasionally cause skin reactions. Scalp ringworm and toenail fungus are almost always treated with oral medications like itraconazole (Sporanox) or terbinafine (Lamisil), which can cause intestinal problems, rashes, and headaches. In cases of scalp ringworm, OTC dandruff shampoos that contain selenium sulfide (Selsun Blue) are sometimes recommended to prevent the spread of the fungi, but they can’t eliminate it.