Natural Solutions for Fever and Infection

By Dr. Eric Blake, ND, Diplomate in Acupuncture

I treat numerous cases of respiratory and other infections each year. Some are very difficult cases –such as fungal infections of the lung in cancer patients, antibiotic resistant pneumonia, deep infections of the bone, MRSA infections on the skin, kidney infections, and even diabetic gangrene. Other cases are the common bronchitis, or sinusitis, bladder infections, an ear infection or strep throat. I have found natural therapy powerfully effective in all of these cases. Biochemical therapy alone – whether herb or pharmaceutical – does not have the effectiveness and success that treating all three planes does- Biochemical, Physical, and Mental/Emotional.

1) Diet

Simple diet, generally steamed vegetables, chicken or vegetable broth, and fluids such as water, lemonade, orange, or cranberry juice. In general, when fever is present, water only is the rule. Fever stops digestion and eating foods that will not digest feeds the disease not health. Diabetics, nursing infants, and pregnant women are an exception to water only.

2) Natural Medicines

Internal herbal medicines, nutrient concentrates, and homeopathic medicines are a powerful trinity of infection fighting support. Nutrients will support immune function. Herbal medicines have antiviral, antimicrobial, antifungal effect, and some have specific organ affinities. Homeopathic prescription works on the whole person and supports an individuals’ unique reaction in infection.

3) Naturopathic Physiotherapy,Spinal Adjustment, and Hydrotherapy

No medicine can replace what Naturopathic Hydro Physiotherapy does. These treatments improve immune function, circulation, lymphatic flow, detoxification in general, along with the specific benefits of the individual physiotherapy modalities themselves. The treatments improve white blood cell function, circulate the oral natural medicines, and deliver them to the site of infection.

Short Wave Diathermy–is of special importance in respiratory and other infections. Diathermy has multiple beneficial effects. Diathermy improves circulation and lymph movement; it also thins lymph so that it flows more smoothly through the lymph nodes and channels –(the infection fighting highways of the body). Short wave also improves white blood cell ability to consume bacteria, temporarily paralyzes bacteria in the energy field, enhances nutrition delivery to the cells locally, and is considered the ‘physical therapy antibiotic’. In fact, diathermy went out of fashion in the 1950’s only after the rise of oral antibiotics, as these were considered more convenient. Diathermy has no equal in upper respiratory infections –useful in bacterial, fungal and viral types. Sinus infections, throat infections, ear and bronchial infections, and lung infections respond very well to diathermy treatment.

High Frequency is very useful to relax a spasmodic cough, simultaneously producing small amounts of ozone that are anti-viral and antimicrobial, as well as improving circulation for the next 24 hours after application. A special ear attachment allows easy direct treatment of the middle ear, very useful in ear infections for children. We then fill the ear canal with the antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral drawing Iktha-Salve, and use chewable cherry Congaplex.

UV Light is also useful for throat infections. UV Light is directly germicidal. Just a 20 second application in the mouth is all that is needed. This brief application, along with the hydrotherapy towels and diathermy to the throat is a powerful combination of physical treatment.

4) Rest

The body needs energy to heal. We should conserve our energy with fruitful rest, periodic fresh air deep breathing, while maintaining an optimistic attitude – all of which improve immune function.

What about Aspirin and Anti-Fever drugs?
These drugs interfere with the immune system, in one study increasing the death rate 5 times in viral infections. The long established conventional approach of Tylenol, aspirin, and anti-fever drugs is finally openly being questioned in research journals as there is no scientific evidence to support it. The rationale of their use is that fever is noxious and that suppressing fever will have benefit.

Naturopathic Hydrotherapy and Fever
To the contrary, fever is of great benefit in infections – the fever up regulates important immune activity, improves circulation of blood and lymph, and mobilizes nutrients for the infection to be fought. Hydrotherapy treatment will not only keep the elevated temperature within safe limits but will also improve the immune function and infection fighting ability of the body. Hydropaths have long agreed with Hippocrates who said, “Give me a fever and I can cure any disease”.

What about Antibiotics and the Cold, flu, or sinusitis?
Pharmaceutical antibiotics are not effective in treating the common cold, flu, most ear infections, most sinus infections, bronchitis, and certain types of pneumonia. Why? Antibiotics are ineffective for viral infections. Improper treatment of viral infections with antibiotics over the last five decades has contributed greatly to the current epidemic of antibiotic-resistant infections. Pharmaceutical antibiotics may have their place. However, because of the limited therapeutic options of conventional medicine for infections outside of antibiotics, they have been routinely overprescribed. A great deal of physician education occurs, out of the public eye, that is designed to reduce antibiotic prescriptions. It must be challenging for these doctors that have little else to offer. I am grateful to be a Naturopathic Physician and to have so many different means to help those who are suffering.

For those of you that follow the Helfgottblog, you’re sure to recall that generalized advice will only provide part of a solution for your aliments. Specific personalized care is always your best option because you are unique and what your body requires to get better is equally as unique. You are encouraged to seek out professional medical help for serious and chronic conditions, these basic tools can help support your immune system and teach you to rely more upon preventative measures. Prevention is key, as is replenishing your resources so that you can effectively push out any invasive agent that causes your body harm.