An essay from the International Academy of Classical Homeopathy recently attacked the medical world, claiming its fast and quick chemical and synthetic medicines and treatments are creating a sicker society. The fascinating angle of the two authors’ words was that much of what they alleged is now being discovered and sheepishly accepted as true and accurate.
Case in Point: Take a look at MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus). It’s an infection that mainly attacks the skin and could potentially become life-threatening. How did this type of infection start? The overuse of antibiotics created this beast that has become a killer. Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the number of antibiotic resistant diseases is growing. The list includes some serious and deadly conditions: Acinetobacter, Anthrax, Gonorrhea, Group B Streptococcus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Neisseria meningitidis, Shigella, Streptococcus pneumonia, Tuberculosis, Typhoid Fever, certain strains of Influenza, Candida, and Malaria.
Yikes! With such a list, what have we actually been doing to our bodies when we’ve injected or ingested antibiotics routinely just to rid ourselves of symptoms? Well, according to George Vithoulkas and Stefano Carlino, the two essay authors, our bodies have become more susceptible to infections thanks to the use and overuse of today’s Western medicines, not just antibiotics. Both men subscribe to homeopathy, which by definition, means a system of medicine where the symptoms of a disease in healthy people will cure similar symptoms in sick people. Translation: the body has natural ways of curing itself and, when interfered with, the results could be catastrophic.
Studies have found that people who constantly suppress symptoms through the use of modern chemical agents (modern medications or synthetic drugs) will eventually cause the illness to manifest into another form. For example, a study looked at children with asthma and found that every child had once suffered from tonsillitis, a viral or bacterial disease on the tonsils. The tonsils are the first line of defense for the lungs. It protects against unwanted inhaled or ingested foreign pathogens. If damaged or removed, as was the case of the children in the study, the lungs become much more susceptible to inflammation that leads to asthma and other respiratory distresses.
While the concept seems foreign to cultures rooted in Western medicines, there are some valid points about the quick fix to end our ailments. According to naturopathic medicine, the body can heal itself given time and natural assistance not harsh chemical treatments. Most people already use elements such as Echinacea to ward off viral infections. Why wouldn’t such natural elements help with what we may consider more serious?
The article commented that some Chinese medicines are currently curing cancers by inducing fever, a natural offensive mechanism for body self-healing. While that may seem far-fetched in today’s world which fights hard to reduce fever not induce it, there have been significant achievements made when we allow the body to naturally defend itself.
While you may or may not subscribe to this, there are some things that are much easier to digest in order for you to boost your body’s natural preservation defenses against disease.
1. Probably one of the easiest is to start eating chemical-free foods such as organic or all natural products. Preservatives and other additives often work against the body’s natural immune system; therefore, reducing their presence in your system should help your immunity.
2. Another option is to reduce your stress level. Studies have shown that stress physically affects the body and compromises the immune system. Whatever you can do to reduce your stress will increase your immunity toward disease.
3. Get more sleep! The more rest you can get, the better your body will recover from the events of the day. This can boost your immune system significantly.
4. Exercise more. Studies have shown when you move your body you improve circulation which then helps boost immunity.
5. Immunize yourself and familiarize yourself with immune-building herbs. Some immunizations contain antibodies that can help build your immune system. In addition, there are numerous plants that contain natural chemicals that build your immunity.
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Definition of MRSA. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/definition/index.html.
Vithoulkas, G. & Carlino, S. (2007). The “continuum” of a unified theory of diseases. Medical Science Monitor, 16(2), SR7-15.
White, L. B. (2010). 12 strategies to strengthen your immune system. Retrieved from http://www.motherearthnews.com/natural-health/strengthen-immune-system-z10m0vau.aspx?PageId=1#axzz2TVrynsKF.
