A potential alternative to antibiotics
I am sure you are aware of the current level concern about the rise of antibiotics resistance and the need to find new antibiotics or alternatives. So I read with interest that a traditional indian herb is being studied by scientists as an alternative to antibiotics.
The herb, andrographis, which is known at the “king of the bitters” grows in India and Sri Lanka. It is thought to be responsible for combatting the Spanish flu epidemic that reached the Indian subcontinent in 1919.
Researchers from the University of Southampton in the UK have recruited 20 primary care facilities to participate in a trail, which will be using andrograhpis supplements. It will be tested as a natural remedy against colds and flu – and treating these commong problems like these with antibiotics is bringing the era of drug-resistant superbugs closer to reality.
Its a placebo-controlled study – which means patients could be given the real herb or a fake version – that will look at the herb’s ability to treat acute coughs, sore throats and sinusitis.
The study could lead the way for a larger study involving more patients with acute respiratory infections.
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‘Alternative cancer therapies’ may increase your risk of death
“Cancer patients who use alternative medicine more than twice as likely to die,” is the stark message, which has been reported in the press including CNN, Daily Mail and the Sun newspaper (see below). https://www.thesun.co.uk/living/4249489/cancer-patients-who-shun-chemo-for-alternative-therapies-are-twice-as-likely-to-die/ I know that I have written blogs about cancer in the past and pointed recent ideas and research. But I want to make it crystal clear that I believe in complementary therapy not alternative therapy. While this may sound like symantics its a crucial difference. At Vitality Therapy we always recommend you follow your GP, consultant and conventional medicine's recommendations and we work in a manner that is complementary to that advice, guideance and medication. In the articles I mentioned earlier, people were using "Alternative Medicine" instead of conventional cancer treatments. The researchers concluded that people using "Alternative Medicine" were less likely to survive after a cancer diagnosis for 5 years. What I discuss in my blog articles and we recommend in clinic is "complementary therapy" which is completely compatible will all forms of western medicine. Below is an extract from the NHS choices - Cancer section.. "There are reports that some people find complementary medicines (CAMs) of benefit during cancer treatments. For example, some people have said that acupuncture helped them cope better with the side effects of chemotherapy." The basic premise of the press articles is that ignoring medical advice on the treatment choices that potentially offer the most benefit for cancer (or any other illness) could be fatal. Here at Vitality Therapy we never suggest or imply that you ignore medical advice.
