Tuberculosis (TB) is an acute or chronic bacterial lung infection. The first signs of TB can be easily missed, with the symptoms becoming obvious only after the disease is developed enough to be seen on an X-ray. The typical onset appears gradually as fever, malaise and weight loss. Then coughing begins with scanty sputum that eventually takes on a green, pus-like quality. Often, the first noticeable sign is a bloody cough, pain in the chest wall and shortness of breath.
Infection usually starts in the lower-middle part of the lungs and spreads through the lymph system to other organs. About four to ten weeks into the illness, a small area of inflammation develops in the lung. The immune system often stops the bacterial growth at this point
However, it does not rid the body of the infection, which can lie dormant for some time is quickly arrested. In ten percent of people, active TB occurs within one to two years. In about ninety percent of the cases, infection remains dormant, but it is capable of reactivating.
Determining TB infection is done by taking a chest X-ray, a culture which takes up to eight weeks to grow, an acid fast sputum stain or a TB skin test.
Less than a century ago, TB was known for its rapid destruction of tissue and many months of recovery for those who survived. With the improvement in health and with antibiotic treatment, tuberculosis has been well controlled. In North America, tuberculosis really only thrives in unsanitary conditions and in people with poor immune systems. The elderly and those with HIV are at high risk. Entirely new strains of tuberculosis bacteria have emerged that are resistant to antibiotics, thus creating a vital need for natural alternatives in addition to traditional avenues of therapy.
Tuberculosis can attack any number of the body organs and mimic a variety of diseases before it is recognized. The most common type is tuberculosis of the lungs. Symptoms are persistent coughing, abnormal fatigue, night sweats, recurring fevers, poor appetite and weight loss, not all of which are present at once. While these symptoms indicate other illnesses as well, TB should be ruled out if indications for it exist. Coughing up traces of blood and difficulty breathing occur in the late stages. Other common sites for tuberculosis are the lymph nodes, bones and kidneys.
Due to greater environmental pollution, the stresses of big city living, the excessive use of corticosteroids and drug and alcohol abuse, TB is making a resurgence in North America.
Tuberculosis is a highly infectious illness. Most cases in North America are transmitted by tiny droplets of tuberculosis bacteria coughed into the air by someone with TB and breathed in by someone else. In the past, milk was a source of infection, but since all milk is pasteurized in North America today, this source has been eliminated. Most people subjected to tuberculosis bacteria never become ill because their strong immune systems keep the bacteria inactive permanently. Others fend off the infection for decades, but become ill later in life, when their immune system weakens. Although a TB vaccine exists, vaccination is not without problems. The conventional TB treatment involves the use of antibiotic drugs for a year or longer. Natural therapies work quite well in conjunction with conventional medical treatments.
Drink several large glasses of fresh-pressed carrot juice daily for vitamin A, which is essential for lung tissue healing. The former practice of treating TB with an excessively rich diet is no longer recommended. However, undernourishment remains dangerous for a person suffering from tuberculosis. Lack of nutrients cause symptoms which had seemed cured to reappear. Eat plenty of fresh, raw fruits and vegetables, and fruit and vegetable juices for vitamins, especially vitamin C, minerals, enzymes and other living nutrients needed to fight the infection. People with TB have trouble converting beta-carotenes in fruits and vegetables to vitamin A. Green foods such as wheat grass, spirulina, chlorella, blue-green algae, green kamut, barley green, garlic, onions, leeks, turnips, grapes and pineapple are rich in vitamin A and carotenoids. Green, leafy vegetables such as spinach and dandelion greens, watercress, apple, apricots, parsnips, oranges, quinces, parsley, carrots, turnips, collards, celery, seaweed, kelp, plantago or psyllium, dulse, Reishi, Shiitake and Maitake mushrooms, should be eaten, and their juices liberally drunk. Figs and fig root, dried taro root, oysters, natural honey, lychee fruit, fresh mulberries, pears, soy bean sprouts and fresh apricots are food with known immune-boosting properties against TB. In the morning, eat oatmeal porridge with whole milk. Oatmeal is a good source of silica, which rebuilds lung tissue and is deficient in many people with tuberculosis. B vitamins are needed for developing stamina. The foods to avoid when dealing with TB are cow's milk and other dairy products, white bread, pasta and cereals, refined foods, processed foods, sugar and sweets, red meat, shellfish and caffeine.
Nutritional supplements are needed to help the body regain strength and fight the illness. To maintain the natural flora of the intestinal tract, supplement the diet with Lactobacillus acidophilus and other similar cultures. Acidophilus replenishes the natural bacterial cultures disturbed by antibiotics. To support the body's fight against bacteria, vitamin C is also important. The B vitamins help maintain the body's strength and energy. Vitamin B6 especially helps prevent liver problems resulting from prolonged treatment with certain antibiotics. Vitamin A and beta-carotene heal mucous membranes weakened by constant coughing. Take all supplements until healing is complete.
Daily dosages:
Lactobacillus acidophilus, 3 capsules or 1 tsp.
Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 1,000 mg every few hours, up to 5,000-10,000 mg daily up to bowel tolerance
Garlic, 3 capsules three times daily
Vitamin A, 25,000 IU (avoid during pregnancy) or beta-carotene, 50,000 IU
Parathyroid glandular extract, 1-2 capsules
Calcium, 1,000 mg, with 500 mg magnesium
Vitamin B complex, 100 mg three times daily
Cod or halibut liver oil, 3-6 capsules, for vitamin D
Vitamin B6, 50-100 mg
Zinc, 50 mg or more
Copper, 4 mg
Selenium, 600 mcg
Coenzyme Q10, 100 mg three times daily
Pycnogenols like grape seed extract, pine bark extract and bilberry, quercetin, hesperidin, catechin, 300 mg or more
Green food supplements, 1 tbsp.
To reduce inflammation and bleeding, plus speed healing, take herbal remedies for effective results.
There is almost a total absence of silica in the bones of tuberculosis patients. Silica not only increases resistance but prevents scar tissue. Take 1 tbsp. of horsetail juice, which contains silica, or vegetal silica aqueous extract powder, 3-4 capsules with meals three times daily.
Raw nettle juice is rich in calcium. Young nettle shoots can be finely chopped and sprinkled on soups and salads, or sautéed with some onions for variety. Mix the nettle juice with carrot juice to make it more palatable. Take 1 tbsp. daily.
Prepare a herbal tea using 1 part each of mullein, bugleweed, knotgrass and sage, plus 3 parts each of camomile and horsetail to help relieve coughing. Pour 3 cups of boiling water over 1 tsp. of herb mix and drink 3-4 cups daily.
Garlic is an excellent antibacterial agent and promotes intestinal health as well. Take 3 capsules three times daily.
Build up resistance with the natural antibiotics horseradish, watercress and nasturtium juice. Take 1 tbsp. of juice daily or add pesticide-free watercress and nasturtiums to a fresh garden salad.
The following should be used in rotation until symptoms abate:
Elecampagne, 1-2 tsp. of tincture daily
Horehound, 1-2 tsp. of tincture daily
Passion flower, 1-3 capsules daily
Yellow dock, 1-2 tsp. daily
Mullein, 1-2 tsp. of tincture daily
Astragalus, 1-3 capsules daily
Boneset, 1-2 tsp. of tincture daily
Chlorophyll, 1-2 tsp. of tincture daily
Comfrey, 1 tsp. of tincture daily
Echinacea, 1-3 tsp. of tincture daily
Licorice, 1-3 tsp. of tincture daily
Marsh mallow, 1-3 tsp. of tincture daily
Milk thistle, 1-3 tsp. of tincture daily
Pau d'arco (taheebo), 1-3 tsp. of tincture daily
Treatment from an experienced homeopath is recommended for tuberculosis. While waiting for homeopathic treatment, or when symptoms are acute, take one of the following in the 6c strength every two hours for up to ten doses.
Use Arsenicum for a person who is exhausted, chilly and worried, and thirsty for sips of water.
Take Bacillinum for fever and weight loss.
Consider Calcarea for fever, head sweats, weakness and apprehension. The hands and feet are cold and clammy.
Tuberculosis is a serious condition which cannot be treated with tissue salts.
Fresh air, sunshine, exercise and deep breathing are necessary to heal tuberculosis.
Keep the bedroom well ventilated and cool. Ideally, the patient should spend an extended period of time in cool, fresh mountain air. Avoid stuffy, air-conditioned rooms.
If coughing, hold a tissue up to the face to avoid spreading the TB bacteria.
Nutritional Supplements
Ascorbate/Non-acidic Vitamin C (Ester-C)
Micel Vitamin A (Klaire Laboratories)
Multi Element Buffered C
(Klaire Laboratories)
Zinc Plus (Klaire Laboratories)
E 400 IU Mixed Tocopherol 100% Natural (Natural Factors)
Hi Potency Multi (Natural Factors)
Super Multi Plus (Natural Factors)
Ultra Multi Plus (Natural Factors)
Grape Seed Phytosome (Nature's Herbs)
Herbal Remedies
FloraSil (Flora)
Horsetail Leaves (Flora)
Echinacea Fresh Juice Extract
(Natural Factors)
Echinacea Tincture (Natural Factors)
Silica Extract 500 mg (Natural Factors)
Astragalus Root (Nature's Herbs)
Barley Grass (Nature's Herbs)
Bilberry-Power (Nature's Herbs)
Chlorella, Better (Nature's Herbs)
Echinacea Angustifolia Root (Nature's Herbs)
Garlic, Odorless (Nature's Herbs)
Licorice Phytosome (Nature's Herbs)
Marshmallow Combination (Nature's Herbs)
Milk Thistle-Power (Nature's Herbs)
Silica-Power (Nature's Herbs)
Yellow Dock Root (Nature's Herbs)