| |  | | Meningitis
Answered by: Susan Eagles
Question from: Kandy
Posted on: March 15, 1999
I have gotten viral meningitis five times now and was wondering if there is an herb that might in stopping me from getting it a sixth time. Currently I am taking Astragalus, St. Johns Wort, Vitamin E and Dandelion Root. Are these herbs okay to take together and can any one of them help with the prevention of meningitis. All the specialist that I have seen just say they don’t know why I keep getting it. Since the last time I got meningitis I have been suffering from headaches on a daily basis and very sore back and neck, as well as just feeling run down.
Because of the seriousness of meningitis, it is important that you remain under the care of your doctor.
Michael Murray, N.D. and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D. in "Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine" (Prima Publishing, Rocklin, CA) state that antigens and toxins from bowel bacteria in constipated persons may be related to meningitis. He lists a dozen causes of constipation, rules for retraining the bowel and gives diet and herbal recommendations for relieving constipation. He emphasizes that the cause of constipation must be dealt with in order for his recommendations to be effective.
Thomas Bartram in "Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine" (available at Richters) states that meningitis is caused by a wide variety of virus, bacteria, protazoa and fungi. He recommends beginning treatment by colon cleansing with a Chamomile enema. Most of Bartram’s herbal recommendations for treatment are of historic interest only. They would have to be given by a highly trained natural practitioner. Most of the herbs are restricted because of their danger in high concentrations. Treatments found effective by different doctors included: Aconite and Gelsemium; Crawley root (Corallorhiza odontorhiza); Lobelia and Echinacea; Lobelia injections. Echinacea was highly recommended by the Eclectic School of physicians in the early 1900s in the United States.
Protective therapy listed by Bartram include: Echinacea, Garlic, a protective throat spray of equal parts tincture Myrrh and tincture Goldenseal, a protective gargle of 10-20 drops tincture Myrrh and Goldenseal to a glass of water.
The vitamins and herbs that you are taking will help to increase your immunity. Dandelion is helpful in supporting your liver to eliminate toxins, and it is slightly laxative. St. John’s Wort is a good anti-viral at 2 - 4 grams or 2 - 4 ml tincture, three times a day. You might want to add Echinacea angustifolia root and vitamin C, avoid sugar in your diet because it decreases immunity, avoid all food additives because they add toxins, and add protective garlic, onions, beets, fruit juices, carrots and herbal teas. The major part of your diet should be fresh fruits and vegetables, which will help to keep things moving along in your intestines and provide necessary vitamins and minerals.
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