Ancient Antibiotics

The emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria, or so-called “super bugs”, is a serious problem in today’s world. In the Chinese medical system we have a long tradition of treating bacterial and viral infections with herbs. These therapies are highly effective and offer a possible solution to this growing crisis.

The discovery of antibacterial drugs in the late nineteenth century was one of the most important developments in modern medicine. For the healthy individual, this discovery has turned many formerly deadly infections into highly treatable nuisances. While many microbial diseases can still cause deaths, the majority of them have been largely tamed. However, the evolution of antibiotic resistance poses a serious problem.

There are a number of reasons why bacteria are developing resistance to antibiotics. One is that these organisms’ survival depends on their ability to evolve to changing conditions. Bacteria and viruses are amazingly flexible organisms and they will find a way to survive. However, the foremost reason for bacterial resistance is people’s reluctance to finish the courses of antibiotics that their physicians prescribe them. The result is that while they may feel better the infection has not completely resolved and the left-over bacteria can develop resistance and spread. These factors cause pharmaceutical companies to spend millions of dollars a year in the constant search for new antibiotics; often includes examining medicinal plants with known antimicrobial effects.

The Chinese medical pharmacopoeia has a large number of herbs with proven antibiotic properties. They have been used for thousands of years to treat infections. These herbs are still frequently utilized in Chinese hospitals in both outpatient and emergency settings. No discernable resistance to their effects has evolved over thousands of years of use. The Chinese system involves the combination of several herbs, usually ten to fifteen, into a formula which is tailored to each individual’s symptoms. Each of these herbs usually has several chemicals that will kill microbes. The result is that there are large numbers of substances in a formula that are toxic to the bacteria or virus. This makes it very difficult for the bugs to develop resistance. Even if they develop a tolerance to one chemical or class of chemicals, the other constituents will kill off the infection. In nature these antimicrobial substances are used by plants to fend off infections as well as to make the plant unpalatable or poisonous to potential predators. Unlike antibiotics, herbs when used correctly will leave the beneficial gut flora intact, thus preventing digestive problems and yeast infections. This is because Chinese herbal formulas are meant to treat the entire person and not just the infection.

A great example of the effectiveness of Chinese herbs is a study that was done during the SARS epidemic of 2003. SARS was a severe viral lung infection that caused epidemics in Canada and Asia. During the epidemic a hospital in Taiwan gave a mixture of Chinese herbs to over 1000 of it’s employees. Amazingly not a single participant in the study contracted the virus despite the fact that healthcare workers were at very high risk for contracting this disease. The results were incredible and show just how powerful these herbs are.

I have specifically not mentioned the names of any particular herbs in this article because I do not recommend that people self-prescribe Chinese herbs. The Chinese diagnostic system is complex and requires considerable study to use effectively. Registered Chinese herbalists must get a master’s degree in Chinese medicine. Herb formulas are tailored to individual people and take into account the person’s other health problems and constitution. Self-prescribing can lead to digestive upset, a worsening of the infection or a number of other problems. The best route is to find a trained Chinese herbalist and have them help you.

I do not advocate that people ignore their doctor’s advice nor do I deny the effectiveness and necessity of antibiotics. They are a wonderful and effective piece of modern medicine. We owe a lot to antibiotics. However, Chinese herbs can and should play a larger role in the realm of infectious diseases. They are effective and reduce the chances of the creation of deadly “super bugs”. Through educating ourselves, our loved ones, and the western medical community, we can cut back on the overuse of antibiotics and save them for serious infections where our lives are in danger and they are truly needed.