Recovery from Injury, Surgery and Infection: Nature Cures

By Nat Hawes

This latest title from the Nature Cures stable provides a comprehensive guide to the foods richest in the nutrients required for healing and boosting the immune system. At some time during their lifetime, everyone suffers an injury or infection of some kind and many are not aware that there are numerous natural foods that can help the body improve its defences, attack its enemies more effectively and heal faster. Some of these should be consumed internally and some should be used externally, and there are some that can be used in both ways – Recovery from Injury, Surgery and Infection, backed up by historic and current research findings, explains the properties of these foods, what is most effective in specific situations (including STDs – the most visited section of the naturecures.co.uk website), and how best to consume them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hammersmith Health Books
• Release date: Mar 20, 2020
• ISBN: 9781781611180

Nat Hawes

Nat Hawes runs a successful Nutritional Therapy Clinic in London, England, where she deals with patients suffering from Injury, surgery and infections, as well as from allergies, chronic fatigue, diabetes, digestive disorders, infertility, insomnia, obesity, pain and inflammation, mental health issues. She has spent 15 years researching and compiling her internationally popular website which brings together both the health problems that can be helped by nutritional interventions, and the healing properties of natural foods.

Book preview

iii

NATURE CURES

RECOVERY FROM

INJURY, SURGERY

AND INFECTION

N H Hawes

v

Contents

Title Page

About the Author

INTRODUCTION

The lymphatic system

The importance of the spleen

Antibiotics

Prebiotics and probiotics

Part I:ANTIMICROBIAL AND HEALING EDIBLE PLANTS

How to prepare medicinal plants

How to make home remedies

The A to Z of antimicrobial and healing plants

Powerful herbal combinations

Acidity and infection

Part II:NUTRIENTS TO AID RECOVERY

The A to Z of nutrients to aid recovery

The A to Z of minerals required for recovery

Dietary essentials during wound healing

References

Further reading

Index

Also in the Nature Cures series

Copyright

vi

About the Author

Nat H Hawes SNHS Dip (Advanced Nutrition and Sports Nutrition) has been researching the relationship between food, nutritional science and health since 2003. Originally prompted to do so by her father’s and friends’ health problems, her research rapidly broadened to embrace all aspects of nutritional health and she launched the website naturecures.co.uk in 2010 to share this knowledge. Since that time – and at the time of going to press – the site has received over 4.5 million visitors from all over the world and acts as a barometer of health concerns internationally. To find out more and purchase other books in the Nature Cures series visit the website naturecures.co.uk.

More information about the amazing healing powers of natural foods can be found in the main encyclopaedic 1130-page book, Nature Cures, by the same author and also published by Hammersmith Health Books.

1

Introduction

At some time during their lifetime, most people suffer an injury or infection of some kind or undergo some type of surgery and many are unaware that there are numerous natural foods that can help the body fight infection and heal faster. Some should be taken internally and others used externally and there are some that can be used both ways. Any type of injury or surgical procedure to any part of the body, causing inflammation and swelling and an open skin wound, will require extra nutritional support for the body to repair itself quickly. The natural foods listed in this book are also important additions when recovering from any illness or infection as they strengthen the immune system and some have a direct action upon infections by bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses.

This guide provides a comprehensive list of the foods richest in the nutrients required for healing. The best way to use it is to write down your choice of some of the top food sources of each essential nutrient and then develop recipes that can incorporate them into the daily diet. Some foods are listed under more than one nutrient and therefore are good choices to consume frequently.

This book also provides you with a comprehensive list of the natural foods that have powerful antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. There are around 40 million bacterial cells in a gram of soil, a million in a millilitre of fresh water and 2approximately five nonillion (10³⁰) on planet Earth, forming a biomass that exceeds that of all plants and animals. Bacteria are vital for recycling nutrients, with many steps in nutrient cycles dependent upon these organisms. Most of the cells in the human body are not human. They are bacteria and other microbes. From the invisible strands of fungi that can sprout between our toes, to the kilogram of bacterial matter in our intestines and another kilogram on our skin, the human body is a walking ‘super organism’, hosting a highly complex potpourri of human cells, bacteria, fungi and viruses.

Inflammation

Inflammation is a normal biological process in the body in response to chemical irritation, microbial pathogen infection or tissue injury. It is initiated by the migration of immune cells from blood vessels and the release of mediators at the site of damage. This process is followed by the recruitment of inflammatory cells and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), which are a family of antimicrobial molecules derived from nitric oxide and superoxide that act together with biochemicals called reactive oxygen species (ROS) to damage cells, causing ‘nitrosative stress’. This process takes place to eliminate foreign pathogens and repair injured tissues. In general, normal inflammation is rapid and self-limiting, but prolonged inflammation can cause various chronic disorders. Many plants possess anti-inflammatory compounds which can reduce swelling rapidly and are described in detail further on in this pocketbook.

THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM

The lymphatic system is part of the immune system and is a channel that carries a clear or off-white fluid, known as lymph, 3which travels via the lymphatic channels, a network of tubes or vessels, much like the blood vessels, that are spread throughout tissues of the body. Lymph originates as plasma, the fluid portion of blood. It collects debris, chemicals, toxins, bacteria, viruses and lymphocytes (a type of white blood cells) on its way back from the body’s tissues.

As with blood vessels, the lymphatic channels branch into ever smaller vessels in order to serve distant organs and tissues.. At their smallest they may be only a few cells thick. These are called lymphatic capillaries. The walls of the capillaries are usually just a single cell thick. This helps to allow the immunity-producing lymphocytes plus toxins, microbes and chemicals to move freely into and out of the lymph capillaries freely.

The blood vessels also branch to capillaries at their smallest. These blood-carrying capillaries give out a clear fluid known as plasma, the liquid component of blood. This plasma bathes the tissues and then enters the lymphatic channels as lymph. The lymph channels eventually drain at a large lymphatic vessel called the thoracic duct that drains into a blood vessel in the chest. All the filtered fluid, salts and proteins as well as debris ends up in the bloodstream.

The lymph nodes are small bean-shaped glands or bulbs that tend to occur in clusters like grapes. Along the lymph channels there are approximately 600 lymph nodes that act as filters and sieve off the harmful substances brought by the lymphatic channels. The lymphatic channels of the fingers, hand and arm, for example, travel to be filtered at the lymph nodes that lie at the elbow and the arm pit. Similarly, those of the toes, calves and thighs drain into nodes behind the knees and the groin. Lymph channels from the face, head and scalp drain at the nodes present at the back of the head, behind the ears and sides of the neck. Some lymph nodes are located deeper within the body, in the chest (between the two lobes of the lungs), around the coils of the intestines and in the pelvis, for example.4

Figure 1: The human glands and lymphatic system

The lymph nodes contain two regions within them – the cortex (outside) and the medulla. The cortex contains collections of lymphocytes, predominantly B-lymphocytes and some T-lymphocytes. The B-lymphocytes mature completely within the bone marrow while the T-lymphocytes exit the bone marrow immature and attain maturity within the thymus, which is located behind the breast bone (sternum). The lymphatic vessels entering the lymph nodes are called afferent lymphatic vessels and those exiting are called efferent lymphatic vessels.5

Functions of the lymphatic system

The lymphatic system has three main roles:

it is part of the immune system,

it maintains fluid balance and

it is essential for the absorption of fats and fat-soluble nutrients.

Lymph vessels drain fluid from virtually all the body’s tissues to control fluid balance and to deliver foreign material to the lymph nodes for assessment by immune system cells. The lymph nodes swell in response to infection due to a build-up of lymph fluid, bacteria or other organisms and immune system cells.

Lymph nodes are responsible for filtering lymph and providing part of the adaptive immune response to new pathogens. They are also part of the immunity that has a long ‘memory’ of the pathogens that have been present in the past. This allows them to recognise a pathogen and quickly produce the right response to deal with it.

Lymph system disorders

When bacteria, fungi or viruses are recognised in the lymph fluid, the lymph nodes make more infection-fighting white blood cells, which can cause swelling. The swollen nodes can sometimes be felt in the neck, underarms and groin. Disorders of the lymphatics include lymphoedema, a swelling that occurs when lymph has failed to drain through the lymph vessels. If swollen, lymph nodes do not return to their normal size, are hard or rubbery and difficult to move, and are accompanied by fever, unexplained weight loss or difficulty breathing or swallowing; the cause must be investigated by a medical professional.

It has recently been discovered that the brain is connected to the peripheral immune system through meningeal lymphatic vessels. (The meninges are a vascular layer around the brain that 6feed and protect it.) A build-up of proteins in the brain, that is characteristic of diseases such as Alzheimer’s, may be accumulating partly because they are not being efficiently removed by the lymphatic vessels. This could also be part of the explanation for many other neurological disorders, such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease, and is currently under investigation.

As with the circulation of blood, the lymph system also needs the body to be active to function correctly and keep fluids moving around to do their job of protecting against infection. Sitting or lying down for long periods can slow down the movement of lymph and blood which can lead to a build-up of waste in various tissues and lack of the nutrients that the tissues and organs require to work effectively.

Therefore, although it is important to rest when recovering from injury or surgery to allow the body to repair its tissues, it is equally important to take as much exercise as is possible every day to help the blood and lymph circulate around the body. Cycling, gardening, swimming, gentle stretching exercises such as yoga or even just a walk in the fresh air for 20 to 30 minutes each day is all it takes to prevent the health disorders that can occur due to inactivity. As Professor Sir Muir Gray, former Chief Knowledge Officer of the NHS, UK, says, inactivity is the new smoking: ‘Being active is the biggest favour you can do yourself!’

NOTE: Before using any natural remedies mentioned in this pocketbook please read the precautionary notes on page 232 and also all warnings associated with individual plants/foods.

Natural remedy for lymphatic system disorders

Cleavers/goosegrass (page 78), marigold (page 89) and mullein (page 93) are three powerful herbs that can stimulate and cleanse congestion and mucus from the lymphatic system and relieve the symptoms of tonsillitis and other related swellings of the throat, neck, arms and groin.7

To make a tea

Two parts marigold

Two parts cleavers

One part mullein

Place these herbs in a small saucepan and cover with cold water. Heat slowly and simmer, covered, for 20-45 minutes. The longer you simmer the herbs, the stronger the tea will be. Drink two to three cups a day for two to three weeks.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SPLEEN

The spleen is an organ located in the left side of the abdomen, tucked under the rib cage behind the stomach. It is normally about the size of a person’s fist. The spleen plays multiple supporting roles in the body. It acts as a filter for the blood as part of the immune system. Old red blood cells are recycled in the spleen, and platelets and white blood cells are stored there.

People without a properly functioning spleen are at great risk of developing infections, especially those caused by encapsulated bacteria which are microbes with an outer coating which protects them from the body’s immune system. The following is a sample list of the encapsulated bacteria a healthily functioning spleen can protect the body from.

Escherichia coli (certain strains)

Group B Streptococcus

Haemophilus influenzae

Klebsiella pneumoniae

Neisseria meningitidus

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Salmonella typhi

Staphylococcus aureus

Streptococcus pneumoniae8

Figure 2: The human intestines

Bites from disease-carrying insects, such as mosquitoes or ticks, and bacteria from other animal, or even human, bites can become very serious when a person’s spleen is compromised, as can any infection occurring from other sources. People in hospital, especially burns patients and anyone who has had surgery, are vulnerable to Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterial infections and more so if the spleen is not functioning well. This very common bacterium can also cause ear infections when swimming in water that has not been chlorinated and eye infections due to wearing long-term contact lenses.9

Many of these bacteria are becoming resistant to conventional antibiotics which is of great concern, and even more so if the spleen is compromised in any way. One example is Escherichia coli infections that can cause respiratory, urinary and surgical site infections and can turn into life-threatening sepsis. Sepsis, also referred to as blood poisoning or septicaemia, is a condition triggered by an infection that has overloaded the body and caused the immune system to begin attacking the body’s own tissues whilst trying to fight off the infection; it can lead to a reduction in blood supply to vital organs, such as the brain, heart and kidneys, which can be fatal.

Diseases that a compromised spleen may allow to develop

Babesiosis: Babesia, also called Nuttallia, is a genus of bacterium carried by biting insects and ticks that can infect the blood and cause a parasitic infection of the red blood cells.

Lyme disease is caused by the parasitic bacterium Borrelia bergdorferi carried by ticks that live upon deer, amongst other mammals.

Malaria is caused by the Plasmodium parasite carried by mosquitoes.

Meningitis is an infection of the meninges (see above) that can be caused by a number of pathogens (bacteria, viruses and fungi).

Pneumonia is a respiratory infection that can be caused by the Klebsiella pneumoniae or Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. (It can also have a viral cause.)

These are just a few of the infections that can become very dangerous due to a spleen disorder.10

Symptoms of bacterial infection

A high temperature/fever is the main symptom of any infection but this can be caused by a virus too so a blood test needs to be done to establish the precise cause. Other symptoms can be:

Abdominal pain

Diarrhoea

Headache

Muscle aches

Unusual tiredness

Vomiting

Confusion.

Natural remedies to manage a fever

Fever is the body’s natural response to infection so should not automatically be suppressed unless it becomes dangerously high (104ºF or 40ºC). During a fever the body can be supported as follows:

Drink plenty of filtered or bottled mineral water.

Aloe vera, pineapple, radish juice or coconut water in warm water with honey, lemon and ginger can help to rehydrate the body during and after a fever.

Drink teas made with basil, burdock root, coriander, dandelion, mint, mustard seeds, raisins, saffron, thyme or yarrow, by steeping any of these ingredients in hot water before straining; slowly sip three cups a day. Honey may be added to sweeten and provide additional bacteria-, fungi and virus-fighting benefits.

A tea made with daikon, shiitake mushrooms and kombu seaweed can be used to lower fever and fight infection.11

ANTIBIOTICS

Over- and mis-use of lab-produced antibiotics have led to the development of resistant ‘superbugs’, some of which have now become untreatable by these antibiotics. This is causing great concern as it may lead to the inability to perform lifesaving surgery. Modern medicine is running out of effective ways to combat these deadly bacteria and the development of new antibiotics has not kept up for a variety of reasons. However, there are hundreds of powerful largely forgotten botanical remedies that have antibiotic properties, often equal in effectiveness to many lab-produced antibiotics.

The huge advantage of using these natural antibiotics is that they do not cause mutations and resistance to their killing power owing to their complexity and their having evolved naturally to resist these same infectious agents over thousands of years. They also do not kill all bacteria in the gut indiscriminately, causing an imbalance of the intestinal flora that can lead to more complications. Most also have additional benefits such as being antifungal, antiparasitic and antiviral and provide many other vital nutrients the body needs for recovery which lab-produced antibiotics do not.

Plants have evolved naturally to produce chemicals to protect themselves from invading microbes, parasites and predators and when the plants are consumed or used topically (on the skin) they have the same effect on the same organisms that also attack animals and human beings.

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the new ‘superbugs’ that hospitals are battling against but many more are emerging, so it is important to learn how to combat these sometimes-fatal infections using what nature has already provided.

Note: If you have a serious infection you may well need to take lab-produced antibiotics, but you can support these with antimicrobial foods, a