Tuberculosis

Medicinal Plants for Diseases
“ Tuberculosis ”
A series of Lectures
By
Mr. Allah Dad Khan
former DG Agriculture Extension KP Province
and Visiting Professor the University of
Agriculture Peshawar allahdad52@gmail.com

Tuberculosis (TB)
• Tuberculosis (TB) is a deadly, highly
contagious disease cause by the gram
positive bacterium Mycobacterium
tuberculosis. The history of tuberculosis
and humans has been intertwined since
ancient times. There is evidence than
Neolithic aged, prehistoric humans had
contracted TB as early as 7000 years ago.
TB can also infect animals.

Tuberculosis (TB)
Evidence of TB has also been found in bison
dating back 18000 years. TB was
widespread in antiquity, with evidence of the
disease being found in Egyptian mummies,
dating back several thousands of years. TB
was also known to the ancient Greeks who
called the disease phthisis. Until TB was
found to be bacterial in origin, the disease
was commonly referred to as consumption.

Tuberculosis (TB)
Overview
• Tuberculosis (TB) is a deadly, highly contagious disease cause by the gram
positive bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The history of tuberculosis
and humans has been intertwined since ancient times. There is evidence
than Neolithic aged, prehistoric humans had contracted TB as early as 7000
years ago. TB can also infect animals.
Evidence of TB has also been found in bison dating back 18000 years. TB
was widespread in antiquity, with evidence of the disease being found in
Egyptian mummies, dating back several thousands of years. TB was also
known to the ancient Greeks who called the disease phthisis. Until TB was
found to be bacterial in origin, the disease was commonly referred to as
consumption.
• TB has been responsible for millions of deaths throughout history, taking the
lives of many famous individuals including the Bronte sisters, Frederic
Chopin, George Orwell, Anton Chekhov, John Keats, and Elenore
Roosevelt. TB continues to be a threat to this day, even with modern
medical advances and treatments.

Tuberculosis (TB)
The German bacteriologist and physicist Robert
Koch isolated Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the
bacterium that causes TB, in 1882. At the time,
despite the efforts of Louis Pasteur and other leading
scientists, it was common knowledge that infections
happened spontaneously in humans. The idea that
bacteria, viruses, or other microscopic organisms
could cause disease was incomprehensible for the
layman. However, as germ theory gained more
proponents, and as medicine has advanced, today
that line of thinking has given way to modern
theories of infectious disease. Koch was awarded
the 1905 Nobel Prize in medicine and physiology.

Astragalus(Astragalus membranaceus)
(standardized extract,
250 to 500 mg, 3 to 4
times daily. A
preliminary study
indicates that astragalus
may be helpful in
treating TB. Astragalus
may interfere with some
medications, including
lithium. Speak with your
physician.

Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea)
standardized extract, 150 to
300mg, 1 to 3 times daily,
for immune support.
Rhodiola is an "adaptogen"
and helps the body adapt to
stress. High doses of
Rhodiola can have blood
pressure lowering and
blood-thinning effects, and
may increase the effect of
blood-thinning medications,
such as warfarin
(Coumadin) and aspirin.
Speak with your physician.

Bananas:
These delicious fruits have
been relied on for hundreds of
years to effectively treat
tuberculosis in various regions
of the world. The high
concentration of vitamins and
organic compounds in
bananas can rapidly reduce
inflammation, coughing, high
fever, and excessive mucus
production, which are all
severe symptoms of the
condition. Eating a few
bananas a day has even been
known to cure the condition
entirely!

Mint Juice
• Mint is another useful supplement in
a treatment for tuberculosis.
• A glass of fresh mint juice mixed with
150 ml of carrot juice, two spoons of
honey and malt vinegar is found to
be very beneficial to patients
suffering from tuberculosis.
• The juice can be administered thrice
everyday since it dissolves the
sputum, cleanses and nourishes the
lungs, develops immunity thereby
resisting further infection, and acts as
a detoxifying agent and cleanses the
body of all the powerful anti-
tuberculosis drug side effects

Garlic
• Garlic has been found to be effective in treating
tuberculosis. In fact, garlic is an amazing
antimicrobial herb which works effectively
against microbes, harmful organisms, bacteria,
fungi, parasites and viruses.
• This makes garlic a critical part of any
tuberculosis home remedy or natural treatment
for tuberculosis.
• An ideal way to go about preparing the
medication would be to boil 30 garlic cloves in
150 ml of milk mixed in 50 ml of water. This
entire portion should be boiled until it
condenses to 50 ml of concentrated garlic
syrup. After filtering, the concentrated syrup
free from solid substances should be
administered to the patient twice daily.
• Do note that a good quality garlic bulb should
have 10 to 12 large, white cloves. Garlic bulbs
with many small or yellowish cloves are
probably of inferior quality. For best effect, use
garlic that is organic and raw.

Horsetail
• The scientific name of horsetail
is Equisetum arvense.
• Tuberculosis results in reduction in
silica content in the bones. Silica
helps develop one’s resistance to
diseases and hence it is important
to restore silica levels in bones.
• In order to replenish silica levels,
tuberculosis patients can be
administered a spoonful of
horsetail juice on a daily basis.
Horsetail products are available as
extracts, powder, capsules, etc,
and depending on the chosen
product, the dosage can be
adequately administered.

Ginseng
• It has been suggested
that, after consulting a
pediatrician or physician,
children suffering from
tuberculosis can be
administered American
ginseng three times a
day.
• Ginseng contains
minerals and nutrients
that help build immunity
and increase the body’s
resistance to other
infections and diseases

Pineapple Juice
• Pineapple juice is
considered to be one of
the best treatment
remedies for patients
suffering from
tuberculosis. Pineapple
juice with freshly ground
pepper and a dash of salt
and honey can be
administered to patients
once everyday. This is
found to be extremely
helpful in dissolving
mucus.

Orange Juice
• A glass of freshly-squeezed
orange juice with a pinch of
salt, a spoonful of honey, and
two-three mint leaves, should
be mixed and given to the
patient. The saline effect in the
lungs will reduce expectoration
and protect the patient from
other secondary infections.
• Vitamin C contained in orange
juice boosts the immune
system and also helps fight the
disease-causing bacteria, thus
aiding the the treatment for
tuberculosis.

Herbal Tea
Licorice root tea prepared
with only licorice roots or
with other herbs like sage
and chamomile in equal
quantities can prove very
effective in soothing throat
pain and providing relief
from persistent coughing in
patients suffering from
tuberculosis. All these herbs
are effective in treating
respiratory conditions

Gourds:
Various types of gourds,
including bottle gourds, act
as very effective immune
system stimulators. This is
important for those suffering
from tuberculosis, as the
immune system is
compromised when you are
infected. The direct impact
of gourds is not fully
understood, but generations
of traditional medicine can’t
be all wrong!

Indian Gooseberry:Although
the exact mechanism of Indian
gooseberry’s effects on TB are
somewhat unknown, it has
been shown to
effectively lessen the
symptoms, especially when
the pure gooseberry juice is
mixed with honey and
consumed. This coats the
stomach and the respiratory
tracts and can offer relief from
inflammation and discomfort,
while also stimulating your
immune system with its proven
antibacterial qualities.

Black Pepper:
Although many people
associate black pepper with
sneezing, it is actually an anti-
inflammatory substance, and it
can also help to cleanse the
lungs, reduce coughing, and
eliminate pain and discomfort.
If you fry black peppercorns in
butter, then crush them up and
consume them a few times a
day, you can get quick results
and relief from tuberculosis
conditions, and when done in
conjunction with these other
home remedies, you can cure
the disease altogether.

Walnuts:
These popular nuts contain
a wide range of minerals
and vitamins that the body
needs, and they are known
to speed up the healing
process. As your immune
system has been
compromised by the
infection, you need the
nutrients in walnuts to
protect the rest of your body
from secondary infections
while the immune system
handles the main TB
infection

Green Tea:
Similar to garlic, it seems as though
green tea shows up on almost every
home remedy list you come across,
but with a good reason. The high
concentration of antioxidants found in
green tea, coupled with its impressive
immune-boosting properties make it a
complementary treatment for almost
any illness. In terms of tuberculosis,
green tea is able to use its high
polyphenol content to seek out the
bacteria and keep it from spreading to
other parts of the body, where it is
much more difficult to treat. A simple
cup or two of green tea each day is a
wonderful home remedy for
tuberculosis.