Generalized
Gastrointestinal (GI) infection
Infections of the GI tract can have a variety of causes, but most
exhibit GI upset either in the form of vomiting or diarrhea, and
include a fever. They can be viral in origin (“stomach flu”),
bacterial (see Food Poisoning) or related to larger organisms (“Giardia”,
parasites).
Treatment Goal(s):
· Eliminate infection and manage inflammation, manage fever,
support GI processes, control diarrhea
Primary Treatment:
· Administer Echinacea to support immune function.
· Administer anti-inflammatory herbs such as Filipendula
ulmaria (Meadosweet) and Stellaria media (Chickweed).
· Administer infusions of Sambucus canadensis (Elder) or
other diaphoretics to manage fever.
Supportive Treatment:
· Support digestive processes using Zingiber officinale (Ginger)
if there is nausea or Filipendula ulmaria (Meadowsweet) if there
is diarrhea. In severe diarrhea, with small children, or extremely
depleted constitutions, Rubus (Blackberry) root or Quercus (Oak)
bark may be used temporarily, but generally follow the ‘better
out than in’ adage.
· Apply warm compresses externally to the stomach and intestinal
areas.
Differential diagnoses, cautions, and other considerations:
· If there is knowledge of the pathogenic organism, administer
specific herbs:
. Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) and Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s
Wort) for viral infections, to be suspected if a “stomach
flu” is going around and the patient hasn’t eaten any
suspicious foods.
. Hydrastis canadensis (Goldenseal) for bacterial infections or
food poisoning along with digestive bitters to support adequate
gastric secretion.
. Artemisia absinithium (Wormwood) for parasitic infections, to
be suspected if the patient has been living in unsanitary conditions
or traveled to tropical climates. Other helpful herbs in cases of
parasitic infections include Juglans (Black Walnut), Allium (Garlic),
and Tanacetum vulgare (Tansy). Chenopodium ambrosioides (Wormseed,
Epazote) is effective but very strong, and can cause nausea in some
people.
. Artemisia annua (Sweet Annie) for protozoal infections, such as
Giardia, to be suspected if the patient has been living in unsanitary
conditions
