How to Treat Mononucleosis With Alternative Remedies
Mononucleosis, caused primarily by the Epstein-Barr virus, is an infectious viral disease that is also known as "mono" or "the kissing disease" It has a negative effect on your lymphatic system, liver and respiratory system. Common symptoms associated with "mono" are headache, sore muscles, swollen lymph glands, liver enlargement, jaundice, fatigue, sore throat, fever, enlarged spleen and depressed appetite. You can catch this disease by means of direct contact, such as sharing utensils or kissing an infected individual. You can also catch mononucleosis when you are around an infected person who sneezes or coughs. Your doctor can diagnose "mono" by administering a mononucleosis spot test. He may then recommend giving you antibiotics or he may prescribe prednisone, a corticosteroid to help ease your symptoms. You may similarly find alternative remedies that may help reduce discomfort and symptoms.
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Things You'll Need
- Raw food diet
- Spirulina
- Goldenseal
- Rest
- Olive leaf extract
- Milk thistle
Instructions
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Switch to a mostly raw food diet over the course of the illness, to help build up your immune system. At least 50% of the foods you eat should be comprised of uncooked, unprocessed plant foods. Eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, beans, seeds, whole grains and the like. Totally avoid white flour, sugar. fried foods, processed foods, sodas and coffee.
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Try spirulina, a blue-green algae discovered by ancient Mayans. Spirulina aids in enhancing immunity. It is relatively safe to take and has been found to have no drug interactions. You should, however, speak with your doctor before taking spirulina, if you have phenylketonuria or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
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Take goldenseal, as it helps to combat infection. Goldenseal, which contains a bacteria-killing compound known berberine, comes from a hairy-stemmed plant that is a member of the buttercup family. You can get goldenseal in capsule or tea form. Take, as directed by the individual product you get, but it should not be taken for more than a week. There are possible side-effects, including digestive problems, light-sensitivity and skin irritation. Should you begin experiencing any of these side-effects, stop taking goldenseal. You should not take goldenseal if you have high blood pressure or are pregnant or breastfeeding. Anyone taking prescription medications should talk to a doctor before using goldenseal, to prevent the danger of drug interactions.
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Rest. It is imperative to get enough rest to help rebuild your strength when you are suffering from mononucleosis. It can take several weeks for you to recover. You should limit contact with others, as much as it is possible to do so, to keep from passing on your infection. If you must have someone present to assist you, they should remember to wash their hands thoroughly at all times and should avoid kissing you or sharing personal items, such as a toothbrush and utensils.
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Fight infection with olive leaf extract. It is believed to have antiviral and antioxidant properties. Use as directed by the individual product you have chosen. There are no known interactions with prescription medications. If you are diabetic, pregnant or breastfeeding, however, you should not take olive leaf extract before consulting your doctor.
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Take milk thistle, which contains the liver-protecting ingredient known as silymarin. You can get it in extract, capsule or tea form and should take it, according to the directions of the individual protect you are using. If you are allergic to plants that come from the Asteraceae family, using the herb milk thistle is inadvisable and you should not take it. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking prescription medications or being treated for a serious medical condition, you should speak to your doctor before taking milk thistle.
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Tips & Warnings
Always confer with your doctor before you use any alternative remedy.
These remedies are not for young children.
