Medicinal Herbs : The Herbal Treatment of Diseases Phylosophie gerrm Theory/Probablythe first person to see the bacteria under the microscope was Antoni Leuwenhoekof Delft, Holland , 1683. But the credit for the discovery of the relationshipof bacteria to disease was given to Louis Pasteur, and known as the founder ofwhat came to be known as Germ Theory of Disease. The following are the chiefpoints upon which the Germ Theory was founded.The Germtheory has to include a theory of immunity' in fact without this the wholetheory of bacterial infection would be quite untenable. 2- Therapeutic measures suggested by the Germ Theory are: the use of asepsis,antisepsis, and disinfection.The inhibition of microorganisms by the use ofchemotherapy and antibiotics. The use of sera such as diphtheria antitoxin andremoval of organs or tissues which are"foci of infection" (Tonsils). 3- further measures included destruction of sources of infection , and thedestruction of rats ,mice and other animal vectors which spread infection. Thespecifity of a micro organism is conclusively demonstrated when Koch postulatesare fulfilled: (a) - the microorganism is found in each and every case of the disease; (b) -it is found with any other disease; (c) - it must be obtained in pure culturefrom the person suffering the disease (d) - it must be possible to produce thesame disease again by inoculation. In the remaining part of this lecture we willreview some medicinal herbs, their safety and efficacy.The philosophy behind their use in the treatment of infections issimple; they kill the invading organism without harming the host tissue. - Once a cell is infected it is difficult selectively to inhibit the viruswithout harming the cell. The world least developing Countries are currently facing the prospects of twomajor chronic viral epidemics among other prevailing infectious diseases, thoseare AIDS and Hepatitis B, and due to the poverty and lack of health carefacilities, uses of medicinal herbs has consequently intensified , and havemuch to offer in this area.
Thyme is active against a wide variety ofintestinal worms as Necator americanus and species of Ascarides and Oxyuris,there is a general ability to significantly change the bacterial population ofthe gut. Thymol disinfect also the bronchial and pulmonary passages and theurinary tubules, it is also used locally against fungal growths. It lowers thelevel of the blood cholesterol with obvious implications for those sufferingfrom arteriosclerosis and high blood pressure. The mechanism of SJW'santidepressant effects is only partially known. Menopausal depressions,headaches the type accompanying overwork or pressure perhaps at the end of theday or even, when the tension is suddenly let up at weekends. The plant hasseveral useful applications to conditions of digestive system, the combinationof relaxant, astringent, analgesic, antiseptic and healing properties makes ita good remedy taken orally for inflammatory events of the gut wall and thevisceral spasm and pain that often accompanies them.The plant has several useful applications to conditions of digestivesystem, the combination of relaxant, astringent, analgesic, antiseptic andhealing properties makes it a good remedy taken orally for inflammatory eventsof the gut wall and the visceral spasm and pain that often accompanies them.