Syphilis

(See also Sexually Transmitted Diseases)

Definition

Sexually transmitted diseases are those that are transmitted during sexual intercourse or other intimate contact with the sex organs.

Syphilis is an infectious venereal disease caused by a spirochete (Treponema pallidum) and usually is transmitted by sexual intercourse, or acquired congenitally. Syphilis, however, can be contracted through other physical contact such as kissing. If untreated, it can ultimately lead to the degeneration of bones, heart, nerve tissue, etc.
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Symptoms

In the first stage a sore or chancre appears, in the second stage a rash and patches of flaking tissue appear in the mouth, anus and/or genital area. If the disease progresses to the third stage, which is rare today, brain damage, hearing loss, heart disease, and/or blindness can occur.
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Treatment

See your doctor for treatment.
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Nutrients

Acidophilus, 3 capsules or 1 tbsp. liquid 3 times a day, is important when taking antibiotics. Garlic capsules, 2 capsules 3 times daily, is a natural antibiotic and immune system stimulant. Should be accompanied by Doctor's advice. Vitamin C, 3,000 - 10,000 mg. daily (divide into 4 doses per day), helps immune function and is an antiviral agent. Zinc, 100 mg. daily, helps healing and the immune function. Kelp, 6 tablets per day, supplies balanced vitamins and minerals. Vitamin B complex, 50 mg. daily, is necessary in all cellular enzyme system function. Germanium, 100 mg daily, speeds healing and reduces pain or discomfort. Multivitamin and mineral complex, as directed on the label, promotes immune function. Vitamin K, 100 mcg. daily in tablet form, is necessary for blood clotting. Alfalfa is a good source.
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Herbs

Echinacea
Golden seal
Pau d'arco
Suma

Alder, smooth
Aloe
Ash, prickly, bark
Barberry
Bayberry
Bitterroot
Bittersweet
Bloodroot
Boneset
Bugleweed (for syphilitic sores)
Bull nettle root
Burdock seed
Calomelas
Cardinal Flower
Ceanothus
Clover, red
Couch grass
Dock, yellow
Echinacea
Elderberry
Elm, slippery
Eryngo
Eucalyptus
Flag, blue
Gentian
Golden alexanders
Golden corydalis
Gotu kola
Guiacum
Hibiscus flowers
Horsetail
Iron weed
Lambkill
Lobelia, great
Milkweed, swamp
Oregon grape, wild
Palmetto
Parilla, yellow (American sarsaparilla)
Parsley
Pine, white, bark
Pipsissewa
Plantain
Pleurisy root
Poke root
Poplar
Red root
Rock rose
Sanicle
Sarsaparilla
Spikenard
Stillingia
Sumach, leaves or berries
Thuja
Turkey corn
Twin leaf
Violet, blue
Walnut, black
Yellow dock
Yerba mansa

Recommendations

This disease is highly contagious. The Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that you protect yourself with condoms. Condoms should be used, but they are no guarantee of protection against venereal diseases! Check with your doctor! For early cases of syphilis, present for less than a year, one injection of penicillin is usually adequate for a complete cure; if the disease has been present for over one year, three or four weekly injections are usually adequate.
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Bibliography

Prescription for Nutritional Healing, by James F. Balch, M.D. and Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C., Avery Publishing Group, Inc., Garden City Park, NY

Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants, by Steven Foster and James A. Duke., Houghton Mifflin Company, 215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10000

Indian Herbalogy of North America, by Alma R. Hutchens, Shambala Publications, Inc., Horticultural Hall, 300 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, 1973

The Yoga of Herbs, by Dr. David Frawley & Dr. Vasant Lad, Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, Second edition, 1988.

The Rodale Herb Book, edited by William H. Hylton, Rodale Press, Inc. Emmaus, PA, 18049., 1974