Are There Natural & Herbal Cures for Syphilis?
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that is caused by a spirochete -- a type of bacteria that looks like a corkscrew. Syphilis-causing spirochetes may be passed between individuals via direct contact during sexual intercourse, although this infection may be passed from a mother to her child during pregnancy. Natural and herbal treatments may be helpful for syphilis, although you should always discuss the merits and drawbacks of natural treatment methods with your doctor beforehand.
Helpful herbal supplements include garlic. (Image: digicomphoto/iStock/Getty Images)Syphilis Information
Syphilis, a condition in which symptoms may go away and come back, usually affects your genital region, lips, mouth or anus. This infection may occur in both men and women. There are several stages associated with this condition and symptoms may not appear for years at a time. Among the most common signs or symptoms of this condition are painless sores, a non-itchy skin rash and swollen lymph nodes. MedlinePlus states that this condition is easily cured with antibiotics, if it is treated during its early stages.
Natural and Herbal Treatments
A variety of natural herbal and non-herbal supplements may be helpful in treating your syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases. According to certified nutritional consultant Phyllis A. Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," beneficial non-herbal supplements may include free-form amino acids, vitamin C with bioflavonoids, zinc, colloidal silver and coenzyme Q10. Helpful herbal supplements include garlic, kelp, hops, goldenseal and red clover. Not all dietary supplements used in treating this condition have been studied using current scientific testing methods.
Highlighted Supplement
Zinc is a natural dietary supplement that is frequently prescribed in treating syphilis. Zinc, notes the Office of Dietary Supplements, is an essential mineral that is required for many aspects of cellular metabolism. According to Balch, zinc is important in maintaining the health of your reproductive organs. This mineral also encourages wound healing and boosts your immune function to combat a wide range of pathogens. Balch recommends a dosage of 100 mg of zinc daily, although you should always discuss dosage with your doctor before using this substance.
Additional Information
If left untreated, syphilis may cause several serious health complications, including damage to the skin and bones; problems associated with the blood vessels such as aortic aneurysms; and neurosyphilis, an infection of the brain or spinal cord. If you develop the characteristic signs and symptoms of syphilis, review your treatment options with a skilled health care provider. A health care professional trained in clinical nutrition can help you select the best possible dietary supplements for your condition.
