SPICES AND HEALING

Regular consumption of garlic, ginger, thyme and other natural antibiotics can boost the
immune system and prevent infections, a naturopath, Dr Gilbert Ezengige, has said.
He listed the antibiotics as goat weed (Imiesu-yoruba), Christmas bush (Èpa-Yoruba) and
clove (Kanafuru-Yoruba), blue gum tree (eucalyptus oil) and aloe vera.
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According to Ezengige, sufferers of contagious diseases, sexually transmitted infections,
airborne and water borne diseases require anti-microbial herbs.

He said: “When meals are prepared with herbs, such as garlic, ginger, thyme, clove and
xylopia aethiopica (Eru in Yoruba, Uda in Igbo), consumers may not be conscious of their
healing potential in helping them to ward off infectious diseases. When they take fruits, such
as lemon, grape, and melon (elegede in Yoruba; Anyu in Igbo), cashew, African star apple
(agbalumo in Yoruba, Udara-Igbo), these beef up their immune system in preparedness to
combat harmful invading pathogens.”

Explaining the causes of infections, Ezengige said: “Some infections are caused by harmful
microorganisms (germs that can be seen only with the help of a microscope); others by
organisms that can be seen. In some infection there are mixtures and interplay of micro and
visible pathogens, which include bacteria, viruses, fungi protozoa and worms amongst
others. For instance, antibacterial herbs for bacterial infections, such as typhoid fever and
cholera, antiviral herbs for combating viral diseases such as common cold and herpes,
antifungal herbs for treating fungi such as candida and athlete’s foot, anthelmintic or
vermifuge herbs for expelling or killing intestinal worms abound in our environment.”

Ezengige canvassed good personal hygiene and environmental sanitation, warning that
without these, illnesses caused by harmful parasites and microorganisms will abound.
He said: “The World Health Organisation (WHO) says infectious diseases are responsible
for about 17 per cent of death yearly. They are also the second leading cause of death;
number one is heart disease.”

He continued: “Goat weed (Imiesu in Yoruba) can prevent diseases, such as sinusitis, e-coli
and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. It is also used for dressing wounds. Goat weed is
potent against stomach ulcer, pneumonia and dysentery. Christmas bush is used to treat
urinary tract Infections, cough and parasitic worms; sore throat, venereal diseases and
dysentery. Garlic bulb is used for treating infections caused by bacteria, fungi, parasites and
for the treatment of respiratory infections.

“Garlic inhibits helicobacter pylori that causes stomach ulcer, pinworms and ear infections,
Aloe vera is used on infected or purulent wounds worm infestation, bed sores, eye irritations
and infections. It is also effective against staphylococcus aureus and herpes and typhoid
fever.”

Blue gum tree (eucalyptus oil), he said, is an anti-microbial against staphylococcus aureus,
candida albicans, helicobacter pylori, eschericia coli and salmonella.
“It is for treating respiratory infections as it works as antiseptic and antifungal. People with
pyorrhea (gum infection) and catarrh will find it useful. Clove is good for curing acute
toothache and gum infection by applying the oil on the affected parts. This can also help to
provide relieve for bloating, intestinal gas and bronchial catarrh as well as controls bad
breath,” he added.

Clove, Ezengige said, has antiseptic properties, which kill bacteria, round worms and fungi.
“It is an anti-parasitic plant, which has herbal components for curing athlete’s foot,”
Ezengige said.