Certain dietary supplements may be helpful in treating your mononucleosis, or mono. According to the Family Doctor website, mononucleosis is an infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. Common signs and symptoms associated with mono include fatigue, fever, sore throat, weakness, swollen glands, poor appetite and night sweats. Before taking dietary supplements to help treat your mono, talk with your doctor about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions.
Echinacea
Echinacea, also known as Echinacea angustifolia, is an herbal immune supplement that may be helpful in treating your mono. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, echinacea, a member of the aster family, may be helpful in stimulating your immune system to help fight viral infections, and has been used to help treat colds, flu and certain skin problems. Echinacea is an herbaceous flowering plant that grows in open wooded areas in eastern and central North America, has a sweet, pungent, tongue-tingling taste and possesses cooling, drying an stimulating tendencies. The root, seeds and flowers of the plant are used medicinally. Ed Smith, an herbalist and author of the book "Therapeutic Herb Manual," states that echinacea is used to help treat all conditions where your immune system is challenged or compromised. Echinacea is an antiviral, antibacterial and anti-fungal. You should talk to a doctor before using echinacea to treat mono.
Paracress
Dr. Sharol Tilgner, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," states that paracress, also known as Spilanthes acmella, is an anti-fungal, antiseptic and antiviral, or a substance that destroys or suppresses virus growth by boosting your immune system and helping your body combat invading organisms. Paracress, notes Tilgner, enhances your immune system's resistance to viral infections and has been used to help treat colds, flu, wounds, allergies, swollen glands and bacterial and viral infections, including mononucleosis. Paracress is a flowering herb native to the tropics of Brazil, belongs to the aster family and has a pungent, tongue-tingling taste. Practitioners of botanical medicine use the whole plant for medicinal purposes. Paracress is used for both culinary and medicinal purposes. Ask your doctor if it is OK for you to take paracress.
Astragalus
Astragalus, a legume, is a perennial plant native to China, Mongolia and Korea and grows to a maximum height of 3 feet. Astragalus, also known as Astragalus membranaceus, has a sweet, moistening taste and possesses slightly warming tendencies. The root of the plant is used to help treat many health problems, including mono. According to Dr. Michael T. Murray, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "The Healing Power of Herbs," astragalus is a specific tonic for strengthening your body's resistance to disease. Tilgner notes that astragalus is an antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immune system modulator that may be helpful in boosting your weak immune system. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that astragalus has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries to help strengthen your body against disease. Don't take astralagus until you talk to your doctor.
References
- Family Doctor: Mononucleosis
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Echinacea
- "Therapeutic Herb Manual"; Ed Smith; 2007
- "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth"; Sharol Tilgner, N.D.; 1999
- "The Healing Power of Herbs"; Michael T. Murray, N.D.; 1995
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Astragalus
