Biofilms and Chronic Infection
This product is delivered as a Digital Download of Audio (mp3) and Document/text files (pdf). The recorded lectures were delivered in a classroom setting by Paul Bergner, Medical Herbalist, Clinical Nutritionist, and founder of the North American Institute of Medical Herbalism (NAIMH).
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Overview
- Learn the basic science behind the biofilm form of bacteria, and its relevance to infection in humans.
- Learn the basic science and terminology of the human microbiome, and its importance as the “third arm of the human immune system.”
- Learn the importance of the microbiome and its diversity in the different compartments of the skin, digestive, and reproductive tract.
- Learn the immediate and long-term effects of pharmaceutical antibiotics on the microbiome.
- Learn the effects of foods on the microbiome.
- Review the science on the role of the microbiome in obesity, insulin resistance, Parkinson's disease, and autism.
- Learn the specific effects of berberine and its related alkaloids on biofilm structures in infection.
- Learn unique actions of herbal medicines against bacterial infection beyond direct antimicrobial effects, including inhibition of quorum-sensing, anti-biofilm, and efflux-pump inhibition.
- Learn selection and formulation with medicinal herbs to maximize the above four actions in synergy.
- Learn the importance of topical application of immune-stimulating herbs when treating conditions where the herb can come in contact with the infected site.
- Review the Materia medica of more than 30 herbs for their potential effects on infection.
- Learn the use of media such as honey, vinegar, and boric acid to enhance anti-biofilm effects.
- Learn the Materia medica and practical formulation for bacterial infections including MRSA, sinusitis, outer and middle ear infections, gum infections, bacterial vaginosis, wounds, diabetic foot ulcers, paronychia, and others.
- Learn the Materia medica of 22 plants with proven laboratory and clinical effects against fungal infections.
- Review the beneficial effect of biofilms in the gut as part of the natural defenses of the microbiome.
- Review the science on internal biofilms within the system.
Description
The discovery of the biofilm form of bacteria, and its universal presence in chronic infections has opened the door a gold-rush of scientific investigation into plants, and their possible roles in the fight against complex bacterial communities. Plants at war with bacteria for hundreds of millions of years have developed complex synergistic combinations of constituents which when combined can do what no single antimicrobial agent can. The research in the last 12 years has verified the powerful effects of the most important traditional herbs against infection. In this course we show how these herbs can be used in conditions where they can be brought into direct contact with the infected site, including conditions not only on the skin, but in the outer and middle ear, the mouth and gums, the sinus, the stomach and upper GI, and the vagina. The information is practical, the herbs are from traditional herbalism and the direct clinical experience of our faculty, and the approach is updated and modified in light of recent science into herbal actions against infection.
Materials Included
- 5 modules containing a total of 33 audio recordings (9 hours and 58 minutes in all)
- More than 400 slides to accompany the lectures
- Supplementary notes, readings, and full-text reference articles
Topics
- Microbiome and the New Microbiology
- Infection and Immunity
- Herbal Therapeutics
- Antifungal Therapeutics
- Gut and Internal Biofilms
Click here for a free sample of this audio lecture:
https://www.acornherbschool.com/product-page/biofilms
Important Information
This product is delivered as a Digital Download of audio and print files. After you purchase this course you will see a link to download the zip file and you will receive an emailed link that will last for 30 days. Once you download the zip file you will need to extract or unzip the files to access the audios and reading materials.
This course was delivered by Paul Bergner at the North American Institute of Medical Herbalism. These audios are a part of the curriculum for the ACORN School of Herbal Medicine’s Advanced Herbalism in the Vitalist Tradition program. We are making these audios accessible for self-study and independent learning. These independent study audio lectures are for personal use only (copyright laws apply). They do not come with faculty support, grading, or a certificate of completion.
Our online programs offer deeper instruction and guidance to apply the teachings within these audio recorded lectures, where you can earn a certificate of completion. If you would like faculty support within a community learning environment to enrich your educational experience, please see our webpage to learn more about certificate programs https://www.acornherbschool.com/online-programs