Endocarditis

By Sir Anthony Herring

December 27, 2015

Contents

Introduction ....................................................................3

What Causes It? ..............................................................4

Treatment Options .........................................................5
Nutrition .........................................................................6
Herbs.............................................................................10

Homeopathy .................................................................12

Endocarditis
Introduction
Endocarditis is an inflammation of the endocardium, the
inner lining of the heart and heart valves. Most cases are
caused by a bacterial infection. Endocarditis is a serious
condition that can lead to severe medical complications,
even death, if not treated.

What Causes It?

Most causes of endocarditis are related to a bacterial or
fungal infection. Your body can usually fight off an
infection, even if bacteria reach your heart. However,
when heart valves or tissues are damaged, they provide a
good place for bacteria to lodge and multiply.
Your risk of endocarditis increases if you have:
Heart disease or mechanical heart valves
Poor dental hygiene
Diabetes
HIV

Kidney disease

Dental procedures that irritate the gums

Tonsillectomy

Adenoidectomy
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Intestinal and respiratory surgery

Gallbladder surgery
Cystoscopy

Bronchoscopy

Vaginal delivery with an infection present

Treatment Options
Drug Therapies
Endocarditis is usually treated with a combination of 2 to
3 antibiotics, such as penicillin, gentamicin, vancomycin,
cefazolin, ceftriaxone, nafcillin, oxacillin, rifampin, and
ampicillin. Treatment is determined by what type of
bacteria is infecting your heart and generally takes 2 to 6
weeks. In patients with endocarditis, long term daily use
of aspirin does not reduce the risk of embolic events, but
may be associated with a higher level of bleeding.
Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Endocarditis has serious consequences and requires

aggressive medical treatment. Endocarditis should never
be treated with alternative therapies alone. Inform all of
your health care providers of any alternative medicine
therapies or supplements you are using. If you are
pregnant, or thinking of becoming pregnant, do not use
any CAM therapies unless directed to do so by your
physician.

Nutrition
Following these nutritional tips may help reduce
symptoms:
Eliminate suspected food allergens, such as dairy (milk,
cheese, and ice cream), wheat (gluten), soy, corn,
preservatives, and chemical food additives. Your health
care provider may want to test you for food allergies.
Eat foods high in B-vitamins and iron, such as whole
grains (if no allergy), dark leafy greens (such as spinach
and kale), and sea vegetables (such as dulse, kelp, and
wakame).
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Eat antioxidant foods, including fruits (such as

blueberries, cherries, and tomatoes), and vegetables
(such as squash and bell peppers).

Avoid refined foods, such as white breads, pastas, and

sugar.

Use healthy oils in the diet, such as olive oil or coconut

oil.

Reduce or eliminate trans fatty acids, found in

commercially baked goods, such as cookies, crackers,
cakes, French fries, onion rings, donuts, processed foods,
and margarine.
Avoid alcohol and tobacco.

Exercise lightly 5 days a week if your health care

provider says you can.
You may address nutritional deficiencies with the
following supplements:
A multivitamin daily, containing the antioxidant
vitamins A, C, E, the B-complex vitamins, and trace
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minerals, such as magnesium, calcium, zinc, and

selenium.

Omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish oil, 1 to 2 capsules or

1 to 2 tbs. of oil daily, to help decrease inflammation and
help with immunity. Omega-3 fatty acids may increase
the effects of blood-thinning medications, such as
warfarin (Coumadin). Speak with your physician.

Vitamin C, 500 to 1,000 mg daily, as an antioxidant and

for immune support.
Alpha-lipoic acid, 25 to 50 mg twice daily, for
antioxidant support. Can potentially interfere with some
diabetes and cancer medications. Talk to your doctor.
Magnesium citrate, 200 to 400 mg daily, for heart
health. Make sure your doctor approves magnesium
supplementation. Magnesium can potentially affect
blood pressure and kidney function, among other
problems, and can interact with many medications.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), 100 mg twice a day, for heart

protection. CoQ10 can affect blood pressure and may
decrease the effectiveness of blood-thinning medicines,
such as warfarin (Coumadin).
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Resveratrol (from red wine), 50 to 200 mg daily, to

help decrease inflammation and for antioxidant effects.

Lycopene, 5 mg, 1 to 3 times daily, for antioxidant and

blood pressure lowering activity. People with prostate
cancer may wish to avoid lycopene. More research is
needed.
L-theanine, 200 mg, 1 to 3 times daily, for stress and
nervous system support.

L-arginine, 1 to 2 gm, 3 times daily, for blood vessel

and immune support. Arginine may affect blood pressure
and blood flow through organs and other tissues. Talk to
your doctor.
Probiotic supplement (containing Lactobacillus
acidophilus), 5 to 10 billion CFUs (colony forming units) a
day, when needed for maintenance of gastrointestinal
and immune health. Some acidophilus products may
need refrigeration -- check labels carefully. People who
are severely immune compromised, or who are taking
immunosuppressive drugs, should speak with their
physicians before taking probiotic supplements.

Herbs
Herbs are generally a safe way to strengthen and tone
the body's systems. As with any therapy, you should
work with your health care provider to determine the
safest and most effective botanical therapies before
starting treatment. Always tell your health care provider
about any herbs you may be taking. You may use herbs
as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites
(glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless
otherwise indicated, make teas with 1 tsp. herb per cup
of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or
flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Drink 2 to 4 cups
per day. You may use tinctures alone or in combination
as noted.

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Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum), 150 to 300

mg, 2 to 3 times daily, for blood pressure support. You
may also take a tincture of this mushroom extract, 30 to
60 drops, 2 to 3 times a day. Reishi can alter blood
pressure and interact with many medications, including
blood-thining medications. Talk to your health care
provider.

Garlic (Allium sativum), standardized extract, 400 mg, 2

to 3 times daily, for heart health. Garlic supplements may
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increase the effectiveness of certain blood-thinning

medications, such as warfarin (Coumadin), and can
interact with many medications, particularly some HIV
medications and isoniazid (Nydrazid). Talk with your
physician.

Homeopathy
Although few studies have examined the effectiveness of
specific homeopathic therapies, professional
homeopaths may consider the following remedies as a
supplemental treatment for the symptoms of
endocarditis, as long as the underlying infection has been
appropriately treated. Before prescribing a remedy,
homeopaths take into account a person's constitutional
type -- your physical, emotional, and psychological
makeup. An experienced homeopath assesses all of
these factors when determining the most appropriate
treatment for each individual.

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Aconite if you fear death, have rapid heartbeat

(tachycardia) with full, hard pounding pulse of sudden
onset.

Cactus grandiflorus for endocarditis with mitral

insufficiency. You may have a feeble, irregular pulse and
feel a chest constriction.

Digitalis if you have an irregular pulse with a sensation

as if your heart would stop if you moved.
Spongia if you have a sensation of the heart swelling.

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Work Cited
Endocarditis. (n.d.). Retrieved December 27, 2015, from
https://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/end
ocarditis
Heart Center - Penn State Hershey Medical Center. (n.d.).
Retrieved December 27, 2015, from
http://pennstatehershey.adam.com/content.aspx?produ
ctId=108&pid=33&gid=000057
Endocarditis-Topic Overview. (n.d.). Retrieved December
27, 2015, from http://www.webmd.com/heartdisease/tc/endocarditis-topic-overview

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