A client recently shared a troubling story about a friend who developed a serious bacterial infection in his foot. Despite receiving medical treatment, the infection worsened, spreading up his leg. Tragically, the bacteria causing the infection were resistant to antibiotics. When all medical options were exhausted, the only solution was to amputate his leg.
This heartbreaking story is an alarming reminder of the growing threat posed by antimicrobial resistance (AMR). According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), AMR is a critical global public health issue. In Canada alone, 2019 saw 2,900 deaths directly attributable to AMR and 12,900 deaths associated with it. As of 2023, these numbers continue to rise, reflecting an urgent need for new approaches to combat resistant infections.
The story, fortunately, involved only the loss of a leg—not a life—but losing a limb is a life-altering outcome. It makes me wonder: could this have been prevented if a herbalist had been consulted earlier?
As a registered herbal practitioner, I am fully aware of the boundaries of my profession. My practice is grounded in a respect for evidence and a clear understanding of when to refer clients to other medical professionals. Recently, I declined to treat a client who sought herbal remedies for pneumonia, urging them to see their doctor for antibiotics instead. Pneumonia is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition, and modern medicine is often the best course of action.
That said, I also believe in the potential of herbs to make a difference in cases where conventional medicine has reached its limits. When an infection becomes resistant to antibiotics and amputation looms as the only option, what is there to lose by trying herbs first? With proper guidance, there may be much to gain. If a friend or family member were facing such a situation, you can bet I’d be at their bedside with my herb kit in hand.
Herbal medicine has a rich history of success in treating infections. Juliette de Bairacli Levy, a celebrated herbalist, famously saved a severely gangrenous leg by tending to the patient day and night, using both topical and internal herbal remedies. Her work is one of many documented cases where herbs came to the rescue.
Long before antibiotics became the cornerstone of modern medicine, humanity relied on plants to combat infectious diseases. Even today, herbs remain a vital resource in many parts of the world, used in both remote settings and dedicated herbal clinics to address a wide range of infections.
One such remedy is usnea, commonly known as "old man’s beard," a lichen found on softwood trees across Nova Scotia and much of Canada. Known for its potent antimicrobial properties, usnea is a powerful ally in the herbal medicine chest. I’m fortunate to have it growing abundantly on my land. I recently ventured out with my dogs to gather a fresh supply and prepare a tincture—a process that connects me deeply to the traditions of herbal medicine and the healing power of plants.
As we face the challenges of AMR, it may be time to reconsider the wisdom of our ancestors and the plants they used for millennia. While herbs are not a panacea, they hold promise as a complementary tool in the fight against resistant infections. Who knows how many legs—or lives—might yet be saved?