If you watch the news frequently, you may have noticed reports of people dying from “brain-eating amoebas”. These reports naturally increase during the summer months when people are more active and participating in outdoor activities.

According to WebMD, since 2001 there have been 400 reported cases worldwide, 35 of which were in the U.S.. It is important to point out that these are the reported numbers, no-one is exactly sure how many cases go unreported or are misdiagnosed. For instance, researchers are beginning to re-examine the records of people who died of meningitis to determine if the cause of death was in fact brain-eating amoebas.

It is true that your odds of getting the brain-eating amoeba (Naegleria fowleri) are quite low, however, it is equally true that the odds of dying from the infection are extremely high. In fact, approximately 98% of those infected will die within 1-2 weeks of infection.

Brain eating amoebas are found in…

• Warm lakes and ponds
• Mud puddles
• Swimming pools and spas
• Well water and municipal water
• Warm, slow-flowing rivers, especially with low water levels
• Hot springs and other geothermal water sources
• Polluted runoff water from power plants

It appears that amoebas cannot survive in salt water, and many people think (experts included) they cannot survive “properly treated water” such as the municipal water supply or chlorinated swimming pools etc… According to Taoism, one of the purposes of life is to evolve, live and survive. For this reason, it should come as no surprise that amoebas, as one of the oldest forms of life on the planet, are able to adapt and evolve rather quickly; they even have the ability to change their form at will.

Some amoeba are completely immune to chlorine and all of the other chemicals used to “treat” public water. Regarding the potential for chlorine and other chemicals to kill the amoeba, one would need to add such a large quantity to the water that it would also, in all likelihood, kill or harm the people as well. Amoebas also have a unique, self defense, feature of surrounding themselves in a protective membrane (similar to a cocoon) and going into a deep hibernation, further protecting them from harm.

Do not make the mistake of feeling protected if you live in a cooler climate, amoebas have been found “hibernating” in solid ice! For this reason, it is safer to assume that any body of water (natural or man made) has the potential of harboring these microscopic killers.

How to prevent or lessen the risk?

Of course the best method is to avoid swimming, or falling into, any of the common sources listed above. If that is not possible then: keep your head out of the water, do not disturb the sediment, avoid splashing or being splashed, do not jump into the water (no more cannon balls or diving), wear a nose clip, however, this will not protect entry through the eyes and ears.

Do not use a Neti pot or perform nasal irrigation!

Many people believe that cleaning the nose with a “Neti pot” or spraying water into the nose, is a good way to prevent colds and sinus problems. The problem here, is the person is also providing a superhighway for the potential brain eating amoeba to travel on. You are still at risk even if you use boiled water because you do not know how clean the Neti pot is or any other device you might use.

There may be a solution

As with anything in life, the natural laws must maintain balance and this balance is what had the ancient Taoists discover, through their science of Herbology, the specific herbs and herbal combinations that amoebas cannot live on or near. Since the energy and nutritional content is so high/strong in “true” herbs, the amoebas not only cannot survive near them, they also cannot evolve a defense mechanism against them.

In particular, #216 Vital Combination, has helped many people with amoebic problems and many similar problems as well.

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