Natural health: I feel run down after a tooth infection

Plus how to deal with eye strain after needlework

Focusing on fruit and veg is a great place to start when it comes to healing from an infection Picture: iStock

Fri, 12 Jun, 2026 - 02:00

Megan Sheppard

I got a tooth taken out recently and, despite getting an antibiotic, developed an infection, which dragged on for weeks and left me feeling very run down. I’ve almost doubled the amount of fruit and veg I eat. Is there anything else I can do?

You have really had a rough time of it — no wonder you are feeling run down.

One of my favourite remedies to both support the immune system and help restore energy levels is astragalus root (Astragalus membranaceus). It can help support the immune system, lung health, and boost energy levels. This immune-supportive adaptogen has long been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a vital energy tonic.

The Western herbal immune tonic echinacea works well when taken in rotation with astragalus root to support the immune system and offers antibacterial and antiviral properties.

You will need to take 200mg of astragalus root twice daily for a week, then switch to 200mg of echinacea twice daily for a week. Continue cycling the two herbs in this manner until your energy levels improve.

Focusing on fruit and veg is a great place to start when it comes to healing. You might also benefit from some nutrient-dense supplementation in the form of green superfood blends and bee pollen.

Green superfoods such as spirulina, chlorella, wheatgrass, and barley grass may also help, as they contain compounds high in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Bee pollen is a powerhouse, containing all nine essential amino acids. It is also naturally abundant in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making it quite an efficient source of energy.

To rebuild your immune defences, you might also need to supplement with vitamins C and D, along with the mineral zinc. The recommended dosage for zinc is 15mg daily, vitamin C is 2,000-5,000mg daily in increments of 500mg (sodium ascorbate is the most gut-friendly form), and 1,000IU of vitamin D3 each day.

I find my eyes ache whenever I do detailed needlework. I’ve tried a cold compress, which helps. Is there a herbal remedy I could use?

A cold compress is a great place to start. You could also incorporate an eye-palming exercise to help relieve eye strain.

All you need to do is sit at a desk or table, breathe deeply, rest your elbows on the table, and close your eyes. Place your palms over your eyes and cup your eye sockets for a couple of minutes. Ensure that the pressure is gentle — the point is relaxation and stress relief.

Bilberries are recommended by most natural health professionals for sore, dry eyes and to improve vision and focus. They were reputedly eaten by aircraft pilots in the Second World War to improve their night vision.

Bilberry supplements are available from health stores in both capsule and liquid form.

You can also include plenty of berries and leafy greens in your diet to support eye health. DHA (docosahexanoic acid) is another supplement worth considering. This is a fatty acid that has several benefits for retinal and brain function. DHA is present in the retina and is often used to protect against macular degeneration.

In terms of general eye health and maintenance, you can focus on foods that help to nourish the eyes. Lutein and zeaxanthin are two important nutrients found in dark green leafy vegetables and eggs, and have been linked to a much lower risk of a range of eyesight problems due to their role in macular protection.

Lutein cannot be absorbed without fats, so a leafy salad with an oil dressing is the perfect way to make this nutrient more bioavailable.

It may be wise to visit an ophthalmologist to check your intraocular pressure as well.