LYME RECOVERY

CAUTION; THIS IS A STRONG FORMULA WITH POWERFUL HERBS IN IT. DO NOT USE DURING PREGNANCY OR IF YOU ARE NURSING A BABY. DO NOT USE IF YOU ARE TAKING BLOOD THINNING MEDICATIONS.

BEGIN USING AT A LOW DOSAGE AND SLOWLY INCREASE THE AMOUNT YOU ARE TAKING.

Much of the information I used for the rational of this formula's herbal ingredients comes from the book Healing Lyme (this book can be ordered from the store). Stephen Buhner gives an excellent write-up for three of the herbs used and includes a good bibliography.

No it is not TOA free and shouldn't be.  The research on the TOA free Uncaria is flawed.  The following is only some of the proof to back-up my statement.

•            "The fact is, there are only two studies reporting that TOAs lower immune response or lower the POAs' beneficial effect on the immune system. This research was funded by or performed by the only company selling a TOA-free cat's claw product--and these studies have not been confirmed independently. In one of these studies, to get these results, major modification of the alkaloids tested was performed. The end products tested in no way represented how the alkaloids appear in the natural bark or root--and in what ratios. These were manipulated test-tube studies (in vitro) and were not confirmed in animals or humans. The only human testing in this journal article and study reported that they gave their POA extract (TOA-free) to 13 HIV-positive patients, and at the end of 5 months six out of the 13 patients actually had a decrease in leukocytes (one of the immune cells that the extract is supposed to increase)! There was only a modest increase in lymphocytes and "no significant changes of T4/T8 cell ratios were observed.” Leslie Taylor, ND   Raintree Nutritional

Read Stephen Buhner's take on the subject in his book Healing Lyme.  He goes into some detail to clear up this controversy.  I quote one of his statements "The herb itself (Cat's claw) without any fiddling around, will work exceptionally well, especially for Lyme disease." 

Lyme recovery has worked for people with LD and the indigenous people of the Amazon used it directly from the vine for centuries for all kinds of infections with the TOAs in the plant.

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HERBS IN THE FORMULA

Uncaria has the ability to improve immune function, relieve some of the neurological symptoms associated with Lyme disease, positively affect joint and muscle pain and improve mental function. If you have experienced any of the potentially debilitating and scary mental liability of Lyme disease like: "Who are these people living in this house with me or am I just in the wrong house; man I wish I had those other kind of shoes so I wouldn't have to figure out what to do with these strings; I should know this street, should I be driving????", you will appreciate any help with cognitive function Enhance Glutathione also). Because of its traditional use for epilepsy and convulsions I must assume it relieves the affects of "wind" resulting from a possible liver yin deficiency.

Another bonus of this herb is its ability to increase the CD57 lymphocyte count (see Borrelia facts).

Andrographis has a direct killing affect on Bb as well as offering cardiac muscle protection, enhancing the immune system, and is anti-inflammatory. Studies show extracts have the ability to enhance DNA repair. Due to its ability to treat rashes and other skin disorders, by aiding in the reduction of heat and elimination of toxins the body is choosing to 'throw' to the skin, it can be very useful early on in an infection of Bb; specifically when one has a Lyme rash or 'bulls-eye'. Many late-stage Lyme patients I have seen have Lyme related rashes making this herb useful in their treatment. Rarely, people may get a skin reaction from taking this herb. If you do, stop until the rash clears and slowly begin again. Getting a rash may indicate the need to do more de-toxing, i.e. saunas.

Dipsacus seems to kill the Bb spirochete, as people often need to gradually increase the dosage of this herb to avoid Herxheimer reactions. I spoke with Dr. Josh Berry N.D. who reports good results in his Lyme patients using this herb as a single agent in a liquid preparation. He follows the work of Matthew Wood who, it seems, began using Dipsacus in the U.S. for Lyme disease. As Stephen Buhner states " outcomes, however have been mixed." I have added this herb for its ability to tonify the liver and kidneys as well as improve the movement of energy in the lower body. In this last regard, it helps improve the symptoms one may experience in the legs and low back due to the ability of Dipsacus to strengthen bones and tendons and invigorate the blood. If it helps kill Bb in your body, BONUS!!

Polygonum; although this plant is not a good one to have growing out of its native habitat, as it can be quite invasive, we are lucky to have it. Resveratrol, a major chemical constituent of Polygonum, has been the focus of recent articles in mainstream periodicals. This chemical, undoubtedly enhanced by the synergistic affect of other substances in the plant, has the ability to decrease the populations of pathogenic organisms including spirochetes, fungi and bacteria. The recent articles tout its antioxidative and longevity enhancing properties and the potential decreased tendency to develop neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. Other properties of this plant include its ability to decrease inflammation, regulate the immune system and move blood by relieving stagnation. The source I use provides 20% resveratrol, which is a highly concentrated product.

References;

• Healing Lyme Stephen Harrod Buhner
• Akeeson, C. et al. C-Med-100 a hot water extract of Uncaria tomentosa prolongs lymphocyte survival in vivo, Phytomedicine 2003; 10 (1): 23-33
• Wurm M, Kacani L, Laus G, Pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids from Uncaria tomentosa induce human endothelial cells to release a lymphocyte-proliferation-regulating factor, Planta Med. 1998 Dec; 64(8): 701-4.
• Miller M. et al. Dietary antioxidants protect gut epithelial cells from oxidant- induced apoptosis, BMC Complement Altern Med 2001; 1 (1): 11.
• Duke, James; Chemicals and Their Biological Activities in Andrographis paniculata NEES www.ars.grin.gov/cgi-bin/duke.
• MADAV S.; TANDAN S.K. Anti-inflammatory activity of andrographolides; Division of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Indian veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar INDE
• Sheng Y., Li L., Holgren K. Pero R.W., DNA repair enhancement of aqueous extracts of Uncaria tomentosa in a human volunteer study, Phytomedicine, V. 8, (4) 1: Aug. 2001, pp. 275-282(8)
  
• Philippe Marambaudl, Haitian Zhao, and Peter Davies, Resveratrol Promotes Clearance of Alzheimer's Disease Amyloid-B Peptides, J. Biol. Chem., Vol.280 Issue 45, 37377-37382, Nov. 11, 20
• Holmes, Peter, The Traditional Chinese Medicine Materia Medica Clinical Reference and Study Guide pg. 302-303

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