Topic: Cryptolepis question - has ethyl alcohol in it and taste vile
WPinVA
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33581
posted
I just started Cryptolepis (for babs) and this stuff tastes VILE.
Does anyone have any advice on how to make it more palatable? Right now I'm diluting it with a little water and downing it as quickly as possible, then follow with a quick chaser of chocolate soy milk to get rid of the taste. But I'm not sure this will work when I work up to my full dose.
I also noticed that it has ethyl alcohol in it! Seems very odd. Is that ok for Lymies? Is there another source that doesn't use alcohol or is it all the same?
I ordered it from Woodland Essence - is it any different someplace else?
Posts: 1737 | From Virginia | Registered: Aug 2011
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Woodland Essence is excellent. Other sources in the thread in the next post.
Yeah, it's a rough taste but not nearly as rough as lyme.
So, I just do it and remind myself it's medicine, not a milk shake. I want it as clean as possible.
I would NOT follow with chocolate soy milk (I would not drink chocolate soy milk, at all, actually as it's loaded with sugar - unless you make your own with stevia).
The soy milk could totally negate the medicinal effect, IMO. It's best just by itself or with a very simple tea and maybe a drop of stevia - though that should be confirmed as okay before proceeding.
The bitterness may be important for it to work. If the properties are shifted, that can affect the effectiveness. An herbalist is best to guide with this.
Call Woodland Essence as they will help you with this.
The alcohol is required to preserve the herb in that form. Otherwise, it would be rotten in no time at all.
Put in 1/2 to a cup of water in a deep mug or bowl and swirl to help dissipate some of the alcohol.
IF from root, you can add hot water from a kettle (not directly from hot water faucet and do not use microwave) . . .
IF from aerial parts (above ground) do not use hot water but only mildly warm. Hot water can destroy the properties of the herb parts from above ground.
I forget, so not for sure, but think Cryplepis is from a root. Check to confirm, that.
Generally, go for powdered herbal extracts instead of alcohol tinctures where possible. But not all herbs are effective as a powder.
Cryolepis s. is one that is required in tincture form. It comes no other way.
Tinctures are far stronger than the raw herb would be and very well absorbed. Many of the the herbs have some degree of liver support to them (or you would be taking other liver support, too) and as long as no other recreational alcohol is consumed, this should be fine.
Some herbal tinctures are available with a non-alcohol glycerine but not all can work that way.
Cryptolepis s. comes just as an alcohol tincture.
Be certain it is Cryptolepis sanguinolenta. That second word really matters as there is another relative to that as a capsule but not the same thing at all. -
[ 07-09-2012, 04:26 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
I just ordered this too and have the same issue with the taste and alcohol content. It tastes like a shot of rubbing alcohol to me. I have a really hard time with any form of alcohol, but I know this is a tiny amount, but still so strong.
I am supposed t otake 3 tsp. per day. Is that your dosage? right after I take it, I feel really flushed.
I was thinking about adding it to concord grape juice?? Or cranberry juice. I may call to see if it's okay to add to juice. Not that it would make a huge difference I'm sure, but it might help a little.
Posts: 618 | From NC | Registered: Oct 2009
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posted
My Dr. also told me to leave it out for 30 minutes and the alcohol will evaporate, but I do and it still tastes like alcohol! I don't think that works.
Posts: 618 | From NC | Registered: Oct 2009
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
Try mixing the dose with a whole cup 8oz of water. You'll eventually get used to the bitter, earthy taste. Dilute it more if it is still too strong to start with.
Take your meds with that cryptolepis water. My LLMD said that it was fine to take it with antibiotics. I didn't like drinking it alone. It also helped me to remember to take the cryptolepis when I took it with the antibiotics.
I tried mixing the cryptolepis with other drinks but it tasted worse. It was best diluted in water. Keep adding water until you can tolerate it.
Good luck. This is actually a helpful herb that I would highly recommend. Stick with it if you can. I don't notice improvements with most herbal products but I did with this one.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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WPinVA
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33581
posted
Thank you so much to everyone who replied! These are such great ideas, and hearing that it has helped others will help me press on. I tried it diluted in about 1/2 a glass of water with lemon in it and it tasted much better. Any idea if lemon is ok?
Keebler, you never cease to amaze me with the depth of your knowledge and your unceasing generosity in helping all of us poor souls on here. I think you should write a book on this. I'm serious!
Posts: 1737 | From Virginia | Registered: Aug 2011
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- What I share is just what others have written or told me.
As for if lemon is okay - or whatever else may be in with the water for the herbal tincture, it's best to contact them directly (&/or search out what Buhner might have to say about it - his link is in the set above, too).
Also from that link above - Infuserve America's tincture: They make this a bit differently by adding some ESSENTIAL OIL OF PEPPERMINT to improve the taste. No artificial flavors, though, he assures.
You might ask Woodland Essence about that - or using peppermint tea.
Do NOT use any essential oil that has not been specifically formulated for oral use. Ever.
posted
What about the no alcohol while on flagyl rule? Most of my tinctures technically have alcohol...?
-------------------- Treating lyme, bart and babs Posts: 506 | From NE | Registered: Dec 2011
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canefan17
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posted
The alcohol content from tincture drops is roughly the equivalent of the alcohol in a banana.
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Larae,
Talk to your LLMD about this.
The natural sugar alcohol in a banana is not the same kind of alcohol that is in a tincture. That in tinctures is much stronger, indeed.
Still, it's a small amount and when put in a cup of water, most are okay in small amounts. And, if from roots and can be put in hot water, that is even better with more alcohol able to steam off.
But, with taking 3 tsp. a day, or more if others, that can add up.
I know of one LLMD who does not want his patients taking ANY alcohol tinctures at all as he says it's just too hard on the liver with the kind of alcohol used and the higher amounts, too.
Still, other LLMDs work with this especially for very special tinctures such as Cryptolepis -- and it can depend upon the individual.
Timing - and food intake - can also make a difference. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
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posted
- manybites
Does your child take Cryptolepis? I did not know that there is a non-alcohol option with that (as there is with some other herbal tinctures but not all).
If so, where do you get that? Could you please post that link? -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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nonna05
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33557
posted
so many smart people.
I'm a baby with this, .
He wants me up to 60 drops , I put it in just a ounce ,if that, of water .. Wait a few ,so alcohol kinda lets up and swig,,
The smaller the better...
Keebler,timing and food intake matter?/ Seperate by 15-20 minutes??
At this point I'd eat fried Okra if it would help
Take it with other drops or alone.... ?
How is it working for you??
Posts: 2563 | From Denver,CO | Registered: Aug 2011
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Dekrator48
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18239
posted
You could try drinking it with a straw placed as far back as possible in your mouth so that less of the cryptolepsis lands on your tongue's taste buds.
-------------------- The fibromyalgia I've had for 32 years was an undiagnosed Lyme symptom.
"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future". -Jeremiah 29:11 Posts: 6076 | From Pennsylvania, USA | Registered: Nov 2008
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WPinVA
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33581
posted
I finally got through today to Woodland Essence. The woman I spoke with (sorry didn't get her name) said that it is fine to mix it with lemon water or anything else to help it go down more easily. She actually said she recommended mixing it to help with the taste. I asked again if there was anything you can't mix it with and she said no.
Then I asked whether it could be taken with vitamins or antibiotics. I didn't get an entirely satisfactory answer. First she said to take it an hour away from antibiotics, but it is ok to take with vitamins.
Then I asked about Deplin (folate) and she didn't know, and then she said to be safe, to take it apart from everything. I explained that that usually isn't possible for Lyme patients who take SO much stuff and she said there just isn't scientific research on this stuff.
She then suggested taking it with food but I take my antibiotics with food. So... I'll have to give this some thought but I will probably take it with my vitamins.
Posts: 1737 | From Virginia | Registered: Aug 2011
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posted
I tried mixing it with a little ovaltine in my almond milk, and it made it tast nutty. Wasnt bad...but reading some of these posts im not sure that was the right thing to do.
-------------------- Psalm 119:50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. Posts: 292 | From Heaven | Registered: Jan 2011
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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posted
- I would never want to take any chance at voiding the effects.
Really, in a half cup (or cup) of water, and allowed to set in the mouth some for absorption there, too - is the way to achieve the best effect, IMO.
This does not taste nearly as bad as having babesia feels. It could taste much worse and I'd still want to take it plain to be sure it has the best possible effect.
And, I would not take it with vitamins or near food. It needs to be able to work and vitamins should be taken in the middle of a meal.
After letting some of the last bit sit in my mouth for a minute or two - swallow and then wait a few more minutes & chase with a bit of nice warm water or neutral herb tea.
I would not eat for at least 30 minutes, maybe an hour. I think this needs a relatively empty stomach.
Of course, for young children, practicality rules and this being put into a watery food or delicious mint tea might be the best way they will take it.
In cooked zuchinni, in a cucumber drink, etc. No added sugar applesauce if candida is not a problem. -
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