posted
I spent a few months taking it because my doctor says that they were finding that, in combination with penicillin, it does.
-------------------- Suzanne Shaps STAND UP FOR LYME Texas (www.standupforlyme.org) (Please email all correspondence related to protecting Texas LLMDs to [email protected] with copy to [email protected]) Posts: 977 | From Austin, TX, USA | Registered: May 2004
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Artemisin is used in India as oral and intravenous form to treat Malaria.Since it has antiparasitic properties,it can be used for cystic form of Lyme.
Posts: 13 | From bridgeport,ct | Registered: Apr 2006
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quote:Originally posted by lpkayak: if penecillan and artemisisin kill lyme will amoxcil and art do it too?
i'd really like to see research too
isn't art the same thing as artemisinin?
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96227 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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SForsgren
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7686
posted
Realhope, there is no evidence that Artemisinin works for the cyst form of Lyme. If you have such evidence, please post the studies. Otherwise, I would not make such speculations as people may believe what you suggest and to my knowledge it is untrue.
-------------------- Be well, Scott Posts: 4617 | From San Jose, CA | Registered: Jul 2005
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JimBoB
Unregistered
posted
Artemisinin and Artemisia annua are BOTH used to treat Babesiosis to the best of MY knowledge of them.
They also are used to treat Malaria.
There is SOME indication that Artemisinin and/or the whole herb Artemisia annua DO have SOME value in treating not only Babesia, but also Lyme borrelia and possibly bartonella and ehrlichia as well. Because of it's ability to cross the blood-brain barrier so agressively, etc..
THIS info can be found in Stephen Buhner's book Healing Lyme on pages 181-184.
treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
General Information Malaria is caused by the Plasmodium parasite and it is transmitted to humans by infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. The fact that mosquitoes transmit it is very important to understand. This parasite can be difficult to kill because it changes form and can escape recognition by the human immune system. When an infected mosquito bites a person or animal, it releases saliva containing the parasite, into the blood stream. The Plasmodium falciparum parasite travels rapidly to the liver and attacks it. Once there it replicates and matures inside the liver cells until they burst, releasing the thousands of parasites that have grown inside each cell. These new parasites are `dumped' directly into the blood of the person bitten by the mosquitoes. This `second generation' of parasites infect the red blood cells by entering into them and using each cell as their home. Inside the red blood cells, the parasites undergo another round of replication and cell bursting. It this point, the person starts to develop the symptoms of malaria. While the parasite is confined to the liver - a period that lasts around five-and-a-half days - an infected individual is apparently healthy. Tangible symptoms are not yet present. Natural Alternatives in the Prevention and Treatment of Malaria: ARTEMISIA ANNUA General Information: Artemisia Artemesia annua, (sweet Annie or sweet wormwood) is a bitter herb that is both a prophylactic and for treatment of malaria. Because malaria microbes have begun to develop a resistance to the commercial drugs which have been used to treat malaria for many years, these drugs are becoming less effective, and increasingly often fail to cure the disease. The plant Artemisia annua has been used for many years by the Chinese to treat malaria. This plant is as successful in treating malaria as the conventional drugs, and without having any of the unpleasant side-effects. Prevention. In order to achieve adequate antimalarial plasma concentrations it is advisable to administer two oral doses of 500 mg per day. For those people interested in the details on how Artemisia annua works in the treatment of malaria, here are some scientific data: Artemisinin and its derivatives are potent blood schizontocides. The peroxide bridge in artemisinin and derivatives is essential for the antimalarial activity. Such compounds are thought to cause free-radical damage to parasite membrane systems. Other natural peroxides have demonstrated antimalarial activity, but in all cases were weaker than artemisinin. Oral administration of 50mg/kg artemisinin for 3 days, cleared parasites from the blood of infected mice. Clinical studies in China and Vietnam verified this dose regimen to be optimum. Since chemical derivatives of artemisinin are pharmacokinetically more available in the pure form, most studies now use these, and a broad spectrum of antimalarial activity has been demonstrated. Artemisinin potentiates the toxicity of other antimalarials. Resistance to artemisinin has been created in laboratory experiments, but develops at a slower rate than that for chloroquine. In monkey malaria, a high relapse rate was observed which was reduced by combined treatment of Artemisia with Astragalus and Codonopsis. Use of the whole herb demonstrates better potency than use of the pure chemical. Gelatine capsules of Artemisia annua proved to be 3.5 times more effective than that of artemisinin for clearing parasitaemia in mice. The capsules were better than chloroquine in fever subsidence and removal of malarial symptoms. The recrudescent (re-infestation) rate was still high. Despite the therapeutic benefits of artemisinin in treating malaria, widespread and uncontrolled use could result in side-effects, improper dose schedules and poor compliance. This, in turn, might cause treatment failure, recrudescence and possibly resistance to the drug. Artemisinin is specific for the treatment of acute malaria, and may be unsuccessful for chronic malaria or as an antimalarial prophylactic. Action Against Other Parasites and Organisms: Antischistosomal activity has been demonstrated in mice and rabbits for artemisinin. A potent activity against Clonorchis sinensis was demonstrated in rats. Artemisinin inhibited parasite growth in cultures of Pneumocystis carinii. High concentrations had no effect on feeder layer cells. Artemisinin and derivatives demonstrated activity against Leishmania major, in vitro and in vivo. The compounds were effective by oral administration and injection. The minimum inhibitory concentration of artemisinin was greater than 32 ug/ mL against Gram-positive organisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis) and the following Gram-negative organisms: Klebsiella spp, Enterobacter spp, Shigella dysenteriae, E. coli, Serratia marcescens and Proteus spp. Mechanism of Action: Artemisinin was observed to react with hemin and in the presence of red cell membranes this leads to the oxidation of protein thiols. As malarial parasites are rich in hemin, this may explain artemisinin's selective toxicity for the parasites. The mechanism of action of artemisinin appears to involve two steps. In the first step, activation, intra-parasitic iron catalyses the cleavage of the endoperoxide bridge and the generation of free radicals. In the second step, alkylation, the artemisinin-derived free radical forms covalent bonds with parasite proteins. Immunologic Function: Artemisinin increases phagocytic activity but suppresses lymphocyte Transformation. Low doses may be immunostimulant but high doses are immunosuppressive and depress bone marrow function. Artemisinin and two synthetic derivatives demonstrated marked suppression of humoral responses in normal mice, but did not alter the delayed-type hypersensitivity response to mitogens. A selective immunosuppressive activity was demonstrated, which may be of benefit in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). *Artemisinin and its water soluble derivatives demonstrated immunosuppressive action in vitro and in vivo. *Artemisinin and its derivatives enhanced T lymphocyte-mediated immune responses selectively in normal mice and accelerated immuno-reconstitution of mice with bone marrow transplantation. These compounds may have application for the recovery of immune function. Cytotoxic Activity: Artemisinin demonstrated cytotoxic activity against several tumour cell lines in vitro. Pharmacokinetics: A study revealed dihydroartemisinin to be the major early metabolite of several artemisinin derivatives. An artemisinin derivative, arteether was metabolized by two different isoenzymes of cytochrome P-450 in rat liver microsomes. Animal studies using oral doses of artemisinin indicate it to have rapid absorption, wide distribution, rapid metabolism and excretion, and absence of accumulation. Extensive first-pass metabolism is demonstrated. The half life of artemisinin is extended by its administration as a suppository. In a cross-over trial by oral administration in humans, artemisinin was rapidly but incompletely absorbed. The mean residence time of intramuscularly injected suspension in oil was 3 times that of the oral formulation. The oral formulation requires more frequent administration. Injection and rectal administration of aqueous suspensions indicated a poor and erratic absorption. Artemisinin has poor bioavailability and rapid elimination. In order to achieve adequate antimalarial plasma concentrations it is advisable to administer two oral doses of 500 mg per day. Toxicity Acute: Toxicity of artemisinin and its derivatives are low. In animal tests, artemisinin compounds are considerably less toxic than quinoline antimalarials. Artemisinin is not mutagenic but is teratogenic. However it has been used with pregnant women without adverse effects. Clinical Studies of Malaria: Since the early 1970's artemisinin has showed excellent activity against several forms of malaria, including those resistant to chloroquine. No serious side effects were observed. Early studies indicated a moderately high rate of recrudescent infection. Radical cures came with higher doses. A suppository is a preferred method of administering artemisinin. A randomized trial in Vietnam comprising 450 adults and children with acute falciparum malaria found a single dose of artemisinin in combination with an antimalarial drug was effective in rapidly lowering parasitaemia and in preventing recrudescence. Adults received an oral dose and children received suppositories. Other possible uses for Artemisia annua: We have learnt about the following treatments, but as yet we have little experience of them: A. Haemorrhoids. Boil one teaspoonful (about 1.5g) dried leaves in one litre of water for about 10 minutes. Allow to stand for another ten minutes, sieve, and drink at intervals through the day. B. Eye infections. Boil a clean cloth to kill all germs. Soak this cloth in tea that is prepared as described under paragraph 2.6A above, and bathe the eyes. C. Abscesses. Wash a few leaves and boil them in a little water. Pound them and lay them on the abscess or closed boil. D. AIDS. Artemisia tea (see paragraph 2.4) increases the cellular immunity and decreases humoral immu- nity. Because AIDS patients have a decreased cellular immunity and an increased humoral immunity, to drink artemisia tea regularly may be helpful. E: Bilharzia. Prescription as for malaria. F. As a natural herbicide. Try scattering artemisia leaves on the ground. They may deter the germination of weeds. Products with Artemisia: PAREX� Herbal Formula for Intestinal Support. Parex is a unique herbal blend of Artemisia, grapefruit seed extract, and ficin, an enzyme derived from the fig tree. Parex is designed to provide nutritional support for a healthy intestinal microbial environment. PAREX� INTENSIVE CARE Broad-Based Herbal Formula for Intestinal Support. Parex Intensive Care is a specially formulated blend of selected herbs, herbal extracts, and the enzyme ficin. Pared Intensive Care is designed to provide nutritional support for a healthy intestinal microbial environment and contains a more comprehensive blend of herbs and herbal extracts than regular Pallet. OTHER PARASITES AND INFECTIONS: ``In addition to antimalarial effects, artemesinin was found to have promise in treating the parasitic diseases schistosomiasis and clonorchiasis (common in China and Africa, affecting over 200 million people each year) caused by trematodes (blood flukes). Artemether is now being used for prophylaxis against schistosomiasis; in combination therapy with praziquantel it is used to treat the disease (22). Ching-hao is included in effective treatments for leptospirosis [SPIROCHETE], a bacterial disease that usually infects humans from animal waste contaminating water supplies.'' DOSAGES: There seem to be 2 philosophies of treatment: one, high dose-short term, the other low dose-long term and also in combo with other herbs and western drugs. http://www.itmonline.org/arts/chinghao.htm ``Adult dosing at 500 mg/day (first day: 500 mg is given twice for a loading dose) for 5-7 days was tried (15). Parasite clearance usually occurred in the first two days. However, the disease returned with high frequency. In early Chinese clinical studies of artemesinin for malaria, the dosage given was 800-1,600 mg/day for three days, so the dose used in this study was probably too low to assure full clearance of the parasites. It has been suggested that high dose artemesinin (20 mg/kg body weight; typically more than 1 gram per day) for 2 days be followed up with quinine (30 mg/kg body weight) for 3 days to lower the recurrence rate, which appeared successful in one study (17). In another evaluation, artesunate was administered in cases of uncom plicated malaria using a dosage range from 400-800 mg by oral administration of tablets (14). As little as 400 mg in three days was sufficient to clear parasites and remove symptoms; parasite clearance took place in the first 16 hours. However, 39% of cases treated that way had recurrence within one month; at the highest dosage of 800 mg for 7 days, the recurrence rate was dropped by a factor of 10 to 3.9%. Therefore, high dose treatments, as well as a sufficient course of therapy, may be essential to avoiding recurrence as well as avoiding development of resistant strains (33). By combining artesunate with mefloquine, the recurrence rate can decline to 2% (18), though this level of effect has been claimed for high dose artesunate alone (31). Artesunate is available in injection form and in suppository for rectal administration in patients with advanced disease. One of the proposed uses of it is for treatment of severely debilitated patients in remote areas as an initial therapy before they can be treated by the modern drugs.
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
I especially liked the part where the Artemisia annua is BETTER than Artemisinin. It reinforces my thoughts as to part of the reason WHY I switched over from Artemisinin to Artemisia annua a few months ago.
I have used the Artemisia annua in both 1200mg a day for two weeks, and 600mg a day for about three weeks. They both make me herx some at the last few days.
Though it is also indicated to help minimize herxes from Lyme D. treatment.
I take a couple of WEEKS off in using it though.
Also, NOW I have cut back my usage of herbs for Lyme, to about half of what I was at for 4 months.
daystar1952
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3255
posted
I'm very interested in what form of the artemesia annua you are taking. I am taking artemesinin and it works but after a week or so it seems like it kills my stomach. I planted 3 sweet Annie plants this year and am hoping they will seed themselves for next year.
I have also bought some of the other herbs in Buhner's protocol in bulk, got a nifty 12 dollar capsule filling machine and have fun filling the capsules with all the herbs Buhner recommends. Is sweet Annie or artemesia annua normally just used in a tincture or can one buy it in powdered form for capsule filling?
Also I wonder if anyone knows how to dry, preserve artemesia and what would be the best way we could prepare it at home for medicinal use.
It's all so interesting. I've heard that Japanese Knotweed is also an invasive plant over here. Maybe we can learn how to use all the parts for food, flutes and medicine for lyme and coinfections...instead of using poisons to try and erradicate it. Buhner says that invasive plants tend to grow where the invasive diseases are and many times the invasive plants are meant to use for the invasive diseases
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