I have a question for you ..... has anyone here relapsed after going off of the birth control pill? I had been on and off (mostly on) for over 18 years and recently my lyme doctor told me that my immune system would probably kick in and work better if I was off of it.. so over the last 4 months I got progressively worse... he tested my hormonal levels and estrogen/progesterone were very very low - which could be causing some of my fatigue.. but I am getting chest/heart pains again (which I can't deal with).. have been to the cardiologist again and they dont' see anything..emergency room visits, etc. I just want to bounce back to feeling better... any ideas, anyone? Thanks! By the way I am 42 years old and my doc said I could be peri menapausal...
Posted by millymollymandy (Member # 7703) on :
Hello Stephanie, I am sure that being on the pill for 20 years masked a lot of my symptoms. My symptoms really got a lot worse when I stopped taking it about five years ago.
I am nearly forty and my hormone levels, according to my doc, 'are that of a woman well past the menopause'or they were at the point in the month when the test was done!
It is very hard to test hormone levels properly as they fluctuate so dramatically throughout the month.
I found that taking Black Cohosh helped me, also plenty of B vits, magnesium and zinc. It is recommended that one doesn't take black cohosh for more than a few months so I stopped and I'm sure that some of my symptoms are returning -
I've almost thought of going back on the pill just to give myself a break for a couple of months. You get to the stage where you just think, well, even if something caused the problems in the first place, anything is better than this!
Oh, and if you do try black cohosh, I have found that only one particular brand worked for me - it's the Kordel's black cohosh complex with isoflavones.....good luck!
Posted by FaithHope (Member # 1487) on :
Thanks for your reply Milly Molly! Sounds like you are experiencing some of the same things that I am.. I have so much going on right now.. and also have two small children which makes it hard also (5 & 8)... I am just so fatigued.. did you get that way? I am in the process of trying some natural detoxing nosodes to see if they help. I think part of the problem is I am overloaded with toxins from being on meds so long... I actually am still on maintenance antibiotics (low doses).. sometimes it feels as if I will never be well again! Well the best to you.. wish there was some way I could help you! Maybe we can help each other... keep in touch! Have a Happy New Year!
Posted by lesley1954 (Member # 7626) on :
My LLMD just put me on the pill -- Seasonale, the 3 month one. I am 51 and still having regular periods. However, I have terrible insomnia, which is definitely worse the week or two before my period and then subsides a little after it starts.
To deal with sleep issues, my LLMD recommended removing my fluctuating hormones as an issue by going on the pill. I was very reluctant to go on the pill (it's been at least 15 years since I was last on it), but I am desperate to address my insomnia and the usual stuff hasn't been helping.
It's been a week now and I am sleeping better. Today is the first day I haven't had horrible nausea so I may stick it out.
I'd be interested in others thoughts/experiences with oral contraceptives and Lyme.
I've been dx with Lyme, Babesia, Bartonella, and Erlichia. Just started treatment about 6 weeks ago. I'm taking Ketek and Mepron. I've had it a long time and have primarily neuro symptoms.
Posted by millymollymandy (Member # 7703) on :
Hi, Interesting to hear about an LLMD suggesting the pill. I'm just going through my ovulation phase which last about ten days and I feel absolutely wiped out and have terrible stomach pains again. All my Lyme symptoms are MUCH worse at this time of the month. Terrible sleeping, restless legs, pains everywhere!
I am still on antibiotics but they don't seem to have helped with the hormonal stuff - my LLMD said that once the Borrelia was sorted that the hormonal imbalances would correct themselves, but so far they haven't.
I know that Borrelia interacts with Oestrogen - I think! Can anyone expand on how this happens if at all? I might post a new thread for this question....
Posted by lesley1954 (Member # 7626) on :
I don't know if there is any interaction between Borrelia and Oestrogen so I'm no help there. My LLMD did say the abx I am taking will diminish effectiveness of the pill so I should not use it for contraception.
Posted by millymollymandy (Member # 7703) on :
Someone says that Dr B says that Lyme patients should avoid taking the pill and another one says that Estrogen can make Lyme flare....
Posted by Mo (Member # 2863) on :
Sarsparilla root has helped me tremendously in the area of reproductive system/hormones.. it's used by some herbalists in other countries to effectively treat endometriosis and lots of other things noted below. It's a great detoxifier and good for Lyme, as it has traditionally been used for ages by many cultures for syphillus, as a blood purifier, against heavy metals and other toxins.. AND as a regulator of hormones.
My whole hormonal balance has been rectified - as far as all symptoms pre and post, as well as cycles - go. My period surprises me now if I am not watching the calender, PMS is greatly reduced to not much more than some bloating.. menses lasts three or four days.. and ovulation is also fine. I am not on the pill. Things were way our of wack for me before.
I take the tea, made from the root, get a good source..with herbs, tea is almost always more effective/potent than the dry herb or capsules.
This is my experience with using this over a long course of time. I guess almost two years, pulsing use. (three months on, then I take three weeks off) The theraputic effects seem to be long and slow, but steady and gains hold strong. I also take virgin coconut oil for support.
Decoction: 1/2 to 1 cup 2-3 times daily Capsules: 1-2 g twice daily Tincture: 2-3 ml twice daily
Sarsaparilla is a brambled, woody vine that grows up to 50 m long, with paired tendrils for climbing (often high into the rainforest canopy). It produces small flowers and black, blue, or red berry-like fruits which are eaten greedily by birds. Smilax, a member of the lily family, is native to tropical and temperate parts of the world and comprises about 350 species worldwide. It is native to South America, Jamaica, the Caribbean, Mexico, Honduras, and the West Indies. The name sarsaparilla or zarzaparilla comes from the Spanish word zarza (bramble or bush), parra (vine), and illa (small)--a small, brambled vine.
The stems of many Smilax species are covered with prickles and, sometimes, these vines are cultivated to form impenetrable thickets (which are called catbriers or greenbriers). The root, used for medicinal purposes, is long and tuberous--spreading 6-8 feet--and is odorless and fairly tasteless. Many species of Smilax around the world share the name sarsaparilla; these are very similar in appearance, uses, and even chemical structure. These include S. officinalis, S. japicanga, and S. febrifuga from South America (Brazil, Ecuador and Colombia); S. regelii, S. aristolochiaefolia, and S. ornata from Mexico and Latin America; and S. glabra from China. Sarsaparilla vine should not be confused with the large sasparilla and sassafras trees (the root and bark of which were once used to flavor root beer). Sarsaparilla has been used as an ingredient in root beer and other beverages for its foaming properties--not for its flavoring properties.
TRIBAL AND HERBAL MEDICINE USES
Sarsaparilla root has been used for centuries by the indigenous peoples of Central and South America for sexual impotence, rheumatism, skin ailments, and as a general tonic for physical weakness. It has long been used by tribes in Peru and Honduras for headaches and joint pain, and against the common cold. Many shamans and medicine men in the Amazon use sarsaparilla root internally and externally for leprosy and other skin problems (such as psoriasis and dermatitis.) Leprosy can be common in areas where the disease is carried by armadillos (and in the Amazon, armadillos are "on the menu" in indigenous diets). Sarsaparilla root also was used as a general tonic by indigenous tribes in South America, where New World traders found it and introduced it into European medicine in the 1400s.
European physicians considered sarsaparilla root a tonic, blood purifier, diuretic, and sweat promoter. A Smilax root from Mexico was introduced into European medicine in 1536, where it developed a strong following as a cure for syphilis and rheumatism. Since this time, Smilax roots have had a long history of use for syphilis and other sexually-transmitted diseases throughout the world. With its reputation as a blood purifier, it was registered as an official herb in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia as a syphilis treatment from 1820 to 1910. From the 1500s to the present, sarsaparilla has been used as a blood purifier and general tonic and also has been used worldwide for gout, syphilis, gonorrhea, rheumatism, wounds, arthritis, fever, cough, scrofula, hypertension, digestive disorders, psoriasis, skin diseases, and cancer.
PLANT CHEMICALS
Sarsaparilla contains the plant steroids sarsasapogenin, smilagenin, sitosterol, stigmasterol, and pollinastanol; and the saponins sarsasaponin, smilasaponin, sarsaparilloside, and sitosterol glucoside, among others. The majority of sarsaparilla's pharmacological properties and actions have been attributed to these steroids and saponins. The saponins have been reported to facilitate the body's absorption of other drugs and phytochemicals, which accounts for its history of use in herbal formulas as an agent for bioavailability and to enhancement the power and effect of other herbs.
Saponins and plant steroids found in many species of plants (including sarsaparilla) can be synthesized into human steroids such as estrogen and testosterone. This synthesis has never been documented to occur in the human body - only in the laboratory. Yet plant steroids and their actions in the human body have been a subject of much interest, sketchy research and, unfortunately, disinformation - mainly for marketing purposes. Sarsaparilla has been marketed (fraudulently) to contain testosterone and/or other anabolic steroids. While it is a rich source of natural plant steroids and saponins, it never has been proven to have any anabolic effects, nor has testosterone been found in sarsaparilla or any other plant source thus far.
Flavonoids in sarsaparilla have been documented to have immune modulation and liver protective activities. A U.S. patent was awarded in 2003 describing these flavonoids to be effective in treating autoimmune diseases and inflammatory reactions through their immunomodulating effects. Sarsasapogenin and smilagenin were subjects of a 2001 U.S. patent which reported that these Smilax steroids had the ability to treat senile dementia, cognitive dysfunction, and Alzheimer's disease. In the patent's animal studies references, smilagenin reversed the decline of brain receptors in aged mice and restored the receptor levels to those observed in young animals, reversed the decline in cognitive function, and enhanced memory and learning. These studies, however, have not been published in any peer-reviewed journals - only in the context of the patent, thus far.
Clinical research has validated the traditional use of sarsaparilla for skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, acne, and leprosy. In 1942, it was reported in the New England Journal of Medicine to improve the condition of psoriasis dramatically. There the results of a clinical study with 92 patients was detailed which reported that it improved psoriasis lesions in 62% of cases and completely cleared lesions in 18% of cases. One of the possible mechanisms of action in psoriasis is sarsaparilla's blood cleansing properties. Individuals with psoriasis have been found to have high levels of endotoxins circulating in the bloodstream (endotoxins are cell wall fragments of normal gut bacteria). Sarsaponin, one of sarsaparilla's main steriods, was found to bind to these endotoxins and remove them, thus improving psoriasis.
This endotoxin-binding action is probably why the root has been used for centuries as a "blood purifier." Other health conditions associated with high endotoxin levels include eczema, arthritis, and ulcerative colitis. Sarsaparilla's effective use in the treatment of leprosy has been documented in a 1959 human trial. The effectiveness of sarsaparilla in the treatment of adolescent acne caused by excessive androgens has received some experimental support as well.
A 2001 U.S. patent was filed on sarsaparilla (Smilax china) for psoriasis and respiratory diseases. This patent cited clinical observations and studies with children and human adults with Psoriasis vulgaris, pustular psoriasis, erythroderma psoriaticum lesions, and associated itching-reporting marked clinical improvements with dosages of 3-6 g daily. It also reported that, upon discontinuation of sarsaparilla after only two months of treatment, there was further gradual remission of lesions and no side effects. In addition, this patent indicated sarsaparilla was shown to be a preventative and therapeutic agent for respiratory and allergic diseases such as acute bronchitis, bronchial asthma, asthmatic bronchitis, and chronic bronchitis. Again, these studies and observations reported in the patent have yet to be published in any peer-reviewed journals.
Sarsaparilla has long been used in the treatment of syphilis. Clinical observations in China demonstrated that sarsaparilla was effective (according to blood tests) in about 90% of acute and 50% of chronic cases. In the 1950s the antibiotic properties of sarsaparilla were documented; other studies documented its antifungal and antimycobacterial activities. Its anti-inflammatory activity has been demonstrated in several in vitro and in vivo studies, using different laboratory-induced models of arthritis and inflammation. One of these studies attributes the beneficial effect for arthritis to sarsaparilla's immune modulatory action. Sarsaparilla also has demonstrated liver protective effects in rats, with researchers concluding that it is able to prevent immune-mediated liver injury. Improvement of appetite and digestion has been noted with sarsaparilla, as well as its diuretic actions in humans. The root has been reported to have stimulatory activity on the kidneys in humans and, in chronic nephritis, it was shown to increase the urinary excretion of uric acid.
CURRENT PRACTICAL USES
Sarsaparilla is becoming more widely available in health food stores, with a variety of tablets, capsules, and tincture products sold today. Most of the sarsaparilla root in herbal commerce today comes from cultivation projects in Mexico and Latin America as well as China. In naturopathic and herbal medicine, it is used mostly in combination with other herbs for its tonic, detoxifying, blood purifying, and lymph-cleansing properties. In retail stores and products, it can be found as an ingredient in various herbal remedies made for skin disorders, libido enhancement, hormone balancing, and sports nutrition formulas. It's also commonly used in herbal preparations as a synergist or bioavailability aid - as it is thought that the saponins in sarsaparilla root increase the absorption of other chemicals in the gut. No known toxicity or side-effects have been documented for sarsaparilla; however, ingestion of large dosages of saponins may cause gastrointestinal irritation.
[ 06. January 2006, 01:10 PM: Message edited by: Mo ]
Posted by Mo (Member # 2863) on :
SARSAPARILLA PLANT SUMMARY
Main Preparation Method: capsules or decoction Main Actions (in order): blood cleanser, immunomodulator (selectively reduces overactive immune cells), antimutagenic (cellular protector), detoxifier, tonic (tones, balances, strengthens overall body functions)
Main Uses:
for psoriasis, dermatitis, leprosy, and other skin disorders as a blood purifier and general detoxification aid as a general tonic (tones, balances, strengthens), stimulant, and hormonal regulator for arthritis, rheumatism and autoimmune disorders which cause inflammation for syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases
Cautions: Excessive dosages can cause gastrointestinal irritation.
Traditional Preparation: One-half to 1 cup of a standard root decoction 2-3 times daily. Alternatively, 1-2 grams of root powder in tablets or capsules twice daily or 2-3 ml of a standard tincture or fluid extract may be taken twice daily.
Contraindications: Large doses may cause gastrointestinal upset.
Drug Interactions: Sarsaparilla may increase the absorption of some drugs and compounds. Some report that it can increase the absorption of Digitalis glycosides while accelerating the elimination of hypnotic drugs.
WORLDWIDE ETHNOMEDICAL USES
Argentina for rheumatism, and to increase perspiration and libido
Brazil for acne, anorexia, arthritis, blood purification, digestive disorders, eczema, fever, gallstones, gout, hives, kidney problems, kidney stones, impotence, leprosy, muscle weakness, psoriasis, rheumatism, skin disorders, sterility, syphilis, ulcers, urinary insufficiency, venereal diseases, and as an aphrodisiac, laxative, and to increase perspiration
China for abscesses, arthritis, boils, cystitis, diarrhea, digestive disorders, dysentery, enteritis, fever, malaria, mercury poisoning, rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, skin problems, sores, syphilis, urinary insufficiency, and as an aphrodisiac and tonic
England for abscesses, anorexia, antiseptic, blood cleansing, cancer, dysentery, eczema, fatigue, gout, immune enhancement, impotence, infections, inflammation, itching, leprosy, mercury poisoning, muscle weakness, PMS, psoriasis, rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, skin problems, syphilis, tonic, venereal diseases and as an aphrodisiac, antiseptic, diuretic, and to increase perspiration Europe or arthritis, inflammation, kidney problems, psoriasis, rheumatism, skin problems, sweat promotion, urinary disorders, urinary insufficiency, venereal diseases
Latin America for aches, acne, arthritis, colds, digestive disorders, fever, gout, impotence, pain, psoriasis, rheumatism, skin problems, sweat promotion, syphilis, venereal disease, weakness, and as an aphrodisiac and tonic Mexico for arthritis, blood purification, burns, cancer, digestive disorders, dyspepsia, eczema, fever, gonorrhea, inflammation, leprosy, nephritis, rash, rheumatism, scrofula, skin problems, syphilis, venereal disease, and to increase perspiration and urination
The above text has been printed from The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs by Leslie Taylor
Posted by millymollymandy (Member # 7703) on :
Wow, thanks for that Mo! I shall definately be going out to find some tomorrow!
Posted by FaithHope (Member # 1487) on :
Thanks everyone for your replies! I am going to print this post so that I can keep it for future reference..... Hi Mo! Haven't heard from you in a LONG time! Hope all is well with you! Posted by millymollymandy (Member # 7703) on :
Hi, message for Mo if you're out there! I managed to get some Sarsasparilla dried herb tea today, but it does have few other things in it too- dandelion etc. Where do you get your tea from, do you have a name of a suplier?
I have a Chinese herbalist shop not too far away so I might try them....
Take care! MiMoMa
Posted by Mo (Member # 2863) on :
MiMoMa -
Your Chinese herbalist might have access to the 'China Root' species.. and there is also allot writen about the use of Smilax officionales.
(I'm piecing back together a reply I composed yesterday, and my electric went off in the middle of it, I'm just getting back to this thread again..)
I should share these points worth emphasising in considering Sarsaparilla:
*The quality of the drug is very important, if one is to expect clinical activity. When the drug is old, much activity has been probably lost. Uneven quality may be one reason for the swings of popularity the drug has experienced over hundreds of years.
*Sarsaparilla was not considered by early practitioners to be fast-acting. Many practitioners who have written about its action have stated that its use must be persisted in. Quality, processing, and long term use are all critical to this therapy.
I think (generally speaking) many herbal remedies are mistakenly regarded as 'useless' because results are expected to be quick, or the herb is taken sporadically, the quality is poor..or healing crisis regarded as adverse reactions.. you have to read allot about them and know your body.
I use tea made by maceration, or the most heat I use is infusion..when using powder processed from the root.
(again, a good Chinese herbalist will know the best sources and processing needs.. usually roots/bark are made into decoctions to administer, however Sarsaparilla has compounds that are sensitive to heat.
That's why, if working with root powder - the most readily available form - you would do maceration or perhaps infusion .. maceration is simply letting it sit in distilled water in a covered pot overnight or even longer before straining.. infusion is letting the water come just to a boil, then taking it off heat and adding the herb and letting that steep for 5-15 minutes -- perhaps if you were working with the fresh cut root, you would do a decoction...I'm not positive on that, and getting the fresh root might be tough)
RainTree is a good source for high quality, well processed herbs:
making your own is next best to having an herbalist doing it for you, and if you have a good source for the base herb, you save allot of money.. but then you need to read as much as you can about what you are using.
The author above (Lesley Taylor) and her book referenced is a good Guide in general herb use, so is John Cristopher's book: The School of Natural Healing. (that's a general Herbalist and health guide)
(I wouldn't use Sarsaparilla in a tincture form, the alchohol will damage the delicate saponins.. low or no heat tea is best from what I have read..and using powder or capsules would also proove futile IMO)
[ 07. January 2006, 10:16 PM: Message edited by: Mo ]
Posted by millymollymandy (Member # 7703) on :
Thanks Mo, you have answered a lot of questions that I have been thinking about. Looking through various info about Sarsasperilla, there seem to be quite a lot of different kinds, does it matter which species one uses?
The chinese herbalist that I went to ask had never heard of it, so I'm assuming he isn't very good!
I'm off to have a look at the Rain Tree website... and thanks again for all the info, it's very much appreciated!!!
Posted by millymollymandy (Member # 7703) on :
Just found the UK version of Rain tree- fantastic and couldn't be easier. Just ordered my first batch of powdered Sarsasparilla - I'll let you know how it goes!
Posted by millymollymandy (Member # 7703) on :
Mo, are you out there? How's things with you? I have my sarsasparilla powder from raintree- I've only just started as I wanted to wait until I'd finished abx etc.
I have been following the instructions on their website; which is to make a tea with 1 teaspoon of the powder. Have I got this right? I am drinking the cup - leaving the grounds in the bottom. One teaspoon in one cup, per day. Is this enough? Love, MiMoMa
Posted by AZURE WISH (Member # 804) on :
up for nicolette
Posted by Marnie (Member # 773) on :
WOW...interesting!!!
Yes...the hormones are indeed "protective"...estrogen and testosterone...for complicated reasons (acetylcholinesterase).
But estrogen/testosterone and growth hormone, etc. do decline as we all age and other protective things kick in...normally...as part of the aging process.
The downside to hormone replacement is that they might trigger other things (estrogen-breast cancer link, for example).
Tricky. VERY.
The hormones are proteins...chains of amino acids. But all proteins need Mg to be made somewhere along the line.
Nutritionally speaking...eating a handful of almonds a day will help...as will the seeds and other nuts too. They are loaded with nutrients...minerals and vitamins.
St. John's Wort and a soy supp. helped ME breeze thru menopause. (But I don't have lyme.)
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