Anyone can advise on how often to take it and how to space it vis a vis the antibiotics?
Posted by lauirel (Member # 16640) on :
The recommended dosage is from 3 to 6 mg per day. It is also recommended to ramp up, meaning to start at the lowest dose recommended, 3mg, and slowly work up to 6mg. The ramping is done according to what your body tells you in its reactions. Once reaching 6mgs, one is to stay at that dosage for a period of 60 days.
Sarsaparilla is a potentiator. Meaning it can increase the effects of other drugs one may be taking. In knowing this exercise caution if considering Sarsaparilla in your Lyme protocol. Esp. drugs for the heart, blood pressure, and etc.
An additional word of caution. Even though in its history, it has typically been used in ancient medicines for kidney problems, there has been the observation by some Lymies that use of sarsaparilla worsened their problems, and some it did not.
Sarsaparilla used in some of our Lyme protocols is known in english as Smilax glabra. There are about eight species of Smilax, just an FYI.
Posted by lauirel (Member # 16640) on :
I forgot to include, we took Sarsaparilla at the same time as with the rest of our stuff including abx when we took them.
If you are rotating abx, use of Sarsaparilla inb/w those rotations can potentiate the other naturals you are doing as well.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
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Generally, it is best to take abx/Rx a few hours apart from supplements.
As others have cautioned, start very slowly - and stay there for a while before increasing.
I would also suggest beginning in an evening as this may cause a bit of stomach upset and tiredness.
It really does seem to help clear the colon, so be sure not to increase too quickly. If looses stools occur, cut back on it.
As Lauirel mentioned, there are at least 8 species, with Smilax glabra the most common used for our purposes. Another species can have different effects, so be sure what you buy..
WHAT IT DOES: Sarsaparilla root is sweet and bland in taste, and neutral in action. It removes toxins from the bowel, and reduces inflammation and dampness from the blood, liver, urinary system and skin.
RATING: Yellow, due to limitations is usage.
SAFETY ISSUES: None known
STARTING DOSAGE: Dried root: three to 12 grams per day
4:1 dried decoction: one to four grams per day
1:5 tincture: two to four milliliters (ml) in water or juice 3 times per day
Sarsaparilla root has been famous in the West since 1574, when a French physician described its use in treating syphilis.
Various Smilax species are used to treat infections and inflammation--especially those affecting the skin and intestines--in many countries including India, China, Europe, the United States, Brazil, Guatemala, and Saudi Arabia.
Because of the historical use for syphilis, many herbalists now use sarsaparilla root for Lyme disease, also caused by a spirochete organism.
Naturopaths believe that sarsaparilla root binds and remove endotoxin from the bowel, perhaps by stimulating liver clearance (Murray & Pizzorno, 1989).
Deng (1994) tells us that endotoxin--chemicals released into the host after breakdown of the cell walls of gram-negative organisms-- accords closely with the idea of "pathogenic toxins" in TCM. His studies have shown that the removal of endotoxin helps control many inflammatory and febrile diseases.
. . .
* In 1942, the New England Journal of Medicine published a controlled study showing that an endotoxin-binding saponin extract of sarsaparilla was effective in reducing psoriasis symptoms (Thurman, 1942, reported in Murray & Pizzorno, 1989).
* Clinical tests in China demonstrated that the Chinese species called Tu fu ling rhizome (Smilax glabra) is effective for treating syphilis in about 90 percent of acute cases and 50 percent of chronic cases (Bensky & Gamble, 1986).
Since Lyme disease is also caused by spirochete organisms, it may prove beneficial in the treatment of this disease as well. TCM doctors use Tu fu ling rhizome to treat joint pain, turbid urine and jaundice caused by heat and dampness.
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Above excerpts from: "The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook" - Tillotson, et.al)
Although this is not a book about lyme, you can read much more about herbs here: