Is anyone else taking this? I'm off of all abx now and am trying this but the local vitamen store only had a brand called Kold Kare.
I am wondering if that is a good brand or if I should be ordering this online or something.
Anyone have advise or experience with this?
Thanks!
Posted by disturbedme (Member # 12346) on :
I took Andrographis for a while. The first time I took it, on the tiniest dose possible, it made me herx for two weeks straight.
I definitely think it's a hard herb!! Hard, but good...
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
Buy Buhner's book and he gives you the dosage to work up to as well as good sources to buy it. It needs to be good quality. It is powerful and some people cannot tolerate it. I am saving it for when I get off my current arsenal of abx. Buhner's book is the most informative one I have read and he does not promote herbs and supplements that he is selling. I have learned so much from it as he addresses supplements to aid everything from body pain to memory loss.
When you get off abx I believe you have to be very careful to keep your diet extremely healthy and take the right vitamins, minerals and herbs to keep your immune system active. I quit twice and relapsed both times.
Posted by TxLymie (Member # 20847) on :
So the stuff I'm taking from the vitamen store probably isn't strong enough? I've had no herxing so far.
I've been off of abx for 7 weeks and feel better than I have felt in a long time. I am continuing the vitamens, supplements and healthy eating.
Posted by disturbedme (Member # 12346) on :
TxLymie - everyone reacts differently to meds/herbs. Some people may not herx on it, while others do. It's that way for every med/herb. So maybe you just won't have much of a reaction to it, which is a good thing. Posted by aliyalex (Member # 6976) on :
i've been taking it for 2 months with artemesinin, etc and had no dramatic herx, just a gradual die off.
Posted by MariaA (Member # 9128) on :
Check the herbal threads in my signature, and yes, by all means, get Buhner's book for more detailed information.
It's cheaper online: vitacost, iherb.com, and other places have it cheaper than your local supplement store probably does.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- I've been taking it for about 14 months. It's the only thing I can now afford and I'm doing okay (with a broad range of definition).
It will increase tiredness (especially the first couple of weeks) and urine output (while reducing swelling/edema).
This has been excellent for me in a couple respects but I know I need a more comprehensive plan when I can do better creative financing. I do not suggest alone, but as a protocol, such as Buhner's, or a complement to a LLMD's plan, it can be very helpful.
Be sure to get your meals and responsibilities in order before beginning it so you can take it easy.
Be sure to drink lots of water so it can work better.
I have many articles on this in my file. In addition to what you will find in MariaA's good set of links, I'll come back and post some excerpts from my collection of articles on this.
-
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Andrographis is mentioned in Singleton's book; much more thoroughly detailed in Buhner's: I consider the chapter in Buhner's book required reading. It is absolutely excellent detail.
Andrographis combined with eleutherococcus, licorice, and schisandra has shown promise for a genetic disease called familial Mediterranean fever. 24, 25
[ 12-27-2010, 12:00 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posted by TxLymie (Member # 20847) on :
Thanks Keebler! I have both of those books but haven't read them completely thru yet (just got them in)
Posted by f13girl (Member # 23844) on :
Start slow.. and work up dosage-many can't take this herb.
Posted by f13girl (Member # 23844) on :
Also look at planet thrive and questions with buhner he doesn't consider this "the" most important herb anymore(still a lyme killer though just not number 1 like he used to think for priority).
Posted by hopeful4 (Member # 8486) on :
Stephen Buhner in Healing Lyme, recommends Planetary Herbals Full Spectrum Andrographis. I get mine at iherb.com 120 tablets, 400 mg. costs $10.85.
Posted by MariaA (Member # 9128) on :
note: these are the bitter tablets (as opposed to gelatin capsules) that he says (in the book) are really hard for some people to deal with because of the taste. They're small tablets, they just taste nasty. If you're trying to treat children you might have a fight on your hands.
Posted by canefan17 (Member # 22149) on :
Why does Andrographis give me bad constipation?
It happened when i first introduced it 5 months ago.
I tried reintroducing it and sure enough constipation that won't resolves.
Any ideas?
Posted by MariaA (Member # 9128) on :
I think that's just one of it's known side effects.
Posted by canefan17 (Member # 22149) on :
Really?
Where did you read that?
Only reason I ask is I've searched everywhere for info on why Andro can be constipating. And some claim it HELPS with onstipation (I know it helps dump the liver and thus bile and it's a bitter herb so enzyme creation)
But constipation is #1 for me with Andro.
(I think it's Andro - there's a small chance Teasel is causing it - but i don't think so - this is 2nd time with Andro re-introduced)
Posted by MariaA (Member # 9128) on :
I'm pretty sure it's in Buhner's book as a short-term side effect that usually subsides, or that he talked about it early on in the Planet Thrive column.
Maybe try high dose Vit VC (which isn't a bad idea for other reasons per Buhner) to move the bowels, or add in a lot of fiber to your diet? Magnesium will also do this but I think it interferes with absorption of many drugs, not sure if there's any research on how it interacts with any of these herbs.
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
i couldn't take it at all ---one pill and i was in bed for 3 days.
one year after working up to top dose of buhner tea i am starting it with drops. i can do 10 drops 3x a day and only herx a little.
i have 400mg pills and will try one after i finish drops...but it may be too big a jump...don't know mg of drops . my doc says buhner says possibley should only take it 2-3 months then stop.
keebler...do you know why my doc said this?
Posted by canefan17 (Member # 22149) on :
Ya, I give up on Andrographis - ha
I was really pushing it because of it's anti-spirochetal abilities.
But oh well. Not for me I guess.
We also have to remember that Andrographis is known in Chinese Medicine to help the liver dump toxins. (sometimes too fast in the case of a Lymie)
They say you'll clear emotions like anger, rage, irritability (as some know the liver stores hormones/emotions/etc)
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- There is no ONE herb nor ONE supplement that is king. And, rotation and combinations are usually best. Individualized formulas are best, put together by a LL ND just for a particular person. Many NDs change formulas, even in slight ways, every 3 weeks - according to what a person needs.
Not just about lyme treatment but the articles below also include some links to articles explaining some of the key principles of herbal medicine. -----------------
Topic: How to find an ILADS-educated lyme literate (LL) professionals in these areas:
Naturopathic doctor (ND); Acupuncturist (L. Ac.), a doctor of Oriental Medicine (O.M.D.), or a doctor of Ayurvedic Medicine (D.Ay.), certified herbalists or nutritionists, . . .
. . . Holistic MDs, and also Doctors of Osteopath (DO) and Doctors of Chiropractic (DC), etc.
** Includes many professional links, articles and books on complementary / integrative methods - & RIFE links -- all by LL authors.
Also included are basic links explaining the principles of herbal medicine. -
[ 12-27-2010, 12:15 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
![[Smile]](smile.gif)