Anyone have experience taking this? Does it actually kill Bb? Buhner seems to think so.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- It's a wonderful helper, along with other things, not alone. Dose has to be in a certain range as too much can cause lower GI upset. This is also why it's not good alone.
Rather than just any sort of direct antimicrobial feature, it's star quality seems to be in helping to reduce endotoxins in the gut. It truly shines in that regard, to help move things along and out. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- I've read much about this over the years but this is just a tiny bit from a file note:
PubMed Search (number will change over time, seasrch with both names):
Sarsaparilla � 174 abstracts
Smilax � 155 abstracts
Smilax officinalis � 4 abstracts
Search Google for:
Sarsaparilla, Townsend+Letter
&
Smilax, Townsend+Letter -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- When considering herbal / nutritional / adjunct methods:
if at all possible - because each person & each case is different - it's best to consult with an ILADS-educated LL ND (lyme literate naturopathic doctor) (or similar) who has completed four years of post-graduate medical education in the field of herbal and nutritional medicine -
- and someone who is current with ILADS' research & presentations, past and present, and has completed the ILADS Physician Training Program (see: www.ilads.org )
Many LL NDs incorporate antibiotics (depending upon the licensing laws in their state). Some LLMDs and LL NDs have good working relationships.
When possible, it's great to have both a LLMD and LL ND and even better when they have a long-standing professional relationship.
(Be aware that those in some categories can have zero or various levels of formal herbal &/or nutritional education, perhaps even just a short course. Do ask first.)
Links to many articles and books by holistic-minded LL doctors of various degrees who all have this basic approach in common:
Understanding of the importance of addressing the infection(s) fully head-on with specific measures from all corners of medicine;
knowing which supplements have direct impact, which are only support and which are both.
You can compare and contrast many approaches.
BASIC HERBAL EDUCATIONAL & SAFETY links,
BODY WORK links with safety tailored to lyme patients,
LOW HEAT INFRARED SAUNA detail,
BIOPHOTON - BIONIC 880 (& PE-1) links, and
RIFE links. -
Posted by VV (Member # 38828) on :
Why is it not mentioned in the new Buhner conference notes?
"Cats claw (or sometimes called Samento)" [end quote]
they are NOT the same thing. Not at all. Buhner has repeated stated (especially in his Lyme book) that Cat's Claw - NOT Samento, NOT TOA-free type - should be used.
I wonder if the note taker might have added that "samento" note as it's unlikely that Buhner would have ever said they are the same or even suggested using it.
Now, I was not at the conference and he may have changed his thoughts on this but be aware that
Cat's Claw is not at all the same thing as Samento in its finished state.
They start out the same but Samento removes a very important part (IMO). I much prefer Cat's Claw for so many reasons. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Cat's Claw - and the very different TOA-free processed tincture
See full "Cat's Claw" chapter in Buhner's Lyme book (and his other writings on this)
-by Subhuti Dharmananda, Ph.D -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- And, after all that distinction, there are some who have experienced good results with the TOA-free kind. Certainly not everyone who has tried or used it but there have been some whom I have talked with that credited their remission to Samento and specific enzymes such as those in Wobenzyme.
My use of it was of no use, whatsoever, though I do very well with the real Cat's Claw as it is very calming to the nerve fibers.
Just know exactly what it is that you seek and what you take when talking about Cat's Claw. So many interchange the terms and don't know that they are so different. -
Posted by surprise (Member # 34987) on :
Wonderful links, thank you.
For Buhner fans, he has a recent writing on his website about why he is no longer doing seminars.
I belly laughed out loud a good few minutes half way through, and then shed a few tears at the end.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- surprise,
It would be great to have the link to that page if you could, please? I could not find it. -
Posted by surprise (Member # 34987) on :
Merci Beaucoup. Such a wonderful report he writes. Very funny - and very touching. -
[ 07-02-2013, 07:54 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posted by Hmm... (Member # 39308) on :
So it's main use here is to bind neurotoxins? No herxing? How much do people take? Do you take it Keebler?
I'm on 6 caps a day. 850mg a piece.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Hmmm,
I have taken it at times, in a formula with other things to balance it. I have a deep admiration for smilax but I have to be very particular with just how much I can manage.
Answers to others questions can be found in the links posted above.
Herxing? Technically, herxing is from spirochete die-off.
Whether or not that occurs with Smilax may not be so clear (Buhner is much more educated about this so I trust him; I just have not yet read of that aspect of it). But, rememember, this is not easily tolerated by all and it's best to ALWAYS start with a low dose so as not to create lower GI distress.
The plant, its very self (and not even so much about its action), can be irritating to gut tissue.
As this binds to toxins, technically, it can help reduce herxing. The dose - and what else it's combined with - makes all the difference in how well this is tolerated - only with good tolerance will the benefits be benefits.
Apparently, you are already taking it, and have been for a while (?) so you would know how your body is doing with this. Too high a dose can cause lower GI cramping and loose bowels.
Be sure to go back up the links so you can read more. -
Posted by Hmm... (Member # 39308) on :
I haven't had loose stools or cramping, but I doubled my dose a few days ago and I am having a lot of gurgling and maybe bad absorption (passing some undigested stuff).
It's hard to say what is responsible for what, but I have been on nystatin for almost 2 weeks. Started liposomal glutathione and methylation supps recently too.
Posted by ukcarry (Member # 18147) on :
I used to take it in capsule form, as per Buhner's original recommmendations (had no problems with it).
I now have some bulk herb in my cupboard that I make a tea with from time to time: it is really quite pleasant as a tea and combines well with other teas too, such as lemon and ginger, so quite useful during a Herx.