A doctor I saw recently suggested the Cowden Protocol. He has placed me on Samento, Banderol and Pinella. He isn't a LLMD but seems quite knowledgable (I am working also with a LLND and am looking to add a LLMD). The Internet research I've done shows some promise!
I do think antibiotics are still in my future (despite several doctors warning me that with my celiac, leaky gut, and intestinal issues - which predate Lyme symptoms for me - it could be a bit risky), but I'm hoping that in the meantime until I can see a LLMD, this might help?
(breaking up the post for easier reading for many here)
[ 10-21-2016, 04:24 PM: Message edited by: Robin123 ]
Posted by ukcarry (Member # 18147) on :
They may well be worth a shot whilst you are waiting to see an LLMD.
Quite a few people do well on the Cowden protocol, including some who had previously failed to improve on antibiotics. I did follow the CP for 18 months without obvious improvement, but then I have been ill a very long time.
Quite a few LLMDs use these herbs with their patients who request a non-antibiotic approach or, as I said above, who have not responded to antibiotics.
I did read posts with a variety of responses to it, many of which you can search for on the Facebook Lyme Herbals group.
It doesn't sound as if you are on the full Cowden protocol, but some people do use Samento and Banderol as their primary antimicrobials.
If yoy have problems tolerating the small amount of alcohol in the tinctures, you can add your drops to hot (not boiling) water and wait for a period so that some of the alcohol will evaporate.
I presume you have already read the research that Dr Sapi did on these?
Good luck with them.
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
I agree, with celiac and leaky gut, I would not do abx. I think Cowden is worth a shot. Some people do really well on them.
Posted by lymeandceliac (Member # 48492) on :
I will look up Dr. Sapi's research. Thanks for the info!
Posted by sparkle7 (Member # 10397) on :
Samento, Banderol & Pinella didn't do much for me. The heavy hitters for me were Cumanda & Quina. I'm not absolutely sure I had/have Lyme. I think I may be dealing with a parasite as opposed to Lyme but I'm not 100% sure what it is.
The Cowden protocol is a good idea but you can get the herbal extracts or whole herbs cheaper from other sources. It's kind of pricey for what it is. The good thing about the protocol is that it's organized for you & it comes with a time table & suggestions for which herbs to take.
It wasn't a cure for me.
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
yes it's rather expensive but very convenient to do. at least you don't need a dang drs prescription.
works for some, not others.
Posted by lymeandceliac (Member # 48492) on :
Whatever the cost, in up for it. Not working for years has cost me more!!
Does it make sense to try Cowden first, then antibiotics if it doesn't help?
Posted by hopingandpraying (Member # 9256) on :
You might look into the Cowden Protocol through Nutramedix.
They have a special program for financial hardship which would cost 1/3 of the regular price and can be obtained through any doctor (does not have to be a Lyme-literate one), including chiropractors. You'd have to call Nutramedix for more information.
Posted by ukcarry (Member # 18147) on :
If you decide to go that route (Cowden first), i think it would make sense to follow the whole protocol rather than selected products, so that you get a range of antimicrobials.
As Sparkle points out, she found Cumanda and Quina more effective for her than Samento and Banderol. Others also found they responded to Enula and Houttuynia, so the whole protocol should hit a wider variety of organisms.