For those of you with hypoglycemia and/or blood sugar issues...
What herbs specifically would you say caused problems?
I just started buhner's herbs (japanese knotweed, andrographis, cats claw, sarsparilla, and dandelion)
And I want to make sure it doesn't mess with blood sugar levels.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- I've not had any trouble in that department with these herbs. Just be sure to eat smaller meals more frequently and stay moderate regarding the glycemic index. -
Posted by massman (Member # 18116) on :
Just eat good saturated fat. Takes longer to digest so it stabilizes sugar. Coconut oil and free range animal fats are good.
Posted by canefan17 (Member # 22149) on :
Ya, I do that often.
I just thought I read on here somewhere that someone said one of these herbs messed with their hypoglycemia.
Oh well.
And just out of curiosity... How fast can herbs work in the body?
I know most say the abx's take days... and subsequetly the herx.
What about herbs? Can they be effective right away?
If so... why is that?
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Hypoglycemia can usually be prevented by a careful watch of food intake.
Q: Can they be effective right away?
No. It will take many months for any progress.
Still, be sure to start very slowly, according to the detail in the book. Otherwise, a herx could happen and that is best avoided. Smilax, especially, can cause upset stomach if too much is taken. That would not so much be a herx as just too much too soon. -
Posted by canefan17 (Member # 22149) on :
Ya I'm starting slowly.
And ya, I've had my hypoglycemia under control for 8 yrs. I know all the ins and outs.
Posted by canefan17 (Member # 22149) on :
Grrrrr 2nd day on the herbs and Ive definitely noticed that it's messing with my blood sugar.
Guess I'm gonna have to start each herb one by one.
This really ticks me off because I just bought 360 capsules of the core protocol (knotweed, andrographis, cats claw, sarsparilla, dandelion)
Grrrrrrrrrrrrr
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Are you starting with one capsule per day? That is best. At lunch time.
While individuals vary in their reactions, I'm taking the exact formula as you. I've taken it with food and without and am up to 3 caps, 3x day. I've notice no effects regarding blood sugar.
However, it's no walk in the park. I don't feel great on these - and I knew that I would not because it's just the way it is. The smilax has strong action that can churn the stomach. It's just how that works. I can deal with it, though.
I've just not noticed any perceivable drop in blood sugar - and I used to pass out with that problem. But it was also very hard to distinguish a feeling of low blood sugar from feeling "icky" from some herbs that just have that effect. For me, that "icky" feeling got better after a couple weeks. If you feel too "icky" back down in your dose. It's not a race. -
Posted by canefan17 (Member # 22149) on :
I started with 3 caps 2x's
maybe I've already started herxing from it since I did strt a potent amount of all 5 herbs.
keebler... Do u have reactive hypoglycemia?
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- It's always important to start with just ONE, once a day. Then, in about a week's time, or as your body is used to that, increase by just ONE a day for another week or so, etc. Increase by just one a day and get used to that before increasing.
With smilax, there is a definite place to stop. Your stomach will tell you when you reach that point. It's not a side-effect but a property of that. In order to help remove endotoxins, it has to be a bit strong for the gut. It just takes a while to find the right balance.
But, also remember that this will make you feel a bit "icky" - that is simply to be expected. It's just part of the deal. It will take a while to feel better.
Yes, I have reactive hypoglycemia. I've never been bothered at all by any herbs that help lower blood sugar as, in most cases, they lower high blood sugar but are more adaptogens with it comes to lower - as long as we remember to eat properly.
You also have to remember that lyme raises the risks for diabetes and, often, reactive hypoglycemia, is a precursor. Therefore, very careful timing and food combinations are even more important. -
Posted by LymeGoAway (Member # 25041) on :
Resurrecting this post to get further input. Has anyone using herbs noticed that they exacerbate hypoglycemia?
Posted by LymeGoAway (Member # 25041) on :
Up
Posted by Atta (Member # 30786) on :
I just started taking a tea with licorice root, fenugreek, pau d'arco, and nettle. About for two weeks now. Last week I had a doctor's appt and my bloodwork came back showing low blood sugar-47. The nurse suggested I eat more whole grains which is impossible since I'm on a anti-candida diet and have been since last November.
I was surprised my blood sugar was so low and a little irritated it was treated so casually by my doc. So I don't know what's causing it, if it's being affected by the herbs in the tea-I haven't read anything about these herbs lowering blood sugar-or if the candida and/or lyme are causing it. But I'm concerned because diabetes does run in my family and I don't know what more I can do to keep my sugar levels even as I'm already on the best diet I can be.
Posted by LymeGoAway (Member # 25041) on :
Bringing up one more time for additional input.
Anyone else have low blood sugar issues from the herbs? Have you figured out a way to handle it?
Posted by Rivendell (Member # 19922) on :
Hi. In Healing Lyme, Buhner tells which herbs are hypoglycemics. I have hypoglycemia, and I think the herbs have lowered both my blood sugar and blood presure. (I have postural hypotension, so don't need lowered blood pressure.)
I compensate by taking more protein for lowered blood sugar and taking licorice and more salt to raise blood pressure.
Not sure which herbs are doing this.
But I have benefited from the herbs, so I stick with them.