Does anyone know of any natural antibiotics that would not boost or not boost the immune system too much?
I take immunosuppressive medication for a separate autoimmune disease and would like natural antibiotic therapy but cannot upset the balance.
Please let me know what supplements, herbs etc may be useful?
***Please do not tell me that I need to stop my immunosuppressive medication or that my AI disease is from Lyme. It is separate and I need to treat both but carefully***
Posted by Horizon (Member # 50800) on :
C'mon guys, I know someone here has to have some ideas! Please!!! Even if you take a stab at it I won't fault you if you are wrong I just need something to go ahead and research. #desperate
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
I have no idea .... but maybe look into things like colloidal silver, oregano oil, grapefruit seed extract, which are mainly killing products rather than immune support.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- I think it would be best if you could consult a LL ND.
- When considering herbal / nutritional / adjunct methods, because lyme is so very complex & unique, as are possible coinfections:
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 )
so they really know all they can about the science of lyme . . . how lyme (& other TBD) act and what we can do about that in various ways. Proper ASSESSMENT of not just lyme but coinfectoins is vital. Someone trained by ILADS is best to assess.
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.
For those considering complementary support methods / or other avenues entirely:
Herbal Safety considerations & reference books; etc.
BOOKS - Links to many articles and books by holistic-minded LL doctors of various degrees who all have this basic approach in common:
knowing which methods offer assertive & direct impact, which are only support and which are both. And when to use what, how to combine, & when to step back.
You can compare and contrast many approaches with links to articles, books, methods . . .
[ 09-01-2017, 01:13 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- You don't specify either your immunosuppressive medication nor the AI disease. That does not matter so much here yet a good LL ND would be know more and how to work with what's going on.
A good LL ND would also know about various holistic methods for immune function, perhaps including various MEDICAL MUSHROOMS, or other plant herbs, as some are excellent in this capacity.
Just for background for those with any kinds of chronic stealth infections and the most common kinds of immunosuppressive Rx:
STEROIDS - considerations with lyme. Risks, long term damage discussed. Links. -
Posted by Horizon (Member # 50800) on :
Crohn's disease and Remicade is my immunosuppresant which is a biologic drug.
I can't afford to see any doctors now. I am kind of on my own.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Links in the "LL ND" set should be of help, I hope. Lots of great books and articles. Good luck.
Also, you might contact a LL ND's office and ask if they just might know of any programs where services might be low -- or any places to obtain any donated supplements. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Since you deal with Crohn's, you are likely gluten free. Just be sure that all Rx and supplements are also gluten free. Some are not and this can really mess up those who require no gluten.
Take care. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
Autoimmune Diseases & the potential role of Chinese Herbal Medicine
- by Subhuti Dharmananda, Ph.D (2006)
LDN did not work well for me, at all. Yet, for some, it does. It seems to either work well, or really not. But it MUST be started VERY, very low with a long time before even slight increases. It is expensive, still, just good to know about just in case you might have insurance that might cover it or
can find some kind of program where they are very low fee. There are such programs but they can be hard to find.
I have been grain free (except white rice) for 2 years now but it has not made any difference so I plan on eating wheat again albeit not as much.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- It's not just the wheat, so much as the gluten. GLuten is in wheat, spelt, kamut, faro, barley, rye.
Even a trace of it can cause all kinds of trouble, especially for many with GI issues. And many prepared items contain hidden gluten. You might want to search:
"Hidden Sources of Gluten" and see all the top links that come up. Celiac groups, too, will have the detail.
Barley malt, "natural flavors" are some examples. Many packages broths contain barley in some form.
Even some lip balms & lip sticks, for example. And anything put on the lips is food, really, we ingest it.
And just because something says it is gluten-free, it may not be if it's processed in a plant or on equipment shared with any of the grains that contain gluten.
Deli foods, too, can be tricky if they are prepared in a kitchen where wheat flour is used or shared prep tools. The air circulation system also has to be taken into consideration at deli markets, etc. Same with pizza at most restaurants. Wheat is flying in the kitchen so it's going to land on any pizza they might claim to be gluten free.
I know all this sounds like just too much, yet it could be very worth it to be certain to be free of gluten.