Does anyone have any thoughts on drinking alcohol while taking various herbs like Cat's Claw, Japanese Knotweed, Andrographis, etc?
The reason I ask is because it seems most of these herbs thin the blood, and if you're taking several herbs at a time, which I assume most people are who are trying to treat their Lyme with herbs, it would seem the blood would be pretty thin. Of course, I have heard that most herbs are mild blood thinners only, and not having such a strong effect like an actual blood thinning pharmaceutical medication would, but anyway, do you think it's safe to drink occasionally while taking a combination of herbs being that alcohol is also a blood thinner?
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
As far as possibly thinning the blood more, I would think the difference would be minimal.
Some herbs interact negatively with alcohol .. so check that part.
Posted by Garz (Member # 52095) on :
many herbalists including Buhner often prefer tinctures - so there is significant alcohol in those already if taking the kind of extensive lyme protocols he advises. so i think that demonstrates the interaction is minimal
still with Lyme or any inflammatory condition I would be wary of drinking much alcohol as it all adds to the inflammation problem - and causes more load on your liver - which generally in these conditions is already struggling.
a glass of wine once in a while socially will be fine
but getting hammered or just using alcohol regularly to dull your senses as an escape - not good idea.
Posted by PenelopeWatson (Member # 52384) on :
Check that with a doctor. Your body might act completely different than the others could. I was taking some pills for my stomach and decided to grab a drink with one of my old friends. The worst decision ever. I was puking all night long afterward and got a massive intoxication. My doctor said that I am an idiot.
**edited per LN rules**
[ 07-26-2021, 06:54 PM: Message edited by: Lymetoo ]
Posted by daisys (Member # 11802) on :
My system made the decision for me. I don't enjoy alcoholic beverages anymore, and I don't feel better after drinking even a little bit. One sip and I'm done.
I always assumed LD is involved, and others have the same experience.
Posted by Ditercuter (Member # 52561) on :
The effect of alcohol is that only the first stage dilutes the blood. Hence there is a feeling of lightness and even euphoria. But the next day, the blood becomes twice as thick as it was after drinking alcohol. This stage is well known to many as the hangover syndrome. Therefore, the use of alcohol as a medicine is very doubtful. I was an alcoholic for a long time despite my medical education. It's easy to get bogged down in this swamp, but it's not easy to get out of it. Now I'm a volunteer of the sober support network , and I've been on the hook for a year. My advice is not to hope that alcohol will act on you as a medicine.
[ 04-18-2022, 05:23 AM: Message edited by: Ditercuter ]
Posted by awflashes (Member # 52785) on :
Yeah, mixing alcohol and herbs is kind of a tricky thing. I'm no expert, but I think it's probably better to play it safe. I had an aunt who was into herbal remedies, and she always avoided alcohol when she was on any kind of herb, especially if they were known to thin the blood. Her thought was better safe than sorry, you know?
Actually, this reminds me, I've been getting into growing herbs myself lately. I started with purple basil – did you know it's not just for cooking? There's some cool benefits of purple basil like it being rich in antioxidants and good for digestion. https://reconnectivehealingpractitioners.com/medicinal-herbs/10-benefits-of-purple-basil/ might be a healthier option if you're looking to skip the drinks while on your herbal routine.
[ 01-08-2024, 04:19 PM: Message edited by: awflashes ]
Posted by hopingandpraying (Member # 9256) on :
Kameron - welcome to Lymenet!
Btw - I know you are new to Lymenet, but please break up your posts into 2-3 sentence paragraphs, as there are people on Lymenet who cannot read large blocks of text due to neurological problems from Lyme.
To do this click the "Edit Post" tab, make your changes, then click "Edit Post". Thanks.
Also you should not use your real name, because this is a public forum with all sorts of people on it. Read this link about it:
To remove your name from the signature line, click on "Edit Profile" under Lymenet Flash in the top middle section of the Lymenet page.
Click on "Edit Profile" on the left-hand side, scroll down to "Profile Fields" then down to "Signature". Make your changes, then click "Update Profile".
Posted by Austin Pierce (Member # 52676) on :
Combining alcohol with herbs, especially those with potential blood-thinning effects, can have varying effects on individuals. Cat's Claw, Japanese Knotweed, and Andrographis are commonly used for various health purposes, and they may have mild blood-thinning properties. Alcohol also has blood-thinning effects.
When considering combining these substances, it's crucial to be aware of the potential cumulative effects on blood thinning, especially if you are also consuming London broil slow cooker recipes that may contain ingredients affecting blood coagulation. Excessive thinning of the blood may increase the risk of bleeding or bruising. Additionally, interactions between herbs and alcohol can vary from person to person. It's advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before incorporating these elements into your diet, especially if you are on medication or have pre-existing health conditions.