posted
Hi I wondered how people were doing on this? Does it seem to be treating the Babesia?
I was on it for two weeks but got the gut symptoms and had to stop..it seemed to 'control' my symptoms a bit, but who knows if it was really erradicating it.
posted
I'd be interested in hearing this also. I just started Enula this week and can't really see any real effects yet.
Posts: 975 | From California | Registered: Apr 2007
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sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
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posted
I don't think I have the co-infections but I've been on the full Cowden protocol about 10 days or so. ENULA is part of it.
It seems that ENULA is a purgative. I found that it did cause me to purge my bowels.
This may be a good thing in synergistic reaction with other herbs or treatments. It may not be something that you want to do for a long time, though.
Just my experience so far.
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
I've been taking the Enula for several weeks now. I didn't think it was doing anything until I took the 36 hour break after 12 days.
That night I had a drenching night sweat, which is one of my classic babs symptoms.
I chatted here with someone else about it, and he said his wife also had a sweat her 36 hours off it.
So, it must be doing something. I'm on a lot of other stuff, so sometimes it's hard to know what's doing what.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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WildCondor
Unregistered
posted
It is way too early to ask that question. The product has only been available for a few weeks, it is way too soon to make judgments. It will take several years to compare results.
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Clarissa
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4715
posted
I saw Dr H on the lyme induced autism conference on the web last week say it appears to be helping some of his patients. With these early reports he is getting some are reporting reduced night sweats and air hunger on it.
-------------------- Nori Posts: 109 | From Virginia | Registered: Mar 2006
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posted
I collected some info about this herb and its interactions. The enula that Cowden is using may have some unique properties, I don't know; but here is some general info for what it's worth:
Enula campana, also called elecampane, inula helenium (latin):
Traditionally, elecampane has been taken to treat respiratory conditions such as asthma and bronchitis because chemicals in it cause mucus to become thinner. Consequently, congestion in the lungs may be lessened and the elimination of excess mucus may be easier. Elecampane may also help to decrease coughing.
Interactions of Elecampane root with Prescription Drugs:
When elecampane is used with prescription drugs that promote sleepiness, the effects of the drug may be exaggerated, resulting in sedation or mental impairment. Prescription drugs that can cause sleepiness include:
Anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine, phenytoin and valproic acid Barbiturates such as phenobarbital Benzodiazepines such as alprazolam and diazepam Drugs for insomnia such as zaleplon and zolpidem Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, amoxapine, doxepin and nortriptyline
Elecampane may increase the blood sugar lowering effects of insulin and oral drugs for diabetes, such as: Actos, Amaryl, Avandia, glipizide (Glucotrol XL), glyburide (Glynase), Glyset, metformin (Glucophage), Prandin, Precose
Due to its possible ability to lower blood pressure, elecampane is believed to increase the effects of drugs that also lower blood pressure. Some blood pressure-lowering drugs include:
ACE inhibitors such as captopril, enalapril, lisinopril, and Monopril Beta blockers such as atenolol, metoprolol, and propranolol Calcium channel blockers such as nifedipine, Norvasc, and verapamil Diuretics such as Dyazide, furosemide, and hydrochlorothiazide
Interactions of Elecampane root with Non-prescription Drugs:
The sleep-producing effects of over-the-counter products containing diphenhydramine can be enhanced by taking elecampane at the same time.
Diphenhydramine is contained in many non-prescription sleeping pills as well as in some cough and cold products, therefore caution should be used when taking these medications with elecampane because excessive drowsiness may result.
Interactions of Elecampane root with Herbal Products: Elecampane may cause excessive sedation if it is taken with other potentially sedating herbs such as: Catnip, Hops, Kava, St. John's Wort, Valerian
Because elecampane may decrease blood sugar levels, taking it with other blood sugar-lowering herbal products may result in hypoglycemia -- blood sugar that is too low. Herbals that may reduce blood sugar include: Eleuthero, Fenugreek, Ginger (in high amounts), Kudzu, Panax ginseng
Interactions of Elecampane root with Foods: No interactions between elecampane and foods have been reported, but drinking alcohol at the same time as using elecampane by mouth may result in increased drowsiness.
Elecampane has also been used historically to treat poor digestion and general complaints of the intestinal tract. It is also good for diseases of the chest, and has great virtues in malignant fevers. It strengthens the stomach and assists digestion by inhibiting the production of phlegm that is the result of weak digestion.
In Oriental medicine, the flowers were used in the treatment of excessive phlegm.
Elecampane contains alantolactone, which helps to expel intestinal parasites, such as pinworms.
Actions and indications in brief:
Antitussive: Bronchial and tracheal catarrh, chronic and irritating coughs, bronchitis, pulmonary tuberculosis, wet congested asthma. BHP specific, for Bronchitis and Tuberculosis
Anti-inflammatory: Immunostimulant: Hypotension, ME, autoimmune disorders, supportive to diabetes
Restorative: To endocrine system (slow acting herb). estrogen and progesterone Antibacterial Anthelmintic: Parasites
Elecampane belongs to the same family of plants that also includes chrysanthemums, daisies, and ragweed. Individuals who are sensitive to any of these types of plants may also be sensitive to elecampane.
Other side effects that may be associated with taking too much elecampane include: Diarrhea, Dizziness, Stomach Cramps, Vomiting
**********************
Induction of Detoxifying Enzyme by Sesquiterpenes Present in Inula helenium.
Sun Seong Im, Ju Ryoung Kim, Hyun Ae Lim, Chan Ho Jang, Young Kyoon Kim, T Konishi, Eun Ji Kim, Jung Han Yoon Park, Jong-Sang Kim JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL FOOD, 2007 - iufost.edpsciences.org
Our previous study showed that the methanolic extract of Inula helenium (elecampane) had the potential to induce detoxifying enzymes such as quinine reductase (QR) and glutathione S-transferase.
In this study we further fractionated the methanolic extract into hexane-, dichloromethane-, butanol-, and water-soluble fractions according to polarity.
The hexane fraction showed the highest QR-inducing activity and also induced glutathione S-transferase in a dose-dependent manner. Its potential to induce the reporter activity suggested an antioxidant response element-mediated mechanism of action in the induction of phase II detoxifying enzymes.
Intraperitoneal injection of the hexane fraction of I. helenium into ICR mice caused a significant increase of QR activity in liver, kidney, small intestine, and stomach.
Sesquiterpenes, isolated from the hexane fraction, appeared to be major components responsible for QR induction. Among the seven compounds tested in this study, alantolactone, isoalantolactone, and 5alpha-epoxyalantolactone significantly induced QR activity in both Hepa1c1c7 and BPRc1 cells.
In conclusion, sesquiterpenes, including alantolactone, isoalantolactone and 5-epoxyalantolactone, present in I. helenium merit further evaluation as chemopreventive agents.
Posts: 590 | From Canada | Registered: Oct 2007
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posted
I didn't realize it was so new to the market. I wonder how Drs can be so enthusiastic about a product that they have no experience with?
Posts: 975 | From California | Registered: Apr 2007
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posted
Looking, That is interesting info. The second piece looks like a published article. I've found it difficult to find much info on the Cowden/nutramedix products -- the herbs are mostly S. American and don't seem to correlate with Western and Chinese, which are more widely described and the Nutramedix site is vague at best. I'm wondering where the first entry came from--could you post the source? (I thought it might be from the PDR to Herbal medicines?). Thanks, Nancy
Posts: 688 | From Florida | Registered: Aug 2001
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posted
Nancy, you're right the last part is an abstract you should be able to find on pubmed perhaps.
The first part is mostly just some bits and pieces from a chinese herb supply company who have "phytochemists" supplying info on their herbs apparently. I'm not promoting the site.
The chinese do know a lot about herbs though. I don't know if the S. American version has unique properties, that's why I said it's general info about inula helenium for what it's worth.
I was originally looking for info explaining why "Enula" was causing loose stools. It seems this product may be meant to do that, as it also contains Ipomoea jalapa -- used as a purgative in the treatment of constipation, colic and intestinal parasites.
The other ingredient is "Blood Wiss (vitis tiliafolia) used to purge the blood and alleviate pain. There isn't much info available online about these last two herbs.
Posts: 590 | From Canada | Registered: Oct 2007
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CherylSue
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Member # 13077
posted
I tried enula for 5 days and made it up to 15 drops twice daily. It had a strong laxative effect, and I had to stop it because it was uncomfortable.
I'm interested in how it's helping others.
CherylSue
Posts: 1954 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2007
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CherylSue
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posted
I think I may have babesia which is preventing me from overcoming the Lyme. I may try Enula again at a lower dose. Buhner recommends Cryptolepsis. I wonder if that works.
CherylSue
Posts: 1954 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2007
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CherylSue
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posted
Those that take Enula, what is your dosage and how often do you take it?
Thanks.
Posts: 1954 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2007
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posted
I have been on Enula since March 6. 12.5 days on, 36 hours off, then 12.5 days on. 30 drops in the am and 30 drops in the pm, just before meals.
I am one of Dr. H's chronic babs patients. I supposedly am not exhibiting any more lyme symptoms, and I have done everything for babs over 3.5 years: mepron/zith; larium; quinine; clindamyacin; chloroquine; primaquine; riamet, malarone.
my symptoms are: headache in the lower part at the back of my head; night sweats, about 12 days out of the month; low grade fever 99.6 every day, starts in the late morning and goes all day until the mid-evening; some malaise where I really feel like i have a fever.
i started enula and within a few hours i had the back-of-head headache. i was up and down for a few days after that, then three straight weeks of not feeling well: headache, malaise, fever, sweats. then a week of feeling better (no headache) and now it's on and off, every day is different.
my doc said he had a patient whose symptoms increased for three weeks, then everything cleared up on the 4th week- no symptoms.
the jury is still out for me and i am trying to remain optimistic. i've tried everything and i took some drugs for many months (merpron...over a year). if this doesn't work i don't know what we'll do next.
mg
Posts: 34 | From Colorado | Registered: May 2005
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posted
Yes, I see Dr. H too. Haven't noticed any side effects/effects from the Enula yet.
Posts: 370 | From NJ | Registered: Dec 2007
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sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10397
posted
CherylSue - it occurred to me that taking charcoal may be counter-productive to taking the ENULA.
Sometimes purging can be an effective way to get rid of toxins or parasites. It's not good to overdo it, either. You may want to let nature take it's course with the ENULA or lower the dosage a bit.
Just some thoughts - I'm not a doctor.
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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suki444
Unregistered
posted
Thanks everyone for the feedback...every time I try to add it back into my malarone regimen it upsets my gut so I cannot take it anymore right now.
Mountaingirl, Have you tried double dose Mepron with Bactrim AND Zith (or Flagyl instead of Bactrim) along with Artemesia? Some people are also trying Alinia for Babesia and it is mentioned in the Schaller book, not much evidence yet on how effective it is tho.
posted
maybe I better start the elua agaoin too.
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CherylSue
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posted
Sparkle7, per my LLMD's suggestion, I also take Alli. I can only tolerate 1 pill in a day with a meal, and I don't take it everyday. Just when I need a purge.
I took activated charcoal yesterday for some bad herxing. 2 in the am and 2 in the afternoon. I took 1 Alli last night after having chicken wings (think fat) for supper.
Today I am going and going purging the charcoal.
CherylSue
Posts: 1954 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2007
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CherylSue
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posted
Any more positive experiences with Enula?
Posts: 1954 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2007
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posted
CherylSue, I do notice that I herx after taking it, and I always think that's a good thing in the long term.
By the way, I'd like to add that I've put some drops of Enula on a rash I have and it has helped reduce the itching and has helped reduce or eliminate the rash. Something I think some of you others out there w/rashes might want to try.
Patti
Posts: 975 | From California | Registered: Apr 2007
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posted
I'd like to add that I really think the skin, our body's largest organ, is really overlooked by our Drs as an entity that needs special attention and should be treated with topical antibiotics.
If you try it, just test a small area, because depending on your rash, it can cause a big herx.
Posts: 975 | From California | Registered: Apr 2007
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kam
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 3410
posted
I just started on teh Cowden Protocol. 2nd day of adding enula.
So, can't help you much at this point.
Posts: 15927 | From Became too sick to work or do household chores in 2001. | Registered: Dec 2002
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mojo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9309
posted
I am on the Cowden. Just reached my full dose over the weekend. I'm on my first day and a half rest of Enula.
So far I got rid of some parasites but no die off or change in symptoms.
I don't have any symptoms of Babs, though.
Posts: 1761 | From USA | Registered: May 2006
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CherylSue
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 13077
posted
I've been taking 30 drops twice daily of Enula now. Not too bad anymore with the laxative effect. However, I've been noticing more mild night sweats (chest/neck area). Is this common? How many months does one have to stay on Enula?
CherylSue
Posts: 1954 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2007
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Angelica
Unregistered
posted
CS my LLMD thinks that localized sweats are more bartonella related and night sweats which are more all over the body are more babs related.
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I wondered why I might be getting rid of intestinal parasites .... yuck.
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