posted
And if so what are benefits and side affects if any? I just found a bottle in my cabinet and am think since I am only on acidophilous, maybe I should take that too????
Son's blog born at 24 weeks. Posts: 356 | From massachusetts | Registered: Jan 2009
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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Just off the top of my head, I would not do this. Echinacea is a boost to the immune system.
If at the beginning of lyme, maybe, but for chronic lyme as you are dealing with, it could have adverse effects.
Patients with chronic lyme have one part of their immune system that is on overdrive, therefore, indiscriminately "boosting" that is never a good idea.
Even for normal people, ehcinacea should not be taken for more than ten days in a row.
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You can do a search on this at several sites, but it's best to read what several LL herbalists or LL NDs would say.
Ocean
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3496
posted
Keebler,
really??? I had no idea, I mean I did have one 'autoimmune test' type marker, in that my CH50 was low, but I didn't know you shouldn't do stuff to boost your immune system. I was going to start taking Colostrum again.
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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Ocean,
does your alternative MD know all about lyme patients? How much training in herbs has he had? These are just neutral questions. He may well have an exact reaction in mind for you, hope so.
In general, Boosting is not the same as supporting. You want to support your body systems but not boost them.
Ech. is a fabulous herb but often overused and used at the wrong times. However, if part of a formula or part of a balanced protocol, it may be fine for long term use.
It's still good to read up from many sources about it - and regarding the already over active immune componet of lyme patients (with one componet that is underactive). This is the immune Th1 and Th2 stuff but I can't remember which is hyper and which is clobbered. I just know it's not the same as for people who do not have lyme.
While Buhner does not suggest Ech. in his book, "Healing Lyme" he has two pages of great discussion about in: "Herbal Antibiotics" again, in general, and not geared for lyme patients.
He does say that it is without equal for abnormal pap smears (as suppository), strep throat and the very early onset of flus and colds (p. 27).
However, he goes on to write, it is on of the most overused herbs in the world and is commonly used for conditions that it will not help. . . it has become endangered . . . .
p. 30, Buher says: . . . ech should not be used if you are getting sick a lot . . . .
seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
Keebler, you really are knowledgeable enough to write a book on all this stuff..not kidding.
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