posted in <<Health Conditions > Lyme & Co-Infections > Resources


Buhner Healing Lyme program

herb sources for the treatment protocol outlined in the book Healing Lyme by Stephen Harrod Buhner

see also: Stephen Buhner’s advice column on Planet Thrive, his website, Treatment Protocols, and Planet Thrive’s Healing Lyme support group


Healing LymeSources indicated with an asterisk (*) refer to those recommended by Buhner in the Healing Lyme book.

Important: All indications noted with herbs in this section are excerpted from Healing Lyme, which should be read in full before proceeding with any treatment. The assistance of a qualified health care provider familiar with all dosage outlines, contraindications, and herb/drug interactions outlined in Healing Lyme, and familar with your personal health history and current symptoms is also strongly suggested.


Andrographis paniculata – CORE PROTOCOL
indications: prevention, acute onset, antispirochetals, dermatoborreliosis, immune modulation, headaches, chronic fatigue
CAUTION: To date, 3 people have reported allergic reactions to Andrographis. Primarily the reaction shows as a rather severe skin rash. This will resolve if you stop taking the herb, though it might take a week or so. Anti- inflammatories such as cortisone creams are not necessary; it will clear up on its own. Please pay attention to any skin reactions you might have to the herb and discontinue it if you have a reaction. If you are one of the very few that does experience a reaction, you can continue the rest of the herbs in the core protocol, simply deleting Andrographis.

400 mg capsules: Nature’s Way*

purchase it from: iHerb.com, other online vitamin shops or your local health food/vitamin store

*Recommended by Stephen Buhner; meets his criteria outlined on page 88 of Healing Lyme for andrographis: “I suggest the use of the standarized herb in the treatment of lyme disease. These preparations normally contain 300mg of standarized constituents and 100mg whole herb—400mg total.“

400 mg tablets: Planetary Formulas Full Spectrum*

purchase it from: Vitacost.com, other online vitamin shops or your local health food/vitamin store

*Stephen Buhner recommends this brand in his Planet Thrive Q & A column.

400 mg, wild-crafted: Paradise Herbs*

purchase it from: iHerb.com, other online vitamin shops or your local health food/vitamin store

*Recommended by Stephen Buhner. He says “I think the andro is worth a try. I am unsure about the efficacy of the other herbs in this combination but the isatis would be excellent for immune function.“

bulk: 1st Chinese Herbs

purchase it from: 1stChineseHerbs.com

Chuan Xin Lian (Andrographis)


Japanese Knotweed (Resveratrol) – CORE PROTOCOL
indications: prevention, acute onset, Bartonella co-infections, antispirochetals, neuroborreliosis, Lyme neurotoxins, memory and cognitive dysfunction, Lyme arthritis, dermatoborreliosis, Lyme carditis (with palpitations and shortness of breath), immune modulation, headaches, reducing Herxheimer reactions

100 mg capsules, wild-crafted: Paradise Herbs*

purchase it from: iHerb.com, other online vitamin shops or your local health food/vitamin store

*Recommended by Stephen Buhner. He says he likes this and the Source Naturals brand equally. Although they are two different mgs, he says “the two formulations are very difficult to compare, so I would stay with a max of 4 tablets 4x daily of each brand.”

500 mg tablets: Source Naturals*

purchase it from: vitanetonline.com, other online vitamin shops or your local health food/vitamin store

*Recommended as a tablet form source of Resveratrol in Healing Lyme. According to the book, it contains 500 mg of Polygonum cuspidatum and resveratrols, standardized to 8%, and 10 mg resveratrol (piceid, resveratrol glucoside). Stephen says he likes this and the Paradise Herbs brand equally. Although they are two different mgs, he says “the two formulations are very difficult to compare, so I would stay with a max of 4 tablets 4x daily of each brand.”

bulk, wild-crafted: Monteagle Herbs

purchase it from: monteagleherbs.com

Wild-crafted Japanese knotweed, sold in both powder and cut/sifted forms.

bulk, wildcrafted: Woodland Essence*

purchase it from: woodlandessence.com

*Recommended as a wildcrafted bulk source for Polygonum in Healing Lyme.

bulk: 1st Chinese Herbs*

purchase it from: 1stchineseherbs.com

*Recommended as a bulk source for Polygonum in Healing Lyme. 1st Chinese Herbs sells the whole powdered form of Polygonum Cuspidatum (Japanese knotweed) as the Plum Flower brand of “Hu Zhang powder.” This whole form has no additional additives and should be gluten free. Plum Flower also offers Hu Zhang as a 5:1 concentrate, which has some starches used in processing and is not guaranteed gluten-free. One Planet Thrive member asked customer service at 1st Chinese Herbs if these versions contained filler ingredients and they told her:

The Plum Flower(r) Brand 5:1 concentrated extracts are spray-dried from a liquid state directly into a fine powder. Some herbs require a carrier such as dextrin (a corn product) or microcrystalline cellulose. In the past cornstarch, maltose, and maltodextrin were all used as carriers. As most of the 5:1s contain some starch or other excipient, we recommend that gluten sensitive patients use raw herb decoctions or pills instead.


Cat’s Claw (Uncaria tomentosa) – CORE PROTOCOL
indications: prevention, acute onset, immune modulation

500 mg capsules: Raintree*

purchase it from: Rain-tree.com

*Recommended by Stephen Buhner in Healing Lyme: “I strongly recommend the use of Raintree’s Cat’s claw only. It is the primary supplement on the market that I know is of high quality and ethically wildcrafted.“

bulk, sustainably harvested: Raintree Cat’s Claw

purchase it from: Rain-tree.com

*Recommended by Stephen Buhner in Healing Lyme: “I strongly recommend the use of Raintree’s Cat’s claw only. It is the primary supplement on the market that I know is of high quality and ethically wildcrafted.“


Astragalus – CORE PROTOCOL ADD ON
indications: prevention, acute onset, Erlichia co-infections, neuroborreliosis, Lyme carditis (with angina, palpitations, and shortness of breath), immune modulation

500 mg capsules: Planetary Herbals

purchase it from: iHerb.com


500 mg capsules: Nature’s Answer

purchase it from: iHerb.com

Contains BOTH extract AND whole root, which is recommended by Buhner.

bulk, certified organic: Mountain Rose Herbs

purchase it from: mountainroseherbs.com


Smilax (Sarsaparilla) – CORE PROTOCOL ADD ON
indications: neuroborreliosis, Lyme arthritis, dermatoborreliosis
CAUTION: Sarsaparilla may interact with Aloe

425 mg capsules: Nature’s Way

purchase it from: iHerb.com


Artemisinin (Artemisia annua)
indications: Babesia co-infections

100 mg capsules: Allergy Research Group / Nutricology

purchase it from: iHerb.com


500 mg capsules: Zhang Clinic

patients can purchase it from: Zhang clinic (212) 573-9584, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 10am-6pm EST

Each Capsule contains 500mg (contains 33mg arteannuin) of the extract of Artemisiae annua L. Herba, Astragalus membranaceus and Codonopsis pilosula.


Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale)
indications: Erlichia co-infections
no herb sources listed currently


Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)
indications: Babesia and Bartonella co-infections
no herb sources listed currently


Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (Periplocaceae)
indications: Babesia co-infections

tincture: Bear Creek Herbs*

purchase it from: Bear Creek Herbs (505) 388-5035

*Recommended by Stephen Buhner in his Planet Thrive advice column

tincture: Woodland Essence*

purchase it from: woodlandessence.com

*Recommended by Stephen Buhner in his Planet Thrive advice column. From Woodland Essence as of 3/2/07: Yes, we do sell the Cryptolepsis extract. The cryptolepsis is the root of a shrub which is wildcrafted in Ghana. It is a new herb extract for us to be selling, having been asked by Stephen Buhner to carry this, after his research showed what an excellent choice this herb is for Babesia co-infections with Lymes. It will soon be on our website for ordering. We carry an alcohol extract (1:5, 65% alcohol) prepared with the dry herb. Dose ranges from 1/2 – 1 teaspoon 3x/day. The cost is : 1 ounce bottle $9.00; 2 ounce bottle $17.00; 4 ounce bottle $32.00. Folks can call to order @ 315.845.1515, or printout order form and mail, or order through email via our website or simply woodland@ntcnet.com. We are not set up for pay pal or credit cards online yet…we do take credit cards as payment via phone and mail though.


Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens)
indications: Lyme arthritis
no herb sources listed currently


Eleuthero (Siberian Ginseng)
indications: acute onset, chronic fatigue, brain fog, neuroborreliosis, depression, immune modulation, sluggish thyroid, Post Lyme Disease Syndrome (with weakness and fatigue)

485 mg capsules: Nature’s Way*
*Although recommended by Buhner for Siberian ginseng in Healing Lyme, page 137: “I suggest Nature’s Way, which contains 250mg of standardized extract and 200mg of the whole herb,” when asked, Buhner said “I only put this in the book for people who do not want to use tincture. However, I strongly suggest the tincture and would not generally recommend the encapsulated herb.“

250 mg capsules: Nature’s Way

purchase it from: iHerb.com


Herb Pharm Eleuthero Extract*

purchase it from: Herb Pharm – alcohol-based | Herb Pharm – glycerite (alcohol-free)

*Herb Pharm Eleuthro (Siberian ginseng extract) is the form Buhner recommends to start with. Herb Pharm Eleuthero is the only form available in very high potency of 2:1. for first 30-60 days, 1 teaspoon 3 times a day (page 137), then discontinue for 2 weeks.

***NOTE: The glycerite version is a lower potency, only 1.25:1 (instead of 2:1 like the alcohol version). That makes the glycerite more costly for same amount, and it means you’ll have to adjust the dosage up by 38%.


Hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha)
indications: Lyme Carditis (with angina and arrhythmia)
no herb sources listed currently


Huperzine A (Huperzia serratum)
indications: neuroborreliosis, memory and cognitive dysfunction, Post Lyme Disease Syndrome (with memory deficits)
no herb sources listed currently


Khella (Amni visnaga)
indications: Lyme carditis (with angina)
no herb sources listed currently


Nettle (Urtica dioica)
indications: Lyme arthritis
If you prefer your nettles as an infusion, you can buy bulk, cut and sifted. For healthy bones, Susun Weed suggests 1 oz dried nettles to 1 quart boiling water, let steep overnight. Drink 2 cups per day. Buhner suggests up to 2 oz per quart for high doses of vitamin C.

bulk, organic: Mountain Rose Herbs

purchase it from: MountainRoseHerbs.com


bulk, organic: Frontier Natural

purchase it from: mothernature.com


bulk, organic: 1stChineseHerbs.com

purchase it from: 1stchineseherbs.com


bulk, organic: Red Moon Herbs

purchase it from: RedMoonHerbs.com


Periwinkle (Vincamine)
indications: memory and cognitive dysfunction, eye involvement (Ocularborreliosis), headaches, Post Lyme Disease Syndrome (with memory deficits)
no herb sources listed currently


Red Root (Ceanothus americanus or equivalent)
indications: Babesia and Bartonella co-infections, swollen lymph nodes / sluggish lymph glands

bulk, wildcrafted: Mountain Rose Herbs

purchase it from: MountainRoseHerbs.com

Red root is one of the few herbs that Buhner recommends in tincture (1:5 50% alcohol) rather than as whole herb (see page 186). Note that red root is contraindicated in people using blood coagulants or anticoagulants and in pregnancy.

tincture, wildcrafted: Eclectic Institute, Red Root

purchase it from: iherb.com


tincture, wildcrafted: Herb Pharm

purchase it from: iherb.com


Stephania Root (Stephania tetrandra, S. cepharantha)
indications: anti-spirochetals, Bell’s Palsy, neuroborreliosis, memory and cognitive dysfunction, eye involvement (Ocularborreliosis), Lyme arthritis, Lyme carditis (with angina and arrhythmia), immune modulation, headaches
CAUTION: New research has shown stephania unsafe for use in pregnancy

1st Chinese Herbs*

purchase it from: 1stchineseherbs.com

*Recommended source for Stephania Root in Healing Lyme.

tincture: Woodland Essence*

purchase it from: woodlandessence.com

*Per Stephen Buhner on 3/09/09, Woodland Essence is now selling a Stephania (Stephania tetrandra) root tincture that he thinks is pretty good.


Teasel Root (Dipsacus sylvestris)
indications: Lyme arthritis

tincture: Herb Works

purchase it from: stores.ebay.com/Herb-Works

This eBay store is maintained by Dr. Philip Fritchey, N.D., a naturopath with Lyme, who wildcrafted this organically grown teasel in New York State, 2008 season.

tincture: Walker Farms

purchase it from: walkerherbs.com

Walker Farms uses brandy instead of grain alcohol as the extraction medium to produce a tincture that is less harsh to the body.

tincture: Woodland Essence

purchase it from: woodlandessence.com

Related Posts with Thumbnails
share this page:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Google Bookmarks
  • LinkedIn
  • Mixx
  • MSN Reporter
  • MySpace
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • Tumblr
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • RSS
  • PDF
  • email
  • Print

posted by earthwalker on August 1, 2009 | 3,712 views | tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Comments

  • earthwalker

    September 19, 2009 at 10:21 pm

    If you have some trusted herb sources for any of the above, please leave all the info here in a comment and we will add it to our list. Thanks!!

  • Eleanor Mason

    January 26, 2010 at 11:52 am

    Need herbal suggestions for lowering levels of mycoplasmas. Seems to be a recurring problem for me.

  • earthwalker

    January 26, 2010 at 1:56 pm

    Hi Eleanor, Here are posts on our site related to mycoplasma: http://planetthrive.com/tag/mycoplasma/

  • Dr. Jan Hogle

    April 7, 2010 at 9:16 pm

    My family owns Twin Pine Farm in Scandia, Minnesota, where we grow produce and herbs using sustainable, Beyond Organic methods. The farm is situated in a high-risk area for Lyme and we are all dealing with this disease. After finding considerable relief of Lyme using the protocol in Mr. Buhner’s book, we decided to offer some of these herbs in our online store at SageGecko.com. Our herb products are whole herb powder in vegetable capsules, with no fillers or preservatives. We would appreciate being added to your list of herb sources. Thank you!

  • bettybetts

    July 25, 2010 at 8:54 am

    Dear Stephen,

    I have MCS and cannot tolerate alcohol. It causes dizziness, nausea, headache. I have found a capsule with 475mg. of red root from the Terra Vita company in Canada. I have gone to this trouble to avoid the artemesiae capsule of Dr. Zhang which contains red root and astragalus. It’s the astragalus I am avoiding on your recommendation because I have late stage lyme. Trying to find the right thing to do is extremely stressful. Now my doctor says my recent testing shows my blood is thick and I should take Nattokinase. These tests were done before taking the red root. What to do?

  • earthwalker

    July 25, 2010 at 11:53 am

    Hi Betty,
    Stephen Buhner does not necessarily read comments posted to articles on our site. If you’d like to ask him a question, please submit it through the purple “submit a question” button under his photo in the upper right column of his column (planetthrive.com/category/experts/buhner).

    I am a little confused by your post. Is there a conflict with taking Nattokinase and Red Root – is there alcohol content in either of them? That seems to be what you are implying. Please clarify if you do send it to Stephen through our column.

    You might want to read these other posts on Nattokinase on our site, one person has reported very positive results using it in combination with Stephen’s protocol. planetthrive.com/tag/nattokinase Best of luck!

  • bettybetts

    July 25, 2010 at 6:09 pm

    There is alcohol in the red root tincture recommened by Stephen. I can’t use any tincture because of the alcohol. Also, There is an issue with using a blood thinner ( Nattokinase) with red root.

Leave a reply

* means field is required.

*

*