Dear Stephen,
I read your discussion (pg. 125) regarding not using astragalus in late-stage lyme, but wondered if that still applies in the case of a new tick bite? I’ve had increased symptoms since finding the embedded deer tick about 2-1/2 weeks ago, which I mistook for several days as a flare or herx because it felt more internal than on the surface (tail-bone area), so I’m sure it was there at least 48-72 hours. I immediately began doxycycline but couldn’t tolerate it and stopped after 5 days. I’ve been on your herbs since August (CP + stephania + eleuthero [2:1] + others, mostly at 3-3x/day now) as well as the Salt/C protocol since June, after 2+ years on antibiotics under a top LLMD here in Connecticut, who originally diagnosed me in April of 2004. I took homeopathic ledum and apis for 3 days each as recommended in your book, but have avoided astragalus due to the contraindication. It sounds like the best herb for a new bite, so would perhaps taking the “Tonic” rather than the “Active lyme infection” dosage be an advisable compromise, or should I just not use it at all? Is there anything else you’d recommend in my situation? Thanks very much.
Stephen’s response:
Go ahead and use the astragalus, full strength. I would suggest using it for a few months.
Stephen
-
Stephen Harrod Buhner was an Earth poet and an award-winning author of twenty-four books on nature, indigenous cultures, the environment, and herbal medicine including the acclaimed book Healing Lyme: Natural Healing & Prevention of Lyme Borreliosis & Its Co-infections.
Stephen came from a long line of healers including Leroy Burney, Surgeon General of the United States under Eisenhower and Kennedy, and Elizabeth Lusterheide, a midwife and herbalist who worked in rural Indiana in the early nineteenth century. The greatest influence on his work, however, was his great-grandfather C.G. Harrod who primarily used botanical medicines, also in rural Indiana, when he began his work as a physician in 1911.
Stephen’s work has appeared or been profiled in publications throughout North America and Europe including Common Boundary, Apotheosis, Shaman’s Drum, The New York Times, CNN, and Good Morning America. Stephen lectured yearly throughout the United States on herbal medicine, the sacredness of plants, the intelligence of Nature, and the states of mind necessary for successful habitation of Earth.
He was a tireless advocate for the reincorporation of the exploratory artist, independent scholar, amateur naturalist, and citizen scientist in American society – especially as a counterweight to the influence of corporate science and technology.
View all posts
Child with new bite? suggested dosing ?
Please see the archives for past Q & As related to your question: https://buhnerhealinglyme.com/category/transmission/recent-bites/ and https://buhnerhealinglyme.com/category/lyme/children/.