Dear Stephen,
I’m an Ayurvedic practitioner in France. We are uncovering a major epidemic of lyme in Dordogne. I have neuroborreliosis and will be experimenting with your protocol personally and professionally while also applying Ayurvedic detox (pancha karma) techniques. I have a question about dosage for whole powders: when you say in your book, for those who want to use the whole Japanese knotweed powder, to fill 8 – 16 ‘00’ size capsules and take in four equal doses daily, I am trying to determine how much this is in grams for those who don’t like using capsules. In my view, for those with weakened digestive fire, a lot of capsules tends to create a gluey substance, and possibly more Ama, or toxic residues). Am I correct in thinking that since ’00’ capsules hold approximately 950 mg, the powder dosage would be 7.6 grams – 15.2 g of powder in four equal doses – that is, approx. 2 g x 4/day to 3.8 g x 4/day at the higher dosage? Thanks for your help in confirming the powder dosage. And thank you for the vital knowledge you are sharing with us for increased health of body, mind, heart and planet. Through your work and compassionate presence, you are helping me heal lyme in myself and others far more effectively. It would be wonderful if my colleagues and I could organize a lyme conference in Dordogne someday and invite you as guest speaker! We are very behind the U.S. and Germany in treating this disease and many medical professionals, lyme patients and undiagnosed lyme sufferers are feeling quite lost at the moment. What would you say to a trip to southwestern France? With gratitude.
I’m an Ayurvedic practitioner in France. We are uncovering a major epidemic of lyme in Dordogne. I have neuroborreliosis and will be experimenting with your protocol personally and professionally while also applying Ayurvedic detox (pancha karma) techniques. I have a question about dosage for whole powders: when you say in your book, for those who want to use the whole Japanese knotweed powder, to fill 8 – 16 ‘00’ size capsules and take in four equal doses daily, I am trying to determine how much this is in grams for those who don’t like using capsules. In my view, for those with weakened digestive fire, a lot of capsules tends to create a gluey substance, and possibly more Ama, or toxic residues). Am I correct in thinking that since ’00’ capsules hold approximately 950 mg, the powder dosage would be 7.6 grams – 15.2 g of powder in four equal doses – that is, approx. 2 g x 4/day to 3.8 g x 4/day at the higher dosage? Thanks for your help in confirming the powder dosage. And thank you for the vital knowledge you are sharing with us for increased health of body, mind, heart and planet. Through your work and compassionate presence, you are helping me heal lyme in myself and others far more effectively. It would be wonderful if my colleagues and I could organize a lyme conference in Dordogne someday and invite you as guest speaker! We are very behind the U.S. and Germany in treating this disease and many medical professionals, lyme patients and undiagnosed lyme sufferers are feeling quite lost at the moment. What would you say to a trip to southwestern France? With gratitude.
Stephen’s response:
Yes, you are right in your estimation. The Chinese high dose is about 30 grams per day. However, in general I prefer just using one TBS 3x daily mixed in juice and increasing it to 3 TBS 3x daily over time. That is a rougher way to do it but a bit easier than trying to measure it all out, especially for those with lyme. And I would love to visit and teach there. I do get quite a few emails from Europe regarding lyme, a number of them from France, and it would be fun to talk about lyme there. Thanks for asking.
Yes, you are right in your estimation. The Chinese high dose is about 30 grams per day. However, in general I prefer just using one TBS 3x daily mixed in juice and increasing it to 3 TBS 3x daily over time. That is a rougher way to do it but a bit easier than trying to measure it all out, especially for those with lyme. And I would love to visit and teach there. I do get quite a few emails from Europe regarding lyme, a number of them from France, and it would be fun to talk about lyme there. Thanks for asking.
Stephen
Dear Stephen,
Thank you for everything you’re doing for all of us. Your knowledge is a Godsend!
I have a question, I’ve been ill and until recently undiagnosed and untreated for Lyme, bartonella and babesia. It’s wreaked havoc on my thyroid and endocrine system. That being said, I read your books and poured over the website ordered my herbs from woodland essences and took my first dosage yesterday.
I may have gone overboard with my enthusiasm to get well and taken too much. My stomach and breasts are so swollen and sore I’m not sure which herb did it and if it’s a good sign or not. I look like I’m 7 mos pregnant right now. On the bright side, I’ve had this non stop swollen lingual tonsil that’s been shutting off my airways for the last 6 mos and that’s finally going down. Something abs weren’t doing.
Here’s what I took: boneset, Japanese knotweed, cordylepsis, sida acuta, hawthorn. I’m estrogen dominant and have an alcohol sensitivity. These were all tinctures. Alcohol doesn’t make my stomach swell, oh I’m also gluten free. Other than that I can’t believe what’s happening. My night sweats stopped. So should I push on and this will resolve itself or is there an herb that I can’t handle?
Thank you,
Lisa
Lisa, I’m not a doctor, but I would honestly stop all of them, and add one back at a time, giving a few days in between.. To figure out your reaction issues. :) Good luck!
Hi
I am a medical herbalist and am currently working with a Gp in the Uk . I would like to do some research on Japanese knotweed and was wondering if you could send me some links to any research that would be relevant in connection with Japaneses knot weed and lyme.
Some of my client have been on Japanese knotweed for over 3 years and im wondering how long to keep them on it without a break?
I would really appreciate and links of research on this.
Thanks again for your great work , were would we be without you?
Im also wondering how to monitor the use of your protocol as this is the one i am using , im sure many are too how could we return the feed back as is has been great?
all the best
Julia Behrens
I know this is late to the game, but I wanted to mention a possible dosing problem with the 3 Tbs 3x a day. I have a package of the Nuherbs Japanese Bushy Knotweed Root, 1lb Bulk Herb. 1 loose tsp of this is just under 2 grams. A Tbs is 5.6 grams. 3 Tbs 4x a day would equal over 50 grams of the powder.
Maybe this is more in line with the Chinese 30 gram dosage when using wild home-crushed herb? Or is 50 grams better than the 30?
I meant 3 Tbs 3x a day would equal over 50 grams.
Hey Brandon I was looking over at his Core Protcol when he recommended the Source Naturals Resveratrol. It says 500mg of Knotweed is in it. He recommended 1-4 tabs 3-4 times a day. So at his max dosage I am gathering 10 grams of knotweed per day. So 2-3 TBS per day should be enough. I’m not sure why he said increase up to 3 TBS a day. I personally think 3 tbs of cat’s claw and 3 tbs of knotweed per day is a good amount to work up to and stick with for a while.
Look at the references in his books, you will find lots of info there – and then using these references, search their references.
SH Buhner has specified certain herbs not only bec. they work, but also on the basis of the scientific research done on them. This is useful for those needing to substantiate “science” to allopathic minded folk and those who wish to standardize doses, which when self treating and not very knowledgeable about herbs is the safest recommendation.
There are so many herbal websites, it should be easy to learn more and gather your own links. I have so many and it would be very time consuming to cut and paste them all — in Europe the one I appreciate is “Henrietta’s” Amazing resource and she needs assistance in transcription from herbal communities – she has several classic texts that need tending in order to preserve the knowledge.
Really good and important addendum Brandon. Thank you from me!!
Julia –
IMO – Knotweed, in smaller doses could be of health benefit in general for most of us, if not all, not just those who are borrelia infected.
Resveratol, the major constituent in Knotweed is quite healthful.
Look around to see the countra-indications.
I would not dose at therapuetic levels for a long time. As always it will be the individual’s terrain which will determine this. Tapering off at times, and watching carefully for individual reactions/results is always a good idea, as is adding one herb at a time in this protocol.
Hi Julia. I am an herbalist working with Lyme patients and using Buhner’s protocol too. You can contact me at Elise Weisinger on facebook or at elisegoose@gmail.com. Thank you so much Buhner, you have helped so many people! This is an epidemic for sure. I would also like an opportunity to give feedback.
Brandon: That is 8g of knotweed per day at the max dose… so just weigh out 8 grams and take in divided doses if you can. How does that taste, btw?
3 tbs of dry herb 3x day would be 50.4 grams
1 level tsp = 1.2 grams
3 tsp = 1 tbs = 5.6 grams
3 tbs = 16.8
3 tbs 3x day = 50.4
1-4 tablets = 500mg – 2,000mg per dose
3-4x = 1,500mg – 8,000mg daily
comparable dry herb to tablet daily dose would be approx.
1 tsp (1.2g) – 1.5 tbs/4.5 tsp (8.4g) daily
Please correct if I missed something.
Yes you’re correct. I’m currently taking the Green Dragon Botanicals LB Core Protocol and taking 10 capsules (with 500mg/3 capsules) 3 times per day = 4,500 mg per day. Working up to 6,000 mg per day ideally…
Most symptoms are handled quite well by the product. this is the one Stephen recommends.
Hello Mr Buhner! is japanese knotweed in tablets 500 mg ok? cause i bougth it already, from your book, at i herbs, and its not the tincture ….
Thank you ..
and how many tablets should i take first and then increase the dosage?
im french i live in Paris and bought your book ! thank you so much for all your compassion and amazing work …
Elizabeth
shot in dark here.acquired small, beautifully carved bamboo container from Sumatra.It purportedly held lyme and does have white powdery residue therein. I was told that it was mixed with tobacco for smoking?
Thanks. That bag was fine in water. I got a new kind this year (Nuherbs organic) as it’s a bad year for ticks in CT and I’ve been bitten a few times. This one is much harder to down as it is not ground as fine and sticks in the throat a little and has a bitter taste.
Hi. My homestead specializes in growing organic Japanese Knotweed. There’s a bit of sarcasm here, because it is invasive. How do I take what is a woody root and convert it into powder? The only powders I can find are made in China. Thank you!
Knotweed grows across the stream in my backyard, so I too “specialize” in growing it. I dry the roots, chop with a hatchet or cleaver, then grind in my hand crank coffee mill, tightening the nut progressively and sifting until I get fine powder. Yeah, it’s a lot of work. I could use the Vitamix first, but the wife would get mad because it would destroy the inside finish. Pulled 12 nymphs off me yesterday morning, so I’m off to grind a fresh batch. Good luck!
YOu have pain in your lymphs because the herbs are killing it faster than you can detox. You either back down on the the herbs. Or you get an infrared sauna.
The powder I take tastes a bit burned, and dreadful. Can I expect another brand to taste better?
There seems to be something wrong with Stephen’s reply above. 3 Tbs 3x daily is three times higher than he recommends in the core protocol and the Materia Medica in the 2nd edition. Can anyone confirm the conversion from Tsp to Oz, or Tsp to G for “root powder”? I get the Oz to G conversion, but Tsp (and Tbs) can vary depending on what is being measured.
Thank you for pointing this out. I will check with him and get back to you.
Hi JB,
Thank you for asking about this. I was able to ask Stephen and he says:
“1 tsp 3x day is a good beginning dose, then increasing to 1 tablespoon 3x day, slowly. As the years have gone by, it seems that some people need very small doses and some need very large doses. Knotweed is a food grade herb which most people tolerate well. I don’t think it matters how large the dosage is, however the important thing is for people to find the dose that works for them which means starting low and increasing until the right dose is found. That being said, a few number of people only need a few drops of the tincture, so the dose really does vary considerably.”
I hope this helps! Julie
Lyme is Kundlini…Part of the microcosm. I don’t want to wipe it out, just stop it killing me or driving me mad as it wipes ‘me’ out.
And what fun that is…bacterial non-duality.
Thanks for your magical teachings Stephen. I did a workshop with you in London 15 years ago and it changed my life.
I am new to the Buhner protocol. I have had lyme about three years (that’s when I had the “bullseye EM). I have a few questions about the herb names: Is Glycyrrhiza the same as Glycyrrhiza glabra? Is Andrographis the same as Andrographis paniculata? Thanks for your help. I have the regular symptoms, but have also had a second EM with no puncture mark. I had a few ‘bites’ with puncture marks on my forearms and couldn’t figure out what bit me. I pulled a few ‘stingers’ out and after reading “Healing Lyme”, found they probably weren’t bites at all, but Lyme skin sores. One of the tough black strings I pulled out was about 3/8 of an inch, and the others between an eighth and a quarter of an inch…ouch! Again, thanks Stephen Buhner!!!
Thirteen years ago I dealt with lyme disease and it went into remission. Three years ago I was diagnosed with polymyalgia rhumatica, I am currently on 8 milligrams of prednisone.I have come to the conclusion that it is lyme artheritis. I want to do the protocol that Buhner recommends but unsure how to proceed. Is there a issue because of the pred I am on.
Your multiplication is incorrect!! If 1 tsp. equals 1.2 grams.Three times that to equal a tablespoon would be 3.6 grams for a tablespoon, NOT 5.6.
So 3 tablespoons would be 10.8 grams. Taking 3 times a day would equal 32.4 grams total.