Dear Stephen,
First I just want to thank you for all you do! I have been using your core protocol for about a month. I am at nearly the maximum dose levels, and am also taking andrographis, stephania, red root, vinpocetine, chlorella, turmeric and sarsaparilla. I am also drinking about 32 ounces of fresh squeezed juice daily (carrot, apple, celery, cucumber, parsley, kale/spinach/dandelion, ginger, lemon). My question has to do with treating low testosterone concurrently with the lyme. My testosterone recently tested VERY low, and I started taking herbs last week from Woodland Essence (muscle tone formula and pine pollen alone) – herbs you suggested in your Raising Testosterone book. Is it acceptable to take the testosterone herbs with the lyme herbs? Also, I was experimenting with niacin just before I started the Core Protocol. The direction here (as I read) is to use actual niacin (not the no flush variety), building to about 3000mg/day in divided doses. The couple of times I did this, I had very major herxes, and was beginning to believe it was effective. What are your feelings about niacin and would it be contraindicated if I am doing the core protocol and the testosterone raising herbs? Some of these are powerful, and I don’t want to overdo anything. Thanks again.
First I just want to thank you for all you do! I have been using your core protocol for about a month. I am at nearly the maximum dose levels, and am also taking andrographis, stephania, red root, vinpocetine, chlorella, turmeric and sarsaparilla. I am also drinking about 32 ounces of fresh squeezed juice daily (carrot, apple, celery, cucumber, parsley, kale/spinach/dandelion, ginger, lemon). My question has to do with treating low testosterone concurrently with the lyme. My testosterone recently tested VERY low, and I started taking herbs last week from Woodland Essence (muscle tone formula and pine pollen alone) – herbs you suggested in your Raising Testosterone book. Is it acceptable to take the testosterone herbs with the lyme herbs? Also, I was experimenting with niacin just before I started the Core Protocol. The direction here (as I read) is to use actual niacin (not the no flush variety), building to about 3000mg/day in divided doses. The couple of times I did this, I had very major herxes, and was beginning to believe it was effective. What are your feelings about niacin and would it be contraindicated if I am doing the core protocol and the testosterone raising herbs? Some of these are powerful, and I don’t want to overdo anything. Thanks again.
Stephen’s response:
Yes, you can take the testosterone herbs as well. If your testosterone is very low, I would recommend you take pine pollen as a single extract rather than in a mix. Niacin is not contraindicated but I usually suggest a lowish dose in the beginning to minimize side effects. (Thanks for your kind comments.)
Yes, you can take the testosterone herbs as well. If your testosterone is very low, I would recommend you take pine pollen as a single extract rather than in a mix. Niacin is not contraindicated but I usually suggest a lowish dose in the beginning to minimize side effects. (Thanks for your kind comments.)
Stephen
Hi Stephen, Long time fan and budding herbalist here. Is Pine pollen the same as Italian pine bark? I have a FUT2 genetic variant which manufacturers oligosaccarides and polysaccharides and Italian pine bark has been recommended. I already take Woodland Essence Pine pollen in a low dose for women.
Thank you kindly for all that you do for the chronic disease community.