10 Antimicrobials at a Glance

I am uncomfortable taking antibiotics and I have written one or two articles explaining why.
Penicillin was magnificent back in 1929. Back then, antibiotics were new and not yet routine. Since that time, antibiotic resistance has become all too common in the developing world, and now we are seeing a shift away from antibiotics. Farms and restaurant chains are getting rid of antibiotic-raised livestock and meat. Articles are being published every day about antibiotic-resistant superbugs such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which are causing havoc around the globe. Even President Obama is developing strategies to move the country away from dependence upon antibiotics.

We cannot and should not avoid bacteria. Bacteria are masters of adaptation in response to new substances entering their environments.

This article says it best: “As soon as a bacterium develops a method for countering an antibiotic, it systematically begins to pass the knowledge on to other bacteria at an extremely rapid rate. In fact, bacteria are now communicating across bacterial species lines — something they were never known to do before the advent of commercial antibiotics. They transfer a significant amount of resistance information by releasing it into the environment to be taken up by other bacteria.”

“Antibiotics ultimately, and regrettably for us, act as chemical attractants and pull bacteria to them. In the presence of an antibiotic, a bacterium’s learning rate immediately increases by several orders of magnitude.”

Plants, on the other hand, have responded to life in the bacterial-infested dirt by becoming complex anti-bacterial herbs. Some contain many if not hundreds of strains (ahem, marijuana) that can be antibacterial, as opposed to single compound antibiotics that are far easier for the bugs to become resistant towards. These multiple-compound antibiotics can also be free, as opposed to pharmaceutical antibiotics which can cost thousands of dollars (despite being made cheaply, with sketchy additives because the people who make them care more about profit than about you).

Antibiotics can be useful because of they contain adequate potency, and if it was life or death situation, I would take them gratefully. But they are extremely toxic, as explained here. My advice: try natural antimicrobials first. Here are a few to get you started:

 

1. BLACK WALNUT ( Juglans nigra)

Has proved an effective:

• Anti-parasitic
• Antiviral
• Anti-fungal
• Antibacterial

Warnings:

• Do not use for extended periods or in too high doses
• Best used in combination preparations or tincture form to ensure low dosage
• Do not use during pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Not to be used by children under the age of 12

Recommended Dosage:

• When used in pure form: 1 capsule once a week. May be continued indefinitely at this dose as a maintenance treatment for parasitic infections
• When used in a herbal blend: follow the instructions of the blend
• In tincture form: Start 5 drops 3 times a day. Work up to 10 drops 3 times a day and then stop for two weeks. Continue with 10 drops 3 times a day for another week and stop for two weeks. If you experience bad herxheimer reactions, stop for a day or two and resume at a lower dose. Once you have finished one course (one 50 ml bottle), do not repeat the course, but continue with a single weekly dose of Black Walnut Capsules.

 

2. SARSPARILLA (SMILAX)

A popular Chinese herb that has well-proven healing properties (recommended by Klinghardt, Buhner).

 Has proved effective in treating:

• Inflammatory skin conditions including psoriasis and eczema
• Syphilis (another spirochete closely related to Borrelia burgdorferi)
• Leptospirosis (also a spirochete)
• Lack of libido
• Rheumatism
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1
• Inflammation and inflammatory disorders
• Neurotoxins (Potent Lyme Endotoxin Binder) and is neuro-protective (crosses blood-brain barrier)
• Herxheimer reactions
• Mental and psychological parameters in chronic syphilis
• Chronic pain
• Liver dysfunction
• Fatigue
• Asthma, hay fever, and rhinitis
• Cervical spondylosis (Lyme related disc degeneration and facet joint arthritis)
• Chronic liver disease (dramatic) including Hepatitis C
• Cognitive impairment
• Autoimmune dysregulation

 Warnings:

• Smilax is very gentle and neutral on the body; no serious side effects have been recorded.
• Safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established

Recommended Dosage:

• Capsules:  1-3 caps 3-4 times/day. Increase slowly to full dosage,  stay on it for 2 months, then slowly reduce to maintenance dose of 1 cap 3 times/day. Take for at least 1 year.
• Tincture: 10 drops 3 times/day. Increase to 5ml 3 times/day for two months, then slowly reduce to maintenance dose of 15 drops 3 times/day.

 

3. ANDROGRAPHIS:

Has proved effective in treatment of the following:

• Spirochetal infections such as syphilis and Lyme
• Inappropriate mast cell allergic reactions in tissue
• Liver dysfunction
• Inflammation-mediated neurodegeneration of brain and spinal cord (crosses blood-brain-barrier)
• Filarial infections
• Malaria (and possibly babesia)
• Heart tissue damage after heart attack
• Hepatitis A and B
• TB
• Tonsillitis
• Herpes viruses
• Inflammation

 Also Known To:

• protect heart muscle
• be calming on the nervous system

Warnings:

• Lowers progesterone
• Not to be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Possible contributor to gallbladder disease
• Higher doses may cause gastrointestinal discomfort. In this case, reduce the dose and then increase again slowly.

Recommended Dosage:

• Capsules: Start with 1 cap 4 times/day. Slowly increase to 3 caps 4 times/day. Stay on this dose till Lyme symptoms significantly decrease, then gradually decrease the dosage.
• Stop during severe Herxheimer reactions.  Continue for one year.

 

 4. JAPANESE KNOTWEED (Polygonum cuspidatum)

As recommended by Klinghardt, Buhner

Has been proven effective in treatment of:

• Leptospira (a spirochete similar to Borrelia)
• Bartonella (Buhner)
• Many gram negative and gram positive bacteria
• Viruses
• Hepatitis B (and C?)
• Microbial endotoxins
• Inflammation
• Platelet aggregation
• Eye, heart and skin conditions
• High cholesterol
• Wound healing
• Ischemic heart disease
• Leukemia
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Loss of bone mass
• Aging
• Auto-immunity
• ALS, Alzheimer, Parkinson, Multiple schlerosis
• Increases microcirculation in the brain.
• Incontinence
• Stone formation
• Diarrhea
• Eczema
• Lower back pain
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Gout

Warnings:

• Not to be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Do not use with blood thinners without the consent of your doctor.
• High doses may cause gastrointestinal upset. Reduce dosage and increase again slowly to tolerance level.

Recommended Dosage:

• Use 3-4 caps 3-4 times/day. Work up slowly to this dose.
• Tincture: Up to 1 tsp 3 times/day.

 

 5. STEPHANIAN ROOT 

As recommended by Klinghardt, Buhner

Has proved effective in treating the following:

• Inflammation
• Alopecia
• Asthma
• Joint pain
• Neuroborreliosis
• Arthritis (especially in Lyme)
• Bell’s palsy
• Scavenging free radicals
• Toxic glutamate levels in brain
• Asthma
• Heart disease
• Retinopathy (modulates formation of new blood vessels and improvement of vision)
• Malaria (and Babesia)
• Inhibits cancer cell proliferation
• Anti-fibrotic/anti-scar formation
• Blocks abnormal histamine release/stabilizes mast cells

Warning:

• Not to be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding

Recommended Dosage:

• Tincture:, ½-1 tsp  3 times/day

 

 6. OLIVE LEAF

One of the oldest anti-microbials known to man.

Has been proved effective for treating the following:

• Viruses
• Fungi (athlete’s feet, ringworm etc.)
• Parasitic and helminthic infections
• Bacterial infections (including spirochetes and Lyme)
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Irregular heartbeat
• Unstable blood sugar
• Anti-oxidant
• Helps circulation through the heart

Warnings:

• No known side effects but may induce herxheimer reaction in sensitive individuals. If this occurs, stop dosage for a few days and resume at a lower dose.

Recommended dosage:

• Capsules: 1-3 capsule 3 times/day.
• Tincture: 10-30 drops 3 times/day.

 

 7. AFRICAN POTATO (Hypoxis hemerocallidea)

One of the most potent and well-known herbs on the African continent. Traditionally used by many indigenous people for a variety of ailments,

Has proved effective in the treatment of the following conditions:

• Urinary infections
• Enlarged prostate
• Inhibits growth of certain cancer cells
• Antiviral (shows great promise in use against HIV/AIDS
• Antibacterial
• Antifungal
• Immune booster
• Reduces inflammation
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Research is uncovering its strong anti-spirochetal action

Warnings:

• Safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established
• Induces herxheimer reaction in some individuals.

Recommended Dosage:

• Start with 5 drops 3 times/day and increase slowly to a maximum of 1 tsp 3 times/day. In the event of a herxheimer reaction, stop for a day or two and start again with a reduced dose.

 

8. CILANTRO (Coriandrum sativum)

A well-known kitchen herb now famous for its ability to remove heavy metals from the body.

List of Cilantro Benefits:

• Powerful anti-inflammatory
• Arthritis
• Anti-bacterial
• Increases beneficial cholesterol and reduces harmful cholesterol
• Relieves flatulence and aids digestion
• Helps for urinary tract infections
• Relieves nausea
• Eases PMS and menstrual cramping
• Provides digestive tract with helpful fiber
• A source of iron, magnesium, and is helpful in fighting anemia
• Improves liver function
• Powerful anti-oxidant
• Detoxifies the entire body
• Stimulates endocrine glands
• Helps with insulin secretion and lowers blood sugar
• Anti-fungal
• Useful for eczema and psoriasis
• Contains immune-boosting properties
• Expectorant
• Helpful for conjunctivitis, eye-aging, and macular degeneration.

Warnings:

• Not to be used while pregnant or breastfeeding
• May cause intestinal upsets in high doses. Reduce dosage.
• Plenty of information regarding cilantro as a heavy metal chelator is available on the internet. Please do some research on the topic before using Cilantro.

Recommended Dosage:

• Tincture: 5 drops 3 times/day. May be rubbed into the wrists and absorbed through the skin.

 

9. PAU D’ARCO

 This Brazilian herb has been in medicinal use for more than 1000 years.  In South America it is used in hospitals as a cancer treatment, pain reliever, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-psoriatic and anti-fungal.

Medicinal Uses:

• Inhibits growth and activity of cancer cells
• Stimulates immune system
• Antibacterial (including penicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)
• Antiviral (Epstein-Barr, Herpes virus)
• Anti-fungal (including thrush)
• Anti-parasitic
• Applied topically for eczema, psoriasis and skin cancer
• Joint inflammation
• Degenerative disorders.
• Traditional syphilis treatment (spirochete similar to Lyme spirochete)
• Increases oxygen supply to red blood cells which aids antimicrobial activity
• Antimalarial (and possibly babesia)

Warnings:

• Not to be used when pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Take after meals to avoid stomach upsets.
• Not to be taken for extended periods.
• In the unlikely event that you experience bruising, bleeding, pink urine or severe nausea, stop taking immediately and contact your doctor.

Recommended Dosage:

• Only available in tincture: Up to 2.5 ml 3 times/day. Use for two weeks and then take a break for two weeks. DO NOT use continuously for more than two weeks at a time.

 

10. CAT’S CLAW 

Also recommended by Klinghardt and Buhner

Medicinal Uses:

• Stimulates immune system by enhancing phagocytosis
• Relieves pain
• Reduces inflammation
• Kills viruses
• Protects cells
• Detoxifies
• Fights free radicals
• Cleanses blood
• Cleanses bowel
• Increases urination
• Kills cancer cells
• Lowers blood pressure
• Kills leukemia cells
• Reduces cholesterol
• Decreases depression
• Chronic fatigue
• Asthma
• Arthritis
• Eczema and psoriasis
• Stomach and bowel disorders (such as Crohn’s disease, leaky bowel syndrome, ulcers, gastritis, diverticulitis, and other inflammatory conditions of the bowel, stomach, and intestines)
• Helps prevent strokes and heart attacks
• Reduces blood clots

Warnings:

• Discontinue if you experience diarrhea and indigestion.
• Do not take if you are trying to conceive or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Do not give to children under the age of 3 years.
• Do not use while taking immunosuppressive medication, blood thinners or anti-hypertensive (blood pressure) medication.
• Cat’s claw may induce a herxheimer reaction in sensitive individuals. If in doubt, start with one drop 3 times per day and increase according to symptom index.

Recommended Dosage:

• Capsules: 1-4 capsule 3-4 times/day
• Tincture: 10 drops up to 1 tsp 3 times/day.

I think there is a time and place for medicine – herbs, pharmaceuticals, all of it. One thing that was hard for me was coming off of meds. I felt like I couldn’t live without them. But the point of going into treatment was to one day be able to come off. Of course, I still do what it takes to be healthy – exercise, keep my liver healthy, hormones balanced, etc, but I will try to stay off of antimicrobials as much as possible. The way I see it, if my immune system can’t handle a small remainder of bacteria (and there is always bacteria remaining – we simply do not live in a germ free world) then I need to draw attention to my immune system.