artemisinin advice please

So it seems like it's taking forever for me to titrate Buhner's Lyme and Babesia protocols especially since I also want to take many of the supportive herbs which can cause herxes all by themselves.

My LLMD still doesn't think I have Babesia but I had babesia-like symptoms when I started cryptolepis (am only up to 3 drops of that along with 3 drops each of sida acuta, alchornea and dan shen)....all of these TID.

In the event it's important for anyone to know, I can tell you that I'm also taking:

2 caps of Green Dragon Botanicals Cat's Claw TID (still have to increase that to 3 caps TID)

15 drops Japanese Knotwood (still have to get that up to 30 drops and then titrate up to 3 caps TID).

I'm also taking Stephania, Kudzu, Eleuthero, Red Root and Ashwanghanda.

I think I want to start artemisinin next. I bought the Allergy Research Group capsules....and also the whole herb tincture from Herb Pharm.

I've been reading countless threads on artemisinin and can't figure out what might be the best way to start.

It seems some people start at the full dose (that scares me to death lol)....some people pulse. Some people take the whole herb tincture. My LLMD supports me but doesn't know anything about herbs and I'm left to fend for myself.

Advice please :)

Oh, if anyone thinks I should fully titrate Cat's Claw and JK before adding any more babesia herbs, I'd appreciate input on that as well.

Thanks to all who post!

cd3764,

Are you taking the 100 mg capsules (regular Artemisinin) or 200 mg Super Artemisinin? I'm taking the Super Artemisinin (same products for both Allergy Research and Nutricology). Either way, probably start out at 1 pill twice a day. See how you do. I had increased symptoms, but they were not intolerable.

Artemisinin, ideally, should be taken 3 times a day because it gets out of your blood stream quickly. Also, you should not taken antioxidants at the same time. They interfere with absorption. I take mine on an empty stomach.

It should be pulsed because a layer builds up in your stomach that interferes with absorption after about a week. I think you need at least a day or two off in between.

I have read that it is best to take higher doses for shorter periods. However, if I take more than 2 (200 mg) pills at once, I start to herx a decent amount. So, I need to work on it. ;)

Good luck. Let us know if you have any other questions. :)

My ND/acupuncturist said the info about pulsing artemisin is a relatively new development. So the Buhner info just may not be updated yet. (Or maybe he disagrees.)

It's something about the enzymes in your body developing resistance to the artemisin, so you hold off a few days so it forgets about it. Does that make sense?

sarahm620 said...
My ND/acupuncturist said the info about pulsing artemisin is a relatively new development. So the Buhner info just may not be updated yet. (Or maybe he disagrees.)
It's something about the enzymes in your body developing resistance to the artemisin, so you hold off a few days so it forgets about it. Does that make sense?

This is interesting because Buhner's book that covers babesia was published this year. He doesn't believe in treating biofilm so maybe this is another area of disagreement....sigh.

Your explanation about the enzymes makes sense and mirrors Lymie Girl's comments.

Somehow, it seems more palatable to pulse it although, who knows as far as herxing is concerned. lol

Thanks so much for your input, Sarah!

Girlie said...
I wouldn't wait to get to full dose of JK and CC before adding in more babs herbs.

It's better to be on a lower dose of it all and then continue to titrate higher.

(Rowingmom's advice - and I like it)

Thanks Girlie!

Yes, rowingmom's advice appealed to me as well. I received it in the context of babesia advice and it helps to have confirmation that it could work well for treatment for all the infections.

LG~Sry-I don't remember!