I was diagnosed with Lyme in the fall of 1997. I had no bull's eye rash or anything else. I had a raised growth on my leg where I was bitten by a mosquito, but thought nothing of it. I felt sick and achy for about six to eight months-and after many doctors visits, decided to contact 1-800-tick bite.

A good February to everyone! As promised, this month we'll begin discussing herbs which contain antibiotic properties, and are thus good for treating a variety of bacterial infections. They can be useful as an adjunct to the synthetic antibiotics (man made) prescribed by doctors in the treatment of these types of infections. In certain respects they may be superior to their synthetic counterparts, as they are not as toxic. Moreover, they don't appear to cause the mutations of bacterium which are often seen with chronic use of synthetic antibiotics, which can eventually render these antibiotics useless.

Before we discuss these herbs, it is important to have a basic understanding as to how and why bacterium become resistant to synthetic antibiotics. The why part of this process is simple to answer. In the middle of the twentieth century, the first synthetic antibiotics used by physicians were so successful in killing off dangerous strains of bacterium, that the prominent notion in the medical community at the time, was that the use of these antibiotics could very well signal the end of most bacteriologically caused illnesses.

However, they could not have been more mistaken. What they failed to recognize was that these single celled organisms were able to communicate in an intelligent way, sharing all types of important information. Bacteria are made up of different chemicals. They are a life-form whose main goal (much like that of humans) is to survive and reproduce. Consequently, when attempts are made to destroy them, they too fight back in an effort to survive. This takes us to how they do so, which is more complex.

Bacterium respond to assaults of even the largest doses of the most potent synthetic antibiotics, using metabolic changes to counter the effects of these antibiotics. This ability to mutate enables them to not only survive these assaults, but to in the process become even more virulent then they started out; which in turn enables them to cause even more serious diseases. Also disturbing, is the ability of different types of bacteria to communicate with eachother, sharing important information including that of antibiotic resistance.

Scientists have found that when two different types of bacteria meet, they move alongside eachother so that they can exchange information. What takes place during this meeting is very complex, but the end result is that a resistant bacteria appears to share all of the information that it has including that of antibiotic resistance, with the nonresistant strain of bacteria. Once this takes place, the nonresistant strain has now developed resistance to all of the types of antibiotics that the first bacteria had developed resistance to, without ever having been exposed to the antibiotics themselves. This bacteria can now pass this information on to other nonresistant strains, enabling them to also become resistant to antibiotics. Imagine what could happen if every strain of nonresistant bacteria in the human body suddenly became resistant to antibiotics! Perish the thought!

Of equal concern is that this method of communication seems to now be taking place between types of bacteria that have never in the past been known to communicate with eachother, including aerobic and nonaerobic bacterium, as well as the gram negative and gram positive strains. Research has also shown that bacteria contain bacteriophages (bacterial viruses), which also hold information on antibiotic resistance, which they pass on to other bacteria.

Bacterium seem to be sending us a clear message, that they have figured out how to break down and mutate against the simple compounds which make up the synthetic antibiotics that have been used for decades to kill them, and moreover, that they will continue to evolve and flourish as long as these antibiotics are used. This is not to say that synthetic antibiotics don't have any value in the treatment of illnesses. They of course do, and have saved countless lives since their inception. However, the medical community's indiscriminant use of them in the treatment of illnesses that did not require antibiotics, has enabled bacterium to evolve faster then they normally would have (allowing them to develop resistance to these antibiotics faster then they would have been able to).

Consider that they are able to multiply at a rate roughly 500,000 times faster then humans, and one does not have to be a "rocket scientist" to see that bacterium have the upper hand on us when it comes down to who gets to evolve faster. This is where medicinal plants appear to have a significant advantage over synthetic antibiotics. Plants are made up of very complex compounds, unlike their synthetic counterparts, which usually consist of one chemical constituent.

For example, while penicillin contains just one chemical constituent (penicillin), the herb garlic contains nearly sixty different constituents, including many sulfur compounds, as well as seventeen different amino acids. It is this complexity which appears to give those herbs which contain antibiotic properties, a distinct advantage over synthetic antibiotics when it comes to killing bacterial infections. This complexity appears to prevent bacterium from mutating to more virulent strains, as they find themselves unable to breakdown and hence learn how to evade and defend against these more complex substances.

Once again, this is not to say that synthetic antibiotics do not have a place in treating bacterial infections, but they should be used only in serious situations where they are truly necessary.

This brings us to our discussion of those herbs which contain antibiotic properties. Over the next several issues of Natural Alternatives, we'll be discussing many of these herbs. In this month's Herb Corner we'll be covering the following ones: artemisia and cryptolepsis.

Artemisia
There are three different species of this herb: artemisia vulgaris, artemisia annua and artemisia absinthium. The first of these species is the mildest of the three, and probably not very useful in the treatment of antibiotic resistant infections. However, the latter two species have been extremely effective at treating many different types of infections including antibiotic resistant malaria. These herbs have the following benefits: antibacterial, antimalarial antifungal, immunomodulator, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, antihepatoxic, euphoriant, antiamoebic, antipyretic, gastric stimulant, choleretic, bitter tonic, smooth muscle relaxant.
All species of artemisia can be used in the following forms:


Taken Internally

Tea-- 1 - 2 ounces of the herb steeped in boiling water

Tincture -- Fresh plant 1:2 ratio with 95 percent alcohol -- you can use between 10 - 30 drops as many
as four times a day to treat an infection.

Capsules -- Between 1 - 5 capsules up to four times per day

Tincture -- make a tincture from the dried root -- 1:5 ratio with 60 percent alcohol -- use between 10 - 30 drops per day.


Used Externally only

Essential oil -- This can be used in a diffuser to kill airborne bacteria -- do NOT take internally as it is
very toxic.

*Caution -- This herb contains a toxic narcotic substance known as thujone, which when used
extensively, has been tied to central nervous system damage. Consequently, it should not be used for extended periods of time unless you are under the care of a homeopathic doctor. Moreover, women
whom are pregnant should not use any of the species of artemisia.

Cryptolepsis
Cryptolepsis is a shrub from the Asclepiadacea family. It has been used for hundreds of years
in the treatment of many serious illnesses. It has the following benefits: antiparasitic, antimalarial, antibacterial, antifungal. Human clinical trials have shown cryptolepsis to be very effective in the
treatment of malaria. In fact, one of these trials showed this herb to clear malarial symptoms in
a shorter time then its synthetic counterpart, chloroquine, and without the side-effects associated
with that medication.

Taken Internally

Tea -- mix a teaspoon of cryptolepsis with 5 ounces of boiling water -- can be taken up to twice a day

Tincture -- Make a 1:5 ratio mixture in 60 percent alcohol -- use between 20 - 40 drops up to four times
a day.

Capsule -- Take up to 3 capsules twice a day. Up to 20 capsules can be taken for acute conditions provided
that you are under a homeopathic doctor's care.


Used Externally

Crush herb into a fine powder. It can be applied to an external bacterial or fungal infection. Apply
up to four times per day.


*Caution -- While there are no warnings regarding this herb, people using it should be aware that they may have, or may develop an allergy to cryptolepsis. Should you develop a rash or experience any other odd symptoms while using this herb, discontinue use of it immediately.



***Caution should be taken when using herbal supplements. Many of these while harmless at their recommended dosages, can become dangerous when taken in larger amounts. In addition, some people may have or may develop allergies to an herb that has had no prior reputation for causing allergic reactions. If you feel that you need to increase your daily intake of a particular supplement, please speak with either your physician or someone who is knowledgeable with regard to pharmacognosy (the study of drugs derived from plants).

Until next month!
Jim : )

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Lyme makes us "go to pot"!

Last year many of us lost a very close friend to death due to Lyme disease. What I might feel is more painful for some of us, is not. There is no measure of the loss of a friend, mentor and patient advocate of Lyme victims as well as survivors. Beverly Stanton, "Country Girl" was all of these things and more.

The Mgh Lyme Chat room was renamed by John Lester in memory of Beverly Stanton for all the work she did there and people she helped. We teased her about "opening and closing down Lyme Chat" on a daily basis. Dr. Lester, (Harvard, Mgh), organized and attended a 2 day memorial service via the internet for family and friends. Bev's sister Trish was there to meet Bev's "internet Lyme family" for the first time. This was the first internet funeral I had ever been asked to attend, and as anyone would hope, the last. I even dressed for it. Once logged in, I couldn't seem to leave. I suppose it was the fist time the internet became virtual reality for me.

PSpatches who authors Lyme Matters newsletter and Pat's Tips & Tricks (for internet help), built a memorial site in Bev's honor a year ago. Even to this day it is open for those who want to stop by, to visit or read remarks left by others. Some are about Beverly and others, some are about the daily struggles we all feel from time to time. Some are in frustration, pain or alienation that this disease can bring. I visited today and that is why I am writing.

You are invited, when you get a chance, to stop and visit for a minute at the memorial site of Beverly Stanton, Lyme victim, age 53. Read some entries and remember how blessed we are to be a part of a group of people who I know to be loving, compassionate and with an attitude of gratitude. I have no doubt it will renew your spirit. Share in the guest book if you choose to.

I suppose this seems a strange message today being Valentine's Day, the "day of love." But love, support and encouragement is what life is about when all else seems to have been taken away. It has kept me willing to persevere beyond all obstacles placed in front of me thus far. I know sometimes we want to give up; remembering how Beverly touched the lives of many challenges me to remain busy and available, positive and strong.

Thank You,
Brite

Beverly
http://lymebev.homestead.com/bevlyme.html


Lyme Awareness, Inc.
P O Box 20107
Bowling Green, KY 42102-6107

This is a great cake for any occasion.
And it is so easy to make and everyone will be sweet on you for making it!
You do need a bundt pan to make it.
It is also great to serve just a little bit warm with vanilla ice cream
:) :) Enjoy

Preheat oven to 325*

1 Duncan Hines Yellow Cake Mix 4 eggs
I pkg. Vanilla pudding (instant) 1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup water 1 Bag of chocolate chips
1 German chocolate bar for baking.

Mix cake mix, pudding, oil, water & eggs. Fold in bag of chips and shave the German chocolate into the batter. Pour into bundt pan.
Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes at 325*.
I like to dust the chips with a little bit of the dry cake mix so they don't sink to the bottom. This cake taste like the best chocolate chip cookie you have ever had.....:):)

Addendum