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Using teasel causing high blood pressure? Low blood sugar and low vitamin D

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Posted 2/18/2013 1:11 AM (GMT 0)
I learned recently about the benefits of using teasel to treat lyme. I haven't been diagnosed but feel like that's what my symptoms point to. (I did have a blood test done at IGeneX-negative) My family Dr. says I have fybromyalgia. (I don't think so) Anyway, I started taking tincture of teasel 4 weeks ago. Now in the last 2 weeks my blood pressure has spiked. (I'm on medication) I'm wondering if the teasel would have anything to do with that? Also, last week my symptoms also increased ten fold so I assumed I was herxing, so I've cut back.

Last Monday I went to the Dr. because of my blood pressure and she ordered some blood work. The results? My blood sugar was low (67) and I was low in vitamin D (18.8). So now I'm wondering... Are the symptoms I'm having from the low vitamin D, or is my vitamin D low because I have Lyme. I know there's really no right answer, and sorry this post seems a bit disorganized, just would like some input on it.
Posted 2/18/2013 2:11 AM (GMT 0)
I have been using teasel for years and while it hasn't helped me, it hasn't hurt me either. I have never heard of it causing those problems.
Posted 2/18/2013 2:41 AM (GMT 0)
Sounds to me that you're herxing causing your blood pressure to spike as toxins are releasing. I had an even lower Vitamin D level than you when I stopped taking it but had no symptoms from it.

I own a vitamin store and come across many people deficient in D with no symptoms because of it. Take 5000 IU daily of D3 to bring it up. That's better than the 50,000 once a week of the synthetic stuff the Dr.'s prescribe. They're just clueless when it comes to nutrition.
Posted 2/18/2013 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
Twills,

I do not think that Teasel was the culprit for the high blood pressure, just as ToddPaul has suggested. Herxes are of themselves an adequate cause of elevated blood pressure.

While herbs are generally a lot less toxic than pharmaceuticals, this general rule is not an absolute. I augmented my daughter's conventional ABX with elements of the Buhner protocol. I introduced her to Andrographis, and slowly increased the daily dosage. Buhner stated that a small percentage of people are allergic to it. Knowing this, I also started taking it, using myself as a guinea pig, as it is also known to be great for preventing colds. We never got to the full dosage, as we both developed hives and other allergic reactions. My point is that any person is liable to be allergic to any particular herb. We now test everything for compatibility before we take it. Still, we have found that the vast majority of herbs are compatible.


ToddPaul,

Have you heard anything about Vit. K2 as a potentiator for Vit. D? Dr. Mercola had an article a few months ago about it. He said that eating fermented foods will fulfill that requirement for K2. I was just wondering whether you had any knowledge or opinion about it?

Don
Posted 2/18/2013 3:28 AM (GMT 0)
Don, yes Vitamin K2 is a very important nutrient to take as it prevents calcium from depositing into soft tissues like the heart and directs it into the bones where you want it.

Vitamin D is great for calcium absorption but without the K2 the calcium can go to places you don't want it.

K2 is found in abundance in a fermented soy product called natto but we don't eat that here so we need to supplement it. We may get some in cheese and butter but not nearly enough.

People on blood thinning meds such as Coumadin are advised not to take it as it could counteract the med.

As a side note, magnesium will also prevent calcium from depositing into the arteries so be sure and take that also. When I stop taking my magnesium I get esophageal spasms so I know I'm low in it.

Not sure if it's the Lyme causing the deficiency or the anatacid medication I take. Probably both.
Posted 2/18/2013 3:32 AM (GMT 0)
ToddPaul,

Could you please clarify, are you saying that you took teasel and it caused you to have low vitamin D? I wasn't sure what you meant.
And that's exactly what the Dr. prescribed. confused
Posted 2/18/2013 3:45 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry for the confusion Twills. I can see why you would be. I meant when I was off Vitamin D. I've never taken teasel root.

Of course that's what the Dr. prescribed. Well most do anyway. Mine actually told me to take 2000 IU daily but I take double that. The 50,000 is D2 which is synthetic made from radiating fungi instead of the natural D3 which is derived from lanolin or sheep's wool (also sometimes fish liver oil). The natural absorbs better.
Posted 2/18/2013 4:34 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the information about the Vitamin D. It's very helpful.
Posted 2/18/2013 5:08 AM (GMT 0)
Twills

I didn't get a chance to read all the replies but I wanted to ask if you've considered seeing a Lyme literate dr (LLMD). I was diagnosed with Fibro too, also had blood sugar issues, and low Vit D, etc. I suspected lyme, (was CDC negative but that doesn't mean much due to inaccurate tests), and through the help of some people on this forum I found an LLMD and he confirmed lyme and confections. I recently started treatment, and although I know I have a long road ahead I have relief in that I'm finally diagnosed and on the right path.

Good luck, keep us posted!
Posted 2/18/2013 5:10 AM (GMT 0)
Btw, I should have said *misdiagnosed*, with Fibromyalgia. I believe it is a symptom of an underlying cause, not a viable illness in and of itself...in my case (and opinion), that is.
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