cat's claw and autoimmune diseases

I don't know specifically about auto immune diseases but DS's LLNP asked us to stop using it while he was in their treatment (abx/antimalerial, some supplements) because they found it caused a lot of herxing and didn't seem to do much in terms of eradication. It's been awhile so I hope I'm remembering that correctly.

Here's what Buhner says about Cat's Claw - vs the TOA Cat's Claw:

buhnerhealinglyme.com/herbs/cats-claw-autoimmunity-and-hashimotos-thyroiditis/

The Buhner Healing Lyme site on Facebook has discussed the autoimmune issue with cat's claw many times if you search that group. The problem is there is no real agreement.

Some people have autoimmune disease and take cat's claw with no problems and others can't take it. Cat's Claw might over stimulate the nervous system instead of modulate it in those with autoimmune disease from what I understand.

I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and have been afraid to take cat's claw until now because I am desperate for something to help. I am up to ten drops a day. My normal horrible symptoms are no worse or better. I am going to add in the chinese cat's claw next in hope that it helps with neuro-lyme.

Thanks, Loutucky and Yellow Cat. Buhner states that we can take cordyceps and Skullcap instead of cat's claw. Are you taking those? I just took 1/2 drop of cat's claw and work up to see what happens.

Patty

I was misdiagnosed with MS, and did have Hashimoto's when I first used cat's claw, and used it for a year with no troubles. I have Psoriasis now, and have used cat's claw since I developed the psoriasis without any issues either. Maybe I'm one of the lucky ones that can tolerate the herbs well.

It really is an individual response. Just keep a close eye on your 'issues' - they may flare slightly to begin with then settle back down too, so if you have a mind to try them, just watch closely, and don't risk too much! There are other herbs out there that can be used.

Okay I'm a little confused.

I've been taking high levels of ABX and herbs with no issues or herxes. I recently switched from Banderol/Samento to the LB Core from Green dragon botanicals. It contains JKW and Cat's Claw, among others. Now that I'm at the max dose I have started having constant joint pain and other new, weird symptoms that weren't there before. I don't know if this is a herx and a good sign, or if it means I should stop. Before the switch I was having mostly good days and thought I was practically healed.

How do I know if I should continue and for how long?

Girlie said...
dogsblood - I'm thinking you are herxing.


What all is in the LB core? Other than JKW and CC? Is there Astragalus in it?

Japanese Knotweed root - 500 mg.
(Polygonum cuspidatum) - wildharvested - NE United States

Cat's Claw vine bark - 500 mg.
(Uncaria tomentosa) - wildharvested - Peru

Andrographis herb - 430 mg.
(Andrographis paniculata) - organic - India

Sarsaparilla root - 110 mg.
(Smilax spp.) - wildharvested - Jamaica/ Mexico

Dandelion herb - 110 mg.

My first time on Catsclaw that wasn't the tao free kind, and my first time on JKW and Andrographis.
(Taraxacum officinale) - organic - NE United States

I just got an email today from Isabella Wentz (thyroid pharmacist, I'm on her email list, she has Hashi's) and it said those autoimmune disease should not take spirulina OR Japanese knotwood!

I was alarmed, because I have been taking quite a bit of spirulina lately. See below:

ASK DR. IZABELLA WENTZ

Q: What’s your opinion about seaweed? Is it a good idea to take chlorella or spirulina to cleanse your body if you suffer from Hashi’s?

A: Spirulina and Chlorella have immune stimulating properties that can worsen autoimmunity and even cause new onset autoimmunity. Additionally, the iodine is problematic and can cause further thyroid damage. For cleansing, I recommend green juicing and the Rootcology Liver Reset.

Root Cause Rebel Report

Watch out for Japanese knotweed….I wanted to pass on this message from one of my readers who reported an adverse reaction to a supplement…

Hello – I hope to help others avoid the experience I recently had by sharing my experience with a popular lyme herb, Japanese knotweed, and its effect on my thyroid. I believe companies that sell it and other thyroid suppressing products need to have a caution about it on the labels and websites.

I started taking it as rxed by a practitioner last summer. At first I felt so much better on all levels and was encouraged that it was helping me get well at last. As fall started, though, I began to have more and more days when I could hardly function and had to stay in bed most of the time. Depression, anxiety, and negative thoughts began to plague me again. By early spring, I was avoiding socializing because I had no patience, tolerance, or energy for much of anything.

I wondered if I would survive to see another spring. Then I got a gut feeling it could be related to the Japanese knotweed. I googled "knotweed, thyroid" and discovered the herb is indeed a thyroid suppressor. I stopped taking it and am in the process of trying to regain my functioning.

I've learned there are a number of herbs, supplements, and of course, foods, that can suppress the thyroid. I wanted to share this and hope Dr. Wentz will somehow get the info to others so they don't have to experience the challenges of another (potentially dangerous) burden on their thyroid when they think they're doing something to help it.

The fact that many substances initially create a feeling of well-being before overtaxing and perhaps overstimulating the thyroid makes our healing journey all the more challenging and requires a lot of caution about what we put into and on our bodies. Plus, there is a great deal of conflicting info on various sites to further complicate things. I had to learn this the hard way—2 practitioners recommended the herb and knew I had thyroid issues, so apparently they weren't aware of its side effects—the info only came up when I specifically included "thyroid" in the search.

This is important info and it should be published widely. Thanks for all you do – Dorothy