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Gou-Teng (Uncaria rhynchophylla) success stories?

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Posted 8/31/2017 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone had any success with Gou-Teng?

I've been trying to follow the Buhner protocol and was wondering if this herb helped anyone.

Thank you

Post Edited (LymeeeSick) : 9/12/2017 9:10:06 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/31/2017 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi LymeeeSick - I have had excellent success with Gou-Teng. I highly recommend it. I had really bad neuro symptoms - brain fog, felt like I was floating above my body when I was having conversations, and a complete lack of concentration before I got diagnosed. It was one of the first herbs I started, and that was in Feb 2017. I believe the Gou Teng was of significant help in reducing my neuro symptoms. I definitely swear by it and will continue to take it until all of my symptoms are gone. My neuro symptoms are pretty minimal at this point.
Posted 9/1/2017 12:21 AM (GMT 0)
Hi BostonMarigold, I wanted to thank you for your response. I'm having one of those days where it seems like Lyme is never going away, so hearing your story really inspired me to take it. It arrived in the mail this morning and really needed some good news.
Posted 9/1/2017 1:33 AM (GMT 0)
LymeeSick - please start it at low dose and slowly increase the dose.
Posted 9/1/2017 2:21 AM (GMT 0)
Is gou teng for lyme specifically or any co infections that may also be infecting your brain? Buhner doesn't mention it in his bartonella book
Posted 9/1/2017 3:18 AM (GMT 0)

Aerose91 said...
Is gou teng for lyme specifically or any co infections that may also be infecting your brain? Buhner doesn't mention it in his bartonella book

Gou-teng (uncaria rhynchophylla) is in the core protocol for Lyme, for neuroborrelliosis.

Good question. I don't see it in the bartonella book either.

In the 2nd edition of Healing Lyme on page 211, he says Gou-teng and lion's mane are both good for protecting and regenerating neural structures on the brain.

If you have neuro symptoms, it should definitely be worth a try.

I got the tincture from woodland essence. They call it Chinese cat's claw. https://woodlandessence.com/products/chinese-cats-claw-extract?variant=32557360398
Posted 9/2/2017 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone for the help, it is greatly appreciated, I responded very well to the Gou-Teng when I started it right after posting my original question on here a few days ago, I can feel it working.
Posted 9/2/2017 9:32 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the update LymeeSick.

I'm glad I saw this post and the positive responses. I was taking a low dose of Gou-Teng for a few weeks but stopped. I may start back with this soon. I've been having more neuro symptoms lately and lots of sensitivity issues. I'm wondering if it will help with some of my problems.
Posted 9/2/2017 10:23 PM (GMT 0)

WalkingbyFaith said...
Thanks for the update LymeeSick.

I'm glad I saw this post and the positive responses. I was taking a low dose of Gou-Teng for a few weeks but stopped. I may start back with this soon. I've been having more neuro symptoms lately and lots of sensitivity issues. I'm wondering if it will help with some of my problems.

As long as you tolerate it well, I would definitely add it back in and try higher doses if the lower doses aren't doing much. While some people are extra sensitive and low doses are all they need to see results, other people need higher doses before they see any improvement. Just take it slow, listen to your body and keep excellent notes regarding your progress.
Posted 9/6/2017 2:24 PM (GMT 0)
Also please keep in mind, the Gue Teng that I bought (the first one that came up on amazon) is concentrated 5:1


I didn't realize that until today, so I have to divide Buhner's dosages by 5 I think.


Anyone knows if this is true?
Posted 9/6/2017 2:57 PM (GMT 0)

BostonMarigold said...
Hi LymeeeSick - I have had excellent success with Gou-Teng. I highly recommend it. I had really bad neuro symptoms - brain fog, felt like I was floating above my body when I was having conversations, and a complete lack of concentration before I got diagnosed. It was one of the first herbs I started, and that was in Feb 2017. I believe the Gou Teng was of significant help in reducing my neuro symptoms. I definitely swear by it and will continue to take it until all of my symptoms are gone. My neuro symptoms are pretty minimal at this point.

What dosage are you taking? I have been at a dropperful for about a month and have seen no improvement yet in my light headedness and brain fog. Although I am adding cats claw and increasing cryptolepis, so maybe its herxing.. Just curious on your dosage and how long before you started to clear up your brain fog. And what brand did you use?

Post Edited (NicHostetler) : 9/6/2017 9:00:32 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/9/2017 5:39 AM (GMT 0)
Gou-Teng is the Wu Tang of neuro herbs. For me, it really helped was the raging glutamate storms and inflammation, without making me anxious or paranoid. Buhner's dosages really seemed to work for me.
Posted 9/12/2017 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
NicHostetler what brand do you use? Do you do one dropperful per day? That might not be enough.




NW_Lyme_Guy thank you for sharing your experience, that's so great to hear. Are you still taking it? What brand are you taking?
Posted 9/12/2017 3:15 PM (GMT 0)

LymeeeSick said...
NicHostetler what brand do you use? Do you do one dropperful per day? That might not be enough.




NW_Lyme_Guy thank you for sharing your experience, that's so great to hear. Are you still taking it? What brand are you taking?

I use Hawaii Pharm. It says the mestruum ratio is 1:3.. not sure what that means and I take about a dropperful and a half now. Still no help. Is this not enough? (by dropperful i mean i squeeze it in the bottle and that is what i call a dropperful. It is about half full)
Posted 9/12/2017 3:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hey NicHostetier, I'm so sorry it's not helping, please don't get discouraged.


I think I might be the wrong person to give advice, since I'm trying to figure things out along the way too, but I'm going to give you my 2 cents anyway.


From what I understand, and I could be wrong, but menstruum simply means how many parts Gou-Teng to how many parts of inactive ingredients.

From Buhner's website it says:


==============

4. If you have neuroborrelliosis, add: Gou-Teng (Uncaria rhynchophylla) –

• Tincture: ½ – 1 tsp 3–6x daily, depending on severity of brain infection.

===============


From this website (www.motherearthliving.com/Health-and-Wellness/Herb-basics-Herb-combinations-can-have-broad-benefits-because-of-synergy-16) it says:


• 1 dropperful—1 ml—1/4 teaspoon


So if you get half a dropperful, then I think you get 1/8 of a teaspoon.


Which is far below the minimum of what Buhner recommends.


I'm not a doctor so please don't take this as medical advice, but I think slowly building your way up might really help you.
Posted 9/12/2017 4:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hey @NickHostetler - sorry, I missed your follow up question!!

I take 3 dropperfuls a day from a 8 oz bottle....so probably about 3/4 of a tsp. I took that much from the beginning and I buy from Woodland Essence - they call it uncaria rhynchonphylla.

I started the tincture in February 2016, and my brain fog was significantly better by early May 2016. I still have episodes of brain fog now, but it's sooooo much better. I think Biaxin has helped my brain fog as well! I think everything has....

Like Lymesick said, consider upping the dosage and keep plowing ahead! And of course, give it some time (sigh.) I also started treating for candida more aggressively recently, and that seems to be helping the brain fog.
Posted 9/12/2017 5:28 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks guys! My dropperfull is 25 drops, so that is 1/4 of a teaspoon. I do that plus a half (around 12 drops, 40ish drops total) twice a day so it sounds like I am about where @BostonMarigold is. Although I am not sure if my strength is as potent as the one from woodland essence so maybe I should check that one out when i finish this. I just like this one because i got free 2 day shipping from amazon.

What are you doing to fight candida?
Posted 9/12/2017 7:39 PM (GMT 0)

NW_Lyme_Guy said...
Gou-Teng is the Wu Tang of neuro herbs. For me, it really helped was the raging glutamate storms and inflammation, without making me anxious or paranoid. Buhner's dosages really seemed to work for me.

Haha, the Wu Tang of neuro herbs?!! well you've sold me. Ordered smile But seriously thanks, this wasn't an herb I was familiar with, looking forward to learning more about it and trying it out. Hopefully it rocks as hard as Wu for me.
Posted 9/13/2017 1:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hey @NicHostetler - I buy all of my tinctures from Woodland Essence. Buhner recommends them, among others. I go with quality over price - woodland essence doesn't have free shipping either sad I've spent a ton of money on Lyme supplements and herbs as I'm sure we all have. I figure I'll worry about the debt when i get through this....

In terms of candida, I upped my Nystatin dosage, and added in SF722. I've read that SF722 is pretty mild, but it's been doing the trick for me. I also started doing daily coffee enemas in conjunction with upping the candida protocol, and something seems to be working smile My anxiety has really decreased, and my mind is relatively sharp. I actually stopped highway driving for the past year because of my brain fog, and I'm finally getting back on the highway again!
Posted 9/16/2017 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
/www.etsy.com/shop/SusquehannApothecary

Just ordered some from here. Baikal scullcap/red sage/gou teng are a trio that reduces my pain. I'm so much happier since I added these in. Highly recommended if you have neuro type issues.
Posted 9/16/2017 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
Is there a difference between uncaria rhynchophylla and uncaria tomentosa. I have the uncaria tomentosa and my naturopath (however you spell it) started me out on 1 drop in the morning and then 1 drop in the evening. Every 2 weeks I am to increase it by 1 drop till I get up to 5 drops and then stay at 5 drops for a few months. Just curious when you all take a dropperful of the uncaria rhynchophylla
Posted 9/16/2017 9:40 PM (GMT 0)
I took this herb, but I can't really rely on if it worked or not.

Here is my reasoning. I did one herb at a time. Slowly with just drops and going up to what my body considered to be my max of that herb. Then I added in the next herb. I did it the same way. By the time I got to Gou Teng, I had about 12 herbs going.

So the reason I don't know if it worked or not is because was it the icing on the cake or was it just the synergy of all the herbs before it?

If I did not herx, get physically ill or feel "off" I just kept on with the herb. Even if I felt absolutely nothing, I kept on with that herb. I don't think you get to feel all the herbs.
Posted 9/16/2017 9:57 PM (GMT 0)

pjb1959 said...
Is there a difference between uncaria rhynchophylla and uncaria tomentosa. I have the uncaria tomentosa and my naturopath (however you spell it) started me out on 1 drop in the morning and then 1 drop in the evening. Every 2 weeks I am to increase it by 1 drop till I get up to 5 drops and then stay at 5 drops for a few months. Just curious when you all take a dropperful of the uncaria rhynchophylla

YES. There is a difference. Buhner goes into detail on this in Healing Lyme 2nd edition in the box on page 358.

Tomentosa's primary actions: anti-inflammatory in arthritic conditions, immune stimulation, and antineoplastic in the treatment of cancer

Rhychophylla's primary actions: hypotensive (high blood pressure), anti-inflammatory (neurological), neurological protectant (antiepiletic/antiseizure)

Rhynchophylla has alkaloid compounds that exert the most potent neurological effects (page 360).
Posted 9/17/2017 2:32 AM (GMT 0)
LymeSick how long have you been taking it for?

Most of my symptoms are neuro, and I had one crazy symptom that basically at one point I thought was going to cause a siezure (prior to abx). After about a year of abx the symptom diminished but I still experienced it at least once or twice a month, and it was very unpleasant as well as a little scary.

I started taking Gou-Teng in April, and the last time I had this symptoms was in the beginning of June. So this is the longest I have gone without experiencing it. I've been off abx since April as well. A lot of my neuro symptoms are slowly disappearing in addition to this one major one *fingers crossed*.

I started taking Gou-Teng along with Baical Skull and Dan Shen (in addition to the rest of the latest buhner protocol) so I don't know if it's just Gou-Teng alone or the combination, but I've had great progress. Hope this helps!
Posted 10/9/2017 3:16 AM (GMT 0)
akreative I've been taking it for almost a month now, I started during my first post.


I would say its helping me, but just like you, its hard to say sometimes when you take so many other herbs.


I've kind of just accepted to take the entire protocol (Buhner) and hoping something sticks.
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