Important: Some antimicrobial herbs DO kill good gut flora

I have been in a constant struggle trying to find herbs and supplements that would not kill probiotic or good gut flora, since I have relapsing remitting c. diff. I was bitten by my dog accidentally, but it caused a severe laceration, and the ER doc who stitched up the wound all but ordered me to take the antibiotics, which I did not take, as I was so scared of the c. diff. coming out of remission.

I took herbal, vitamin, and food supplements as substitutes for the true antibiotics, and YET (dang it all) my c. diff. seems to be coming out of remission, which completely mystified me.

In addition, I was assuming that if I just avoided potent antimicrobials like Oregano Oil, I would be fine, and I would just focus on potent foods and Vitamins. Well, it turns out that:

Large doses of Vitamin C can and will kill good gut Flora.

Raw garlic in whatever form, also kills the good Flora.

Cat's Claw will kill at least some, though hopefully not all, good gut Flora, as will Banderol (ie Samento/Banderol combination).

Oregano and GFS extract have little effect on good gut flora (and those were the ones I thought would be the worst!!)

I still don't know about Teasel, Astragalus, and Smilax.

So if you are a c. diff. survivor who can't take abx., be careful about which herbs and supplements you take to kill the Lyme and co-infections.

I'm also wondering about alcohol in tinctures.

It seems that I just can't win.

Oh, if the garlic is cooked, it's ok. If you want to know about Teasel and Smilax, I'll look those up as well.

Margaret





I messed up

This is good to know. I always wondered if the herbals did any damage and thought that maybe anything in un-natural amounts could do damage but wasn't ever sure. I will try to take more probiotics because currently I am on herbals and I don't want to think I am safe just because I am not taking antibtiotics that are man made....

I think the c. diff. is still in the stage where I can combat it with probiotics etc. before it becomes full blown.. If it's there, it's in the early stages.

I'm still not absolutely sure about the herbs, or whether or not my data is correct. I need to do more research. I'm looking at different NDs and herbalists, and I'm going to go ahead with the "protocol" I chose for Lyme. The study I looked at for the herbs etc. was just one study. I do know that some natural substances kill good as well as bad bacteria.

I can't tell you I'm absolutely sure about the study I quoted, so do your own research.

Just take lots and lots of probiotics.

I think Cat's Claw, etc. etc. still have got to be more gentle than true abx.

Margaret

Hello, out there,

I'm looking again this morning (afternoon), and there's all kinds of info. out there on the internet, much of it conflicting.

I looked at Buhner, and he says that most herbs are ok, unless used in large amounts. He does say that GSE CAN kill good flora.

I've also looked at a bunch of sites that say Oil of Oregano can as well.

I'm feeling kind of clueless, and I may have been giving you folks the wrong info.

I think my body is simply ultra sensitive right now, and may not be the barometer for what may or may not work for the rest of you. Use your own judgment, and do research.

The key is to use as many probiotics and prebiotics as possible, and don't use too much of anything that's antimicrobial or an antibiotic. Many of you do use antibiotics, and are fine.

If you've had C. Diff. (that's the key), just be very judicious and careful, and don't go Hog Wild! :)

You can't necessarily go by some of the more informal "research" that's been done out there. If you go by research studies, read several. Generally, you should go by info. that's repeated on numerous websites, not just one.

Sorry if I gave you the wrong information,

Margaret

Thanks for all the support, Trav.!

Margaret