We have just rolled out five new products and I will be sending out newsletters about each one over the next month or two.
The reason I rolled these all out together was that they are supportive herbs for Lyme disease and other co-infections associated with borreliosis.
The herbal tinctures I have rolled out are Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) berry/leaf/flower, Cryptolepis (Cryptolepis sanguinolenta) root, Chinese Skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) root, Chinese Cat's Claw (Uncaria rhyncophylla) hook only, and Andrographis paniculata aerial parts.
I am currently running a sale on all these products until I am able to get a newsletter out about each as a promotional offering, so enjoy them now at a discounted rate while you still can!
In addition to these herbal tinctures, I have a whole list and protocol for those suffering from Lyme including other products I carry. I will have this available for people one-on-one because everyone's infection of Lyme can be different. I will put a master list out eventually for those wanting to take their own route.
These herbs don't just work for Lyme disease, they have been used traditionally for thousands of years and have multiple scientific peer reviewed studies backing their efficacy.
I will be explaining some of the Lyme related health benefits and the other benefits as well.
Today we are talking about Chinese skullcap, Huang Qin (Scutellaria baicalensis). This is very different from the American skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora). The latter has actions as a nervine and helps with sleep and relaxation.
Whereas the former has been traditionally used in TCM for inflammation, respiratory issues, and helps with bacterial infections. The bacteria it is commonly known for having actions against is chlamydia. It doesn't directly kill chlamydia but it stops the cytokine-initiated inflammation process started by the bacterial infection, which strongly inhibits the cellular replication of chlamydia as well as chlamydia cellular infection process. It also has been shown to be effective against antibiotic resistant staph infections.
It has been shown in vivo to stop chlamydia related genital tract infections in mice.
Protection from cytokine-initiated inflammation is very important not just for those suffering from chlamydia or Lyme but anyone fighting off constant infections through environmental contaminants, stress, lack of sleep, hormone disruptions, and much more in our daily environments. Much of the problem with Lyme is the bacteria's ability to up-regulate and override our immune response to cause inflammation throughout the body, which can then leave us more susceptible to real attacks from outsiders (and inside outsiders!).
Some other cytokine modulating herbs we carry include (but not limited to) Andrographis paniculata, Cordyceps, and Japanese knotweed.
One of the most interesting things about Chinese skullcap is its ability to synergize with other herbs and medications. It is important to caution those on blood pressure medication, blood thinners, those who are pregnant/nursing, and in general on any type of medications. Always consult your doctor when taking a new herb in conjunction with medication.
For those not on medication, this synergistic effect can be quite advantageous in combination with other herbs. If you are fighting off a serious infection and need a lot of herbal medicine combined, adding in something like skullcap, licorice root, or cayenne pepper will help make those medicines more useful inside your body. Scutellaria baicalensis inhibits CYP3A4, a member of the cytochrome oxidase system. This strongly inhibits the breakdown of drugs in the liver, thus allowing more of the drug constituents to actually enter your bloodstream. Essentially making more use of the drugs or herbs you have taken before.
I found something interesting in my research of chinese skull cap. Wogonin, baicalein, scutellarein, and baicalin all bind to the GABA-A receptor site where benzodiazepine drugs bind. This has a mood boosting effect by relieving anxiety and tension. There aren't human clinical trials with this yet but I would wager it would be an excellent choice for tapering off of benzo's.. furthermore one key factor of chinese skull cap is that it potentiates other drugs be inhibiting a process in the liver that breaks down drugs/herbs that are ingested which could make something like amanita muscaria more effective if taken in conjunction... I would add some caution though because it can potentiate the benzo drug as well making its effects more promininent. something to consider if someone is very early on in a benzo taper. here is the study:
https://www.thieme-connect.de/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-0029-1243121
A quick review of what I mentioned, and some other honorable mentions:
Antioxidant support:
Root flavonoids baicalein and baicalin have shown strong free-radical scavenging activity.
Inflammatory balance:
Inhibiting cytokine-initiated inflammation due to bacterial infections.
Liver support:
Compounds Oroxylin A and Wogonin help to regulate liver enzymes, and the herb helps protect the liver from cytokine-initiated inflammation. Baicalin has antioxidant effects shown in rat liver studies. Skullcapflavone I was shown to reduce inflammatory response in mouse liver studies.
Anti-tumor activity:
Extracts of skullcap were shown in both in vitro and in vivo studies to reduce tumor size of cancers growing in the liver, stomach, lungs, breasts, prostates, bladders, brains, squamous cell, gallbladder, as well as leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma.
Mood support:
Activating the GABA-A receptor site where benzodiazapines bind to.
So I hope this has enlightened you to the many uses of Chinese skullcap! I love making these newsletters because it gives me an excuse to study more! If you like this please let me know. I will keep doing them but it is awesome to see support from my clients. Thanks so much and tune in for the next herbal newsletter.
Thank you and BE BLESSED!
-Michael
Harmony Acres
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