An article about lymes disease and a herb used to treat it.

[Guest guest]

What Makes

Lyme Disease Tick?

6-26-4

Disclaimer.... There are no sure cures for Lyme Disease. Even

antibiotics are not always effective. Samento is another natural

remedy that works for some and not for others. Many patients

experience strong intensification symptoms or " Herxheimer Reactions "

when using this herb. This means that when using antibiotics or

other remedies for Lyme, Syphilis and certain other diseases...one

experiences a worsening of their symptoms before they see

improvement.It appears that the more potent the remedy...the

stronger the reactions are. The most accepted explanation for this

is that when the microbes are being destroyed, a heavy load of

toxins is released and as a result produce a worsening of symptoms.

This is almost always a good sign that the drugs or other remedies

are effective. One has to " stick it out " or sometimes reduce the

dosage until improvement begins to take place.

One does need to try and discern whether he is having an allergic

reaction to the drug or remedy. An allergic reaction is usually more

in the area of rashes and or swelling and breathing difficulties due

to swelling of the throat.

-- Marjorie Tietjen

daystar1952@...

What Makes Lyme Disease Tick

And How Samento Eliminates It

By Morton , DPM with Randall S. Walke

6-26-4

The current pandemic of Lyme disease is more infectious and

insidious than any other known illness; it is prevalent on six

continents. Less understood even than the symptom complex of

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), Lyme disease ruins the

quality of victims' lives by striking them with various severe

symptoms which may resemble one or more of over 300 systemic

degenerations or dysfunctions. Simulating really serious

afflictions, they may be symptomatic of multiple sclerosis,

fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, lupus erythematosis,

Parkinsonism, rheumatoid arthritis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,

multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome, psychiatric disorders such

as depression and anxiety, Alzheimer's, and/or many more. The

complex multi-system inflammations of Lyme disease (Ld) are

triggered as a result of antigenic lipoproteins produced by the

anaerobic spiral-shaped (spirochetal) bacterium, Borrelia

burgdorferi (Bb).

Who Is at Risk for Lyme Disease?

Everyone is at risk for Lyme disease, including newborns. " Of the

5,000 children I've treated, 240 have been born with the disease, "

says the world's leading Lyme pediatric specialist Ray

, M.D., medical director of the Pediatric/Adolescent Medicine

and Lyme Disease clinic in New Haven, Connecticut.

Two years ago, another Lyme disease expert, Dan Kinderleher, M.D.,

stated on the Today Show that the then existing 1.8 million cases

cited by the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP)

in Atlanta, Georgia had been under-reported by at least ten times.

In the United States, therefore, in actuality over 18 million Lyme

disease patients now exist.

" The CDCP criteria was developed only for surveillance; it was never

meant for diagnosis, " explains Dr. . " Lyme is a clinical

diagnosis.The test evidence may be used to support a clinical

diagnosis, but it doesn't prove one has Lyme. About 50 percent of

patients I've seen have been seronegative for Lyme but meet all the

clinical criteria. " 1

A renowned authority in the field of integrative medicine, W. Lee

Cowden, M.D., of Ft. Worth, Texas, says, " There are very few

symptoms where you shouldn't consider Lyme, especially given that a

quarter of the U.S. population may be affected. More than 50 percent

of ill people may have Lyme contributing to their condition. " 2

(Please see our interview with Dr. Cowden which appears later in

this Medical Journalist Report of Innovative Biologics.)

Marcus A. Cohen, New York Observer columnist for the Townsend Letter

for Doctors & Patients, writes: " . . . for every case [of Lyme

disease] reported, ten meeting the CDCP case definition aren't

recorded. An unknown number of cases not meeting the CDCP

surveilance criteria go unreported. Probable bottom line on the

number of Americans who actually contract Lyme: 250,000 to 300,000

per year. " 3

Suffering from Lyme disease herself, Jo Anne Whitaker, M.D.,

F.A.A.P., President and Director of Research at Bowen Research &

Training Institute, Inc. in Palm Harbor, Florida, has developed a

blood test useful in evaluating treatment by comparing pre and post

serial dilution results. Dr. Whitaker affirms: " We have now tested

over 3,500 [blood] specimens, with 500 of these [specimens] from

very sick children. They come from a wide geographical distribution

and all are positive for cell-wall-deficient Lyme disease.

" The primary question is 'why are there no negatives?' " Dr. Whitaker

goes on to ask, " Does everyone have it?.....Since 1999, all blood

cultures have been positive with Bb, there were no negatives. We

believe this indicates the magnitude of the problem. We believe the

problem is not only endemic but may also be reaching epidemic

proportions. Early diagnosis is mandatory so that treatment can

begin immediately to provide opportunity for cure and prevent

chronic Lyme disease. " 4

Lyme Disease Recognition and Transmission

While the modern concept of Lyme disease is said to have been first

described as a mysterious outbreak of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

occurring near the town of Lyme, Connecticut in 1977, a semblance of

it was originally identified in Germany in 1883, in the town of

Breslau.5 One of the main carriers or etiologic vectors of Ld was

discovered in 1982 by entymologist " Willy " Burgdorfer,

Ph.D., M.D. (hon.). Dr. Burgdorfer isolated spirochetes from the mid-

guts of one of the Ixodes ticks (see Photograph 1). The proven Lyme

vectors include various deer tick species such as Ixodoes dammini

and Ixodes scapularis, Lone Star ticks (Ammblyoma americanum),

western black-legged ticks (Ixodes pacificus), dog ticks also known

as wood ticks (Dermacentor variabilis), and others. Note that ticks

are not insects; as adults, they are bloodsucking, 8-legged

arachnids (arthropods) along with spiders, scorpions, chiggers, and

mites.

Providing an excellent internet report on personal experiences with

fighting off his own Ld infection, , D.V.M.,

writes: " There is a tremendous misunderstanding regarding the Lyme

disease tick vector. Critical information is not being reported by

health officials to the public and medical community. The widespread

distribution of these tick vectors greatly increases the prevalence

of Lyme disease well beyond that of official reports. The public

needs to understand the potential danger of all tick bites, not only

that from the deer tick. "

Description of the Organism Causing Lyme Borreliosis

Dr. Burgdorfer had demonstrated that the spirochetes, Borrelia

burgdorferi, reacted with immune serum from patients that had been

diagnosed with Lyme disease. Resembling the syphilis spirochete,

Treponema pallidum, the Ld spirochete was given the name Borrelia

burgdorferi after its finder (see Photograph 2). Since the

organism's discovery by Dr. Burgdorfer, about 100 American and 300

worldwide strains of Borrelia have been uncovered.

Even though the transmission of Bb organism can occur through the

bite of the above-reported tick, Lyme disease authorities now

recognize that the spirochete is vectored by fleas, mosquitoes,

mites, through human sexual contacts, congenital transfer, and as a

food infection.

The Bb organism is pleomorphic (changes shape) from a spiral to a

filament to a cyst, to a granule, to a hooked rod, or the bacteria

assumes an elbow appearance. All of these pleomorphics are described

by the Lister Institute as " L-forms " and show under the microscope

as cell-wall deficient (see Photograph 3). They produce no antibody

response since a cell wall is lacking to which an infected person's

immune system may respond. With no cell wall, Bb microorganisms can

hide within body tissues, thus protecting themselves from any

adverse immunological reaction to their well-being. Diagnostic tests

for Ld that seek antibody responses therefore produce inaccurate

readings or are outright failures. The illness is exceedingly

difficult to detect, and it perseveres in its pandemic spread. Lyme

disease continues to imitate, manifest, and be misdiagnosed in no

less than 368 illnesses, a listing of which is available at the

website of one of our Ld information assets, Bionatus Laboratories

(www.samento.com.ec), which is cited at the end of this article (see

the Resources section).

Inadequate Standard Lyme Disease Treatment

A vaccine that had been manufactured for Lyme disease is now removed

from the market because evidence indicated that 30 percent of Ld

patients who possess a certain gene were developing autoimmune

arthritic disease from it. There is no known cure for this

condition; plus, previously undiagnosed Lyme disease patients

frequently become reactivated with Ld symptoms when they are

vaccinated. Currently lawsuits against the vaccine manufacturer are

in the courts.6

The present standard approach to Ld therapy includes conventional

antibiotics such as the oral administration of doxycycline,

minocycline, tetracycline or amoxicillin for patients diagnosed

early. Parenteral therapy by intravenous (IV) administration is used

for those with neurologic involvement, severe arthritis, or any life-

threatening manifesation such as complete heart block. Such

treatment tends to be effective for acute conditions; however,

therapy for chronic Lyme disease is currently inadequate and this

truism causes it to be controversial.

Added to the usual antibiotics mentioned above, the Borrelia

organism is additionally sensitive to clarithromycin (Biaxin),

metronidazole (Flagyl), either of the two brandnamed products

containing co-trimoxazole sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (Bactrim or

Septra), and azithromycin (Zinthromycin). Any of the cited

antimicrobials must be administered for a minimum of two months.

Such prolonged antibiotic usage does destroy the patient's

intestinal flora which usually manifests with severe candidiasis or

other opportunistic infections.

The usual conventional antibiotic treatment gets prescribed for only

two-to-three weeks, and it is completely inadequate. Such poor

therapy invariably sees patients deteriorate with chronic symptoms

of borreliosis including arthralgias, fatigue, and paresthesias.

Also such insufficent treatment allows for Lyme disease relapses.

Not knowing this, Lyme-illiterate physicians often join the

therapy's controversy. Their figuring is that the disease does not

exist or that no treatment works. The drug treatment they had

employed was inadequate, and there is a failure in not seeking other

natural and nontoxic alternatives.

, M.B., Ch.B., Treats Himself for Lower Extremity

Neuropathy Caused by Lyme Disease

Speaking with us from the country town of Bolton in the Manchester

region of Great Britain, 45-year-old physician and surgeon,

, M.B., Ch.B, began using a nontoxic herbal remedy for his

patients who were suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome, Lyme

disease, and allied conditions. Two years ago, Dr. was

introduced to a particular product derived from cat's claw (Una de

Gato) which grows deep in the jungles of Peru.

" I discovered then and do find now that my patients respond very

well to that particular rare herbal chemotype with the botanical

name of Uncaria tomentosa. Patients frequently react strongly to the

herb, and it has become my first line of therapy. It is quickly

effective, has a cheap cost, and other remedies can be added readily

if required, " says Dr. . " I'm really pleased with the product,

particularly since it has done away with my own health problem of

bilateral lower extremity neuropathy. "

Back in 1979 I began experiencing sensations of pin and needles in

my feet, spontaneous muscle-twitching, cognitive problems with

energy slumps, and more. As a teenager and into adulthood I never

knew what was wrong with me and no doctor could make the diagnosis.

Then as a health professional, I consulted colleagues from any of

the pertinent specialties concerned with neuropathies. " Dr.

explains. " My eventual diagnosis was Lyme disease which fifteen

years ago just became recognized as sweeping through Europe. "

Some months back, because my patients were benefiting from taking

capsules or drops of this cat's claw chemotype, brand-named TOA-Free

Cats Claw, Samento, I started to take it too. Such a particular

chemotype of cat's claw is devoid of those chemical antagonists

called Tetracyclic Oxindole Alkaloids [TOAs] which act adversely

upon the human central nervous system. Absent TOAs in this

commercial therapeutic agent predisposed me to using that certain

brand of the herb and good things have happened for me, " Dr.

assures us. " By self-administering Samento, the Borrelia organisms

are gone from my body, and this has now eliminated my neuropathy

symptoms, discontinued my mood swings, and generally recovered my

normal functions. If I forget to drink drops of the herb in purified

water, I feel unpleasant differences in well-being within a few

days.

" I've been taking Samento faithfully and fully intend to continue

with the drops indefinitely. My lower extremity neuropathy stays

away as long as I swallow these drops; it comes back when I fail to

take them, " states Dr. .

Mechanism of Action of TOA-FreeCat's Claw

Cat's claw is represented by two species of the genus Uncaria of the

family Rubiaceae indigenous to tropical South America. Uncaria

tomentosa DC as well as the species U. guianensis are high-climbing,

twining woody vines found in Amazonia (see Photograph 4). A bark

decoction of U. tomentosa from Peru, the center of the plant's

range, finds use for the treatment of inflammations, rheumatism,

gastric ulcers, tumors, intestinal disorders, and certain skin

disorders.7

The two chemical types of U. tomentosa differ greatly in their

alkaloid content and therapeutic utility. One chemotype contains

primarily the pentacyclic (5-ring) oxindole alkaloids which have

immunomodulating properties. The second chemotype comprises

primarily Tetracyclic (4-ring) Oxindole Alkaloids (TOAs), and these

are undesirable components. Not only do the TOAs act adversely on

the central nervous system, but they also antagonize any

immunostimulating effect of the pentacyclic alkaloids.8

What makes Samento exceedingly valuable as an antimicrobial

therapeutic agent is that it is highly immunomodulating by being TOA-

free. 9

Samento also contains quinovic acid glycosides and some novel

triterpenes which are applied by Amazonian tribes for the treatment

of digestive disorders such as gastritis, colitis, ulcers,

diverticulitis, leaky bowel, and hemorrhoids. As shown in laboratory

studies, the herb's alkaloids activate immune system cells and work

well against various viruses. Many of the herb's compounds also

counteract inflammation, lower blood pressure, relax and dilate

peripheral blood vessels, slow arrhythmic heart rate, and lower

elevated cholesterol. From its immunomodulating effect, U. tomentosa

has attracted attention among medical scientists for possible

usefulness against cancer and/or symptoms produced by infection with

the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).10,11

The chemistry of cat's claw has been well-studied over the past

twenty-five years, along with pharmacological reports of specific

fractions from the root and stem bark of both Amazonian species. The

herb's crude drug components are among the most widely used and best

known folk medicines in South America, particularly among natives in

the upper Amazon basin.12 The local natives harvest the herb's

leaves for brewing into tea, gather bark of the root plus stem for

personal use, and sell it as a cash crop (see Photograph 5). They

gather their cat's claw as a saleable commodity for purification,

packaging, and distribution as Samento by Nutramedix, LLC of

Jupiter, Florida.

Cat's claw climbs as high as 100 feet up the exterior sides of trees

with the help of its hooks that resemble the claws of a cat. If the

stem is cut, drinkable water exudes from it (see Photograph 6).

The medicinal components are present within its inner bark (see

Photograph 7). Known for over a century, the remedial qualities of

cat's claw were identified in 1974 by Austrian researchers. Other

names which identify this herb are: life-giving vine of Peru,

samento, uncaria, and Uaa de gato.

As a final caution about ingesting either of the two cat's claw

species as capsules or drops and possibly as brewed tea, they should

be avoided by women who are trying to conceive. Also pregnant women

should not take them because the safety and mode of action have not

been adequately studied for such women. Yet, the ingestion of cat's

claw products appears to protect against cellular mutations as occur

in cancer.13,14,15

Four Doctors Discuss their Experiences with Using Samento

" Since the fall of 2002, I have used Samento for the quick

symptomatic improvement of patients, often within a few weeks,

because spirochetes in their blood seen under dark field microscopy

get progressively less in number until none exist any longer, "

states Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) expert W. Lee

Cowden, M.D., of Fort Worth, Texas. " Over a relatively short period,

my patients' symptoms disappear from their ingestion of this herbal

remedy taken usually in conjunction with digestive enzymes 30 to 60

minutes before meals and detoxification remedies to prevent the

microbe die-off healing [Herxheimer] reaction. "

" I know that the Samento antimicrobial properties are derived from

its containing quinalone components and the pentacyclic oxindole

alkaloids (POAs). The POAs effect is to boost non-specific and

cellular immunity. Furthermore, the particular chemotype of cat's

claw in this commercial product, unlike others sold, does not

contain the chemical antagonists identified as tetracyclic oxindole

alkaloids (TOAs) which act adversely on a person's central nervous

system, " Dr. Cowden says. " TOAs tend to inhibit the beneficial

effect of POAs. Because the TOAs are absent, the patient experiences

a powerful immune system modification from Samento. Pathological

microbes as occur in Lyme disease are effectively combatted.

" I could offer hundreds of successful case histories in which

Samento was my treatment of choice. One is that of C. F., a 19-year-

old woman who has now been free of Lyme disease for 18 months. She

consulted me in January 2003 after being victimized by Borrelia

burgdorferi for 14 years so severely that she had isolated herself

indoors with home-schooling for more than half-a-decade, " says Dr.

Cowden. " She had to walk with support from a four-legged rolling

walker and she could only study for two hours daily before

exhaustion set in. She took Samento for eight weeks which kicked in

and allowed her to ambulate without aid from the walker. She went on

a first date with her boyfriend and finally did not experience

asthma attacks, fibromyalgia symptoms, brain fog, peripheral

neuropathy, and gastrointestinal effects of the organism. This Bb

infection had caused " leaky gut " and severe allergic reactions

including frequent anaphylactic shock reactions with

hospitalizations. "

By the fifth month of Samento ingestion, She went off to college

without symptoms, and is now actively dating and enjoying her

college life. The herbal remedy is allowing her to live a normal

life, whereas before her future had looked bleak, " affirms Dr. W.

Lee Cowden. " This is just one positive experience among many that

make my medical practice very satisfying by my use of Samento. "

" I have had numerous positive experiences with patients using

Samento as part of my dental treatment plan for individual patients.

Those coming to me with jawbone cavitations, for example, remain

untreated until I see that their pathogens are eliminated.

Pathologic organisms, especially certain cell-wall-deficient

bacteria which cause Lyme disease, travel through the body to areas

of lowest resistance and colonize. Jawbone cavitations allow such

bacteria to feel most at home, " says biological dentist J.

, Jr., D.D.S., of West Palm Beach, Florida. " When I apply

Samento great amounts of cell-wall-deficient organisms get cut down

markedly. I can cause them to be reduced into measurements of low

nanograms of existence. "

A 50-year-old restaurant builder from Toronto, Ontario Canada had

been suffering with cavitation pain from an infected root canal. He

had tried ignoring it for months, and finally phoned me for an

appointment. But he could not leave his business for nother week;

therefore, to assuage his pain, I mailed him a bottle of 30 capsules

of Samento to take three at each meal. The man telephoned me within

two days to say that the jaw pain was completely gone. He

added, 'Other pains in my limbs are gone too and I'm sleeping

through the night. I'm not suffering anymore,' " paraphrases Dr.

. " Those thirty capsules lasted him until he arrived at my

office a week later and I could perform biological dentistry on his

jawbone cavitation.

" Miraculous case histories involving Samento such as had occurred

with the restaurant builder are repeated in my office week after

week. This herbal remedy works readily against Lyme disease but new

discoveries about Ld indicate that additional, associated tick-borne

co-infections include Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Bartonella, iella

and various virsues. Samento is applicable for all of them, "

confirms Dr. . " It lowers the body's bacterial count and

makes my patient feel really well. This is one treatment that is

useful across the board for a whole lot of the pathogens. "

Health care teacher and naturopath Zenia Richler, N.D., of

Springfield, Missouri, finds that Samento gives people, including

herself, a psychological lift along with the feeling of well-

being. " When I take it I feel happier, plus it build's core strength

for my patients. They heal faster because of a lift to the immune

system, " declares Dr. Richler. " Quite simply, I love the stuff,

particularly in its dropper form.

" In using Samento to treat Lyme disease, my distinct impression is

that the patients get better twice as fast. I need to use less

homeopathic remedies as my 'series therapy' when this herb is part

of my treatment program. This is information I give to health

professionals who attend courses I co-conduct at my teaching

institution, the Academy of Bioenergetics, School of Natural Healing

in Springfield, " says Dr. Zenia Richler.

A. Jernigan, D.C., of Wichita, Kansas, co-author with his wife

and practice partner, Sara Jernigan, D.C., of the self-published

book, Beating Lyme Disease: Using Alternative Medicine &

GodñDesigned Living,16 employs the ingredients of Samento

extensively. Dr. Jernigan states, " My partner in practice and I use

Samento for patients with any number of infections. We're very

impressed by results we achieve. The Bio-Resonance Scanning

technique my wife and I have developed shows that the herb is

nontoxic, active, highly energetic, and synergetic with other

remedies. Any person with an invasion by Borrelia has high levels of

neurotoxins in the brain and nervous system. The neurotoxins

produced by Bb are possibly the most debilitating bacterial poisons

known to man. Even after Bb spirochetes are eliminated from the

body, the neurotoxins can continue to cause a myriad of devastating

symptoms. In my practice, I use the botanical Silphex! " in

conjunction with Samento to successfully neutralize these

neurotoxins. "

Resources

For additional information about Samento, contact this herbal

therapy's exclusive producer, Nutramedix, LLC, Suite 301, 900 East

Indiantown Road, Jupiter, Florida USA 33477; Tel. (800) 730-3130 or

(561) 745-2917; FAX (561) 745-3017; Email:

info@...nutramedix

Website: http://www.nutramedix.com/www.nutramedix.com.

For comprehensive scientific information about Samento and Lyme

disease visit the Science Library of Bionatus Laboratories in

Ecuador at, http://www.samento.com.ec/www.samento.com.ec where

Samento is approved as a medicine.

To acquire a great deal of information about the action of Samento,

log on to http://www.samento.com.ec/sciencelib/sammain.html.

To acquire large amounts of information about Lyme disease itself,

log on to

http://www.samento.com.ec/sciencelib/medmain.htmlNutramedix also

provides Samento for distribution by Allergy Research Group under

the name Prima Una de Gato.

To acquire this branded product, contact the assigned distributor,

Allergy Research Group, 30806 Santana Street, Hayward, California

94544 U.S.A.; Tel. (800) 545-9960; website:

http://www.allergyresearchgroup.com/www.allergyresearchgroup.com

References

1.Goldberg, B. & Trivieri, Jr., L. Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia &

LymeDisease, 2nd Edition. (Berkeley, California: Celestial Arts,

2004), P. 389.

2.Ibid.

3.Cohen, M.A. " Lyme disease: the ABCs, " Townsend Letter for Doctors

& Patients, 250:50-52, May 2004.

4.Whitaker, J.A. " New test for identifying the morphing menace:

Quantitative-RapidIdentification of Borrelia burgdorferi (Q-RIBb), "

NutraNews/New Thinking, NewDiscoveries in Nutraceutical Research,

October 2003, pp 8-11.

5.Vanderhoof-Forschner, K. Everything You Need to Know About Lyme

Disease and Other Tick-Borne Disorders, 2nd edition. (Hoboken, New

Jersey: Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2003), p.39.

6.Fearn, D.W. Lyme Disease and Associated Diseases: The Basics.

(Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania: Lyme Disease Association of Southeastern

Pennsylvania, Inc., 2003), p. 9.

7.Duke, J.A. & Vasquez, R. Amazonian Ethnobotanical Dictionary.

(Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press, 1994), p. 172.

8.Reinhard, K.H. Zeitschrift f¸r Phytotherapie 18:112-121, 1997.

9.Laus, G. & Keplinger, K. Zeitschrift f¸r Phytotherapie 18:122-126,

1997.

10. Graedon, J. & Graedon, T. The People's Pharmacy: Guide to Home

and Herbal Remedies. (New York: St. 's Presss, 1999), p. 278.

11. Castleman, M. The New Healing Herbs: The Classic Guide to

Nature's Best Medicines. (Emmaus, Pennsylvania: Rodale, Inc., 2001),

pp. 116-118.

12., F. & Tyler, V.E. Tyler's Honest Herbal: A Sensible Guide

to the Use of Herbs and Related Remedies, Fourth Edition. (London:

The Horworth Herbal Press, 1999), p. 98.

13.Ody, P. Natural Health Complete Guide to Medicinal Herbs.

(London: Dorling Kindersley, Second American Edition 2000), p. 146.

14.Op. cit. Graedon & Graedon, p. 279.

15.Op. cit. Ody, p. 146.

16.Jernigan, D.A. & Jernigan, S.K. Beating Lyme Disease: Using

Alternative Medicine & God-Designed Living. (Benton, Kansas:

Somerleyton Press, 2003).

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