Artemisinin - anyone tried this

[Hopeny]

New LLMD wants to start DD on this for yeast and Bartonella and general cleaning up biofilms, Babesia doesn't seem to be an issue. Stephen Buhner doesn't seem to like this herb at all. Curious to hear other feedback. Thank you

[Mayzoo]

I have not tried this one. Here are a few a good articles on this one. If you buy it, try to make sure you buy from a reputable mfg. since 2/3 of the products tested in that article were either substandard or fake. Maybe ask the LLMD if he knows of a particular brand that his patients have done well on.

 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17207150

 

http://www.erowid.org/plants/wormwood/wormwood_basics.shtml

 

Please be aware of these potential side effects:

 

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Wormwood is LIKELY UNSAFE when taken by mouth in greater than food amounts. The concern is the possible thujone content. Thujone might affect the uterus and endanger the pregnancy. It’s also best to avoid topical wormwood, since not enough is known about the safety of applying wormwood directly to the skin.

If you are breast-feeding, don’t use wormwood until more is known about safety.

Allergy to ragweed and related plants: Wormwood may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to the Asteraceae/Compositae family. Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many others. If you have allergies, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before taking wormwood.

A rare inherited blood condition called porphyria: Any thujone present in wormwood oil might increase the body’s production of chemicals called porphyrins. This could make porphyria worse.

Seizure disorders, including epilepsy: Wormwood contains thujone, which can cause seizures. There is concern that wormwood might make seizures more likely in people who are prone to them.

 

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-729-WORMWOOD.aspx?activeIngredientId=729&activeIngredientName=WORMWOOD

Edited June 7, 2013 by Mayzoo

[LNN]

We did two rounds (3 weeks on, 1 week off - did this twice) when DD was fighting EBV and slightly elevated lead. Used LLMDs "recipe" of artimisinin + EDTA from a compounding pharmacy. It didn't help with the EBV, can't really say on the lead, as it wasn't very high. But we weren't using it for the purposes you are.

 

I think colleendonny has also used it (same LLMD) so you might PM her.

 

You know I think highly of my LLMD but not everything he's recommended has worked for us. But then, some of his suggestions have been home runs. So you have to give it a try in order to find the right matches for you. Hope this one's a keeper for you!

[Hopeny]

Thanks LLM yes I did buy it from his office, the same mix. Mayzoo I read many warnings so am stressed. On the other hand, LLMD really felt it would be very beneficial. LLMD says compounded formula in very low dose avoids side effects. Going to try it tomorrow. LLM do you think it contributed your daughter's seizures?

[LNN]

No, not at all. She is allergic to ragweed, yet tolerated the artimisinin as well as a year+ of milk thistle.

 

Her only febrile seizure was when she was 5 when H1N1 epidemic was going on and I followed a stupid minute-clinic nurse's advice and gave her an antihistamine (because the nurse said it wasn't the flu, that it was allergies) and then a few hours later she spiked a fever and the antihistamine triggered the febrile seizure (antihistamines lower your seizure threshold). She took the artimisinin 2+ yrs later when she was 7. She had her clonus (not true seizure) episode this past Jan when she was 8 when again, too much antihistamine/epinephrine at once. It was an anticholergenic (?) response.

 

So artimisinin wasn't any part of her two episodes.

[Hopeny]

I am wondering if I should cut out the NAC, I think I am going to. As a distraction from our medical issues, I am logged in taking a break from pumping out my basement with my babysitter. Hubs is away and we are alternating sucking up the water with the shop vac and using the pump to empty it. It is a 20 gallon shop vac and I think we have filled/emptied it 20-30 times at least. We have a pathway filling up with water and I am trying to stop it from coming into the house as we are showing to tomorrow trying to rent it. In the meantime it continues to rain cats and dogs. Grrrrr!

[LNN]

Ahh - the universe has a perverse sense of humor! It's supposed to stop raining by morning. Tell the renter it's an indoor wading pool!