Description
Cryptolepis, an herb traditionally used in Africa for Malaria, is a parasitic disease closely related to Babesia, one of the classic Lyme co-infections.
While Cryptolepis has long been used for Babesia by Lyme-literate practitioners, it’s proving to be a helpful aid against Lyme and Bartonella as well. Cryptolepis has found fame in recent years for its promising capabilities of eradicating Lyme, Bartonella and Babesia bacteria in studies comparing the effectiveness of different herbs and antibiotics against these infections.
Why We Love Crypto, the supportive killer
Due to recent studies highlighting its effectiveness against Lyme, Bartonella and Babesia, everyone is jumping on the Cryptolepis bandwagon. However, don’t expect Cryptolepis to be the end-all-be-all herb to kill every infection and bug that’s afflicting you.
While we love using this herb in the clinic, it needs to be part of a program, not used alone. This is one of the reasons we love the other herbs used alongside the Cryptolepis in our Lyme support programs.
This herb is not new to herbalists and practitioners, but it’s wonderful to see this new research highlighting its benefits and showing it can fight more than Babesia. I’d recommend this to anyone suffering from chronic Lyme, Bartonella and Babesia.
References
- Bugyei KA, Boye GL, Addy ME. Clinical efficacy of a tea-bag formulation of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta root in the treatment of acute uncomplicated falciparum malaria. Ghana Medical Journal. African Journals Online. Published 2010; 44(1). DOI: 10.4314/gmj.v44i1.68849. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/gmj/article/view/68849 Published online August 17, 2011. Accessed January 13, 2022.
- Mohammadi S, Jafari B, Asgharian P, Martorell M, Sharifi-Rad J. Medicinal plants used in the treatment of Malaria: A key emphasis to Artemisia, Cinchona, Cryptolepis, and Tabebuia genera. Phytotherapy Research. Published July 2020; 34(7):1556-1569. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6628. Published online February 5, 2020. Accessed January 13, 2022.
- Tempesta, MS, Ph.D. Editorial Commentary: The Clinical Efficacy of Cryptolepis Sanguinolenta in the Treatment of Malaria. Ghana Medical Journal. http://ghanamedj.org/articles/March2010/Final%20Commentary%20on%20PhytoLaria.pdf. Published March 2010; 44(1):1-2. Accessed January 13, 2022.
- Ankrah, N-A, Ph.D. Editorial Commentary: Treatment of Falciparum Malaria with a Tea-bag Formulation of Cryptolepis Sanguinolenta Root. Ghana Medical Journal. http://ghanamedj.org/articles/March2010/Final%20Commentary%20on%20PhytoLaria.pdf. Published March 2010; 44(1):2. Accessed January 13, 2022.
- Grellier P, Ramiaramanana L, Millerioux V, Deharo E, Schrevel J, Frappier F, Trigalo F, Bodo B, Pousset, J-L. Antimalarial Activity of Cryptolepine and Isocryptolepine, Alkaloids Isolated from Cryptolepis sanguinolenta. Phytotherapy Research. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1573(199606)10:4<317::AID-PTR858>3.0.CO;2-0. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1573(199606)10:4%3C317::AID-PTR858%3E3.0.CO;2-0. Published June 1996; 10(4):317-321. Accessed January 13, 2022.
Warnings
Always be sure to speak with your healthcare provider before starting any new nutritional supplement when pregnant or nursing. For children, we recommend speaking with your child's pediatrician regarding proper dosing. Store away from children.
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