Description
In a 2021 study that evaluated a panel of 46 herbal medicine extracts, Japanese knotweed, along with Chinese skullcap, cryptolepis, artemisia and Alchornea cordifolia (Christmas bush) were the top performers in their inhibitory activity against Babesia duncani.
In two other studies done in 2020, Japanese knotweed was shown to be incredibly effective against both Bartonella henselae and Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease).
The study focused on herbs effective against Bartonella listed Japanese Knotweed as one of the top three herbs that showed high activity against stationary phase Bartonella henselae. The other herbs in the top three included cryptolepis and black walnut. These three herbs were able to eradicate all stationary phase Bartonella henselae cells within seven days.
The Lyme-focused study listed cryptolepis, black walnut, Japanese knotweed, artemisia (sweet wormwood), cat’s claw, Cistus incanus and Chinese skullcap as the most effective herbs that showed good activity against the stationary phase Borrelia burgdorferi compared to the control antibiotics doxycycline and cefuroxime. Both cryptolepis and Japanese knotweed showed excellent activity against growing and non-growing stationary phase Borrelia burgdorferi.
This herb helps protect the body by providing antibacterial and antiviral support, along with being an immunomodulant, a central nervous system relaxant, a CNS protectant and a cardioprotective herb. One of the key ingredients in Japanese knotweed is resveratrol, a type of natural phenol that supports brain, nerve and heart health.
It’s a bit of a wild card in that it can reduce or heighten Herxheimer or die-off reactions in patients. To reduce the likelihood of negative reactions, we recommend incorporating this later in a protocol.
Japanese knotweed is synergistic, which means it can enhance the effects of other herbs and medications. While this ability can be incredibly helpful when fighting Lyme, these synergistic properties can cause drug interactions, so be sure to consult your doctor before adding this to your regimen.
Why We Love Japanese knotweed, the Lyme and co-infection killer
This herb is especially helpful for when Lyme is living deep within connective tissue or the brain. Its synergistic properties help enhance and facilitate the movement of other herbs and drugs. It enables other agents to fight bacteria they normally wouldn’t be able to reach.
While Japanese knotweed contains resveratrol, in the clinic we typically start out with a separate resveratrol supplement and wait to incorporate Japanese knotweed because of its synergistic properties. By starting out with resveratrol alone, you can decrease inflammation and wait to incorporate the extra antimicrobial effects of Japanese knotweed later on in the protocol.
Resveratrol is a great anti-inflammatory with protective properties for the cardiovascular system and central nervous system. Unlike Japanese knotweed as a whole, resveratrol on its own doesn’t show the same killing properties, which is why we incorporate this first. We don’t want symptoms to heighten and get too intense.
While an herb like isatis helps pull microbes out of the cell, Japanese knotweed helps agents drill deeper to get to the microbes that are difficult to reach on their own.
For our patients dealing with Lyme, Bartonella, Babesia and other viruses, most will benefit from taking this phenomenal herb with the right timing.
Our protocols aim to place products in an order that works effectively, yet doesn’t cause too intense of reactions or Herxheimers. By following the order of using Essential Resveratrol Blend first then Japanese Knotweed you can avoid potential Herxheimer reactions and potentially avoid some unnecessary symptoms as you heal.
References
† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
- Cucu A-A, Baci G.-M, Dezsi Ş, Nap M-E, Beteg FI, Bonta V, Bobiş O, Caprio E, Dezmirean DS. New Approaches on Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica) Bioactive Compounds and Their Potential of Pharmacological and Beekeeping Activities: Challenges and Future Directions. Plants. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10122621Published 2021; 10:2621. Accessed January 13, 2022.
- Hou C-Y, Tain Y-L, Yu H-R, Huang L-T. The Effects of Resveratrol in the Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome. Int. J. Mol. Sci. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20030535 Published 2019; 20:535. Accessed January 13, 2022.
- Das Samarjit, Das Dipak K. Resveratrol: A Therapeutic Promise for Cardiovascular Diseases. Recent Patents on Cardiovascular Drug Discovery (Discontinued). Bentham Science Publishers. https://doi.org/10.2174/157489007780832560. Published 2007; 2(2):133-138(6). Accessed January 13, 2022.
- Kalantari Heibatullah, Das Dipak K. Physiological effects of resveratrol. BioFactors. https://doi.org/10.1002/biof.100. Published September/October 2010. 36(5):401-406. Accessed January 13, 2022.
- Zhang Y, Bai C, Shi W, Alvarez-Manzo H, Zhang Y. Identification of Essential Oils Including Garlic Oil and Black Pepper Oil with High Activity against Babesia duncani. Pathogens. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9060466. Published 2020; 9:466. Accessed January 13, 2022.
- Feng J, Leone J, Schweig S, Zhang Y. Evaluation of Natural and Botanical Medicines for Activity Against Growing and Non-growing Forms of B. burgdorferi. Front Med (Lausanne). doi: 10.3389/fmed.2020.00006. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32154254/. Published February 21, 2020; 7:6. Accessed January 13, 2022. PMID: 32154254; PMCID: PMC7050641.
- Ma Xiao, Leone Jacob, Schweig Sunjya, Zhang Ying. Botanical Medicines With Activity Against Stationary Phase Bartonella henselae. Infectious Microbes & Diseases. doi: 10.1097/IM9.0000000000000069. https://journals.lww.com/imd/Fulltext/2021/09000/Botanical_Medicines_With_Activity_Against.7.aspx. Published September 2021; 3(3):158-167. 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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