Description
Lomatium comes from the carrot family. Traditionally used as an antiviral and for respiratory support in Native American cultures, it came to the attention of the Western medical world during the influenza pandemic of 1918. It also may have some antibacterial properties.
In a low percentage of people, a deep reddish-purple rash may appear on a large area of the body if used alone. For this reason, Lomatium is generally best used in a mixture with other herbs (I prefer red root). While this rash generally doesn’t itch or hurt, it can look alarming.
In our practice, we typically like to combine this with other herbs, such as licorice, Ganoderma, red root, or a combination of other antiviral herbs like these.
Lomatium has been a key herb in our practice, particularly for patients struggling with Powassan Virus.
Lomatium can also work very well for patients who are simultaneously dealing with Bartonella and a virus. Although Lomatium has had much more research done on its effectiveness with viruses, I (Dr. Warren) have found it useful when we’re dealing with Bartonella patients as well.
There is a relationship between Bartonella and viruses where Bartonella can enhance a virus’s potency. Bartonella is an intracellular bacteria, and just as Bartonella goes inside the cell to hide, viruses work in the same manner.
When a Lyme or Bartonella patient also has crushing chronic fatigue, there are often viruses that are taking advantage of the situation. We’ll often test these patients for chronic Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV), West Nile Virus (WNV), or Powassan Virus. In these cases, Lomatium may be useful.
Why We Love Lomatium for chronic fatigue and viral co-infections
I originally used Lomatium for patients with Powassan Virus, but just as Stephen Buhner has mentioned, I also like using it for patients with chronic fatigue from EBV, CMV and even WNV.
While we get some WNV in Minnesota, we see many more patients with Powassan Virus (which is also a flavivirus). For this reason, I decided to see if Lomatium would also help my patients dealing with Powassan Virus. It was noticeably helpful alongside red root and often licorice.
I believe antivirals help against Bartonella more than any other class of support. We see antibiotic resistance happening with Bartonella more than with any other infection, and I have determined that because viruses hide inside your cells (which is Bartonella’s main trick), many Bartonella patients benefit from increased antiviral support.
WARNING: Rash can happen when taken alone – recommend pairing with red root/sage and/or licorice
Taking Lomatium alone is known to cause a reddish-purple rash that can cover the whole body in 1 percent of patients. This seems to only happen when Lomatium is taken alone and not when combined with other herbs.
The rash does not typically hurt or itch, but looks unsightly and can cover almost the entire body for up to a week or so. It is not aided by traditional rash helpers like Benadryl. For this reason, we recommend mixing it with a few other herbs like licorice and red root.
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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