H. pylori: allergies, autoimmune, & adrenal fatigue
It is not a fun thing to have. It creates SO much destruction in the gut and organs and pretty much can ruin your body. The #1 thing you do not want to do is let it overgrow-trust me, it is much worse then the detox. So, lets begin.
h. pylori is short for Helicobacter pylori
Research
These videos are very detailed and explain the biochemical process your body goes through and what the h. pylori does (what vitamins it takes away, detox pathways it ruins, etc..) to the body.
h. pylori- another piece to the puzzle
h. p- part 2
Dr. Amy is a very thorough Dr. and researcher and her protocol and testing techniques actually work. Here is her site.
The confusion
H. pylori is pretty common and a lot of people don’t even know they have it. From what scientists can test- It is the most common infection in the world! When you do know you have it, most likely it is because you are already having unplesent symptoms.
I'm not going to list all the symptoms here all because it can pretty much be anything. Not just digestion related/ulcers. Lots of doctors think it stays in the stomach. Nope. It can travel and infect any organ it likes to.
Not only does h. pylori invade but since it reduces stomach acid- (because it likes an base environment to grow) then other parasites and bugs have a easy time thriving. Acid kills, without acid-bad bugs will live in you. yuck.
It doesn't only produce stomach related symptoms. (Brain fog, thyroid, allergies, fatigue, parasites, and other chronic illnesses are related to h. pylori). Who knew!
How to treat h.pylori?
There are tons of methods to treat h. pylori.
Antibiotics- Which are now clinically proven to not work long term.
Herbs-There are so many to count but there is good list that are proven to kill it effectively. ( lists below)
Baking soda or acids- Which one do you choose? It is important to understand the “science” behind it all to know HOW to get rid of h. pylori. Read the section “a note on acids”
Gums: Mastic gum is the most common and very good at killing h. pylori.
It is hard to get rid of
H. pylori is stubborn. If you were a bacteria, you would think of a million ways to stay alive-right? H. pylori got the brains so it decided to “hide” and bury itself in the mucus layer in the stomach lining- and other places it infects. You cant just kill it without provoking it out.
Not only that, but even after you eradicate it- it can take up to 6+ months to finally start felling really normal again because it can do so much damage. Your body needs time to rebuild nutrient stores and learn how to function like the body intended (without the bacteria thriving in you).
How is it transmitted?
Over half of the world’s population host H. pylori in their upper G.I. tract. Infection tends to be more prevalent within developing countries and less in western civilizations because of the health care provisions available.
The route of transmission of H. Pylori is unknown, although it’s noted that individuals typically become infected in childhood. H. pylori has a helix shape that is thought to have evolved in order to penetrate the stomach’s mucoid lining.
Possible routes of infection include either oral-oral or fecal-oral, iatrogenic spread with inadvertent use of unsterile pH probes and endoscopes, and vectorial spread by flies.
Many sources say it is easily transmitted so it is advised to treat the whole family (and pets) with the herbal regime so you do not get re-infected. I am planning on doing this. I still have to do a bit more research about what herbs are safe for pets.
What are the facts- why is it SO bad?
WHY you may feel so terrible. The longer the infection has been in your body and the weaker you are- the more likely that these symptoms will be on the severe side.
Allergies:
This is because the h. pylori sort of “drills” holes in the gut, allowing big food molecules in the blood stream. This in turn will cause an “allergic reaction” because the body is always fighting against things (aka. leaky gut).
Swelling, sneezing, itching all have a purpose- to dilute or get rid of toxins produced by the body when it reacts to these things. Food, smells, chemicals, toxins, touching things, breathing- any of these are possible to give a person with h. pylori problems. Allergies are secondary to h. pylori.
”IgG food sensitivities and IgE food allergies. It is my personal opinion, and what I have seen using this program that IgG food sensitivities are related to leaky gut (often secondary to H.pylori). What happens is the system is exposed to foods that it should not be, due to the fact that the barrier is leaky. "As we address the leaky gut itself as well as the underlying cause the sensitivity to those foods seems to diminish.”- Dr. Amy.
Messes up our detox pathways:
Detox is vital to staying alive! The detox methylation pathways NEED certain vitamins and amino acids to work.
The h. pylori takes a lot of these important “middle men” that work to keep our detox pathways open and running. So basically h. pylori shuts down some of your detox pathways. This makes people sick, sick, sick. Anything is possible at this point. Touching or just breathing in foods/chemicals/pollens can make you go crazy or pass out. Your body just keeps recirculation toxins and your liver gets overwhelmed, swollen, and full!
Autoimmune disorders:
When the h. pylori decided to make a home in your body, it needs certain materials to do that. It needs to neutralize acid. It needs certain vitamins (vb-12 is one of them).It needs to make enzymes to help keep it alive – its enzymes use up manganese- leaving the body deficient in manganese. Manganese is needed to fight free radicals. Without it cell membranes and the DNA are damaged.
In the process it throws off phospholipid, DNA, uradine (helps with brain connection–brain fog anyone?), and pretty much starts messing with the mitochondria. The mitochondria houses the body’s energy (ATP). So now the body is zapped of ALL energy and things start to work slower.
Detox pathways start to shut down because of what I explained in the above points Once this happens then toxic metals start accumulating in the body’s tissues. They can settle wherever they like-brain/thyroid/pancreas, etc.
The cells are smart so they will “trap” and “hide” the heavy metals which are a threat to the body- especially the brain. Once they “trap” the heavy metals in the cell, the body starts to attack the cell-trying to get to the heavy metal to kill it. Autoimmune is the body attacking itself. But really it is attacking the antigen inside the cell. Now this process is not going to be the same for everyone-but you get the point. If you want to learn more about autoimmunity and its process read this free book.
Minerals:
Sine the h. pylroi has blocked absorption (due to neutralizing acid in your stomach), minerals are not going to be absorbed.
Detox pathways also help eliminate excess heavy metals ( “bad” minerals) and since the pathways are blocked the heavy metals will take over binding sites of good minerals. Basically minerals are off and not balanced. This is never good and can lead to pretty much any problem under the sun!
The body has an order of preference for minerals. For example, the body prefers Zinc for over 50 critical enzymes. However, if Zinc becomes deficient (which is very common) or exposure to Cadmium, Lead or Mercury is sufficiently high, the body will use these toxic minerals in place of Zinc. Cadmium, in particular, is located just below Zinc in the periodic table of the elements, so its atomic structure is very similar to that of Zinc. It almost fits perfectly in the Zinc binding sites of critical enzymes.
Look at this atomic table to figure out the possible “thefts” for each good mineral. In each vertical column find each good mineral- zinc, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, manganese, iron, copper, selenium, sulfur etc. Then search for “bad” minerals (heavy metals) in the same column that can potentially take over the binding spots of the good ones.
High aluminum levels are correlated with bacterial infections.
Even good minerals can get off balance like calcium/magnesium,copper/zinc/selenium/sulfur ratios. A good test to figure out your mineral and heavy metal ratios is a hair analysis test.
Chronic infection:
H. pylori is a chronic infection. Chronic infections lead to decrease in the conversion of T4 to Active T3 (thyroid hormones- the 3 and 4 represent the # of iodine molecules).
When the body is stressed the T3 gets converted to RT3 (reverse t3). That is bad. The thyroid and the whole body are affected form this inablilty to produce thyroid hormone your body can use. The thyroid becomes “hypo” which leads to weight gain, constipation, dry skin, depression, etc. Thyroid is very important and helps regulate hormones too in the body.
learn more about RT3 here. I don’t believe in taking medication to cover up symptoms. Symptoms are the body trying to tell YOU what is wrong, I believe in fixing the ROOT problem.
Parasites:
Dr Amy says. ”I regularly find blastocystis hominis, giardia, cryptosporidium, candida, and other infections in my clients and sometimes people are harbouring these organisms as well as H pylori. A long term H pylori infection and lowering of stomach acid allows these other organisms to pass safely through to the intestines where they are able to colonise. These other infections cause many overlapping symptoms – gas, bloating, headaches, diarrhoea, etc – and are therefore hard to distinguish from H pylori. I therefore recommend running high quality stool testing where possible.”
Fatigue:
Of course fatigue will be a part because they body is ALWAYS working and you are deficient in b-vitamins (aka energy vitamins), iron (h. pylori/bacteria like to use iron to their own good). Even when I was eating red meat and high iron foods, my iron levels were low.
Stomach acid:
H. pylori is attracted to low or high acid environments. It starts in the stomach because of this quality- but can travel to other organs. H. pylori can thrive in a high acid stomach because it covers itself in a barrier and hides itself in the mucous layer, deep within your stomach. This can make it tricky to eradicate because they herbs have no way of reaching the bacteria.
H. pylori also neutralizes stomach acid so you have a very poor time digesting and assimilation vitamins and minerals. Say hello fatigue and rumbly stomach! Read more at “note on acid” below.
*you can also try HCL temporarily. But it will not eradicate you h pylori, only help ease heartburn and digestion. Do not use at the same time as baking soda.
Ketosis:
Ketosis is when your body starts using fat for energy. You may think-”Oh this is great”. No not great at all. The brain NEEDS glucose for energy and to survive. When the body turns to fat for energy the body produces ketones.
Part of the ketone molecule can be used for energy but the “bad” part called acetone (the chemical also found in nail polish remover) cannot be used by the body. It is excreted through the urine and breath (stinky urine and breath). The urine is first filtered through the kidneys. When too much acetone is always flushing through the kidneys, the kidneys start to overwork (read here if your kidneys are in danger).
Acetone is a toxin that makes the blood more acidic and starts to damage the liver. When the kidneys overwork the body starts to really get messed up and it can be dangerous, causing kidney pain and fluid retention (kidneys facilitate fluid in the body).
In TCM the kidneys are the life force- you don’t want to be messing around with that. It is important to support the kidney with homeopathic, foods, herbs, and whatever you can think of.
Learn more about it here.
Neurotransmitter imbalances:
You have probably heard of neurotransmitters so you know how important they are to the cells and brain. Serotonin will be off balance. OCD symptoms may be present and mood and appetite will be affected as well.
Muscle spasms:
This one was random but made sense why I get random eye twitches. High triptamine levels are associated with h. pylroi infection. These high triptamine levels create “twitches” in the body. Magnesium Bath Flakes
can help the twitching.Ammonia:
H. pylori produces high ammonia levels in the body. I cant imagine this is good for any organ. Just more for the body to deal with.
Hard to eradicate:
This bacteria digs deep deep down into the mucous layer. It hides itself form the immune system. Because of this and its “tail” that buries itself in the body, it can take a long time to eradicate. It can take many months to get neurotransmitters back to normal too (after eradication). This infection is common in autistic kids and eradicating it can have a huge improvement on moods, speech, cognitive abilities.
Liver/gallbladder problems:
The liver filters the blood (which is becoming toxic from the h. pylori) so it gets clogged and overwhelmed.
The detox pathways are not working so the liver takes the upper hand and overworks night and day until it becomes too clogged to do the job.
Allergies commonly become worse when the liver is toxic.
When the liver does not work right, the gallbladder will not do its job right either. The gallbladder is connected to the liver and works according to how the liver works and vice versa. You need bile to help flush out hormones and toxins and to digest food.
Liver herbs and gallbladder herbs (bitter) are helpful in getting these important detox organs stronger and functioning again (listed below).
T Ox bile and coffee enemas can also assist these two organs greatly.
Adrenal fatigue:
The adrenals sit on top of the kidneys, so they are connected. Since h. pylori damages kidneys so badly, the adrenals are affected as well. When your body is under chronic stress it starts to affect your adrenal glands and drags your body down the stages of adrenal fatigue until one day you feel “dead tired”. Cortisol levels, sleep, and blood sugar will be off too.
Malnutrition:
Not only is your body not absorbing nurtients because you need acid and vitamin b-12 to assimilate nutrients, but since h. pylori neutralizes your stomach acid- parasites, bugs, and bacteria grow and use the nutrients up and leave you with…well not much. This can leave you feeling always hungry- like “nutrient hungry” I call it. Height and growth is also affected in some children and adults.
Histamine:
Gut problems is directly related to histamine levels. Mast cells (which release histamine) increase with an h. pylori infection.
Keep it under control by eating low histamine foods, detoxing, and following a
h. pylori program so it does not overgrow more. For me, sea salt seems to help calm the itching/hives as well- natural antihistamine. I find magnesium flake baths help the itching/hives.
Digestive problems:
Digestive problems are characteristic symptom for people with h. pylori (so are ulcers). Diarrhea, constipation bloating, acid reflux, indigestion, nausea, loss or gain or appetite, nervous stomach, gas, etc. In the mean time, activated charcoal can help digestive issues and gas.
Hernia of stomach (hiatal hernia):
This is when the stomach rides up and get “stuck” and pushes into an ares it doesn’t belong-upward into the chest. Usually the feeling is a hard stomach that is tender. GERD is also a symptom.
This type of hernia can be corrected with manipulative pressure from a kinesiologist (or yourself). It can be ”pushed down” (and you can fix your too!) and will have to continue doing it every few weeks or so until it actually “stays where it is suppose to”
Other organs infected:
Since bacteria can travel, other organs can get infected, small intestines, stomach, and sinuses are all infected with the h. pylori. Each person is different. Just paying attention to your symptoms may help you figure it out.
Look at a human anatomy chart to know where your organs are. Stomach (hard/tender-h. pylori starts in the stomach). Small intestines (absorption issues). Large intestines/colon (digestion/ bowl problems). Pancreas (enzyme and insulin imbalances). Liver (toxic liver symptoms). Kidneys (kidney pain and associated problems). Sinus (sinus pressure and constant swelling).
Teeth and sinus problems:
The stomach and intestines play a big role in teeth and sinus health. I have a history of cavities and sinus infections. Bacteria can travel from the stomach into the teeth and do damage. The bacteria can travel from the mouth into the sinuses. It is important to kill the bacteria in the sinuses and mouth with salt water rises until you get the h. pylori under control.
Migraines:
*for relief, magnesium oil can help headaches instantly.
“ Migraines can be caused by hormone and/or serotonin imbalances and recall that serotonin imbalances can related to chronic bacterial issues. So this gets us back to a need for a full CPR if other suggestions are not enough of a help. Also lack of carnitine (often secondary to H.pylori) can be sufficient to cause migraines.- Dr. Amy”
GABA/glutamate imbalance:
GABA is a neurotransmitter used by the nervous system to transfer messages. It is important to prevent anxiety, restlessness, and brain health.
Vitamins b-6 and B-12 specificlaly are needed to make GABA and since your body is already deficient in them, GABA production slows down. When GABA is out of balance glutamate will be to. GABA gets low, while glutamate gets high.
I experienced this “drunk” feeling after drinking too much bone broth and fermented veggies once- this was because these foods are high in free glutamate. I already had enough glutamate being produced at abnormal levels so even slight amounts in food send the balance way overboard. This can be a reason why some people do worse on the GAPS diet. Look up high glutamate foods here.
What to DO to get rid of it and bring the body back in balance.
Testing
You are probably wondering how do you even know if you have h. pylori for sure? You do testing- but here is where it can get tricky (not all testing is reliable).
* kinesiology testing, which can be just as accurate as a blood/stool/breath test if you get a good practitioner.
* always work with a practitioner if you think you have h. pylori.
Stool test:
. Do the stool test on a full moon- bacteria and parasites are most active then. This is the most reliable according to most studies. It can be done before to diagnose h. pylori. and after to make sure you have it cleared from your system.
Kinesiology:
This requires a special kinesiologist practitioner to use muscle testing to find the “root cause” .
Blood test:
Checks the antibodies to H. pylori. Antibodies can stay in your blood 12-18 months after eradication (treatment). If you do have antibodies and have never been treated then YES you have h. pylori.
Breath test:
This test uses radioactive carbon atom to detect h.pylori. Though it is a inconsistent test, and usually expensive.
Stomach biopsy:
A sample is taken from inside the stomach and small intestine. This test too is inconsistent and the most invasive.
Markers on other testing:
Here are some of the markers trained Dr.’s look for that “hint” at the patient has an h. pylori infection. Here are Dr. Amy’s findings…
“if manganese is consistently low on a Urine essential elements test
if most amino acids are low on a Urine amino acid test and arginine is normal range
if suberic is really high on a Metabolic Analysis Profile (MAP) in spite of carnitine support
if particular Krebs intermediates are high while others are in normal range on that MAP
if 5HIAA is very high when it doesn’t make sense with the maoA status or the support being used
if there is consistently midrange to high cadmium and bismuth excretion
if a Neurotransmitter test is showing high tryptamine or tyramine”
.
A note on Acid:
Some pratcitoners like to supplement acid to “kill the h. pylori”. But if you have been following what I have been saying, then the h. pylori will not be killed by the acid because it will either neutralize it or hide in the mucous layer of the gut so it stays in a “safe environment”
Here is what Dr. Amy says:
“I would NOT add anything acidic to drop the pH in my personal opinion. I will explain why I am saying that by explaining my personal theory on H.pylori that seems to be holding up to the test of time and having positive results…I believe that the H.pylori may be coming out of hiding due to the program. H.pylori makes an enzyme called urease. This enzyme uses arginine from the body and makes a product to help to neutralize the stomach acid. While H.pylori may initially be attracted to a gut that has a higher stomach pH, and while it is shown to be a factor in acid reflux, GERD, stomach ulcers…it actually will not live in an acid environment. That is why it hides in the mucosal cells lining the gut. I believe it is in part so hard to eradicate as it is hiding in those mucosal cells. The idea of the baking soda which has worked well is to trick the H.pylori into thinking the pH is less acidic so it will come out of hiding and so the other supplements (Peptimycin and HELX- these are the supplements she uses which contain many of the herbs I am listing) can reach it. When the pH climbs like you are seeing, I believe that represents H.pylori that has come out of hiding, out of the mucosal cells and is making urease to neutralize the stomach acid so that it can live there. I feel it is now more vulnerable to eradication, but it also may be causing more gut pain. This is why we consider the H.pylori program when the gut pH is very low (an environment that H.pylori may be attracted to) or when it is high (indicating H.pylori is making urease to increase the gut pH to neutralize the acid). What has been seen on a number of tests is that the pH will swing from very low (ie around 5) to very high (closer to 8 ) for the same individual.”
* a gut test determines the h.p of the stomach.
*So basically- don’t use acid- use baking soda to “provoke” the h. pylori out of hiding so you can kill it with supplements and herbs. Baking soda is used to trick the h. pylori that the stomach is “safe” and base (not acidic).
FOOD/diet:
What to eat?
This is a very broad question and I wonder if I am doing the right thing each day. It all boils down to- how do you feel after eating? Of course you should stay away form the junk, sugar, table salt, and the obvious bad things. But what about all the lists you see online “what not to eat with h.pylori”. Your best bet is to listen to your instincts.
“Are these food’s ok if I have h. pylori?”
Coffee:
pro: It can decrease GGT (gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase) levels–this is a “bad” liver enzyme.
con: Coffee is acidic in nature and can stress adrenals more-so this is a decision you have to make. I personally do not drink it.
Fermented foods:
pro: Full of good natural probitoics to hep fight infection and bacteria.
con: Can increase excess glutamate and histamine levels.
High fat (even good fats):
pro: Help absorption of vitamins (especially since you are deficient probably) and keep you full longer.
con: Can aggravate ketosis and inflammation in the stomach- look at note below **
** Eat a higher carbohydrate/ lower fat diet:
Too much fat aggravates the h pylori symptoms (digestion/gallbladder doesn’t work/ketosis) and keeping a steady amount of carbohydrates prevents the body from going into ketosis. This is a temporary diet- and you can return to lots of healthy fats once you recover. A stool that is pale and stinky is most likely a signal you are not digesting your fats. To help digest fats- increase herbs to support bile (dandelion root, bitter herbs).
Onion/garlic/broccoli/cauliflower:
pro: Helps to “fight” h. pylori directly.
con: If you have a CBS mutation, you have a sulfur detox problem and this can aggravate your symptoms. (check out foods high in sulfur)
Spices (cayenne/mustard/cloves/cinnamon):
pro: Antibacterial properties and are known to help ulcers (common in h. pylori).
con: Spicy foods can aggravate the stomach lining and increase HCL in the stomach. Remeber that 1-2 hours after eating we want to make the stomach “base” so the h. pylori comes out of hiding. Some sources say they can promote the perfect ground for bacteria growth.
here is a good article to help)
Dairy
pro: Especially if it is raw and cultured, it will be a rich source of probioitcs.
con: Can be a cause of excess mucous in the body and high fat dairy can aggravate sensitive stomachs with h. pylori. Fermented milk or cheese are high in glutamates.
Chocolate
pro: High in magnesium and mineras.
con: Can aggravate the stomach because it is acidic.
Red meat:
pro: A good source of b- vitamins and iron (anemia and B-12 are common deficiencies with h. pylori)**
con: Meat is acidic but it depends on how your body digest it if it will be ok with h. pylori symptoms.
**h pylori is commonly found in blood type O’s -who process meat well and need to eat it to feel good and strong. read about it here
Protein:
pro: Keeps you full, contains important amino acids to make neurotransmitters (which you are lacking in).
con: Too much can stress the kidneys- which are already fragile and detoxing hard.
Bone broth/gelatin:
pro: Rich in gut healing properties.
con: If you have a GABA/glutamate imbalance then you need to be careful about eating foods high in free glutamate and gelatin is high. (check out foods high in glutamate).
AVOID:
carbonated drinks
alcohol: Too much free glutamate
canned foods: Histamine is high
leftover foods: Histamine is increased
sugar
white products
vinegar: Use apple cinder vinegar instead
foods you are allergic to: Aggravates stomach and pretty much the whole body.
tomatoes: They have an acidic affect in the stomach.
grains (gluten and non gluten): There are alot of problems with grains and leaky guts /cross reacting to gluten grains so it is best to stay away while you heal.
ADD:
flavinoid rich foods: Cranberries (good for kidneys too), apples, onions, celery
sea salt: Helps balance adrenals and regulate kidneys
leafy green veggies/sea veggies (organic): Rich in vitamin b’s, and other vitamins and minerals
wild fish- Rich in omega 3′s -reduce inflammation
veggies and fruits
squash and starchy veggies: To help keep carbohydrate intake higher if you are on low fat- you will need calories
The protocol
Here is an example protocol.
Tip: Cycle on and off supplements/herbs- don’t want to over drive the immune system. You want to give the body a break.
example: 2 weeks on herbs & 1 week off herbs or 4 days on herbs & 1 day off (whatever feels right with your body)
Organ support:
These herbs don’t necessarily “kill the h. pylori, but they are still important to keep the organs strong and eliminating the toxic waste.
Herbal teas:
Many teas are very supportive of the organ systems (which you need right now). - a small list for supporting each organ system.
Kidney: uva ursi, cranberry, rose hips, parsley, nettle, burdock, dandelion leaf
Reproductive system: maca, red raspberry leaf, red clover, white peony root
Lymph: oregon grape root, poke root, cleavers, wild indigo, Figwort, horsetail, echinacea, goldenseal
Bowel:
constipated: senna leaf, Cascara sagrada, rhubarb root, chickweed
diarrhea: marshmallow root, slippery elm bark, peppermint, camomile
Liver/gallbladder: dandelion root, dandelion leaf, Schisandra berries, milk thistle, gentian root, turmeric
Digestion/stomach: ginger, fennel, marshmallow root, slippery elm bark, rose hips, lotus leaf
Spleen/blood: hawthorn berries, red root, barberry
Adrenals: licorice, codonopsis root, sarsaparilla, ginseng, wild yam *sea salt is also very good at supporting adrenals
Brain: ginkgo, ashwaghandha, rosemary, peppermint, holy basil, green tea
Homeopathics:
Homeopathics help support organ systems and keeps their toxic load down.
RNA’s:
Liver RNA, Kidney RNA, cytokine inflammation RNA
Enzymes:
digestive enzymes : taken 20 minutes before meals to help digest your food.
.
How to “kill” h. pylori:
Anti-h. pylori Herbs: These are specific herbs used to kill h. pylori. that I am taking daily:
My H. Pylori blend:
Nature provides special herbs and plants to flush toxins–specifically we are targeting h. pylori–out of our bodies that make us sick. These 3 plants (triphala (actually 3 herbs in 1) , cats claw, and mastic gum) are the things I choose to kill off the h.pylori in my body to use consistently.
3 ingredients were common in many mixtures.
The herbs can be made into a tea (with hot water) and take the mastic gum separate.or combined in regular temp water. Do what your body tolerates (you may have to change up the measurements) and feel free to change up the formula to add in any of the other “anti-hpylori” herbs listed below.
Triphala: Test-tube studies have suggested that triphala offers
antioxidant, bacteria-killing, and immune-enhancing benefits
And in animal-based research, scientists have shown that the
herbal blend may help keep cholesterol in check.
what is it?
latin names:
Amalaki (amla): Emblica officinalis
Bibhitaki (Bihara): Terminalia bellirica
Haritaki (Harada): Terminalia chebula
family:
Amalaki (amla): Phyllanthaceae family (cross reactants: pulmonaria officinalis)
Bibhitaki (Bihara):Combretaceae family (cross reactants: leadwood, trees in tropics and subtropics)
Haritaki (Harada): (same) Combretaceae family (cross reactants: leadwood, trees in tropics and subtropics)
Triphala is actually a combination of 3 herbs. It is a very popular Ayurvedic herb that originated in India. The herbs are dried and ground into a powder.
Triphala is an Ayurvedic remedy consisting of equal parts of three herb, taken without seed: Amalaki (Phyllanthus emblica), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), and Haritaki (Terminalia chebula). The word triphalameans literally “three fruits”.
Triphala contains five of the six tastes recognized in Ayurveda (sweet, sour, bitter, pungent and astringent), only missing the salty taste.
Dosage:
1/4 tsp 1-2x a day (you can either dissolve in hot water or cold). I prefer taking it in liquid because of this…
Triphala Tea The traditional way of ingesting triphala is as a tea. This method allows one to taste the herb fully, and taste is considered by Ayurveda to be an important part of the healing process. Taste starts the digestive process, and sends signals to the body as to what to expect, already initiating your body’s own inner pharmacy.
Studies:
A 17 year old girl discovered an Ayurvedic herb to effectively break the protective layer of bacteria. The specific herb was Haritaki. This protective layer is called a “biofilm”. Some people use biofilm enzymes to help break down this protective layer so the body can then recognize and attack the bacteria (h. pylori).
One of the common tropical plant extracts penetrated the bacterium’s protective layer. Next, Madhavi isolated the specific molecule in the extract that was able to inhibit bacterial growth. She found that the molecule was heat resistant, and resistant to pressure. “It kills the cell,” she explains, “by preventing the transcription of the genes involved in energy, metabolism, adaptation, membrane transport, and toxin secretion.”
This study explains the qualities of Haritaki (one of the three herbs in triphala) and its effect on h. pylori.
Haritaki has anti-bacterial effect (International Journal of Cardiology, 1988). In this study the researchers tested the effect of extracts of Haritaki on a bacteria called Helicobactor Pylori. The results indicated that water extracts of Haritaki contain a heat stable agent with inhibiting effects and possible therapeutic potential for fighting Helicobactor Pylori and other bacterial species.
About:
“about” section for triphala because it is such a complex herb. Ayurvedic medicine has a different way of looking at the body, illness, and foods/herbs, each one relates to a specific “dosha”- characteristics that help make up the body and mind. Each one is a completely different herb with amazing properties.
Amalaki:
has a cooling affect on the dosha Pitta (fire/bile)
helps with digestion and assimilating food
clears thinking ability
mildly laxative
astringent- constrict tissues to heal
alterative-helps restore body functions
antipyretic-helps reduce fever
used to treat “fire” imbalances -ulcers, stomach/intestine inflammation, constipation/diarrhea, acne/rashes, liver congestion, infections.
very high source of vitamin c
antioxidant
sour
Bibhitaki:
helps target problems in kapa (water/mucus) dosha
balances excess mucus
helpful for respiratory problems (allergies/asthma)
astringent taste (smooth/bitter/dry)
cleanses the blood
remove harmful toxins in body
strengthens hair roots and color or hair
balances kapa (water) imbalances- eliminated fluid (edema)
antiviral and antibacterial
improves eye site
balances over weight conditions
Haritaki:
helps balance the vata (wind/nervous system) dosha
helps to eradicate parasites
clams nerves and anxiety
removes toxins- “scraping” effect
helps maintain a healthy weight
lubricant and laxative-helps constipation
has 5 tastes (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, and astringent)
stimulates digestion and sensory organs
helps combat anemia
combats gallstones
restores health
Benefits:
3 herbs that support 3 different dosha’s (a well balanced herb)
improves circulation (cleanses blood and increases red blood cells)
detoxifies at a deep level without depleting the bodies reserves
helps stimulate bile flow
good liver tonic
internal cleanseing
helps fight bacteria (h. pylori), parasites, and viruses
improves digestion and elimination
helps body absorb nutrients, fight cravings
helps body balance out weight-fights unwanted fat
regenerate tissues
anti-imflamitory
promotes normal appetite
helps heal metabolism
used as a tonic for eye and hair washes
supports healthy immune system
warning:
Do not use if nursing/pregnant
do not use if you have acute diarrhea- mild laxative effect
can cause weight loss-do not use if you are already very underweight
no known drug interactions
be cautious with blood thinning medications
do not take with dysentery (inflamed intestines with severe diarrhea)
if you are allergic to any of the herbs plant family’s (listed above) do not take
can cause detox symptoms- you may have to stop temporarily if it gets too uncomfortable
Cats claw:
latin name: Uncaria tomentosa
plant family: Rubiaceae
The coffee family (Rubiaceae) is the largest woody plant family in the wet tropics, and contains approximately 13,200 species. Most species live in the lower ‘understorey’ level of the forest, where their fruits, nectar and leaves provide an important source of food for animals.
Cat’s claw is a tropical vine clinging to 100-foot (and taller) trees by using its namesake “claws.” Cat’s claw (una de gato in Spanish) refers to at least 20 plants with sharp curved thorns, both native to the South and Central American tropical rain forests, with most of the commercial production focused on Uncaria tomentosa. Ethically harvested cat’s claw bark is a major source of income for many Brazilian and Peruvian villages.
cross reactants: coffee, rubiaceae (coffee) family
Dosage:
1/4 tsp (powdered) 1-2x a day
1-3 tsp (bark). Steep in boiling water for 15 minutes.
*The tannins in the herb are released only if it is taken in an acidic medium
If you can tolerate lemon juice- stir cats claw powder in lemon water or squeeze some lemon juice in your tea. I cannot do this because I am sensitive to citrus fruit. I just take it in water and still believe I am getting the benefits of this herb (i have gotten detox).
Studies:
Fights against lyme and other bacteria (h. pylori)- In this study
In this study the patient went on a course of antibiotics for h. pylori. Symptoms were nauseous, weight loss, loss of appetite, and high blood pressure. She only got worse. After 1 month of cats claw (120mg ) a day, taken 30 hour before breakfast, her h. pylori was gone and her symptoms were a lot better.
Benefits:
DNA repair (8 week study proved this)
helps allergies (breaks down mucous)
treats inflammation (by suppressing TNF-alpha synthesis–which is needed in the inflammation process)
detoxify intestines while helping keep friendly bacteria alive
stimulates immune system to help fight cold, viruses,
Fights some cancers (study done that it stops cell mutations in long term smokers)
regulates microphages and white blood cells (either low or high)
acts against h. pylori
helps fight sinus problems
used for arthritis and joint inflammation conditions
helps people with stomach and bowel disorders
fights fungal and viral infections (candida)
promotes speedy wond healing
antioxidants help fight free radicals
warning:
Avoid when trying to get pregnant/ already pregnant/ nursing/young children.- can cause miscarriages
should not be taken 2 weeks before/after surgery or people who have bleeding disorder
should not be used by people who have organ transplants
should not be taken with some autoimmune disorders (can make the immune system more active)–for this reason I balance it with herbs that stimulate my T2 side.
can aggrivate leukemia cancer.
can lower blood pressure–i have low blood pressure but again it is all bout balance.
medications: since cats claw is broken down by the liver it could interact with certain medications that are broken down by the same enzyme (allergy meds, cholesterol meds, allergy medication, anti fungals)
if you are allergic to the rubiaceae (coffee) family no not use.
.
Mastic gum
latin name: Pistacia lentiscus (Greek for mastic)– mastic gum comes from this small evergreen tree
plant family: Anacardiaceae
Mastic is a resin obtained from the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus). In Greece, it is known as the “tears of Chios,” being traditionally produced on that Greek island, and, like other natural resins, is produced in “tears” or droplets. Originally liquid, it is sun dried into drops of hard brittle translucent resin. When chewed, the resin softens and becomes a bright white and opaque gum. The flavor is bitter at first, but after chewing, it releases a refreshing, slightly piney or cedar flavor.
The ancient Greeks chewed mastic gum (or mastiche, pronounced “mas-tee-ka”) for centuries. This substance is formed from the resin contained in the bark of the mastic tree found mainly in Greece and Turkey. Grecian women favored chewing mastic gum to clean their teeth and sweeten their breath.
Anacardiaceae (the cashew or sumac family) are a family of flowering plants bearing fruits that are drupes and in some cases producingurushiol, an irritant. Notable plants in this family include:cashew (in the type genus Anacardium), mango, poison ivy, sumac, smoke tree, and marula. The genus Pistacia (which includes thepistachio and mastic tree) usually is now included, but has sometimes been placed in its own family, Pistaciaceae
Cross reactants:
Mastic gum is related to cashews, mango, poisin ivy, sumac, smoke tree, marula (oil used in cosmetics, to treat leather, and preserve meat), capers, pistachio (im including it just to be safe), and the Anacardiaceae (cashew family).
Dosage:
I took the weight (grams) of the mastic gum I bought in powder (here). This are approximate values .
1/2 tsp = 0.8 gram
1/4 tsp = 0.4 gram
Taking 1 g of mastic gum is a good amount, some people take from 500mg -1 g of mastic gum a day. I find it best to do this (1/4 tsp) 2x a day.
Studies:
In this article there were 2 groups of people. One group was given 1g of mastic gum the other a placebo. After 2 weeks 80% of the people in the mastic gum group had their symptoms improve and 70% had healing in their gastric mucosa.
In this article they do a study where people with ulcers -caused by h. pylori- take 1g of mastic gum a day. After 2 weeks the ulcers were “cured”. This study showed that mastic had a anti-h. pylori. effect.
What is the gastric mucosa? Thanks wikipedia.
The gastric mucosa is the mucous membrane layer of the stomach which contains the glands and the gastric pits. In humans it is about 1 mm thick and its surface is smooth, soft, and velvety. It consists of epithelium, lamina propria, and the muscularis mucosae.
Here is an interesting study about the early cause for stomach ulcers and how mastic gum kills h. pylori!!
Researchers in Australia made that startling discovery about the true cause of ulcers in the early 1980s, at about the same time that mastic was being rediscovered by the Arab scientists in the Middle East. The Arab and British researchers subsequently (in the late 1990s) found that mastic kills H. pylori. By then it was known that H. pylori typically infects the stomach and intestines, but it is also commonly found in the mouth (which is, after all, part of the gastrointestinal tract), because there’s no way to prevent the bacteria from migrating up and down the esophagus
mastic gum Benefits:
effective at eradicating h. pylori
helps prevent cavities -specifically Streptococcus mutans- known to create cavities. (the bacteria travels from stomach to the mouth)
acts as prebiotics for your probiotic (natural source of food for your healthy bacteria- helps keep bad bacteria out)
soothes stomach ailments
eliminates stomach ulcers
“absorbs” bad cholesterol –helps reduce heart attack risk
anti-bacterial and anti-fungal
decreases symptoms of IBS
helps protect liver by decreasing certain liver enzymes.
anti-viral
warning:
Usually considered safe unless you have a true allergy to the cashew family. It can be used by people on medications, but to be safe, check with your doctor first.
Probiotic:
Here is an article going over the “best strains” for eradication h. pylori. They don’t “kill” the h. pylori but they prevent any further grown.
Studies have also highlighted probiotic supplementation to enhance natural killer cell activity, stimulate IgG antibody responses
L. acidophilus- reduce urease activity of h. pylori.
L. johnsonii- secrete antimicrobial substances that stop the h.pylori from adhering to the gut lining.
L. salivarius- secrete antimicrobial substances that stop the h.pylori from adhering to the gut lining. Reduce inflammation in gut
L. casei- inhibits h. pylori by lactic acid
L. lactis- inhibits h. pylori by lactic acid
L. reuteri- inhibit h. pylori by competing with the adhesion sites.
L. plantarum- increase secretion of mucin by colon (helps restore permeability of gut)
L. rhamnosus- increase secretion of mucin by colon (helps restore permeability of gut)
L. brevis- helps decrease the h. pylori bacterial load
L. gasseri- helps decrease the h. pylori bacterial load
L. bulgaricus-increase mucosal immune response and IgA cells in gut tissue
B. Bifidum- directly inhibit h. pylori
B. lactis- directly inhibit h. pylori
Other herbs known to help kill h pylori:
Ginger
licorice
barberry, oregon grape root, goldern seal
turmeric
garlic & cruciferous veggies (be careful thought if you have a sulfur detox pathway problem
Manuka Honey
Evodia
haritaki (herb in triphala blend)
thyme
oregano essential oil
vitamin C (herbs or food sources)
olive oil
cold pressed coconut oil
Matula herbal tea
Rose hips + broccoli seeds/sprouts: (important to have them together) increases the effect by double
Cranberries: (I have started to eat each day).
Baking soda:
Used to provoke the h. pylori out of hiding your mucous gut lining so it can be reached by the “killing” herbs. Look at “a note on acid” above. .
Dosage: 1/4 tsp baking soda 1-3 x a day. 1 hour after meals
RIFE:
RIFE is light frequency to kill the frequencies of bacteria-which then kills the actual bacteria. This was a good option for me because at first I could not tolerate ANY supplements. Through NAET I have become less allergic to foods/herbs and now I can use supplements/herbs. I still use my RIFE to treat h. pylori each night. Learn about RIFE here.
I have a few friends who use a Zapper (like this one) instead to kill their bugs, and it actually works very well. They get bad die off, but eventually feel better and their pain and aches subside.
A note:
*NO iron supplements- feeds and fuels bacterial infections
* When you work with a practitioner they may want to help supplement other things to keep your body functioning as best as possible.
Detox/ support:
Magnesium baths: To ease the constipation, muscle twitches, fatigue and general wellness.
Coffee enemas: Helps to detox all the stuff that is being killed off and to support the liver so it does not get overwhelmed.
Charcoal: Used to soak up extra toxins in the blood stream and help ease detox symptoms. Gives me a sense of mental clarity and less “toxic” feeling. This can cause constipation in some people because it binds to toxins in the gut and if you have h. pylori you have a toxic gut. You may use herbs-listed above- to help bowel movement.
Lymph: Getting the lymph system moving is important to keep the toxins moving OUT- you don’t want the lymph stagnant. A rebounder can be very helpful.
Oil Pulling: If sinuses and brain fog are a problem you may want to consider oil pulling. I find that it gives me energy and drains my sinuses very well.
Clay: Using the skin as a detox organ and giving the other ones a break (liver & kidney) is a helpful tool. On my bad detox days. I drink and bath in clay.
Infrared sauna: A far Infrared sauna heat can penetrate into the system and actually help kill viruses and bacteria! I use this sauna which is AMAZING and the wood is hypoallergenic since I am extra sensitive. It is also a LOW EMF sauna which is very important. I also use this near infrared sauna light because the light frequencies are extremely beneficial at killing bad bugs and regenerating organs.
EMF protection: A extra stressed or toxic body can feed illness and infections. Make sure to protect yourself from EMF’s. I sleep on a earthing mat...
Resources:
http://amyking.wordpress.com/2009/02/20/im-so-happy-i-have-h-pylori/ <– good post to help give an example of another persons “protocol”
http://rhrplus.com/b2evolution/blogs/index.php/Articles/antimicrobial-herbs-for-helicobacter-pyl
http://www.h-pylori-symptoms.com/the-11-best-herbs-vitamins-for-fighting-h-pylori/
http://www.livingsource.co.nz/heavymetals.cfm
http://www.ulcer-cure.com/H_Pylori/h-pylori-test.php
http://www.neuroconcepts.memberlodge.org/resources/Documents/NN%20155%20probiotics%20H.%20pylori.pdf
http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/Cats_Claw.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncaria_tomentosa
http://www.kew.org/plants-fungi/kew-stories/kew-research/coffee-family/index.htm
http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-cats-claw.html
http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/learn/catsclaw.php
http://books.google.com/books?id=oRsXKdSaiKsC&pg=PA42&lpg=PA42&dq=h+pylori+fights+cats+claw&source=bl&ots=UnNH4JMruG&sig=Q4p5IHhuCfOpcxnof4RX0hFPV5A&hl=en&sa=X&ei=LYmJUb-LDIrlyAHHoIF4&ved=0CGMQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=h%20pylori%20fights%20cats%20claw&f=false
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mastic_(plant_resin)
http://www.wrigley.com/global/about-us/history-of-gum.aspx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anacardiaceae
http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/Mastic-Gum.htm
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9394753
http://www.intactnutrition.com/blog/the-benefits-of-mastic-gum.html
http://www.intactnutrition.com/blog/benefits-of-mastic-gum-include-killing-h-pylori-to-prevent-and-combat-ulcers.html
http://www.livestrong.com/article/267577-what-are-the-benefits-of-mastic-gum/
http://www.life-enhancement.com/magazine/article/770-mastic-is-more-than-an-antibacterial
http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=6320
http://taxondiversity.fieldofscience.com/2011/06/phyllanthaceae.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phyllanthaceae
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combretaceae
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminalia_chebula
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminalia_bellirica
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phyllanthus_emblica
http://www.banyanbotanicals.com/triphala.asp
http://ayurvedabykailas.com/ayurvedic-reference/triphala.html
http://www.banyanbotanicals.com/triphala.asp
http://www.organicindia.com/triphala.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triphala
http://herbalicine.com/Triphala-is-a-natural-ayurveda-herb-for-gItract-digestion
http://www.planetherbs.com/specific-herbs/the-wonders-of-triphala.html
http://www.experiencefestival.com/wp/article/triphala-a-traditional-ayurvedic-herb-to-help-cleanse-the-body
http://www.mygutsy.com
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