For people with chronic Lyme symptoms that don’t respond to medications
By Greg Lee

Have you ever heard stories about foreign spies getting a hold of classified secrets? Once they buy or steal secrets, they try to get out of the country as soon as possible. If they are being pursued, these spies often use a network of safe houses to hide out in until the way is clear.

How is a safe house just like the Lyme disease biofilm?

Lyme bacteria can create a shield called a biofilm to protect themselves
Behind the biofilm, these bacteria are shielded from many medications. The biofilm blocks your immune system from finding the bacteria also.

This is how the biofilm is just like a safe house that protects the bacteria from being killed by drugs or your immune system. When your go off medications, they can re-emerge and aggravate your symptoms all over again. Not only do Lyme bacteria create biofilms, so do other bugs in your system

Other bacteria like staph and strep can also create biofilms which Lyme can hide in
According to Microbial Biofilms by Ghannoum and O’Toole, different bacteria like staph and strep also create biofilm shields.
In these biofilms, many different bacteria can hide within them. When different bacteria congregate under a biofilm, they share information with each other.

Underneath a biofilm shield, different species of bacteria can swap genetic information
In Microbial Biofilms, they cite studies which estimate that the Lyme bacteria have received 1 out of thousand genes from other species¹. The authors state that gene exchange happens quite frequently among different bacteria in a biofilm. This exchange may lead to a dangerous mutated form of the Lyme bacteria.

Unfortunately, Lyme bacteria may obtain drug resistant genes from other bacteria
If Lyme bacteria were to obtain resistance to antibiotics, this could create an drug resistant monster. Given that Lyme bacteria reproduce in only a few weeks, it would only take a few generations for a drug resistant strain of Lyme bacteria to populate your system. Drug resistant Lyme bacteria may be an explanation for why it can survive despite years of multiple antibiotics.

Can earthworms prevent bacteria from sharing their drug resistant genes with the Lyme bug?

Earthworms have been used for over four hundred years to kill parasites
Lyme disease is defined as a parasitic infection of the borrelia species of bacteria. In the Compendium of Materia Medica herbal encyclopedia compiled in 1593, dried earthworms were prescribed for improving circulation, expelling demons, and overcoming numbness in the limbs². They were used to effectively treat the signs of demonic possession: convulsions and seizures, parasitic infections, and numbness of the extremities. In the past thirty years, they have been safely used with over 60,000 people in Chinese Hospitals without adverse side-effects. Recent results indicate that earthworms may have a biofilm busting ability also.

Earthworm extracts may stop the Lyme bug from getting drug resistant genes by breaking up their biofilms
According to the manufacturer, an earthworm extract called Lumbrikonase contains six enzymes that are found in Red Wiggler and Red Marsh earthworms. A local LLMD shared that his clients on this extract are reporting Herxheimer reactions believed to be caused by cutting through biofilm and killing off the hidden bacteria. A few of his clients also report a reduction in their inflammation.

Several other Lyme doctors are reporting some improvements with their patients on these extracts. These enzymes may also be useful against cysts or tumors where the Lyme can hide.

Earthworm enzymes also break down cysts or tumors that Lyme can hide in
Your body produces a protein called fibrin that helps to form cysts and tumors. The Lyme bacteria are believed to be able to hide within these cysts or tumors. These enzymes help to break apart the fibrin which ends up dissolving the cyst or tumor. Earthworms also help to reduce other Lyme symptoms as well.

Earthworms are also used to treat Lyme symptoms of tremors, pain, and co-infections
They are also used to open up nerve conduction, blood circulation, urinary flow, breathing capacity, and energy flow. Which is why they are used to treat numbness, tremors, and pain due to blockages in blood flow. They are also used to clear mycoplasma parasite infections in the lungs and in the digestive tract. Earthworms are a powerful medicine to add to your Lyme treatment program.

Earthworms help you to find and destroy the hiding places that shield the Lyme bacteria
By adding earthworms or their extracts to your Lyme treatment program, you can help your anti-Lyme medicines and the immune system to kill the bacteria more effectively. Just like finding out all the safe houses where spies are hiding, earthworms help to uncover different places where Lyme is hiding . Earthworms may be effective at eating through the biofilm shield and stopping the transfer of drug resistant genes to Lyme.

They can help with dissolving cysts or tumors which can house Lyme. They can also help to improve the neurological and pain symptoms of Lyme disease. They can help you to clear out mycoplasma co-infections.

The benefits of a humble little red wiggler are amazing because of what they can offer for healing Lyme disease.

1. Mahmoud Ghannoum and George A. O’Toole. Microbial Biofilms. ASM Press, Washington, DC. 2004.

2. Li Shizhen. Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica). 1593.

Next Step: Want to learn more about healing Lyme disease? Click here to find out about our evening lecture on Getting Rid of Lyme Disease on Monday June 7th at 6pm in Frederick, MD.

For people on antibiotics who are concerned about drug resistant infections

by Greg Lee

Image courtesy of Expatriate Games Flickr Creative Commons

Imagine it is starting to rain. You grab your umbrella and run outside. Unfortunately, there are several holes in the fabric and you start to get wet. How is a leaky umbrella like the danger of drug resistant infections?

Drug resistant infections are on the rise
Just like a leaky umbrella, antibiotics are offering less protection against these infections. These infections have names like: methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Clostridium difficile (C-Diff), Salmonella, and E-coli. The widespread use of antibiotics has contributed to the rise of drug resistant bacteria.

Antibiotics are widely used to prevent infections in farm animals, in animal feed, and in agriculture for pesticides. In humans, long term use of antibiotics by doctors and patients breeds drug resistant germs. Some countries sell antibiotics over the counter without a prescription. Hospitals have been shown to be a source of these infections amongst their patients.

These drug resistant germs can also be found in your food
Recently, major food processors of beef and nut butters have been shut down due to bacterial contamination at their processing facilities. These germs produce toxins that disrupt your immune system. These toxins can lead to sickness and even death. These germs can also hide from your immune system.

These germs can also evade your immune system
Patients that undergo antibiotic therapy have another challenge with these germs. These infectious organisms are able to develop a jello-blob like shield called a biofilm. Medications and your immune system cannot penetrate through this shield. Under the biofilm shield, many different germs can share a dangerous secret. They can swap drug resistant genes with each other and produce new drug resistant strains. However, drug companies might not come up with a solution.

Drug companies may not be able to help you fight these resistant infections
Unfortunately, pharmaceutical manufacturers have decreased their research into new antibiotics because these drugs may not be as profitable. More research is going into drugs that treat chronic long-term conditions and lifestyle issues like diabetes. Infectious disease physicians are highly concerned that effective antibiotics may not be available in the near future.

Where can you find new medicines that are effective against bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics?

For millions of years, plants have been producing antibacterial substances
In order to to fend off insects, infections, and plant eating animals and reptiles, plants produce a variety of chemicals to repel would-be attackers. Plants are also capable of creating new chemical defenses to protect against new threats. Many of these plants are herbs and spices that are full of antibacterial compounds. Researchers are currently exploring how to use plants to produce new antibiotics for drug resistant germs. Traditional healers knew about this a long time ago.

Traditional healers have long used plants to prevent or cure infections
Many of these plants have been researched to determine their antibacterial properties. A large number of plant compounds have been shown to inhibit growth of drug resistant bacteria and/or strengthen the immune system’s ability to fight these infections. For thousands of years, healers in Asia have used herbs to fight infections. Early medical texts describe using different combinations of herbs to heal many kinds of diseases.

Plants can differ in the ways they kill resistant germs
Many of these plant substances act differently from antibiotics, which suggests that it may be more difficult to develop drug resistance to these new compounds. For example the berberine compound in the herb Berberis helps to block the multidrug resistance mechanism in Staphylococcus aureus. There are many more herbs that have antibacterial properties.

Herbs that are recommended for use against drug resistant germs
Here is a list of Western herbs that have been used against drug resistant infections:

• Bay leaf
• Berberis
• Boneset
• Cloves
• Cryptolepis
• Golderseal
• Grapefruit seed extract
• Honey
• Juniper
• Maitake mushrooms
• Mustard
• Onion
• Oregano oil
• Rosemary
• Red root
• Sage
• St. John’s Wort

Here is a list of Chinese herbs that are recommended for use against drug resistant infections:

• Acorus
• Andrographis
• Artemisia
• Astragalus
• Cinnamon bark
• Coptidis
• Eucalyptus
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Green tea
• Honeysuckle vine
• Houttuyniae
• Licorice
• Myrrh
• Polygonum cuspidatae
• Scutellariae
• Seaweed
• Shitake mushrooms
• Siberian ginseng
• Tumeric

Here is a list of Ayurvedic (from India) herbs that are recommended for use against drug resistant infections:

• Aloe vera
• Amalaki (Emblica myrobalan)
• Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
• Guggulu, Kai-Shore (Commiphora mukul)
• Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) (anti-biofilm herb)
• Kutki (Gentiana kuroo)
• Neem (Azadiracta indica)
• Pipli (Piper longum)
• Shilajit (Asphaltum)
• Tulsi (Ocimum basilicum)

How to know what herbs to take and how much
Herbs in different herbal traditions are classified according to their properties. These properties include where in the body they help to heal and which organs they support. Contemporary research has uncovered many of the active compounds and how they work in the body. Many of these herbs can be found at health food stores or ethnic grocery stores. A trainer herbalist is the best way to get proper guidance on what to take and how much.

Why go to an herbalist for these antibacterial herbs?
One benefit to getting these herbs from an herbalist is that they can verify the source of the herbs as being free of pesticides, heavy metals, or being grown organically. Recent FDA guidelines for Chinese herbalists say that these practitioners must examine their patients in person to recommend or provide herbs. This helps patients to get herbs that work best for their condition and to get support should an unexpected reaction occur. Herbs can then be customized to eliminate undesirable reactions.

In addition to herbs, taking probiotics can also help with detoxifying and strengthening your immune system against these infections.

Herbs give you added protection from drug resistant infections
Just like getting a new umbrella, herbs give you additional protection against these stubborn drug resistant infections. Anti-bacterial herbs help you to kill these germs, detoxify your system, and strengthen your immune system against further attacks.

References:

Kathy Abascal, Eric Yarnell. Herbs and Drug Resistance: Part 2—Clinical Implications of Research on Microbial Resistance to Antibiotics, Alternative and Complementary Therapies. October 2002

Buhner, Stephen. Herbal Antibiotics: Natural Alternatives for Treating Drug-Resistant Bacteria. Storey Publishing, North Adams, Massachusetts. 1999

John Chen, Tina Chen. Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology. Art of Medicine Press, City of Industry, California. 2004

Snyder, Peter. Antimicrobial Effect of Spices and Herbs. Hospitality Institute of Technology and Management; St. Paul, Minnesota. 1997

Treadway, Scott. Exploring the Universe of Ayurvedic Botanicals to Manage Bacterial Infections. Clinical Nutritional Insights, Vol. 6, No. 17, 1998

Next Step: Come our free film showing of Under Our Skin on Wednesday May 12th at 6pm at Two Frogs. Click here to find out more details about this controversial film on Lyme disease.

<!–

Edit This

–>