For people with persistent lung problems or arthritis due to a Chlamydia co-infection
by Greg Lee
Have you ever accidentally brought home dented cans from the grocery store? As a kid, I remember being told to never get them because the dents could mean the food is spoiled inside. I really learned my lesson after opening a dented can of tomato sauce that contained yucky foul-smelling brown-red glop.
How is a can of spoiled tomato sauce just like a lurking Chlamydia pneumonia co-infection?
Similar to spoiled tomato sauce hiding inside a dented can, Chlamydia can lurk inside ticks
Chlamydia pneumonia is a bacteria that can be transmitted through an infected tick1 or from an infected person through inhaling contaminated droplets. This infection is a major cause of pneumonia. Once inside a human host, C. pneumonia is taken up by cells in an endosome pouch to destroy the bacteria through phagocytosis. Unfortunately, it begins to replicate within the endosome. C. pneumoniae can infect elderly, disabled, and healthy adults. What are the symptoms of a Chlamydia pneumonia infection?
Chlamydia can create symptoms similar to Lyme disease
Some people with C. pneumonia may not have any symptoms at all. This infection can also create symptoms of asthma and pneumonia in the respiratory system. 60% of Lyme disease patients have tested positive for C. pneumonia at Infectolab in Germany2. It can also present symptoms similar to Lyme disease including fatigue, meningitis, encephalitis, arthritis, and myocarditis. C. pneumonia has also been associated with a higher risk of lung cancer3 and atherosclerosis4, It has been found in the cerebral spinal fluid of Multiple Sclerosis patients5 and in patients with Alzheimer’s6. Unfortunately, patients with C. pneumonia can experience recurring symptoms despite prolonged antibiotic treatment7.
Chlamydia can be difficult to eliminate completely with antibiotics
Patients diagnosed with C. pneumonia are prescribed antibiotics like azithromycin, clarithromycin, or levofloxacin. Unfortunately, relapsing Chlamydia symptoms may be due to an insufficient dose or too short a duration of antibiotics8. Another reason why this infection can persist is because C. pneumonia can acquire drug resistance through gene transfer9 and it can hide under biofilms10.
What else can help you to stop a relapsing Chlamydia infection?
Research on the natural compound betulin shows that it inhibits Chlamydia
Betulin is a natual triterpene compound that has shown to inhibit intracellular Chlamydia in one in vitro study11. This compound protects plants against bacteria and viruses12 and is found in several medicinal herbs. Patients that have been diagnosed with recurring C. pneumonia symptoms have found that these herbs with betulin help to significantly reduce their chronic symptoms of fatigue, arthritis, inflammation, and asthmatic shortness of breath.
Herb #1: Ligustrum seed, Chinese name: Nu zhen zi14
The properties of this herb are sweet, bitter, and cool. This herb is used to strengthen the liver, kidneys, and vital essence or jing. Ligustrum seed contains betulin15 which inhibits C. pneumonia. It has been used to treat dizziness, tinnitus, vertigo, premature gray hair, and soreness and weakness of the low back and knees. This herb is suitable for use over a long period of time and is very safe.
Ligustrum seed is very well suited for symptoms of dryness and excess internal heat. These include menopause, irritability, tidal fever, hot flashes, thirst, night sweats, mood swings, bones that feel like they are being steamed. This herb helps with eye problems like diminished vision, blurred vision, and dry eyes.
In research studies, this herb increases white blood cells especially those called neutrophils. In mice studies, it increases the production of blood. This herb has been used to reduce plasma glucose levels in diabetes studies and has been used to treat diabetes mellitius. It also reduces plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels in rabbit studies. In other mouse studies, Ligustrum seed reduces inflammation, swelling, and permeability of vessels. This herb lowers elevated liver enzyme levels and prevents liver damage.
Ligustrum seed has an inhibitory effect against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus dysenteriae, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and E. coli. This herb is contraindicated for patients with internal cold symptoms in the stomach which can be characterized by diarrhea. Since this herb lowers plasma glucose levels, it should be used with caution with insulin, sulfonylureas, and other antidiabetic medications like tolbutamide, glipizide, and glyburide, as it may have a synergistic effect resulting in hypoglycemia.
Herb #2: Lotus rhizome node, Chinese name: Ou jie16
The properties of this herb are sweet, astringent, and neutral. This herb has been used in Chinese food recipes for centuries. This herb contains betulin which is effective at inhibiting C. pneumonia17. It is used to stop bleeding disorders, restrain blood leakage, and disperse blood stasis (hypercoagulation). The raw herb clears heat and cools the blood. The charred version of this herb is used to treat bleeding disorders along with symptoms of internal coldness.
Lotus rhizome node has been used to treat symptoms of coughing up blood (hemoptysis), vomiting of blood (hematemesis), nose bleeds (epistaxis), blood in the urine (hematuria), and blood in the stools (hematochezia). Clinical research has shown that Lotus rhizome node is effective at treating bleeding hemorrhoids, bleeding from the eyes, and nasal polyps.
Herb #3: Chaga mushroom, Chinese name: Bai Hua Rong
Chaga mushroom purifies the blood and relieves pain. Used medicinally for over five hundred years in Russia, this fungi contains betulin and betulinic acid18 which inhibit C. pneumonia. It has over two hundred different compounds that have anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, immunostimulating, cytotoxic, anti-platelet aggregation, anti-diabetic, and anti-dementia properties19,20.
Chaga has also been burned topically on the skin to treat arthritis inflammation21 similar to moxabustion in Chinese medicine. In research studies on animals, chaga has been effective in reducing several kinds of cancers: lung22, colon23, Hodgkin’s lymphoma24, and carcinoma25. It inhibits HIV26 and in other studies, chaga scavenges free radicals and reduces oxidative stress27.
How do you know if these herbs are helping to stop your Chlamydia infection?
Patients report a significant reduction of Chlamydia symptoms
After taking one or more of the herbs listed above with anti-biofilm, toxin clearing and immune modulating herbs, several Lyme patients co-infected with Chlamydia have reported decreased joint pain, increased energy, increased breathing capacity, and greater mental clarity in as little as a few weeks. The right combination of herbs can help reduce stubborn Chlamydia symptoms.
The right herbs can help you to stop a lurking Chlamydia infection
Just like throwing out the dented cans of food from your pantry, the proper combination of herbs can help you to eliminate a lurking Chlamydia infection. Since some of these herbs come with cautions on their use, work with a Lyme literate herbalist to develop a proper, safe, and effective herbal strategy for your condition.
Next step: Come to our evening lecture: Getting Rid of Lyme Disease in Frederick, Maryland on Monday August 6th at 6pm to learn more about natural methods for stopping co-infections and Lyme disease. https://goodbyelyme.com/events/get_rid_lyme
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2. Schwarzbach, A. Diagnostic and Therapeutical Strategies in Lyme Disease and Multiple Infections by Chlamydia and Mycoplasma. Physicians Roundtable Conference. Tampa, Fl. Jan 2012.
3. Zhan P, Suo LJ, Qian Q, Shen XK, Qiu LX, Yu LK, Song Y. Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and lung cancer risk: a meta-analysis. Eur J Cancer. 2011 Mar;47(5):742-7. Epub 2010 Dec 29. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21194924
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7. Kutlin A, Roblin PM, Hammerschlag MR. Effect of prolonged treatment with azithromycin, clarithromycin, or levofloxacin on Chlamydia pneumoniae in a continuous-infection Model. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2002 Feb;46(2):409-12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11796350
8. Kutlin, 409.
9. Sandoz KM, Rockey DD. Antibiotic resistance in Chlamydiae. Future Microbiol. 2010 Sep;5(9): 1427-42. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20860486
10. Persson GR, Imfeld T. Periodontitis and cardiovascular disease. Ther Umsch. 2008 Feb;65(2):121-6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18517068
11. Salin O, Alakurtti S, Pohjala L, Siiskonen A, Maass V, Maass M, Yli-Kauhaluoma J, Vuorela P. Inhibitory effect of the natural product betulin and its derivatives against the intracellular bacterium Chlamydia pneumoniae. Biochem Pharmacol. 2010 Oct 15;80(8):1141-51. Epub 2010 Jul 6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20615390
12. Bajaj YPS (ed) Biotechnology in agriculture and forestry. Medicinal and aromatic plants VI. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, p. 193.
13. Rogers, R. The Fungal Pharmacy: The Complete Guide to Medicinal Mushrooms and Lichens of North America. North Atlantic Books, 2012. p. 233.
14. Chen, John K., and Tina T. Chen. 2004. Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology. City of Industry CA: Art of Medicine Press, Inc., pp. 962 – 963.
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16. Chen, John K., and Tina T. Chen. 2004. Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology. City of Industry CA: Art of Medicine Press, Inc., pp. 585 – 586.
17. Chaudhuri PK, Singh D. A new triterpenoid from the rhizomes of Nelumbo nucifera. Nat Prod Res. 2012 Apr 19. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22512662
18. Inonotus obliquus. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inonotus_obliquus
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20. Inonotus obliquus. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inonotus_obliquus
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23. Lemieszek MK, Langner E, Kaczor J, Kandefer-Szerszeń M, Sanecka B, Mazurkiewicz W, Rzeski W. Anticancer effects of fraction isolated from fruiting bodies of Chaga medicinal mushroom, Inonotus obliquus (Pers.:Fr.) Pilát (Aphyllophoromycetideae): in vitro studies. Int J Med Mushrooms. 2011;13(2):131-43. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22135889
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27. Najafzadeh M, Reynolds PD, Baumgartner A, Jerwood D, Anderson D. Chaga mushroom extract inhibits oxidative DNA damage in lymphocytes of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Biofactors. 2007;31(3-4):191-200. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18997282