For people with recurring chronic pain, fatigue, or infection due to mycoplasma
by Greg Lee
Imagine you are walking in a lush garden with flowers and vegetables and then you hear a loud buzz around your head. And another buzz, and another. As you look around the garden, you see large groups of stink bugs that are intent on having a feast on the plants. Without any natural predators, these bugs roam freely munching on everything in sight.
How is an infestation of stink bugs like a recurring mycoplasma infection?
Just like stink bugs that swarm over a garden, a mycoplasma infection can be difficult to eliminate
A mycoplasma infection is an overgrowth of one or more species of mycoplasma bacteria in the body. Mycoplasmas are one of the smallest bacteria. They lack a cell wall which makes them invulnerable to antibiotics which disrupt cell walls. Ticks are capable of carrying mycoplasma1 and Lyme disease. When a person’s immune system is fighting a Lyme disease infection, it is more susceptible to getting a secondary mycoplasma infection. Antibiotic treatment for mycoplasma can help reduce an infection.
Antibiotics reduce mycoplasma infections in the body
There are several species of mycoplasma that infect the body. They have strange sounding names like: Mycoplasma fermentans, Mycoplasma hominis, or Mycoplasma pneumonia. Unfortunately, mycoplasma can infect different areas in the body and can produce symptoms of infection, mucus discharge, pain, arthritis, fatigue, or neurological problems. They can activate or suppress your immune system. These germs can mimic the proteins in your body which can lead to autoimmune illnesses like Lupus, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Multiple sclerosis, or cancer2. Many Lyme disease patients with mycoplasma get relief with antibiotics like Minocycline, Doxycycline, Ciprofloxacin, Azithromycin, or Clarithromycin.
Unfortunately, mycoplasma infections can return after going off antibiotics.
Laila’s lung infection would return again and again after going off antibiotics
Laila caught a pesistent cold after returning from an overseas trip. She got some antibiotics and felt much better. However, the cold kept coming back soon after she went off of antibiotics. She got some relief using supplements like oil of oregano. Even with higher and higher doses of medications and supplements, her cold kept returning.
Are there other ways to help eliminate a recurring mycoplasma infection?
There are three herbs that help to reduce the persistent symptoms of a mycoplasma infection3
These herbs inhibit or kill mycoplasma and many other infectious germs.
Herb #1: Radix Isatidis, Chinese name: Ban Lan Gen4
The properties of this herb are bitter, cold, clears heat, eliminates toxins, cools the blood and benefits the throat. This is used to treat symptoms of fever, sore throat, tonsillitis, upper respiratory tract infections, blotches on the skin, and a flushed or swollen face. This herb is also used to treat encephalitis B, hepatitis, chicken pox, herpes simplex, and herpes zoster.
Ban Lan Gen is relatively safe with occasional reports of gastrointestinal discomfort. Allergic reactions have been reported with oral and intravenous dosages of this herb. Patients that are allergic to sulfonylureas and sulfonamides may also be allergic to this herb. Ban Lan Gen has antiplatelet action and should be used with caution with people who take anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications.
Ban Lan Gen has antibacterial effects in vitro against Mycoplasma hominis3, Staphylococcus aureus (staph), Diplococcus pneumoniae, E. coli, Salmonella typhi, influenza viruses, and leptospira.
Herb #2: Radix Angelica Dahurica, Chinese name: Bai Zhi5
The properties of this herb are acrid, and warm. Angelica dahurica is used to treat symptoms of colds, mucus discharge, and pain. It is used to relieve nasal obstruction, headaches, muscle aches, sinusitis, rhinitis, and white or yellow nasal discharge. This herb is also used to relieve frontal headaches, pain around the eyes, and toothaches.
It is also used to reduce swelling, discharge pus and eliminate toxins. This herb helps to reduce sores, inflammation, carbuncles, furuncles, rashes, itching, and ulcers in the skin. It is also used to treat breast abscesses, intestinal abscesses, and acute appendicitis. Angelica dahurica is also used to treat leukorrhea and diarrhea.
This herb inhibits the growth of Mycoplasma hominis3, E. coli, Bacillus dysenteriae, Bacillus proteus, Salmonella typhi, Pseudonomas aeruginosa, Vibrio cholerae, Mycobacterium tuberculosis hominis, and Shigella spp. In several research studies, Angelica dahurica demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, and antispasmodic effects in mice. In other experiments, Angelica dahurica lowered the heart rate, decreased blood pressure, increased the depth of breathing, and stimulated the nervous system in other laboratory animals. In one study on rats, this herb had an inhibitory effect on liver metabolism. Because of inhibited metabolism, concurrent use of this herb may lead to increased plasma concentrations of drugs like testosterone, tolbutamide, nifedipine, bufuralol, and diazepam.
Herb #3: Cortex Phellodendri, Chinese name: Huang Bai6
The properties of this herb are bitter and cold. Cortex Phellodendri is used for clearing symptoms of heat and infection, eliminating toxins, and dryness. It is also used to treat jaundice, burning diarrhea, feelings of incomplete evacuation, bleeding hemorrhoids, yellow leukorrhea, dysuria, and swollen painful joints. This herb is also used to treat sore and weak low back and knees, urinary tract infections, and blood in the urine.
Cortex Phellodendri is also effective in treating rashes, abscesses, sores, carbuncles, ulcerations, eczema, lesions, burns, redness, and eye symptoms of swelling, pain, and redness. It also treats the heat sensation which has been described as feeling like your “bones are being steamed.” This herb also treats tidal fever, nocturnal emissions, night sweats, emaciation, dry throat, flushed cheeks, tinnitus, dizziness, irritability, and insomnia. It is also used to treat menopause symptoms accompanied by scanty menstruation, abnormal uterine bleeding.
An extract of Cortex Phellodendri, xylopinin, is effective in lowering blood pressure. This herb has antibiotic effects against Mycoplasma hominis3, Staphylococcus aureus (staph), Diplococcus pneumoniae, Corynebacterium diptheriae, Bacillus dysenteriae, B-hemolytic streptococcus, Diplococcus meningitidis, Vibrio cholerae, Bacillus anthracis, and dermatophytes. It is also used to treat a spirochete infection called leptospira. The leaves of this herb have an antiviral effect against the herpes virus.
Research studies show that this herb is effective in treating chronic bacterial dysentery and chronic bronchitis. This herb is not suitable for long-term use in patients with coldness in the stomach. It is contraindicated in patients with that have extreme coldness. There are no known drug interactions at the time of publication.
How do you know that these herbs are working to kill off your mycoplasma infection?
Patients report a significant reduction of mycoplasma symptoms
After adding the above herbs to her anti-Lyme herb formula, Laila reported that her persistent cough and phlegm was almost completely gone after one week. Several other patients diagnosed with mycoplasma have reported significant improvements in chronic symptoms of fatigue, pain, and malaise when taking one or more of these herbs. The right combination of herbs can help reduce a persistent mycoplasma infection.
The right herb combination can help you to stop a recurring mycoplasma infection
Just like eliminating pesky stink bugs from your garden, the proper combination of herbs helps you to stop a recurring mycoplasma infection. Since some of these herbs come with cautions on their use, work with a Lyme literate herbalist to develop a safe and effective herbal strategy for your condition.
1. Eskow E, Adelson ME, Rao RV, Mordechai E. Evidence for disseminated Mycoplasma fermentans in New Jersey residents with antecedent tick attachment and subsequent musculoskeletal symptoms. J Clin Rheumatol. 2003 Apr;9(2). pp. 77-87.
2. Leslie Taylor. Mycoplasmas – Stealth Pathogens. https://www.rain-tree.com/myco.htm
3. Che YM, Mao SH, Jiao WL, Fu ZY. Susceptibilities of Mycoplasma hominis to herbs. Am J Chin Med. 2005;33(2) pp.191-6.
4. Chen, John K., and Tina T. Chen. 2004. Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology. City of Industry CA: Art of Medicine Press, Inc., pp. 210 – 211.
5. Chen, John K., and Tina T. Chen. 2004. Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology. City of Industry CA: Art of Medicine Press, Inc., pp. 59 – 62.
6. Chen, John K., and Tina T. Chen. 2004. Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology. City of Industry CA: Art of Medicine Press, Inc., pp. 145 – 147.
Next step: Come to our evening lecture at 6pm on Monday August 1st called, “Getting Rid of Lyme Disease” (click the title for more info) in Frederick, Maryland.