Andrographis has shown significant protective effects against inflammation-mediated neurodegeneration in the brain, and would be useful to use in Lyme disease. It easily crosses the blood/brain barrier and accumulates in significant quantities in central nervous system tissues-- brain, spinal cord, and cerebral-spinal fluid.

"Andrographis is perhaps the best primary herb to use in the treatment of Lyme disease. It is anti-spirochetal, enhances immune function, protects heart muscle, is anti-inflammatory (helping with arthritic symptoms), crosses the blood/brain barrier where it is active both as an anti-spirochetal and calming agent; enhances liver function and protects the liver; helping clear infection from the body.”

Andrographis is an herbal medicine derived from the Andrographis Paniculata shrub grown the moist, shady areas of India, China and throughout Southeast Asia. It is commonly referred to as 'Indian Echinacea' and is a popular Ayurveda and Chinese household remedy for the common cold, digestive issues, upper respiratory tract infections, flu and other sicknesses typified by fever. Although its use dates back easily a thousand years in these ancient medical traditions, there is a more recent historical reference to its potency. In the Indian flu epidemic of 1919, the herb Andrographis is credited with the reversal of its onslaught. More recently, it popularity has spread to Scandinavia, where its dosages have been standardized and it has been widely recommended by doctors for two decades as a common remedy in treating these same winter ailments.

As research increases, so is our understanding of Andrographis' many activities and indications are that it may even play a role in cardiovascular and cancer treatments.

Indications

Colds

Flu & Sinusitis

Digestive problems

Cardiovascular

Anti-tumor

Clinical Applications

Andrographis and its various components have demonstrated a variety of effects in the body. Aspects stimulate the general immune activities, others inhibit the body's inflammatory mechanism and still others demonstrate not only anti-microbial abilities, but also are instrumental in killing certain tumor cells. Studies have also indicated that the active chemical, Andrographolide, helps to stop the clumping of blood platelets which is the clotting process that can lead to heart attacks.

Mechanism of Action

Colds, Flu, Sinusitis: Andrographis compounds have shown antivirus properties, which appear to inhibit glycoproteins in the virus. This impedes the virus’s ability to invade cells in the body and replicate. Its andrographolide are currently being studied for the antiviral effects they have on avian bird flu virus, Ebola virus and HIV.

It also has a major effect activating the general defence functions of the immune system by stimulating the production of antibodies as well as non-specific immune responses such as increased macrophage phagocytosis, rather than by any direct anti-microbial activity.

Clinical studies have demonstrated its efficacy fighting colds, flu, sinusitis, pharyngo-tonsillitis, familial mediterranean fever and upper respiratory tract infections. It also has been demonstrated to reduce the risk of colds by 2.1 time and prevent flu and complications.

Anti-inflammatory: There appears to be a significant presence of flavonoids in the Andrographis Paniculata herb, which always have an anti-inflammatory affect. In vitro studies have shown that the flavonoid activities suppressed the genetic expression of neutrophils, an inflammatory agent. Similarly, studies have indicated that a variety of inflammatory proteins, including COX-2, are reduced by the presence of Andrographolide.

Anti-tumor: In vitro andrographolide studies indicate an immuno-stimulating activity as well as a marked inhibitory effect. Its presence increases proliferation of lymphocytes and production of interleukin2, TNF-alpha production and cytotoxic activity of lymphocytes against certain cancer cell lines, as well as demonstrating potential direct anti-cancer activity by the induction of cell-cycle inhibitory protein p27 and decreased expression of cyclin-dependent kinase.

Side Effects & Safety

Andrographis Paniculata has been widely tested and is considered safe with few if any minor side effects at commonly prescribed levels. In clinical trials with children between 4 and 11 Andrographis was effective and safe. Side effects occurred in HIV trials at a dose of 10 mg of andrographolides per kg of body weight or roughly 12 time the recommended dosage.

Precautions

Pregnant women or those trying to conceive should avoid Andrographis animal studies have shown the possibility of contraceptive effects at high dosages. Safety during lactation is not known. Andrographis may increase glucose metabolisation, which could unduly enhance blood sugar lowering medication. Use cautiously in patients taking anticoagulant agents such as warfarin (Coumadin®) or heparin, or with anti-platelet agents such as ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®) due to possible platelet aggregation inhibition by Andrographis Wang et al., 2004).

Artemisia Annua (Wormwood)

Wormwood (Artemisia Annua) is also known as Chinese wormwood or sweet wormwood although it is in the same genus as both wormwood (absinthe, Artemisia absinthium) and mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), each of these herbs have different uses and should not be confused.

Without doubt the most famous therapeutic use of Chinese wormwood is for the treatment of malaria. Other reported pharmacological activities include antibacterial and antifungal activity and cytotoxicity against cancer cells.

Traditional uses to modern: In the traditional Chinese medicine Artemisia annua was used for over two millennia. Aqueous preparations of the dried herb were applied against fever, malaria, skin diseases, jaundice and haemorrhoids. A. annua is included in the official Pharmacopoeia of China, its name is Qing hao and in the drug directories of India, Japan and Vietnam it can be found. Using this knowledge, modern Chinese scientists extracted the plant and discovered the active principle artemisinin, so called "qinghaosu". Besides a lot of other parasitical and antimalarial effects it was active with patients suffering from malaria infections with Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax, especially such ones with chloroquine-resistant strains. Artemisinin and its chemical derivatives attracted the high interest of the WHO. They are used worldwide as drugs against malaria(Weng Weiliang, et al., 1998).

Isatis tinctoria

Isatis root extracts have also been traditionally used to treat infections. The anti-microbial action of the root is likely more broad-spectrum than that of the leaves. In vitro and human studies from China have shown Isatis root extract to be antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-parasitic.

Isatis tinctoria (also known as dyer’s woad), is a member of the Brassica family. Although native to the grasslands of southeastern Russia, it spread widely across Asia and Europe by cultivation, and is considered a noxious weed in most of the western United States. In addition to its medicinal use, Isatis has a long history of use as an indigo dye. Isatis is a commonly used herb in traditional Chinese medicine. Root extracts of the herb are known as Ban Lang Gen and leaf extracts are known as Da Qing Ye. An indigo dye extract containing other herbs in addition to Isatis is referred to as Qing Dai. Documented medicinal use of Isatis in the western tradition extends back to at least the first century A.D. Both the leaves and roots have been used medicinally.

Isatis leaves contain an alkaloid known as tryptanthrin, which is strongly inhibitory to the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme, and is theorized to be largely responsible for the anti-inflammatory action of Isatis. The leaves also contain several derivatives of hydroxycinnamic acid, including ferulic acid and sinapic acid. These agents are thought to be important in the anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic activity of Isatis leaf preparations. Indirubin, a compound found in Isatis root, has undergone screening for anti-cancer activity. Indirubin is thought to inhibit DNA replication in neoplastic cells without causing significant marrow suppression. Like many Brassica plants, Isatis contains a number of indole compounds. Dietary indoles are thought to have a number of anti-cancer effects, and may help explain the traditional use of Isatis in the treatment of cancer. Complete analysis of the constituents of Isatis root has not been published to date. Some of the major known ingredients of the root not listed above include indoxyl-beta-glucoside, beta- sitosterol, and isatin. While both leaf and root extracts of Isatis clearly have strong antimicrobial activity, the constituents responsible for this action remain elusive.

Clinical Indications Infection

Isatis leaves have been used in traditional medicine mainly for treatment of infections; specifically, encephalitis, upper respiratory infection, and gastroenteritis.6 Isatis root extracts have also been used to treat infection. The anti-microbial action of the root is likely more broad-spectrum than that of the leaves. In vitro and human studies from China have shown Isatis root extract to be antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-parasitic.

Cancer

Root extracts have been used to treat patients with solid tumours and leukaemia, a traditional usage that led to purification of the component compound indirubin. Review of several published trials from China found oral administration of 150-200 mg of purified indirubin per day led to remission in 60 percent of patients with chronic myelocytic leukaemia.

Inflammation

Inflammatory conditions are considered a major indication for Isatis leaf. In traditional Chinese medicine, leaf extracts are used to clear heat and toxins from the blood. Isatis root was a constituent of the botanical formula PC-SPES, which demonstrated a therapeutic effect against prostate cancer in preliminary trials.8 However, PC-SPES was subsequently pulled from the market after it was discovered it contained the synthetic drugs diethylstilbestrol, indomethacin, and warfarin. The relative importance of Isatis in this formula remains to be elucidated.

Side Effects and Toxicity

Clinical trials have not assessed the safety of Isatis leaf or root preparations. Traditional Chinese herbal texts do not list adverse effects, but do caution against the use of Isatis in cases of weak constitution. Animal studies using pure indirubin in doses up to 1,000 mg/kg showed no gross pathological effect.

Adverse effects of indirubin in humans include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, thrombocytopenia, and rare marked marrow suppression (Thorne Research, 2002).

Taraxacum Officinale (Dandelion)

Taraxacum officinale has diuretic and laxative properties. It has been used as a tonic, to treat rheumatic problems, and as a blood purifier. The chief constituents of Dandelion root are Taraxacin, acrystalline, bitter substance, of which the yield varies in roots collected at different seasons, and Taraxacerin, an acrid resin, with Inulin (a sort of sugar which REPLACE s starch in many of the Dandelion family, Compositae), gluten, gum and potash. The root contains no starch, but early in the year contains much uncrystallisable sugar and laevulin, which differs from Inulin in being soluble in cold water. This diminishes in quantity during the summer and becomes Inulin in the autumn. The root may contain as much as 24 per cent. In the fresh root, the Inulin is present in the cell-sap, but in the dry root it occurs as an amorphodus, transparent solid, which is only slightly soluble in cold water, but soluble in hot water Medicinal Action and Uses

Diuretic, tonic and slightly aperient. It is a general stimulant to the system, but especially to the urinary organs, and is chiefly used in kidney and liver disorders. Dandelion is not only official but is used in many patent medicines. Not being poisonous, quite big doses of its preparations may be taken. Its beneficial action is best obtained when combined with other agents.

The tincture made from the tops may be taken in doses of 10 to 15 drops in a spoonful of water, three times daily. It is said that its use for liver complaints was assigned to the plant largely on the doctrine of signatures, because of its bright yellow flowers of a bilious hue. In the hepatic complaints of persons long resident in warm climates, Dandelion is said to afford very marked relief. A broth of Dandelion roots, sliced and stewed in boiling water with some leaves of Sorrel and the yolk of an egg, taken daily for some months, has been known to cure seemingly intractable cases of chronic liver congestion. A strong decoction is found serviceable in stone and gravel: the decoction may be made by boiling 1 pint of the sliced root in 20 parts of water for 15 minutes, straining this when cold and sweetening with brown sugar or honey. A small teacupful may be taken once or twice a day.

Dandelion is used as a bitter tonic in atonic dyspepsia, and as a mild laxative in habitual constipation. When the stomach is irritated and where active treatment would be injurious, the decoction or extract of Dandelion administered three or four times a day, will often prove a valuable remedy. It has a good effect in increasing the appetite and promoting digestion.

Dandelion combined with other active remedies has been used in cases of dropsy and for induration of the liver, and also on the Continent for phthisis and some cutaneous diseases. A decoction of 2 OZ. of the herb or root in 1 quart of water, boiled down to a pint, is taken in doses of one wineglassful every three hours for scurvy, scrofula, eczema and all eruptions on the surface of the body.

Polygonum Cuspidatum (Japanese Knotweed)

Polygonum cuspidatum, commonly known as Japanese knotweed, originated in eastern Asia. In North America, an invasive species, the plant grows wild in waste areas of the northeastern United States and southern Canada. The new shoots appear as fat and rounded offshoots of the rhizome, which turn from green to bright red. When mature, the plant produces a thick, jointed stalk with triangular pointed leaves. Polygonum cuspidatum is edible and useful for several medicinal purposes. Japanese knotweed extract is an antipyretic and analgesic. Resveratrol, a compound found in the plant extract, has antimicrobial, antioxidant and antimutagenic properties. The latter property in particular aids in tumor and cancer therapy. Moreover, an external application of the plant treats cuts, burns and abscesses.

Topical anti-inflammatory activity of Polygonum cuspidatum extract in the TPA model of mouse ear inflammation

Bralley EE, Greenspann P, Hargrove JL, Wicker L and Hartle DK.

Journal of Inflammation, 2008 5:1

Background: This study tested the ability of a characterized extract of Polygonum cuspidatum (PCE) to inhibit mouse ear inflammation in response to topical application of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA).

Methods: A 50% (wt:vol) ethanolic solution of commercial 200:1 PCE was applied to both ears of female Swiss mice (n = 8) at 0.075, 0.15, 0.3, 1.25 and 2.5 mg/ear 30 min after TPA administration (2 μg/ear). For comparison, 3 other groups were treated with TPA and either 1) the vehicle (50% ethanol) alone, 2) indomethacin (0.5 mg/ear), or 3) trans-resveratrol (0.62 mg/ear). Ear thickness was measured before TPA and at 4 and 24 h post-TPA administration to assess ear oedema. Ear punch biopsies were collected at 24 h and weighed as a second index of oedema. Myeloperoxidase activity was measured in each ear punch biopsy to assess neutrophil infiltration.

Results: PCE treatment at all doses significantly reduced ear oedema compared to the TPA control. The PCE response was dose-dependent and 2.5 mg PCE significantly inhibited all markers of inflammation to a greater extent than indomethacin (0.5 mg). MPO activity was inhibited at PCE doses ≥ 1.25 mg/ear. Trans-resveratrol inhibited inflammation at comparable doses.

Conclusion: PCE inhibits development of oedema and neutrophil infiltration in the TPA-treated mouse ear model of topical inflammation.

Smilax Officinalis (Sarsaparilla)

Sarsaparilla root has been used for centuries by the indigenous peoples of Central and South America for sexual impotence, rheumatism, skin ailments, and as a general tonic for physical weakness. It has long been used by tribes in Peru and Honduras for headaches and joint pain, and against the common cold. Many shamans and medicine men in the Amazon use sarsaparilla root internally and externally for leprosy and other skin problems (such as psoriasis and dermatitis.) Leprosy can be common in areas where the disease is carried by armadillos (and in the Amazon, armadillos are "on the menu" in indigenous diets). Sarsaparilla root also was used as a general tonic by indigenous tribes in South America, where New World traders found it and introduced it into European medicine in the 1400s.

European physicians considered sarsaparilla root a tonic, blood purifier, diuretic, and sweat promoter. A Smilax root from Mexico was introduced into European medicine in 1536, where it developed a strong following as a cure for syphilis and rheumatism. Since this time, Smilax roots have had a long history of use for syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases throughout the world. With its reputation as a blood purifier, it was registered as an official herb in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia as a syphilis treatment from 1820 to 1910. From the 1500s to the present, sarsaparilla has been used as a blood purifier and general tonic and also has been used worldwide for gout, syphilis, gonorrhoea, rheumatism, wounds, arthritis, fever, cough, scrofula, hypertension, digestive disorders, psoriasis, skin diseases, and cancer. Sarsaparilla contains the plant steroids sarsasapogenin, smilagenin, sitosterol, stigmasterol, and pollinastanol; and the saponins sarsasaponin, smilasaponin, sarsaparilloside, and sitosterol glucoside, among others. The majority of sarsaparilla' s pharmacological properties and actions have been attributed to these steroids and saponins. The saponins have been reported to facilitate the body's absorption of other drugs and phytochemicals, which accounts for its history of use in herbal formulas as an agent for bioavailability and to enhancement the power and effect of other herbs.

Saponins and plant steroids found in many species of plants (including sarsaparilla) can be synthesized into human steroids such as oestrogen and testosterone. This synthesis has never been documented to occur in the human body - only in the laboratory. Yet plant steroids and their actions in the human body have been a subject of much interest, sketchy research and, unfortunately, disinformation - mainly for marketing purposes. Sarsaparilla has been marketed (fraudulently) to contain testosterone and/or other anabolic steroids. While it is a rich source of natural plant steroids and saponins, it never has been proven to have any anabolic effects, nor has testosterone been found in sarsaparilla or any other plant source thus far.

Flavonoids in sarsaparilla have been documented to have immune modulation and liver protective activities. A U.S. patent was awarded in 2003 describing these flavonoids to be effective in treating autoimmune diseases and inflammatory reactions through their immunomodulating effects. Sarsasapogenin and smilagenin were subjects of a 2001 U.S. patent, which reported that these Smilax steroids had the ability to treat senile dementia, cognitive dysfunction, and Alzheimer's disease. In the patent's animal studies references, smilagenin reversed the decline of brain receptors in aged mice and restored the receptor levels to those observed in young animals, reversed the decline in cognitive function, and enhanced memory and learning. These studies, however, have not been published in any peer-reviewed journals - only in the context of the patent, thus far.

Sarsaparilla's main plant chemicals include: acetyl-parigenin, astilbin, beta-sitosterol, caffeoyl-shikimic acids, dihydroquercetin, diosgenin, engeletin, essential oils, epsilon-sitosterol, eucryphin, eurryphin, ferulic acid, glucopyranosides, isoastilbin, isoengetitin, kaempferol, parigenin, parillin, pollinastanol, resveratrol, rhamnose, saponin, sarasaponin, sarsaparilloside, sarsaponin, sarsasapogenin, shikimic acid, sitosterol-d-glucoside, smilagenin, smilasaponin, smilax saponins A-C, smiglaside A-E, smitilbin, stigmasterol, taxifolin, and titogenin.

Clinical Evidence:

Clinical research has validated the traditional use of sarsaparilla for skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, acne, and leprosy. In 1942, it was reported in the New England Journal of Medicine to improve the condition of psoriasis dramatically. There the results of a clinical study with 92 patients was detailed which reported that it improved psoriasis lesions in 62% of cases and completely cleared lesions in 18% of cases. One of the possible mechanisms of action in psoriasis is sarsaparilla' s blood cleansing properties. Individuals with psoriasis have been found to have high levels of endotoxins circulating in the bloodstream (endotoxins are cell wall fragments of normal gut bacteria). Sarsaponin, one of sarsaparilla's main steroids, was found to bind to these endotoxins and remove them, thus improving psoriasis.

This endotoxin-binding action is probably why the root has been used for centuries as a "blood purifier." Other health conditions associated with high endotoxin levels include eczema, arthritis, and ulcerative colitis. Sarsaparilla's effective use in the treatment of leprosy has been documented in a 1959 human trial. The effectiveness of sarsaparilla in the treatment of adolescent acne caused by excessive androgens has received some experimental support as well.

A 2001 U.S. patent was filed on sarsaparilla (Smilax china) for psoriasis and respiratory diseases. This patent cited clinical observations and studies with children and human adults with Psoriasis vulgaris, pustular psoriasis, erythroderma psoriaticum lesions, and associated itching-reporting marked clinical improvements with dosages of 3-6 g daily. It also reported that, upon discontinuation of sarsaparilla after only two months of treatment, there was further gradual remission of lesions and no side effects. In addition, this patent indicated sarsaparilla was shown to be a preventative and therapeutic agent for respiratory and allergic diseases such as acute bronchitis, bronchial asthma, asthmatic bronchitis, and chronic bronchitis. Again, these studies and observations reported in the patent have yet to be published in any peer-reviewed journals.

Sarsaparilla has long been used in the treatment of syphilis. Clinical observations in China demonstrated that sarsaparilla was effective (according to blood tests) in about 90% of acute and 50% of chronic cases. In the 1950s the antibiotic properties of sarsaparilla were documented; other studies documented its antifungal and antimycobacterial activities. Its anti-inflammatory activity has been demonstrated in several in vitro and in vivo studies, using different laboratory-induced models of arthritis and inflammation. One of these studies attributes the beneficial effect for arthritis to sarsaparilla's immune modulatory action. Sarsaparilla also has demonstrated liver protective effects in rats, with researchers concluding that it is able to prevent immune-mediated liver injury. Improvement of appetite and digestion has been noted with sarsaparilla, as well as its diuretic actions in humans. The root has been reported to have stimulatory activity on the kidneys in humans and, in chronic nephritis, it was shown to increase the urinary excretion of uric acid.

Current applications:

Sarsaparilla is becoming more widely available in health food stores, with a variety of tablets, capsules, and tincture products sold today. Most of the sarsaparilla root in herbal commerce today comes from cultivation projects in Mexico and Latin America as well as China. In naturopathic and herbal medicine, it is used mostly in combination with other herbs for its tonic, detoxifying, blood purifying, and lymph-cleansing properties. In retail stores and products, it can be found as an ingredient in various herbal remedies made for skin disorders, libido enhancement, hormone balancing, and sports nutrition formulas. It' s also commonly used in herbal preparations as a synergist or bioavailability aid - as it is thought that the saponins in sarsaparilla root increase the absorption of other chemicals in the gut. No known toxicity or side effects have been documented for sarsaparilla; however, ingestion of large dosages of saponins may cause gastrointestinal irritation. (3rd Party Research)

References

Thorne Research, Inc. Monograph Isatis tinctoria, Alternative Medicine Review Volume 7, Number 6, 2002, Page 523

Wang, Tongguang, et al. "Andrographolide reduces inflammation-mediated dopaminergic neurodegeneration in mesencephalic neuron-glia cultures by inhibiting microglial activation." Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 308.3 (2004): 975-983.

Weng Weiliang, et al., Clinical Chinese Materia Medica, Henan Science & Technology Press, 1998