Science Meets Buhner for Best Herbal Antibiotic Options
History Speaks
Historically, most herbal antibiotic regimens for used tick-borne infections are based on the writings and experience of master herbalist Stephen Buhner. His work is science related. However, most of the herbal antibiotics he recommends do not have actual studies showing they work in the lab or in humans for killing specific tick-borne infections. For instance, he recommends Andrographis to kill Borrelia based on science showing it kills another spirochete called Leptospirosis. And Buhner recommends Sida Acuta to address Babesia because it is used as an antimalarial, even though there is no research showing it works for Babesia.
Buhner’s writings occurred before the discovery of persister Borrelia (Lyme) and Bartonella which I describe below. So, his writings did not specifically address how to deal with these hibernation forms of germs.
Enter Science
Over the last few years, researchers are rushing to find new ways to kill the terrible Bs (Borrelia, Bartonella, and Babesia). Some of the interest in looking at herbal medicine options is the discovery of hibernating persister growth states of Borrelia and Bartonella that do not respond to classic herbal medicines or prescription regimens that target growing states of these germs. Out of this laboratory work, we now know that Buhner’s Andrographis does not work against Borrelia, but many other agents do.
In 2023 Shor and Schweig published their review of newer laboratory studies showing which herbal medicines work in the lab to kill the growing, persister, and biofilm states of Borrelia and Bartonella. This work also reveals numerous agents that can kill Babesia. Table 1. below is drawn from the Shor-Schwieg article. My table is more limited than the one published in their paper but focuses on what I have found clinically to be the most relevant herbal antibiotics.
Table 1. Herbal Antibiotic Actions
How to Interpret Table 1
- About G P B. Borrelia and Bartonella exist in growing states, hibernation states, and biofilm communities. The growing states are also called active states. The hibernators are also called persisters or stationary states. Biofilms are mostly known as biofilms. I prefer to use the terms growing (G), persister (P) and biofilms (B) while Shor and Schweig refer to active, stationary, and biofilm states. Keep this in mind if you review their article and more extensive table.
- About Blank. In some instances, a blank space in the table means the research did not look to see if an herbal agent actually addresses the identified problem. For instance, Zhang and colleagues showed that cinnamon, clove, and oregano oils kill Borrelia biofilms, but their research did not look at whether these herbal oils help Bartonella biofilm. Given the similarity of biofilm structures, cinnamon, clove and oregano oils may actually be good agents against Bartonella biofilms.
- About Sida Acuta and Houttuynia. Buhner recommends Sida Acuta and Houttuynia to address Bartonella. He also recommends Sida Acuta for Babesia. These key herbal antibiotics are not included in my table or the work of Shor-Schweig because there was no research conducted looking at these agents. This does not mean they do not work, but based on science, we do not know.
The Meaning of a Lab Experiment
Laboratory experiments give us insights into what might work in humans. But what works in a lab, may not work in a human. Knowing this, I have tried out many of these herbal medicines on my patients in my Seattle practice and have found key herbs and herbal regimens that work.
The Best Herbal Antibiotic Regimens for the Terrible Bs
What follows are samples of all herbal antibiotic regimens I have found effective for Borrelia, Bartonella, and/or Babesia. I have developed these regimens based on my clinical experience, the writings and experience of Buhner, and the various studies identified in the Shor-Schweig article. This is not an exhaustive list of examples. There are other combinations that could work. But these are combinations I have worked with successfully in my Seattle practice.
Generally, I find two and three herbal antibiotic regimens to work best. You will see this in my recommendations below.
Recovering from chronic tick-borne infections requires more than killing germs. See The Ross Lyme Support Protocol for all the steps I recommend to correct the various abnormalities caused by chronic infections. For prescription antibiotic regimens and information about how to address fibrin nests seen in Bartonella and Babesia see the following articles: The Ultimate Bartonella Treatment & Support Guide, Kills Babesia: A Brief Guide, and A Lyme Disease Antibiotic Guide. For a timeline of when to expect improvements if you are on a regimen that is working see Recovery Chances and Timelines with Herbal vs RX Antibiotics in Persistent Tick-Borne Infections.
Borrelia Alone
Option 1
- Otoba Bark and Cat’s Claw. 5 drops 2 times a day of each herb, increasing the dosing every day by 1 drop per dose until taking 30 drops 2 times a day. Taking on an empty stomach is best. Do not take 30 minutes before through 2 hours after having food, medicines, or supplements. If you get a Herxheimer die-off reaction, do not advance the dose until it decreases.
- Liposomal Cinnamon, Clove, and Oregano Oil Combination. 1 pill 2 times a day.
Comment: The oil combination and cat’s claw kills all three Borrelia states.
Option 2
- Japanese Knotweed and Cat’s Claw. 5 drops 2 times a day of each herb, increasing the dosing every day by 1 drop per dose until taking 30 drops 2 times a day. Taking on an empty stomach is best. Do not take 30 minutes before through 2 hours after having food, medicines, or supplements. If you get a Herxheimer die-off reaction, do not advance the dose until it decreases.
- Liposomal Cinnamon, Clove, and Oregano Oil Combination. 1 pill 2 times a day.
Comment: The oil combination and cat’s claw kills all three Borrelia states.
Option 3
- Scutellaria Baicalensis (Chinese skullcap), Juglans Nigra (black walnut). 5 drops 2 times a day of each herb, increasing the dosing every day by 1 drop per dose until taking 30 drops 2 times a day. Taking on an empty stomach is best. Do not take 30 minutes before through 2 hours after having food, medicines, or supplements. If you get a Herxheimer die-off reaction, do not advance the dose until it decreases.
- Cryptolepis Sanguinolenta. Work up to ½ tsp 3 times a day by starting at 1 time a day and increasing every other day if tolerated to 3 times a day.
Comment: The Scutellaria and Juglans nigra cover the Borrelia biofilms and are also very effective at growing and persister states. Clinically, I am finding Cryptolepis to be one of the strongest herbal antibiotics for any of the 3 Bs. Cryptolepis has lab evidence showing it kills growing and persister states. Given its effectiveness, I also wonder if it addresses biofilms too.
Option 4
- Japanese Knotweed 5 drops 2 times a day increasing the dosing every day by 1 drop per dose until taking 30 drops 2 times a day. Taking on an empty stomach is best. Do not take 30 minutes before through 2 hours after having food, medicines, or supplements. If you get a Herxheimer die-off reaction, do not advance the dose until it decreases.
- Cryptolepis Sanguinolenta. Work up to ½ tsp 3 times a day by starting at 1 time a day and increasing every other day if tolerated to 3 times a day.
- Biofilm Support + Enzymes 2 capsules twice per day between meals, at least two hours after eating or one hour before eating, may take with medicines and supplements. Use a product with a number of enzymes and herbal medications that attack biofilms from multiple angles.
Comment: The Japanese knotweed and Cryptolepis sanguinolenta target growing and persister states. In Option 1 and 2, if a person cannot tolerate the oils, a biofilm Support + enzymes could be substituted to handle the Borrelia biofilms.*
Bartonella Alone
Option 1
- Houttuynia 5 drops 2 times a day of each herb and increase the dosing every day by 1 dropper dose until taking 30 drops 2 times a day. Taking it on an empty stomach is best. Do not take 30 minutes before through 2 hours after having food, medicines, or supplements; and
- Sida Acuta ¼ tsp 3 times a day for 1 week, then increase to ½ tsp 3 times a day. It is best to take this without food. It can be taken at the same time as the Houttuynia; and
- Liposomal Cinnamon, Clove, and Oregano Oil Combination 1 pill 2 times a day.
Comment: I have used Houttuynia and Sida acuta for years successfully to address Bartonella based on the Buhner writings. However, we do not have science showing if they do or do not work. I include the oils to address Bartonella biofilm. As I noted earlier, research was not done looking at biofilms and the oils, but they should work based on the action they have against Borrelia biofilms. In my clinical practice, I have had a lot of success with this combination.
Bartonella alone or Bartonella and Borrelia
- Japanese Knotweed 5 drops 2 times a day of each herb, increasing the dosing every day by 1 drop per dose until taking 30 drops 2 times a day. Taking on an empty stomach is best. Do not take 30 minutes before through 2 hours after having food, medicines, or supplements. If you get a Herxheimer die-off reaction, do not advance the dose until it decreases.
- Cryptolepis Sanguinolenta. Work up to ½ tsp 3 times a day by starting at 1 time a day and increasing every other day if tolerated to 3 times a day.
- Biofilm Support + Enzymes 2 capsules twice per day between meals, at least two hours after eating or one hour before eating, may take with medicines and supplements. Use a product with a number of enzymes and herbal medications that attack biofilms from multiple angles.
Comment: The Japanese Knotweed and Cryptolepis Sanguinolenta target growing and persister states. A biofilm support using herbal medicines + enzymes that address biofilms from multiple angles has some research showing benefit.
Babesia Alone
In my experience, the strongest babesia herbal antimicrobial is Cryptolepis sanguinolenta followed by Artemesinin, then Alchornea cordifolia, and finally Sida acuta. I have not found Japanese knotweed to be helpful in Babesia approach. I have not tried the Scutellaria for Babesia to know if it works.
Option 1
- Cryptolepis sanguinolenta 5 ml (1 tsp) 3 times a day by starting at 1 time a day and increasing every other day if tolerated to 3 times a day.; and/or
- Artemisinin 100 mg 2 or 3 pills 2 times a day for 3 days on the medication then take 11 days off. Repeat this 14-day cycle, increasing the dosage each cycle. The goal is to reach 5 pills 3 times a day on the 3 days the medication is taken. I use artemisinin this way because the intestines develop an enzyme that destroys this herbal medicine if it is used longer than three days. Be aware the dose on the 3 days is quite strong. Often, it causes a worsening of the Babesia symptoms beginning on the second day and sometimes lasting until six days later. If a person is very medicine sensitive, I start at 1 or 2 pills 3 times a day. Artemisinin often does not work well for Babesia from tick bites on the East Coast of the U.S.
Option 2
- Cryptolepis/Sida Acuta/Alchornea combination tincture combines three antimalarial herbs that support Babesia removal. Take 5 ml 3 times a day. Use this if the Cryptolepis plus artemesinin is not working well enough.
Babesia, Bartonella, and Borrelia at the Same Time
Option 1
- Cryptolepis 5 ml (1 tsp) 3 times a day by starting at 1 time a day and increasing every other day if tolerated to 3 times a day.
- Japanese Knotweed 5 drops 2 times a day of each herb, increasing the dosing every day by 1 drop per dose until taking 30 drops 2 times a day. Taking on an empty stomach is best. Do not take 30 minutes before through 2 hours after having food, medicines, or supplements. If you get a Herxheimer die-off reaction, do not advance the dose until it decreases.
- Liposomal Cinnamon, Clove, and Oregano Oil Combination. 1 pill 2 times a day.
Comment: I include the oil combination to break up Borrelia and Bartonella biofilm. In addition, it kills growing and persister forms of these two germs. The research says the clove oil in this combination may help with Babesia as well.
Option 2
Follow Babesia, Bartonella, and Borrelia Option 1 above and add:
- Artemisinin 100 mg 2 or 3 pills 2 times a day for 3 days on the medication then take 11 days off. Repeat this 14-day cycle, increasing the dosage each cycle. The goal is to reach 5 pills 3 times a day on the 3 days the medication is taken. I use artemisinin this way because the intestines develop an enzyme that destroys this herbal medicine if it is used longer than three days. Be aware the dose on the 3 days is quite strong. Often, it causes a worsening of the Babesia symptoms beginning on the second day and sometimes lasting until six days later. If a person is very medicine sensitive, I start at 1 or 2 pills 3 times a day. Artemisinin often does not work well for Babesia from tick bites on the East Coast of the U.S.
Comment: Adding artemesinin makes this a stronger Babesia regimen. In addition, artemesinin may help with growing and persister Borrelia.
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