practitioner mentorship - uprooting lyme

Practitioner Mentorship Module 6.3

Biofilm, Herxing, & Additional Non-Pharmaceutical Antimicrobial TreatmentsWith Hillary Thing, MS, LAc., Cert. Herbalist

6.3: Biofilm, Herxing, & Additional Non-Pharmaceutical Antimicrobial Treatments

Learning Objectives:• Expand on the role of biofilm in Lyme infection and

the treatment of biofilm for Lyme recovery;• Discuss additional ways of treating gu syndrome from

the classical Chinese medical perspective;• Discover additional non-pharmaceutical antimicrobial

treatments that may be advantageous for your patients;

• Understand the phenomenon of Herx reactions, disease crises and healing crises – why they happen, how to distinguish what’s going on in these moments of crisis, and how to manage them.

Bacterial Biofilm

• Sticky, viscous bacterial slime composed of mucopolysaccharides, DNA, stabilized by minerals, heavy metals (calcium, magnesium, mercury, lead, et al.);

• Adheres to teeth (plaque), vascular endothelium, gut wall (any watery body surface);

• Enables bacteria to live in community, proliferate;• Colony is comprised of numerous bacterial and viral

species that communicate and engage in quorum sensing;

• Borrelia may exist in any of its forms in biofilm, and most of the co-infections as well;

• Protects bacteria from host immune system and abx;

Biofilm Lifecycle

Biofilm dissolving strategies

• Quorum sensing inhibitors• Enzymes• Herbal biofilm disruptors– Salty dissolving herbs– Breaking up blood stasis herbs– Strongly moving qi herbs

• Non-herbal biofilm disruptors• Heavy metal chelation• Fasting, intermittent fasting

Quorum Sensing Inhibitors

• Curcumin• Resveratrol / hu zhang (Jap knotweed)• Holy Basil and basil• EGCG, tannic acid, epicatechin (green tea)• Quercetin• Berries (anti-oxidant flavonoids)• Rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano (oil)• Clove, allspice, ginger, garlic, cinnamon• Cruciferous veg• Salicylic acid (white willow bark, aspirin)• Essential oils of : Geranium, Lavender, Rose, Rosemary,

Lemon, Grapefruit

Enzymes

• Lumbrokinase• Nattokinase• Serrapeptase• Proteolytic enzyme formula, e.g. Wobenzym,

Zyflamend• Pineapple / bromelain• Juicing• Product - Interfase / + (Klaire Labs)

HERBAL BIOFILM DISRUPTORS

• Andrographis, curcumin, berberine, cinnamon

• Earthworm, sparganium, zedoaria (see biofilm category)

• Stevia

• Liposomal Biocidin

• Clove and cinnamon essential oils

Non-Herbal Biofilm Disruptors

• Ozone• Chitosan• NAC• Lactoferrin• EDTA – chelates magnesium and calcum + heavy

metals• High alkalinity• Colloidal silver• Monolaurin• Grapefruit seed extract• Manuka honey - wounds

Important Considerations re. Biofilm Treatment

As biofilm diminishes, toxins are released from bacteria or the matrix itself which can lead to symptom flares, so:

– Layer into antimicrobial treatment gradually;

– Make sure plenty of detoxification is happening;

– Utilize binders as needed;

– Know that biofilms and heavy metals are interwoven;

– Remnants of biofilm are sticky and thick.

• Acupuncture / Moxa

• Rife

• Bio-Oxidative Therapies (Ozone, Oxygen, Hydrogen Peroxide)

• Blood Irradiation

• Homeopathics

Additional anti-microbial treatments: beyond abx & in addition to herbs

Acu-Moxa Therapy for Gu Syndrome

• Garlic moxa on UB 43, gao huang shu• Moxa on UB 13, ST 36, gui ku xie (demon wailing

point near LU 11)• Needle / moxa / essential oils applied to Ghost

points: – Du 26, demon palace CV 24, demon market– LU 11, demon evidence P 6, demon hole– P 7, demon center Du 23, demon hall– UB 62, demon path CV 1, demon hideout– Du 16, demon pillow LI 11, demon leg– ST 6, demon bed hai guan, demon

envelope

Rife Frequency Therapy

• Programs are set to match the frequency of specific microbes which causes them to shatter and die, and/or become visible to the immune system;

• Other programs support immunity or organ function, or treat symptoms;

• Daily / frequent use is best;• May be used with muscle testing to decide which

programs are best for the individual from day to day.

Bio-oxidative Therapies

• Involve administering small amounts of diluted ozone, oxygen or hydrogen peroxide into the body.

• Stimulates body’s antioxidant systems, increasing body’s production of glutathione peroxidase, reductase, SOD, and catalase, thus clearing free radicals throughout the body.

• Unhealthy cells, viruses, and bacteria are vulnerable to oxidation / oxidative enzymes.

Benefits of Bio-Oxidative Therapies

1. Stimulates production of WBCs, which are necessary to fight infection.

2. Anti-viral – kills lipid-enveloped viruses (hepatitis, HIV, EBV). 3. Increase the delivery of oxygen from the blood into the cells. 4. Anti-neoplastic. 5. Oxidize and degrade petrochemicals. 6. Enhance RBC flexibility and effectiveness. 7. Increase production of interferon and Tumor Necrosis Factor,

which the body uses to fight infections and cancers. 8. Increase the efficiency of the anti-oxidant enzyme system, which

scavenges excess free radicals in the body. 9. Accelerate the Citric Acid Cycle, which is the main cycle for the

liberation of energy from sugars and stimulates basic metabolism.

10. Increase tissue oxygenation, supports symptom improvement.

Ozone (O3) & Oxygen (O2)

• Ozone is an energized form of oxygen with extra electrons.

• Forms the protective ozone layer around the planet.

• In over 2000 municipalities around the world, ozone purifies the drinking water, including Montreal, Paris, LA & Moscow.

• May help with heavy metal toxicity, dissolving biofilm;

• Common in Germany since 1960s; in terms of safety and effectiveness, very good choice over abx to treat chronic infection!

Methods of Ozone (O3) & Oxygen (O2) Therapy

1. IV – Direct IV is best over Major Auto-Hemotherapy (MAH)

2. Rectal insufflation

3. Ozone “bagging”

4. Ozone infused oil for topical use

5. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

6. Nasal oxygen (tank) for at-home use.

Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2)

• 3% solution topically disinfects wounds;• Higher concentrations are used in agricultural, food

and chemical industries as a disinfectant, water purifier, and bleaching agent;

• Functions within the human body:– Granulocytes produce hydrogen peroxide as 1st line of

defense against microbes;– Required for metabolism of protein, carbs, fats, vit’s and

min’s;– Regulates hormone levels and needed for production of

estrogen, progesterone and thyroxin– Involved in blood sugar regulation and cellular energy

production.

Hydrogen Peroxide Therapy

• IV drip (30% reagent grade HP diluted in purified water);

• Add a cup of 35% food grade HP to bath (absorbed through skin);

• Add a few drops of 35% food grade HP to water and drink; corrosive to GI lining??

UV Blood Irradiation

• IV therapy that exposes the blood to UV-C light to enhance body’s immune response and fight infection; especially for blood-bourne infections;

• Very popular in 1930’s – 1950’s for polio, pneumonia, TB, cancer;

• Increases oxygen absorption, destroys microbes, improves circulation, improves detoxification, activates vit D production;

• Activate immune system against specific infections, making them “antigenic” (vaccine-like effect);

• Most patients experience some improvement; natural supportive therapies are important for sustaining / maintaining improvements.

Homeopathic Remedies

• Classical homeopathy requires in-depth training• Des Bio provides Lyme nosodes• Safe, gentle; may be used to “train” the immune

system to recognize and fight it prior to a stronger protocol;

• Good for children, highly sensitive people• Light anti-microbial effect• Can be highly effective when used for right

individual at the right time

Jarisch-Herxheimer Response

• A type of cleansing reaction triggered by too many toxins / disease debris being released into the bloodstream at once;

• Marked by symptoms of toxicity, symptom flares, increased inflammation as immune response is provoked;

• Escalation of inflammation can be dangerous, cause further tissue damage;

• Common symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea, brain fog, weakness and fatigue, discharge and phlegm, skin eruption, ear ringing and neuropathies, reappearance of familiar past symptoms;

• Symptoms may vary depending on what TYPE OF TOXIN is being released.

Managing Herx Reactions

• Seek to keep Herx responses mild – a mere cleansing reaction;

• People who experience Herxing at even minimal amounts of natural anti-microbials either have a very high toxin/microbial load and/or a weak liver;

• A healing crisis is a more severe and intense event, when the body is confronted with a degree of toxicity it cannot easily mange.

• Make sure Herxing is followed by a time of stabilization and restoration, even if that means stopping the anti-microbial strategy temporarily (pulsing).

The Disease Crisis

• An episode of further progression of a disease process.

• Demonstrates damage to cells and tissues, and results in diminished organ and metabolic function.

• Common causes: – organ damage due to pharmaceuticals– contraction of a new infection or emergence from

latency– Increased toxin load / new exposure– Stressful event– Taxation of the immune system

Herx reaction or back-sliding?

What is a Herxheimer response?

• A healing crisis

• Should be temporary

• Followed by return of energy, calming of inflammation

• Signs of elimination of pathogenic influences

• Supported by detoxification

What is back-sliding?

• A disease crisis• Seems on-going, no

recovery• Symptoms and energy

worsen• Signs of increased toxin or

pathogen load• Detoxification is

insufficient• Body’s capacity to heal is

severely depleted.

6 Ways to Differentiate a Healing Crisis from a Disease Crisis

1. Warning sign or feeling that something is not quite right V. a few days of feeling a new level of health.

2. Poor health habits V. consistent cleansing and higher-level self-care.

3. Trajectory of decreasing vitality V. increasing vitality.4. Sluggish / blocked eliminative pathways V. active

detox pathways.5. After 3-7 days, no improvement V. improvement and

resolution given proper support after 3-7 days.6. New symptoms, new level severity V. reappearance

of past symptoms.

Key to success!

• Allowing for and supporting recovery = the clean up of the inflammatory response.

• Assign dosages that provoke mild Herx responses, faster recovery time;

• Create pulse schedules based on individual’s capacity to recover – this will improve over time and is a major marker of health improvement.

Facilitate a Complete Cleansing in Times of Healing Crisis

• Cellular rehydration• Alkalize (coconut water, green juices, mineral salts)• Colon cleansing• Facilitate lymph flow – walking, stretching• Avoid all pro-inflam foods (simple pure diet; minimal solid

foods)• Avoid stress and overwork; increase sleep and rest• Sweat as much as possible (sauna)• Increase glutathione (IV, liposomal), milk thistle, and other

liver supportive measures• Use binders / toxin absorbers• Take anti-inflammatories – Kava, blood-thinning herbs,

Cytoquell, proteolytic enzymes, etc.

The Healing Crisis: A Great Blessing

• Health generation and recovery from disease is a spiral, not a straight line.

• The healing crisis is the completion of an eliminatory and healing cycle (not a back-slide)!

• A crucial moment in a person’s recovery journey– Cleanse more not less

– Do not suppress symptoms with pharmaceuticals

– Provide reassurance and give it a few days