Sheila
Member
- Joined
- Nov 6, 2014
- Messages
- 374
Currently using mild dose Baptisia tinctoria as an anti-microbial, antiseptic, gut cleaner rather than the tetracycline route (ease of purchase/ease of use for now). It also has mild anxiolytic properties thought to be via its cytisine content, cytisine being a partial agonist of nicotine acetylcholine receptors https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cytisine . Its effects have some similarities with Barberry et al but on reflection Barberry might be a better bet as, whilst sharing all of these antimicrobial effects, it is specifically anti-inflammatory and that seems to be foundational wrt energy provision.
As a general rule I personally wouldn't use extracts over the whole herb, but maybe I am merely old school. I think there is something to be said for the synergy, perhaps magic, of whole plant medicine. It could also be wishful thinking. Most of these herbs ARE toxic in higher doses, as are many things, and nature readily points this out with the purgative and cathartic effects of too much too quickly, not to mention the early warnings from taste - unless you have a encapsulated extract and bypass that warning as Moss pointed out more eloquently.
I read the studies here on extracted berberine and that the method of administration affected some of the results, particularly with respect to potential muscle atrophy. Again these trials may not represent how these herbs were intended for use and thus the conflicting results obtained. I would suggest short term use of a whole plant tincture (a month perhaps) then month off to review, then a month on again as your observations/conclusions dictate. Most of the berberine family of herbs have strong effects on liver and gut integrity and thereby inflammation and that fits with their multiple symptom/organ system claimed effect profile.
Reducing gut inflammation, by multiple routes, seems to impact health comprehensively, so I think there is room for careful experimentation with the Berberis family and if that is positive, then perhaps trial combined with a high quality extract, short term. I have personally trialled most of them in the past - though not with the understandings I do now - and they were reliable anti-microbial, gut integrity (and in general mucous membrane) strengtheners.
Just some thoughts.
Sheila
As a general rule I personally wouldn't use extracts over the whole herb, but maybe I am merely old school. I think there is something to be said for the synergy, perhaps magic, of whole plant medicine. It could also be wishful thinking. Most of these herbs ARE toxic in higher doses, as are many things, and nature readily points this out with the purgative and cathartic effects of too much too quickly, not to mention the early warnings from taste - unless you have a encapsulated extract and bypass that warning as Moss pointed out more eloquently.
I read the studies here on extracted berberine and that the method of administration affected some of the results, particularly with respect to potential muscle atrophy. Again these trials may not represent how these herbs were intended for use and thus the conflicting results obtained. I would suggest short term use of a whole plant tincture (a month perhaps) then month off to review, then a month on again as your observations/conclusions dictate. Most of the berberine family of herbs have strong effects on liver and gut integrity and thereby inflammation and that fits with their multiple symptom/organ system claimed effect profile.
Reducing gut inflammation, by multiple routes, seems to impact health comprehensively, so I think there is room for careful experimentation with the Berberis family and if that is positive, then perhaps trial combined with a high quality extract, short term. I have personally trialled most of them in the past - though not with the understandings I do now - and they were reliable anti-microbial, gut integrity (and in general mucous membrane) strengtheners.
Just some thoughts.
Sheila