Don't laugh: I was very pleased with this treatment: Fenugreek Seed

[EvDownJr]

We had a member here awhile ago who had a very good experience seeing an Ayurvedic practitioner awhile ago.

As as adjunct to antibiotic therapy, I started to look at some of the chemical and pharmaceutical properties of some of their medicinal herbs.

For awhile, I been playing with turmeric, basil, and commiphora(myrrh). About a week ago, I purchased a bag of Fenugreek seeds in an Indian grocery. I thought it might be helpful because it has the propensity to lower cholesterol and triglycerides.

Turns out it appears to also encourage lactic acid production. You may recall using lactic acid cream as part of treatment protocol. After taking fenugreek seeds, for a week, it does seem taking it orally helps to loosen up some of skin plaques. I know penicillin falls into the class of beta-lactam antibiotics. Maybe this herb could have some of the non-antibacterial effects (?)

While nothing has been perfect for me, this may be one of the best herbs I have tried yet.

Be aware, it tastes a little bitter. Also it leaves kind of a sweet aftertaste. This is a small price to pay. Also, you may be able to get in an herbal capsule. Not sure if that strength will be strong enough though.

[tcmgpt13]

Hi Ev,

Not laughing but just want to add a caution for those who might be hypothyroid (I have this problem). Fenugreek may inhibit t4 to t3 conversion:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science...aca3b0cedcce38

I took fenugreek at one time in the past (premorgs) as some say it will help thyroid function. This may be true for some types of thyroid imbalances but definitely not for all. I had generalized edema from using this. I also started feeling very sluggish and tired.

[EvDownJr]

Good point. I'll see if my Dr. will test. Last time, thyroid was normal. However I don't think they did very comprehensive testing on TSH.

[tcmgpt13]

Yes, lc, it looks as if it may be applied to skin as a paste, but the same reference you gave also mentions that one of the possible side effects of fenugreek is:

"Fenugreek can cause irritation when applied to the skin."

Still, if having a thyroid problem I would caution against using this to a large extent on the skin, not only because of possible irritation for some folks, but because it may be absorbed in sufficient amounts through the skin to cause an unwanted slow down in thyroid function for at least some of those on thyroid medication, the skin being the largest organ. I notice that this same government reference fails to flag the unwanted thyroid effect for some folks who might try this herb, so it pays to look around in some depth on the internet or in books before using any herb. This is also why I like the Chinese or Ayurvedic way of using herbs, because these traditions mostly use herbs in formulas where the unwanted effect of an herb is mitigated by being used with other herbs which blunt unwanted side effects (including the toxic effect of some herbs) as well as being found in smaller amounts in the formula which also reduces the possibility of side effects.

[tcmgpt13]

Originally Posted by ladycolorado

Yes thyroid function is important. I think an important path to improving TCM, their healthy function. I am currently coming at this a different way. Naturally and safely raising red bloodcell count, white bloodcell count, and repairing damage to the body, I am currently at 95 percent remission. All the things doing actually helping my medicines work better. I am not elaborating what doing at this time because best to see over time how well things go, and because this is my own path to getting well. I am quite pleased though, only 3 of five things done already reached this goal with the side effects about like food. Five percent raise in remission sounds modest. However I have halved my ten percent residual symptoms so significant for me. Yes Chinese and Ayurvedic have many benefits, I agree. (LC)

Thyroid function for me has nothing to do with morgellons. I had low thyroid before becoming sick with morgellons and was already on medication. So I am not saying that normalizing thyroid function will cure morgellons or prevent anyone from catching morgellons. Correcting abnormalities of low thyroid hormone may however make it slightly easier to maintain a stronger immune system. Low iron stores often are a sign of untreated hypothyroidism. This does effect the quantity of red blood cells.

What I have been discussing is that fenugreek in larger doses might curb the conversion of t4, the inactive thyroid hormone, to t3 the active form of thyroid hormone the body uses. Some people already have trouble converting t4 to t3 in the body and therefore the addition of fenugreek to these people's diet might make their symptoms of hypothyroid disease much worse. That was why I posted research which discusses this possible effect of fenugreek on the hypothyroid patient who has difficulty converting t4 to t3 even with the addition of exogenous thyroid hormone.