Re: /Lycopus Compound effective for Graves?

December 15, 2001

Hi -

There are several articles that indicate that Lemon Balm () can be

beneficial for GD symptoms. If you check in the archives for this group for

articles from " galdalf " (also known as ) he's been using the lemon

balm as a tea, which to me sounded like a nicer way to do it. I don't think

I'd like all that alcohol, and did it say how much lemon balm was in it?

That would be something I'd like to know. buys the dried herb itself

(from internet sources like Mountain Rose Herbs) and brews it as a tea. This

way, you know what you're getting. I know I had a discussion with him about

it at the time, so there should be several messages about it back in

October. Maybe he'll pop in and give us an update on how it's been working

for him. I'd be curious to know, too. I managed to find some lemon balm in a

tea blend here, so I'm trying that.

Here are a couple sites with more info and an article - take a look.

http://www.healthandage.com/html/res/com/ConsConditions/Hyperthyroidismcc.ht

ml

Here is a link with much Lemon Balm info:

http://www.healthandage.com/html/res/com/ConsHerbs/LemonBalmch.html

http://www.naturalhealthnotebook.com/Herbs/Latin_Herbs/Genu

s-M/_officinalis.htm

Thyroid gland hormonal effects

Lemon balm extract interferes with thyroid stimulating hormone

binding with Graves' immunoglobulin (Graves'-specific IgE) and

consequent thyroid activation. That is, it mildly reduces thyroid

activity and is thus helpful for hyperthyroid conditions such as

Grave's disease.

The rosmarinic and lithospermic acids in freeze dried lemon

balm extract were found to bind with thyrotropin to prevent it and

the thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) from stimulating

receptor sites in the thyroid.

Auf'mkolk M et al, Inhibition by certain plant extracts of the binding

and adenylate cyclas stimulatory effect of bovine thyrotropin in

human thyroid membranes. Endocrinology 1984;115(2):527.

Auf'mkolk M et al, The active principles of plant extract with

antithyroitropic activity. Endocrinology 1985 116(5):1677 & 1687.

Auf'mkolk M et al, The active principles of plant extracts with

antithyrotropic activity: Oxidation products of derivatives of

3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid. Endocrinology 1985;116(5):1677.

The hormonal effect of lemon balm is less than Lithospermum

officinales, Lycopus virginicus or Lycopus europaeus). It is not

potent enough to adversely affect people with normal thyroid

function. The activity was traced to caffeic acid oligomers such

as rosmarinic acid and lithospermic acid.

Auto-oxidation of the caffeic acid deribatives to ortho-quinones

may contribute to the biological activity.

Sourgens H et al, Antihormonal effects of plant extracts, TSH-

and prolactin-suppressing properties of Lithospermum officinale

and other plants. 1982 Planta Medica 45:78,

Lemon balm is contraindicated if hypothyroid condition because

of its antithyrotropic properties.

/Lycopus Compound effective for Graves?

>I had been curious about this herbal/vitamin shop and today I finally

>stopped in. I gave him a laundary list of what's been going on. For

>Graves disease, he suggested this:

>

>/Lycopus Compound

>By Herbalist Alchemist

>2 Oz 60ml $18.55

>

>Normalizes hyperthyroid conditions with a wide array of symptoms

>including nervousness, tachycardia, racing pulse, agitation &

>anxiety.

>

>The contents are vague but include:

>

>Propietary blend of Motherart aerial parts

>Lemon Balm aerial parts

>Bugleweed aerial parts

>Average alcohol content 45%

>

>I'm supposed to take two full droppers, three times a day and see my

>thyroid normal after TWO weeks. This sounds a tad agressive but I'm

>game.

>

>Has anyone tried this? Or is it a waste of time? I know very little

>about these herbs and how they interact with the body. I was also

>curious about the alcohol content. That seems a bit high - 45%?

>

>All opinions are encouraged and don't hold back. If it's a come on,

>tell me.

>

>Best Regards,

>

>nancy

>

>-------------------------------------

>The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is not

intended to replace expert medical care.

>Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments.

>----------------------------------------

> DISCLAIMER

>

>Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the

endorsement of

>the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails.

>---------------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------

>

December 15, 2001

Oh,oh. I started using it WITH my PTU. It seems that you have to

chose between the two:

" Although it has not yet been demonstrated in scientific studies in

humans, lemon balm may interfere with thyroid medications. If you are

taking medications to regulate your thyroid, you should not use lemon

balm. "

That's from the second link. I'll have to think about that.

Best Regards,

> Hi -

>

> There are several articles that indicate that Lemon Balm ()

can be

> beneficial for GD symptoms. If you check in the archives for this

group for

> articles from " galdalf " (also known as ) he's been using the

lemon

> balm as a tea, which to me sounded like a nicer way to do it. I

don't think

> I'd like all that alcohol, and did it say how much lemon balm was

in it?

> That would be something I'd like to know. buys the dried

herb itself

> (from internet sources like Mountain Rose Herbs) and brews it as a

tea. This

> way, you know what you're getting. I know I had a discussion with

him about

> it at the time, so there should be several messages about it back in

> October. Maybe he'll pop in and give us an update on how it's been

working

> for him. I'd be curious to know, too. I managed to find some lemon

balm in a

> tea blend here, so I'm trying that.

>

> Here are a couple sites with more info and an article - take a look.

>

http://www.healthandage.com/html/res/com/ConsConditions/Hyperthyroidis

mcc.ht

> ml

>

> Here is a link with much Lemon Balm info:

> http://www.healthandage.com/html/res/com/ConsHerbs/LemonBalmch.html

>

> http://www.naturalhealthnotebook.com/Herbs/Latin_Herbs/Genu

> s-M/_officinalis.htm

>

> Thyroid gland hormonal effects

>

> Lemon balm extract interferes with thyroid stimulating hormone

> binding with Graves' immunoglobulin (Graves'-specific IgE) and

> consequent thyroid activation. That is, it mildly reduces thyroid

> activity and is thus helpful for hyperthyroid conditions such as

> Grave's disease.

>

> The rosmarinic and lithospermic acids in freeze dried lemon

> balm extract were found to bind with thyrotropin to prevent it and

> the thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) from stimulating

> receptor sites in the thyroid.

> Auf'mkolk M et al, Inhibition by certain plant extracts of the

binding

> and adenylate cyclas stimulatory effect of bovine thyrotropin in

> human thyroid membranes. Endocrinology 1984;115(2):527.

> Auf'mkolk M et al, The active principles of plant extract with

> antithyroitropic activity. Endocrinology 1985 116(5):1677 & 1687.

> Auf'mkolk M et al, The active principles of plant extracts with

> antithyrotropic activity: Oxidation products of derivatives of

>

> 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid. Endocrinology 1985;116(5):1677.

>

> The hormonal effect of lemon balm is less than Lithospermum

> officinales, Lycopus virginicus or Lycopus europaeus). It is not

> potent enough to adversely affect people with normal thyroid

> function. The activity was traced to caffeic acid oligomers such

> as rosmarinic acid and lithospermic acid.

>

> Auto-oxidation of the caffeic acid deribatives to ortho-quinones

> may contribute to the biological activity.

> Sourgens H et al, Antihormonal effects of plant extracts, TSH-

> and prolactin-suppressing properties of Lithospermum officinale

> and other plants. 1982 Planta Medica 45:78,

>

> Lemon balm is contraindicated if hypothyroid condition because

> of its antithyrotropic properties.

> /Lycopus Compound effective for

Graves?

>

> >I had been curious about this herbal/vitamin shop and today I

finally

> >stopped in. I gave him a laundary list of what's been going on.

For

> >Graves disease, he suggested this:

> >

> >/Lycopus Compound

> >By Herbalist Alchemist

> >2 Oz 60ml $18.55

> >

> >Normalizes hyperthyroid conditions with a wide array of symptoms

> >including nervousness, tachycardia, racing pulse, agitation &

> >anxiety.

> >

> >The contents are vague but include:

> >

> >Propietary blend of Motherart aerial parts

> >Lemon Balm aerial parts

> >Bugleweed aerial parts

> >Average alcohol content 45%

> >

> >I'm supposed to take two full droppers, three times a day and see

my

> >thyroid normal after TWO weeks. This sounds a tad agressive but

I'm

> >game.

> >

> >Has anyone tried this? Or is it a waste of time? I know very

little

> >about these herbs and how they interact with the body. I was also

> >curious about the alcohol content. That seems a bit high - 45%?

> >

> >All opinions are encouraged and don't hold back. If it's a come

on,

> >tell me.

> >

> >Best Regards,

> >

> >nancy

> >

> >-------------------------------------

> >The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and

is not

> intended to replace expert medical care.

> >Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new

treatments.

> >----------------------------------------

> > DISCLAIMER

> >

> >Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the

> endorsement of

> >the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to

emails.

> >-------------------------------------------------------------------

--------

> -----------

> >

December 15, 2001

Hi ,

Good to see you again.

Thanks for your take on my friends 'issue'. I am still waiting, and thinking

on this

reply to her.

You say... " Although it has not yet been demonstrated in

scientific studies in

humans, lemon balm may interfere with thyroid

medications. If you are

taking medications to regulate your thyroid, you

should not use lemon

balm. "

It sounds like it is written for hypo folks on Synthroid or such, ( like most

everything),

but is a valid point. Seems to me, if this worked you would need less PTU. So

watching

symptoms and getting labs, and really keeping track of all your doses of both,

would be

the way to go.

My thinking on this is based on my new vitamin routine, that is making my need

for PTU

less each month. Right now, it is all moving too fast for me LOL ! I keep

lowering my PTU

dose, and keep being slightly hypo. So something is working . Kinda like sliding

downhill,

and having fun ! Maybe there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Wow, 45%....that would give me a little buzz, even in that small of an amount.

No hot

buttered rum for you.

-Pam-

December 15, 2001

IT's a puzzle to me. On the tincture, it states it " Balances Excess

Thyroid function " which would mean hyper. I don't know ... Alcohol

increases your heart rate and metabolism. Besides I need to hang on

to what's left of those brain cells. No kidding ... my college

drinking showed on an MRI. There was a black area which was

indicative of excessive drinking. Oh, well ... those were the days.

The fellow e-mailed me privately. Just as I was going back

in the arhive looking him up, I heard a " ping " and there was his e-

mail.

He uses vinegar instead of alcohol. I asked him for urls that he

orders from. When I get them, I'll try it without the alcohol. Most

likely it's used for a preservative. Of course, I'm just guessing.

Like him, my health insurance doesn't cover any of this stuff. What

I did hear was Orin Hatch is pushing for legislation to cover it.

Him and someone whose name escapes me. I don't understand why

alternative care should be discriminated. It may not help all, just

as conventional doesn't but for those it can help - let em have some

help!

I think I will do both minus the alcohol. My next challenge will be

to get a doctor to have my blood tested more frequently. I'm not

going to mention the supplement.

I'm also reviewing vitamins. I haven't determined the right amount

for each so it's alittle haphazard. I sent off the hair analysis

this week and hope to have results soon. I'll use that as a

baseline. I'd like to compare it to some bloodwork. I may approach

my GP on it. A conventional endo may not be so eager to do this.

Well, I'm glad you're doing well! I hope to join you soon, even if

that means alittle hypo. Please keep us all posted.

I've evolved into this boring person. A glass of wine, will give me

a buzz. I was just thinking the other day, this fall is the first in

three years that I haven't been pregnant. Only one was successful.

The thought of hot buttered rum though, has me reconsidering. I can

taste it already. Just one, wouldn't hurt

Best Regards,

> Hi ,

> Good to see you again.

> Thanks for your take on my friends 'issue'. I am still waiting,

and thinking on this

> reply to her.

>

> You say... " Although it has not yet been demonstrated in

> scientific studies in

> humans, lemon balm may interfere with thyroid

> medications. If you are

> taking medications to regulate your thyroid, you

> should not use lemon

> balm. "

>

> It sounds like it is written for hypo folks on Synthroid or such, (

like most everything),

> but is a valid point. Seems to me, if this worked you would need

less PTU. So watching

> symptoms and getting labs, and really keeping track of all your

doses of both, would be

> the way to go.

> My thinking on this is based on my new vitamin routine, that is

making my need for PTU

> less each month. Right now, it is all moving too fast for me LOL !

I keep lowering my PTU

> dose, and keep being slightly hypo. So something is working . Kinda

like sliding downhill,

> and having fun ! Maybe there is light at the end of the tunnel.

>

> Wow, 45%....that would give me a little buzz, even in that small of

an amount. No hot

> buttered rum for you.

> -Pam-

December 15, 2001