Re: Samento (cat's claw)

[Guest guest]

There has been a good bit of discussion about this product lately. I

would suggest searching the archives with the search word " samento " .

There is a website that I found to have good information on it:

http://www.samento-faq.eu.kz/

I have been taking it for 18 days and can't tell you too much except

- some people are very sensitive and be prepared for herxing.

Laureen

>Has anyone had any experiances (good or bad) using this? I have heard

>only good things about it and that after 3 months or so of Ab some

>folks are symptom free using just a few drops a day diluted in a pint

>of pure water.

>

[Guest guest]

I've been using it since October of last year. I'm still sick. I had some

improvement for a couple months, and then I developed a severe case of

influenza, and went downhill from there, and the Samento seemed to loose

much of it's benefits after that. It still helps as an anti-inflammatory for

reducing joint pain, however, so I continue to use it. I developed an

antibiotic resistant urinary tract infection a couple months ago that was

resistant to Cipro. I suspect that the quinalone related chemicals in

Samento lead to the Cipro resistant pathogens. I also have a lot of

co-infections, and I'm using other products besides the Samento, such as

artemesinin and colloidal silver. Since adding the colloidal silver, I have

begun having some slow but steady improvement, and I'm hoping that the

combination will help. But I've been sick for over 27 years, and likely was

infected years before getting sick. The Lyme and other pathogens have had a

long time to become established in me. The artemesinin seems to only be

suppressing whatever it is treating and not killing it off, because if I

accidentally forget a dose or skip a dose, I have an immediate return of the

symptoms that night that it suppresses when I take it regularly. And I've

been using it for at least 5 months now.

I've been hoping to eventually get a rife to add to what I'm doing. But I

can't afford it yet. (I'm trying to save a little bit at a time)

lindaj@...

[ ] Samento (cat's claw)

> Has anyone had any experiances (good or bad) using this? I have heard

> only good things about it and that after 3 months or so of Ab some

> folks are symptom free using just a few drops a day diluted in a pint

> of pure water.

>

[Guest guest]

I'm a stickler for making sure that I won't have interactions from things

I'm taking, because of past problems I've had. Considering the fact that I

don't use carafate, (whatever that may be) I don't use supplemental calcium

at all, and I limit calcium intake from foods because it causes heart

arrhythmia's in me, (I do use some dairy products) it couldn't have been

those. I did not eat any dairy products within 8 hours of taking the Cipro,

though, and from what I've read, they only recommend a couple of hours away.

I did check to be sure there were no other supplements or drugs that I take

that would interfere with it. I also dropped the magnesium that I take while

I was on the Cipro.

lindaj@...

Re: [ ] Samento (cat's claw)

> Regarding the cipro not working on the E coli of a UTI

> there are several things that can interfere with Cipro

> including too much calcium intake or taking carafate

> (sucrafate), you might try checking a list of

> interactions to see if something might be interfering

> with it working.

>

> Tom U.

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

I don't post often. These days I'm finally feeling well enough to be

busy again! And I am thankful for and cherish every second of feeling

reasonably well that I can get. But I have had an experience with

cat's claw (samento) that I think I should pass on. I can sum it up in

one word: BLEEDING.

I had a very unpleasant experience from an accidental combo of cat's

claw, ginger, naprosyn, and vioxx. Yes, that's a lot, but then most

of us with chronic lyme (- post lyme - whatever the hell this is) take

anti-inflamation drugs daily. I just happened to kind of pile them

all up one month and ended up in the e.r. bleeding an alarmingly

lot of blood. Even flat on my back with my knees up didn't stop it.

So BE CAREFUL especially if you're female and close to your period.

Like a lot of other herbs and synthetic drugs with anti-inflammatory

properties, it seems that samento/cat's claw can affect your clotting

factors (references 1a and b below). Please keep this in mind if

you're considering taking cat's claw. And please be very careful if

you have any kind of bleeding disorder, OR if you already take ginger

(ref 2 for uses...it's a killer on your ability to clot), a synthetic

anti-coagulant (e.g., coumadin, heparin), or over the counter or

prescription anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen, naprosyn, aspirin

especially). Supposedly the newer class of anti-inflammatory drugs do

not affect clotting factor as much (the group of cox-2 inhibitors

vioxx, celebrex).

Most of us have learned to be cautious and intelligent about our use

of any drug or herb. If you want to introduce an herbal treatment

into your routine, always check with a doctor or pharmacist before you

start to make sure there aren't any known contraindications. I know

alot of us aren't always on great terms with our doctors, but it's

worth the effort of trying to find someone knowledgable to ask. And

make sure you list the herbs along with the " meds " you take when you

give any medical history. They are effective, and that means they can

interact with other conditions or medications. (I said " ginger and

naprosyn " in the e.r. and suddenly they took the bleeding seriously.)

" Whatever makes you happy...even if it's a truly tasteless joke... "

(Bongwater)

Feel better and be strong,

-

1a) Cat's claw

http://www.herbalremedies.com/catsclaw.html

Cat's Claw Safety & Interaction Information

" There have been no reports of serious adverse effects from taking

Cat's Claw. It is possible that Cat's Claw may increase the risk

of

bleeding when used with anticoagulants (blood thinners) or

antiplatelet drugs such as warfarin (Coumadin), heparin and

clopidogrel (Plavix). Taking aspirin, ibuprofen (Motril, Advil), and

naxopren (Naprosyn, Aleve, Anaprox) can increase the risk of bleeding

when used with Cat's Claw. If you are taking prescription drugs, it is

best to ask your health care provider or pharmacist for advice before

taking Cat's Claw. Do not use this herb if you are pregnant or

nursing. Safety in young children or those with severe liver or kidney

disease is not known. "

1b) Cat's claw

http://www.rain-tree.com/catclaw.htm

" This same group of anti-inflammatory glycoside chemicals also

demonstrated in vitro antiviral properties in another earlier study.

In addition to the immunostimulant alkaloids, cat's claw contains the

alkaloids rhynchophylline, hirsutine, and mitraphylline, which have

demonstrated hypotensive and vasodilating properties. Rhynchophylline

also has shown to inhibit platelet aggregation and thrombosis. It may

also prevent blood clots in blood vessels and relax the blood vessels

of endothelial cells, dilate peripheral blood vessels, lower the heart

rate, and lower blood cholesterol. "

2) Ginger

http://www.csu.edu.au/faculty/health/biomed/MHR/ginger_.htm