I Was Falling and You Caught Me
by Living With Morgellons
I took my dog to swim in the sea today. I wanted to get to the part where no one goes so he could be off the leash and it would just be us.
To get to that part of the shore, it takes a little trailblazing. I have to go down a steep bank along side a creek. It has been raining so it was slick and with my rain boots being rubber and all I slid and nearly got dumped into the creek.
I was saved when I grabbed onto a tough bushy plant basically growing out of rock. I used the plant to lower myself down and found my footing.
When I looked up at the plant and realized what it was I laughed and thought to myself …”exactly and of course”.
The plant I was looking at was Japanese Knotweed, the toughest she plant around. Japanese Knotweed reproduces with tough rhizomes that can penetrate the most unforgiving terrain.
It grows anywhere and it grows fast. It is difficult to eradicate and no one wants it around because it can destroy foundations and overtake native plants. This is why they call it an invasive species and think it’s a good idea to throw Roundup on it.
The funny part of this story is the reason I went for the walk was because I was ditching this post that I have been trying to write about resveratrol.
Then ten minutes later, there I go sliding down the bank into the hands of Japanese Knotweed which is one of the places resveratrol comes from and according to Stephen Buhner, it’s one of the best places if you are treating Lyme.
If you have read his book “Healing Lyme” you will see it is at the top of his protocol.
I didn’t follow his protocol exactly but I did borrow from it and resveratrol was one of my picks.
For those of you that know my story of recovery, you know I did a lot but with a heavy emphasis on medicinal plants. I chose to put japanese knotweed into the mix for several reasons.
After a little research I found that resveratrol is a substance that plants produce when they are under attack by pathogens. For instance, The grapevine will start producing resveratrol when it is under attack from mildew. I couldn’t help but wonder if this substance might help me fend off pathogens as well.
What really got me interested in Japanese Knotweed was something I remember finding on the internet that Stephen Buhner said. It was so perfect and elegant but I couldn’t find it again.
All day I was trying to recall where or how he said it.
So you know what I did, I sent him a message and asked him and this is what he wrote back:
“Japanese Knotweed tends to emerge in regions where Lyme is becoming endemic; the root of it is specific for Lyme, most especially reducing the brain inflammation that Lyme causes. This is common with many plants and many disease conditions such as sida invading regions where resistant bacterial infections occur.”
How beautiful is that? Not only that he took the time to message back but also what he said.
It is almost as simple as when you are stung by nettle and you rub dock on it to take the sting away. Dock and nettle grow together.
I find it amazing that where Lyme is, there we have this “invasive species” that has this incredible healing power.
It is also a little funny that while many are trying to kill this plant it produces a substance that all those crazy people who want to live forever are paying big bucks for. You may already know that resveratrol is touted as a life extender.
I am revisiting aspects of my recovery because I am trying to figure out which part of what, healed me. I don’t believe I will ever know. I can’t say that Japanese Knotweed was what did it but I can say it did make me feel a lot better.
It made me feel better today when it kept me from getting wet. It also makes me feel better just knowing about it. It makes me understand nature and that there is a rhythm and I do have a place in it.
This is why I care about plants so much. They’re messengers and they go inside me and do mysterious things. I don’t have to know exactly which phytochemical did this or what study said that.
I suppose I am thinking about the more intuitive side of healing and the part our souls understand.
In chronic illness such as Lyme and especially Morgellons, we are often confused as to what to do and we are in it for a long time. No matter what, it is a long hard journey. It has been important for me to find the little gems in the rocky road. It has been important to make my recovery part of my life as opposed to waiting for my life at the end of my recovery.
I think that’s why I chose food. I have to eat anyway, I may as well make it count. I enjoyed cooking before I was ill, so healing myself with plants was not far from the me in my former life. With chronic Illness we are so stripped of ourselves. We have lost a lot. With plants I could keep some of myself no matter how sick I became or who walked out on me. While I did go into Lyme treatment and was treated with some serious pharmaceuticals, I still treated myself with plants and that gave me a sense of empowerment. Also when I was covered in lesions and bedridden and a doctor would not help me the plants were there for me.
I am not suggesting anyone treat themselves or forgo medical care. I am only saying plants have a special place in my heart and along my healing road and they heal me daily. I’m not going to cite any studies about Japanese Knotweed but I will say if you have not read “Healing Lyme” yet, it’s awesome.
Really quick I would also like to say that if you are very ill with Morgellons and are trying to find a doctor that won’t call you delusional, look to the Lyme doctors. My Lyme doctor and others are treating Morgellons as a co-infection to Lyme because many Morgellons sufferers are testing positive for Lyme. Also look to the Lyme naturopaths, herbalists and Ayurvedic practitioners.
For more information about Morgellons disease or to get involved, visit the Charles E Holman Foundation here: http://www.thecehf.org
For more information about Japanese knotweed, Stephen Buhner, the books he has written and his Lyme protocol you may visit his site here: http://buhnerhealinglyme.com
I have knotweed on the brain.
http://herbalisl.blogspot.co.uk/2009/10/japanese-knotweed-in-treatment-of-lyme.html
another awesome link http://planetthrive.com/tag/japanese-knotweed/
Brilliant blog, very insightful. I love Buhner’s philosophy. I am in the middle of “Healing Lyme” right now and it’s one of the best books I’ve read. That’s for all the work you are doing to make this world a healthier place.
Aww..you’re the best Lisa, thank you. I also love his way.
You are going to be an excellent healer, you already are.
Absolutely brilliant, going way back to what our foremothers knew, that there is something to heal everything close to where the offenders are. Everyone talks about the horrors of knotweed, especially how dangerous it is to horses.
I couldn’t identify even if you slapped me around the face with it, but I am certainly going to find some now and then read Steve’s book,
Thanks xxxx
Hi Maria, I know you will love his book!
Great Post, T; and so timely. here is a little video from NextworldTV on this very subject that I received just the other day. What a co ink a dink.
http://www.nextworldtv.com/page/5569.html
Cath
Tina, I am slowly reading through your pages, and story. I feel like I have someone with me now in your writing that you are right there like a best friend who “gets it”… I love where you said it is important to make recovery part of my life as opposed to waiting for my life at the end of my recovery…. I wish I would have found your blog during the times of the dates of the stories and replies, but now is good too. Last Nov, I was in the shock and frantic stage ( not sure you ever get out of that) but now I can read these and begin some real work of healing ( I used to be so organized, M takes that away, but I am working on those notes and doing some things to take charge again)… I just want to say thanks again for your blog, here it is months later helping people like me still in the throws of this.. Like you and everyone I lost so so so much… I feel like you are a good friend and I don’t even know you.
Oh Misty. Thank you for the lovely comment.You will get your organizational skills back slowly. Go easy on yourself. I know the stress makes all this flare up. The trauma gets softer as well…its hard to believe but it will and you slowly work through it.
Thanks Tina 🙂
🙂
I’s a great book, even if you want to stick to ABx for treatment, it is fantastic for teaching you about how lyme works. Gave me some eye-openers and I thought I was a full bottle on the rotten bugs!
So true Keechy!
As I tell others
If you want to understand Bb
the first third or so of the book “Healing Lyme” will tell you how stealth and smart this microbe really is
Best to you
Tina