Japanese Knotweed: Benefits of the Reynoutria japonica Plant
Japanese knotweed is a member of the Buckwheat/Knotweed family (Polygonaceae), along with plants like buckwheat, rhubarb, and others. The plant is native to East Asia. Interestingly, the Japanese name for Japanese knotweed means “to remove pain”, which is a reference to its traditional use as a pain killing medicine. Reynoutria japonica is an integral part of Stephan Harrod Buhner’s anti-Lyme disease herbal protocol, and is also effective against Bartonella and Mycoplasma infections, which are common co-infections with Lyme disease.
Japanese knotweed has been used to treat the following conditions (among others) in addition to Lyme disease:
- Hyperlipidemia / High cholesterol
- Schistosomiasis
- Dermatitis
- Athlete’s Foot
- Gonorrhea
- Stress ulcers
- Chronic bronchitis
- Joint pain
- Cough
- Hypertension / High blood pressure
- Amenorrhea / Dysmenorrhea
- Retained lochia
- Chagas disease
- Bleeding hemorrhoids / Anal fissures
- Jaundice
- Wounds, injuries, and burns
- Respiratory infection
- Hepatitis (including infectious hepatitis, hepatitis B, and chronic active hepatitis)
- Cholelithiasis (gallstones) and cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation)
- Trichomonas
- Bacterial vaginosis
- Psoriasis and other skin afflictions
- Cancer
- Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, stroke, and other neurological disorders and neurodegenerative diseases
- Cardiovascular disease (including coronary artery disease, angina, atherosclerosis, and others)
- Macular degeneration
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Lupus, arthritis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), encephalomyelitis, myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis, and other autoimmune diseases
- Appendicitis and appendiceal abscess
- Tonsillitis
- Pneumonia
- Osteoarthritis
- Huntington’s disease
- Bulbar atrophy
- Traumatic brain injury
In the treatment of Lyme disease and other health issues, the root is the main part of the plant used medicinally (Japanese knotweed root is also known as Hu Zhang in Traditional Chinese Medicine herbalism practice). Specifically, it is an effective treatment for the symptoms of Lyme arthritis since it’s a potent anti-inflammatory herb. Two different studies observed that Japanese knotweed, when administered at a dose of 40-200mg per day, was able to dramatically reduce the presence of inflammatory markers present in patients’ blood over the course of 6 weeks of treatment.
Japanese knotweed contains polyphenols like resveratrol, quercetin, rutin, epicatechin, and others that are known to be powerful healers. Note that most of these are also antioxidants, making Japanese knotweed an antioxidant medicine (therefore, it should not be combined directly with oxidant medicines like MMS/CDS to avoid canceling out the medicinal effects of both). Resveratrol in particular is good for cardiovascular health, and has been shown to be able to prevent blood clots, cardiovascular disease, and heart attack. This aspect of Japanese knotweed makes it a valuable treatment for Lyme carditis symptoms as well.
Japanese knotweed has the unique distinction of being able to cross the blood-brain barrier. Unlike most other medicines (herbal and otherwise), this plant can target inflammation, infection, and disease present in the brain and central nervous system, making it one of the few herbs that can effectively combat the neurological symptoms of Lyme disease. It is known for its ability to protect the brain and central nervous system from invading microbes and pathogens.
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Reynoutria japonica can also help inhibit cytokine storm caused by bacterial infection, including that stimulated by the Borrelia bacteria. The herb also increases blood flow and fluidity throughout the body, specifically to the eyes, heart, joints, and skin, thus allowing blood to more easily reach infected areas (which in turn makes it easier for the body to attack the infectious pathogens on its own).
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As an immunomodulator, Japanese knotweed can help regulate both overactive and underactive immune responses. In this way, it is a prime candidate for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and autoimmune reactions, such as those seen in Lyme disease. It also encourages the body to form fibroblasts, which are undifferentiated cells that are dedicated to repairing injured areas of the body by being able to morph into whichever kind of cell is needed for repairs.
How to Take Japanese Knotweed for Lyme Disease
Japanese knotweed is available in capsulized form or tincture form (though powder/dry herb forms may also be available, and some people may even have access to the fresh plant in some places, which may be used for cooking). Some resveratrol supplements may be derived from Japanese knotweed, and these may be used instead of a formal Japanese knotweed supplement if you can’t find this (it’s important, though, to make sure that the resveratrol supplement you choose comes from Japanese knotweed and not grapes).Follow the dosing guidelines below to use Japanese knotweed for Lyme disease, Bartonella, and/or Mycoplasma infection:
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- Take 3 capsules of standardized Japanese knotweed/resveratrol supplement 3 times daily.
- Take ¼ to ½ teaspoon of Japanese knotweed tincture 3 times daily
Japanese Knotweed Safety Indications
Since Japanese knotweed can potentiate other substances, it should be taken with great caution when a person is using pharmaceutical medications of any kind (since the plant may increase the strength of these medications). Similarly, it can also bind with substances with which it is taken in order to carry these other substances deeper into the body (even sometimes potentially through the blood-brain barrier).
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Resources:
• Soundharya, M.G. (2021). Japanese Knotweed. Retrieved July 16, 2022 from: https://www.medindia.net/dietandnutrition/health-benefits-of-japanese-knotweed.htm#what-is-japanese-knotweed
• Kubala, Jillian (2022). What Is Japanese Knotweed, and Should You Try It? Retrieved July 16, 2022 from: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/japanese-knotweed-benefits
• Wikipedia (2022). Reynoutria japonica. Retrieved July 16, 2022 from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reynoutria_japonica
• N.A. (n.d). Japanese Knotweed Facts. Retrieved July 16, 2022 from: https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/japanese-knotweed-facts/
• Buhner, S. H. (2013). Healing Lyme Disease Coinfections: Complementary and Holistic Treatments for Bartonella and Mycoplasma. (1st ed.). Healing Arts Press.
