| | | Skunk Weed for Lyme Disease? Answered by: Susan Eagles Question from: Di Posted on: May 01, 2007
Would you please let me know what skunk herb is, and why would a holistic healer prescribe it to someone with Lyme Disease?
In order to know the actual plant that your healer is referring to, you need to know the scientific name. Symplocarpus foetidus is the plant usually known as skunk weed in North America. It is also known as skunk cabbage, and is used as an antispasmodic and expectorant for coughs. On the west coast, skunk cabbage is Lysichiton americanum. It is used for the same purposes as Symplocarpus. Wormseed (Chenopodium ambrosioides) is also sometimes called skunk weed. It is commonly known as the Spanish "epazote". It is used to kill intestinal worms and other parasites.
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by a tick bite. Early symptoms can include skin rash, headache, fever, nausea and muscle pain. Herbs that boost the immune system (like Echinacea) and fight bacteria (garlic, for example) may be used to support the immune system in clearing the bacterial infection. If the infection is not cleared, later symptoms of headaches and/or arthritis-like pains may appear.
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