Herbal Antibiotics: Natural Alternatives for Treating Drug-Resistant Bacteria (17 page)

Cryptolepis is also broadly antibacterial. It has been tested against over 100 strains of campylobacter bacteria and found strongly effective against all of them. The tincture is more effective than co-trimoxazole and sulfamethoxazole, and equal to ampicillin. Cryptolepis is active against cholera but is not as strong in its effects as tetracycline. It has been found to be broadly active against a number of enteropathogenic microorganisms including
Shigella dysentariae
,
Entamoeba histolytica
, and
E. coli.
It is especially potent in the treatment of resistant staph,
Streptococcus pyogenes
, numerous strains of tuberculosis (
Mycobacterium
spp.), and urinary tract infections caused by enterobacter and klebsiella bacteria. The activity against such a wide range of organisms bears out its traditional use for many of the diseases that these organisms cause.

Cryptolepis also possesses anti-hyperglycemic properties, making it a potential antidiabetic herb. The isolated constituent cryptolepine lowered glucose levels in mouse models of type 2 diabetes, caused a decline in insulin levels, and enhanced glucose uptake. Several patents have been granted in this area.

The herb is strongly hypothermic, which means it lowers body temperature, a main reason why it has been found so effective in the treatment of fevers. It is also hypotensive due to its vasodilating effects, and it has been found to be active against a number of cancer lines and is stimulating interest as a potential anticancer agent.

Family:
Malvaceae

Common Names:
Most of the species in this genus are commonly called something to do with “fanpetals,” and in fact the sidas are sometimes referred to as the fanpetals.
S. cordata,
for example, is heartleaf fanpetals,
S. neomexicana
is New Mexico fanpetals,
S. spinosa
is prickly fanpetals, and so on. If it has fanpetals as part of its common name, it is probably a sida.

Oddly, the most medicinally inclined tend to be called something else:
S. cordifolia
is country mallow,
S. rhombifolia
is Cuban jute,
S. acuta
is common wireweed or teaweed or ironweed—all of which give an indication as to its nature, as does the Australian common name: spinyhead sida. Sometimes it is called hornbeam-leaved sida, morning mallow, or broomweed (the immensely durable branches are used everywhere the plant grows to make brooms), but most prefer a nastier name.

The sidas are so widely distributed around the world and used in so many medicinal traditions that their non-English common names are legion. (See the Traditional Uses section on
page 113
for some examples.)

Species Used:
There are 125 or 150 or 200 species of the genus
Sida
(taxonomy is an
exact
science). They are distributed throughout the world, mostly in the tropics and subtropics, but some species extend into temperate regions.

The main medicinal species that has been studied is
Sida acuta
. However, as research has deepened on this species, other sidas are coming to light as similarly potent, particularly
S. rhombifolia
and
S. cordifolia
. Two other species,
S. tiagii
and
S. spinosa
, have not been studied as extensively, but their traditional uses, and some research, indicate they may possess the same medicinal actions.

Given the potency of some of this genus, it makes sense for more research to occur. As far as I can determine, little has been done along this line, but it may well be that many sidas contain similar constituents.
If so, given their wide range, they would be one of the world's most accessible systemic herbal antibacterials.

This section will primarily concentrate on where the most research has been done:
Sida acuta
, with some depth on
S. rhombifolia
,
S. cordifolia
,
S. spinosa
, and
S. tiagii
.

Note:
Sida carpinifolia
is considered to be a synonym of
S. acuta
.

The whole plant—roots, leaves, stems, seeds. Most people tend to just use the aerial parts for the simplicity of harvest and ecological soundness. More practically, harvesting the root of a mature plant in this genus is as difficult as conveying to a politician the meaning of the word
integrity
. It is a tough, tough root to dig up. Nevertheless,
S. acuta
is considered an invasive botanical in many countries and most people are happy if you just take the whole damn thing.

The tincture and the hot-water extract are the strongest medicinal forms of sida for internal use. The plant can be prepared as powder, capsules, hot tea, or alcohol tincture. Most people use the leaves.

For bacterial infections of the skin, wound sepsis, and eczema, liberally sprinkle the powder on the site of infection as frequently as needed.

As a preventive:
Take 3 “00” capsules 3x daily.

In acute conditions:
Take up to 30 capsules daily. Or you can just use 1–3 tablespoons powder in water or juice.

1:5, 60 percent alcohol, 20–40 drops, up to 4x daily

For resistant staph:
In the treatment of severe systemic staph infection the usual dose is ½ tsp–1 tbl, 3–6x daily. (I prefer to not use dosages this high for longer than 60 days. That is usually sufficient.)

Use 1–2 teaspoons of the powdered leaves in 6 ounces water; let steep 15 minutes.

As a preventive:
Drink 1 or 2 cups daily.

In acute conditions:
Drink up to 10 cups daily.

For eye infections:
Use the cool tea as eyedrops, 1–3 drops as needed, 3–6x a day.

Note:
While the herb will work if infused in cold water, studies have found that the hot-water extraction is more effective. It is nearly as strong as the alcohol tincture. Also, because the plant's primary active constituents are alkaloids, the water used for the infusion must be acidic; see the box on
page 92
.

None noted, known, or reported; however …

• The herb is traditionally used to prevent pregnancy. It does interfere with egg implantation in mice. The herb should not be used in patients who are trying to get pregnant or are newly pregnant.

• Even though the herb is traditionally used in later pregnancy, caution should be exercised with pregnant patients. I would be uncomfortable using it if I were pregnant, but then I would be uncomfortable anyway if I were pregnant.

• Since the herb contains cryptolepine, it is a DNA intercalator and interferes with DNA replication. (See
page 93
in the cryptolepis monograph, for more.)

• The herb contains ephedrine, although not in large quantities (see Plant Chemistry,
page 111
, for an explanation of just how minute those amounts are). There has been a lot of inaccurate, hysterical reporting on ephedra, even among researchers who should know better. Weight loss and “natural energy” companies marketed supplements containing the herb (usually along with caffeine and other stimulants). People wanting to lose weight or increase their energy took the supplements—often in huge doses, far beyond sanity. Herbalists did not support this use of the herb. Ephedra is very safe when used properly; it really didn't need to be banned. The companies using it improperly just needed to be prohibited from doing so. Nevertheless, be aware that sida contains minute amounts of ephedra and that a mild raciness or wakefulness may occur from using the herb—but it probably won't. (See more in Finding Sida,
page 108
.)

None known or reported; however …

• Since the herb is hypoglycemic, it
may
affect medications for diabetes. Just watch blood sugar levels of diabetic patients.

• Since the herb contains ephedrine, it probably should not be used with pharmaceuticals that possess similar effects.

Actions

Adaptogenic

Analgesic

Anthelmintic (fresh leaf juice)

Antiamoebic

Antibacterial

Anticancer (antineoplastic, antiproliferative)

Antifertility activity (inhibits egg implantation in mice)

Anti-inflammatory

Antimalarial

Antimicrobial

Antioxidant (mild)

Antiprotozoal

Antipyretic

Antiulcerative

Antivenin activity

Hematoprotectant

Hematoregenerator

Hematotonic

Hepatoprotective

Hypoglycemic

Insecticidal

Active Against

Sida acuta
is active against:

Babesia
spp.

Bacillus
spp.

Escherichia coli

Herpes simplex

Listeria innocua

Mycobacterium phlei

Pasteurella multicocida

Plasmodium
spp.

Salmonella typhimurium

Shigella boydii

Shigella dysentariae

Shigella flexneri

Staphylococcus aureus

Streptococcus pyogenes

The plant is apparently less active against
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
,
Candida
spp.,
Aspergillus niger
, and
A. fumigatus
(however, see the Scientific Research section on
page 116
).

Sida rhombifolia
is active against:

Aspergillus niger

Bacillus
spp. (various)

Candida albicans

Entamoeba histolytica

Escherichia coli

Klebsiella pneumoniae

Micrococcus luteus

Morganella morganii

Proteus vulgaris

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Salmonella enteritidis
(mildly)

Salmonella paratyphi

Salmonella sonnei

Salmonella typhi

Shigella boydii

Shigella dysentariae

Staphylococcus aureus

Vibrio mimicus

Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Use to Treat

Anemia

Cancer of the blood

Diarrhea

Dysentery

Eye infections (as eyedrops)

Fevers

Infected wounds

Malaria

Skin rashes such as eczema and impetigo

Systemic staph infections

Tuberculosis

Early indications are that sida is moderately virucidal against herpes viruses and can help prevent outbreaks. It is also useful as an adaptogenic in long-term debilitating infections such as Lyme, malaria, and dysentery.

Sida is very high in protein, being 16 percent to 25 percent protein depending on how it is grown. Some cultures use it as a pot herb; it is possible to use it as a primary protein source, especially if you are an “invasivore.” Yes, they do exist. Invasivores eat only invasive species—though none have yet (publicly) admitted to consuming
Homo sapiens.

I have not eaten sida, but the tincture is delicious, one of the few that delights the tongue. If you do try the herb as a vegetable, let me know what you think.

Many cultures use the plant's twigs in making brooms. From all reports they are exceptionally long lasting and useful given the hardiness of the wood. The bark from the stems of most species has been used for making cords, ropes, and twine; the bark from S.
acuta
can be used for making canvas and fishnets as well, hence the “jute” designation for some of the species.