'Support for Viral, Parasitic, Fungal and Bacterial Infections: Natural Therapies with Rio Health'
sponsored by Rio Health

Please note, this is a transcript of the questions received and have been reproduced verbatim in relation to any grammatical errors.

Do you have any recommendations for Meyerozyma caribbica? My client has repeated UTI’s- thank you.

Thank you for this question. I had not heard of Meyerozyma caribbica previously.  Initial investigation shows it to be related to Candida, although it seems also to be described as yeast-like and a member of the Saccharomyces group.  I have been unable to ascertain the pathogenicity of this species.  I would be interested to receive any information/research about this microbe to better understand it.
Assuming it has overgrowth capacity, it would be important to re-establish homeostasis via beneficial flora. In all cases of fungal overgrowth, immune support is key, alongside use of antifungals.  Many vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals from botanicals may support immune function. Consider vitamin D status, and supplement with vitamin C (epigenar Liposomal C has high bioavailability).
Several immune-supporting botanicals were discussed in the webinar, including: Andrographis (epigenar Kalmegh) and Red Root (an ingredient in epigenar BART which also contains Japanese Knotweed).  Oregano (epigenar as capsules) also supports immune health. Antifungals to consider include: Pau d’Arco (available vegicaps and tea), the new Rio Health Barberry (tincture) or Rio Health Otoba (tincture).  Garlic (epigenar capsules) may also benefit.  Slide 44 in the webinar lists many botanical antifungals.   I highly recommend you view the webinar on fungal infections: https://riohealthpractitioners.co.uk/blogs/webinars/webinar-fungal-infections (requires registration www.riohealthpractitioners.co.uk and log in).

Detoxification support will also be required to deal with die-off.  This was covered in the webinar. Look at: Green Magma, Manayupa-P’nella and using a ‘No-Nasties’ skincare range like Rio Rosa Mosqueta.  Teasel (epigenar Organic Teasel tincture, newly available), Asparagus (Rio Health Spárga tincture, available soon) and Parsley (newly available Rio Health Parsley tincture) also may help re urinary flow (please refer to the relevant webinar slides).

Further support for preventing urinary tract infections might be needed including connective tissue support: vitamin C (epigenar Liposomal Vitamin C), Silidyn (with orthosilicic acid and other connective tissue support ingredients), Cystone (an Ayurvedic blend to support the urinary tract) and Chanca Piedra/Quebra Pedra (available across the ranges as vegicaps, tincture and teas. Gotu Kola also helps to support connective tissue. Regarding antimicrobials for UTIs, we often recommend Barberry or Pau d’Arco, which, as mentioned above, also function as antifungals.
Please see this new blog: https://riohealthpractitioners.co.uk/blogs/news/using-antimicrobials-factsheet

 As a nutritional therapist, am I allowed to recommend these herbal tinctures to clients?

Botanicals supply vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients and are powerful additions to health protocols. All nutrients must be suspended in solution before the nutrient can reach body cells.  Medical studies show that liquid extracts have faster absorption rates. Tinctures provide liquid delivery for phytonutrients.  Unlike tablets and capsules, which need to be broken down by the digestive system (often taking 20-30 minutes), tinctures absorb readily by the body, taking 1-4 minutes to assimilate.

No excipients are needed so each tincture contains only water, alcohol and the botanical ingredient(s).  This negates need for anti-caking ingredients, tablet coatings, colourants, and ingredients like magnesium stearate and stearic acid. Tincture delivery method also negates addition of sweeteners found in other supplement forms.  There is also no need for additional preservative since the alcohol used to make the tincture provides this function.

Tinctures also readily permit easy titration (increasing of dose slowly upward), which is an important consideration for adults and children alike. Doses can be divided easily as well, divided more readily over the day, and can easily be combined with other botanical tinctures.
Rio Health, along with our parent company, have a long tradition of selling tinctures to practitioners and consumers.  Tinctures in the Rio Health® and epigenar® ranges have dosage information on the labels.  Child dosages are included on product datasheets which are increasingly available via our practitioner website www.RioHealthPractitioners.co.uk

Practitioners should confirm with their professional organisations for further guidance.

How do you use Lapacho?

Lapacho (aka Pau d’Arco) is a huge canopy tree (Tabebuia impetiginosa) native to the Amazon rainforest.  Its bark is a rich source of antioxidants.  Practitioners use Pau d’Arco to support the gastrointestinal tract where IBS type symptoms are present.  Pau d’Arco also has exhibited antifungal, antibacterial, antiparasitic and antiviral as well as anti-inflammatory activity and supports immune function.
Pau d’Arco is available as vegicapsules and tea at present.  We will also soon be adding a Pau d’Arco tincture to our range.
The Rio Amazon vegicapsules are 5:1 extract and 1 capsule daily is recommended (adults and children aged 12+).  Intensive use is also possible with the dose then being up to 2-3 capsules, 3 times daily. Be aware that some users can experience slight gastrointestinal complaints upon first using Pau d’Arco. Also, Pau d’Arco should not be taken simultaneously with strong acid products like vitamin C as this may affect the potency of the herb.  Instead, leave at least 1 hour between intake of high acid products.  Pau d’Arco should not be used by people with bleeding disorders.

The Rio Amazon teabags each contain 2000mg of pure shredded bark.  Infuse the teabag in a cup of boiling water and allow to stand approximately 5-10 minutes.  Suitable for adults and children aged 12+ years.  One cup of tea up to 3 times daily.  For best effect, drink on an empty stomach.  In cases of fungal infection, the spent teabag, whilst still damp but cooled to reasonable temperature) can be placed on the infection site for topical effect.  The same cautions mentioned above apply for the tea.

Several questions received directly with regard to dysbiosis in children. Specifically to an 11 years’ old child with potential dysbiosis (bacterial, parasitic and fungal) determined by functional testing.  Questions relate to which antimicrobials to use, using antimicrobials in children, the need for detoxification and whether there is need to cycle use of antimicrobials.

If there are numerous microbial infections, a broad-spectrum antimicrobial may provide a useful start. A number of botanicals discussed have broad-spectrum antifungal, antibacterial and antiparasitic effect. Have a look at slide 44 in the presentation for summary slides of botanicals, and at the individual webinars available on our practitioner website (details above). The combination product, epigenar CHLA, could be considered.  This is Usnea barbata and Goldenseal (berberine).  More information on each of these herbs can be found in the webinar (slides 47/48 and 64) and in the practitioner blog: https://riohealthpractitioners.co.uk/blogs/news/chla-for-chlamydia-is-antibacterial-antiviral-antifungal-antiparasitic-and-useful-for-blood-sugar-regulation (requires practitioner registration and log in). Adults (and children over age 16 years) dosage for CHLA is 10-20 drops, 2-3 times daily (maximum 60 drops per day).

Specific guidance on use of each botanical with children is available on our product datasheets. Some botanicals can be used from a younger age than others. Practitioners should check the product datasheet for guidance when recommending these to clients. As a general rule, child dosage should not exceed 1/3 of the adult dosage. Please note this is a general rule and some botanicals have additional cautions, for example, botanicals with hormonal impact may not be advised (or may not be advised long-term) with children. It is also important to discuss the fact that these are hydroethanolic (water and alcohol) tinctures; parents should be informed and give consent.

Since the epigenar CHLA product has a 60 drops maximum adult dosage, child dosage should not exceed 20 drops daily. Maximum dosing for ages 10-12 years (size/weight to be considered), 5 drops, 3 times daily can be used. CHLA should not be used in children under age 5 years.
Another botanical that has useful properties for this client would be Pau d’Arco. However, Pau d’Arco is usable only from age 12 years (size/weight to be considered). If the client is close to age 12 and is at least of ‘normal’ size/weight for age, then once age 12 is achieved, consideration could be given to use of Pau d’Arco which is available as capsule and tea presently.

Cycling of botanicals is recommended and a break of 36-48 hours is also recommended during which detoxification and immune support continues, but antimicrobials use is discontinued. See this blog: https://riohealthpractitioners.co.uk/blogs/news/using-antimicrobials-factsheet

Detoxification support will be needed.  Consider the botanicals mentioned above and review slides from the webinar.
Immune support will also be needed.  Liposomal Vitamin C by epigenar, ensuring vitamin D status, and considering use of botanicals.
Black Seed Oil (epigenar) may also be a useful addition to protocol for this client. Black Seed Oil can be used at 1-2 tsp/day for adults; children aged 4-9 years, use half tsp; children aged 10-15years, use 1 tsp or half tsp, twice daily.