Elder Berry, Astragalus, Lion's Mane

[Pinecone7288]

Hello, I am 24 years old and I just got diagnosed with Chron's Disease via a colonoscopy last month (Nov, 2021). I have 2 questions below, I will also give some context:

I have been buying books, supplements, changing my diet, etc. My question is: Has anyone attempted to use Elder Berry, Astragalus, or Lion's Mane for their Chron's Disease? I have tried Elder Berry Juice immune support recently, I tried 2 capsules of Astragalus for 3 mornings as a test, and I tried 1 Lion's Mane capsule today. I have done a decent amount of research on these 3 supplements but I know certain sites recommend against Astragalus & Elder Berry for those with Auto-Immune diseases. I haven't been taking these supplements for very long and I haven't had any adverse side effects so far (example: I have had no pain, no vomiting, no cramping). The Astragalus has been making me gas quite frequently, not sure if it's helped me to poop a lot too, but my stool is very consistent. Good color stool as before trying Astragalus.

My second question is: Has anyone had any long term success with these supplements?
I also know that Lion's Mane(according to my research) has beneficial aid to the intestines? I read an article on it, so I think that's accurate. I have not consulted my doctor with these particular supplements and I have not tried Elder Berry Gummies as of the time I'm writing this post. I would recommend to anyone to first talk with their doctor before trying any of these supplements. I know I didn't follow any doctor's orders with these, so pardon my hypocrisy here, but maybe view me as a test subject.

 

[lukesjr]

question 1. I have attempted all of them and more.

question 2. yes and no.

It is really hard to tell what is working and what isn't from a supplement perspective. Supplements aren't drugs, so they act really slowly for the most part. Some are harsh and act quick, like oregano oil, but most don't. Also, how you take them can have a dramatic effect on how they work, empty stomach, time of day, etc.

I prefer to use supplements identified and tested, which you can find via NIH research platform. I posted a link to an example article in another post.

As to success. I was having a really bad time back in 2012 when I was first diagnosed, went through 2 GI doctors. Second GI doctor was really good and prescribed me apriso, Visibiome, and told me to take tumeric. His prescription of tumeric was what got me started. I have never had a dr prescribe anything but a medication. Since then I have tried everything, normally taking something for 6 months to check for efficacy. Here we are 9 years later I am still trying new things. 3 years ago I had a completely clean scope, and a year before that a MRI that showed no signs of crohns. So, I think I have had success, but I know that can all change in an instant.

I don't take any of the supplements you mentioned above now. Elderberry on occasion for colds and such. I am taking a bunch of different things though.

 

[Pinecone7288]

I would love to know the new things you are now taking @lukesjr, I appreciate the feedback; I myself plan to try Astragalus for 4 months, then break, then 4 months again. It hasn’t given me any cramps or pain but only good in my bowels & nasal passages.
I can look into the NIH websites for more info, thanks.
So you assume that your Chron’s in in full remission based on that MRI? How do you maintain that?

 

[lukesjr]

sorry for the long delay. Here is my current list
mulitviatamin, vitamin D with mk7, pomegranate, alfalfa, psyllium fiber, hawthorn berry, Krill oil/Fish oil, visibiome probiotic (I am not sure this does anything but Dr said get on it), Tumeric, resveratol, magnesium.

Taking benefiber caused my a lot of stomach pain, psyllium has been much better. I did L glutamine for a long long time, like years. Maybe add that back in, just wanted to take a break from it and see if anything changed.

Things to remember. Supplements are not drugs, they take a long time to work if they work at all. Choose your brand carefully, there are so many brands that make false claims.

 

[Pinecone7288]

Thanks for the reply and info @lukesjr - I am aware of the difference between drugs and supplements, and I know that Turmeric, resveratrol, magnesium, vitamin D are all supplements, I am glad you're taking those! That's great, I take some of those you listed too. I always wonder if there is a way to get Chron's into Remission based on supplements and herbs alone. I saw someone else on this Forum apparently do it with such methods.

 

[lukesjr]

I am can only speak to me. I had mild crohns, just the ileum. I started on supplements/fasting in 2012ish. My last colonoscopy had me all clear, dr was surprised. So for me it has worked pretty well, but I know that can change any day. I just trying to stay off immunosuppressants until they figure this thing out.

 

[Pinecone7288]

I am can only speak to me. I had mild crohns, just the ileum. I started on supplements/fasting in 2012ish. My last colonoscopy had me all clear, dr was surprised. So for me it has worked pretty well, but I know that can change any day. I just trying to stay off immunosuppressants until they figure this thing out.

Gotcha. Yeah I had Mild Chron’s too. It’s very strange how Chron’s Disease can morph really at any time. Truly scary IMO. I think being off immunosuppressants is smart, but that’s just my opinion. I hope you find the answers you are looking for Luke!

 

[lukesjr]

the immunosuppressant route never logically made sense to me. If it were my only option I would take it for sure. But there are so many other things you can try. I am a big believer in fasting and natural antivirals/antimicrobials. People just need to go read the NIH research. There was one on wormwood where it had better remission rates than current treatments!

I started taking alfalfa a few weeks back, and I have been even more regular than usual. Could be mental or could be the cyclic nature of things in our bodies, but I am going to stay on it for a while and see.

 

[Pinecone7288]

the immunosuppressant route never logically made sense to me. If it were my only option I would take it for sure. But there are so many other things you can try. I am a big believer in fasting and natural antivirals/antimicrobials. People just need to go read the NIH research. There was one on wormwood where it had better remission rates than current treatments!

I started taking alfalfa a few weeks back, and I have been even more regular than usual. Could be mental or could be the cyclic nature of things in our bodies, but I am going to stay on it for a while and see.

I’ll look into WormWood, I’m assuming that’s an herb? Have you had CT scans to confirm your natural treatment is keeping you in remission?

What does fasting and anti-virals/anti-microbials do?

 

[lukesjr]

mri that showed no signs of crohns plus nothing from a colonoscopy

 

[Pinecone7288]

mri that showed no signs of crohns plus nothing from a colonoscopy

Oh yeah, you mentioned that! Pardon me. I’m impressed nevertheless.

 

[Ignotius]

astragalus i got afraid of......even that astra-gin magical synergy is tempting but there are so many things that work diff ways so i ended up shelfing the idea.....

lions mane i love as concentrated extract but i take alot of things so i was already taking it as a nootropic and happy to learn it had GI benefits as well.

elder berry i ...hmm...why? if it is the anthocyanin, i think it may be better off trying something like bilberry, blueberry, maqui....japonica, many sources really......i saw a few sources saying about that anyway.............something about certain antioxidants seem to work in good ways or bad ways for IBD ppls.