Kn o w yourHerbs
Lisl Meredith Huebner, dipl.CH (NCCaoM), RH (aHg)
Japanese Knotweed
(Polygonum cuspidatum)
A
nyone who is even slightly fa-
similarities between these two entirely
vironment becomes
miliar with Japanese Knotweed
different species. I point this out to illus-
more hospitable.
knows that it is tenacious and
trate that the qualities inherent in Japa-
Spirochetes are no-
difficult to eradicate. The plants seem
nese Knotweed are precisely the factors
tably clever, and easily adapt to elude
rather intelligent, adapting to the various
needed to combat the obstinate and
antibiotics; they can then exchange re-
methods of “warfare” thrown at them.
frequently debilitating spirochetes that
sistance information within their com-
Even small pieces of root can repopulate
cause Lyme disease. You could refer to
munity and to other co-infections, mak-
quickly, taking full advantage of suitable
the overall personality of Knotweed as a
ing treatment ever more difficult. A close
circumstances to run rampant.
“doctrine of signatures” of sorts; the sur-
cousin of this spirochete is one that
Anyone who is even slightly familiar
vival traits natural to this plant are pow-
causes syphilis, and consequently there
with Lyme disease knows that it is tena-
erful indicators of the benefits that we
is strong evidence that Lyme can be
cious and extremely difficult to treat.
may utilize in our quest for health, par-
transmitted sexually as well as through
The spirochetes that cause it seem rather
ticularly when confronted with a power-
mother’s milk, saliva and in utero.
intelligent, adapting to the various meth-
ful adversary like Lyme disease.
Japanese Knotweed is a native of
ods of “warfare” thrown at them. Even
Lyme disease is caused by the Bor-
Asia, but was introduced in Britain in
small populations can survive for long
relia burgdorferi spirochete, a microor-
the nineteenth century. The clones intro-
periods of time in an imperfect environ-
ganism carried by ticks and other biting
duced in Europe reproduce through their
ment, just biding their time until condi-
insects such as mosquitoes, biting flies,
rhizomes, not via seeds so all the plants
tions improve and will take full advan-
mites and fleas. A spirochete is a gram-
there (and likely here in the US also) are
tage of suitable circumstances to run
negative bacterium that “screws” itself
in essence, one giant female. Known as
rampant throughout their host.
into tissue -particularly collagen- and
the King of Weeds (Let’s change that to
Oh dear. There seems to be striking
can encapsulate quickly under adverse
Queen, shall we?), the hardy Japanese
conditions, going dormant until its en-
Knotweed is the best known source of
34 NaturalNutmeg
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