The Cowden report is a protocol developed by Dr. Wm. Lee Cowden for people in the early and late stages of Lyme disease, and to minimize the symptoms associated with Lyme disease. Cowden’s protocol is also used in other chronic disease states.
The Cowden protocol uses 14 different Nutramedix products, including 7 herbs called Microbial Defense that have antibacterial activity. The first two herbs: Banderol and Samento, were tested in vitro by Dr. Eva Sapi and her team at the University of New Haven, Connecticut. It has been proven that both herbs eliminate all forms of Borrelia burgdorferi (spirochetes, cysts, biofilms). It has also been shown that Banderol and Samento are more effective in breaking up the cysts and biofilms of Borrelia bacteria than doxycycline. Dr. Richard Horowitz of New York stated that the Cowden protocol is effective in 70-80% of patients with advanced LBC for a period of 4 to 6 months, even if the patient’s condition has not improved over several series of antibiotics. Dr. Horowitz presented his research on the use of the Cowden protocol in patients with Lyme disease and co-infections at the ILADS conference in autumn 2007. A 9-month study was also conducted using the Cowden protocol by the Borealis Center in Augsburg, Germany. The studies were completed in 2012 and showed that 80% of patients show improvement of symptoms (according to the patient’s interview) and 90% showed improved blood tests results in the laboratory.
One of the reasons for the success of the Cowden protocol is that Microbial Defense products have a broad spectrum of activity – against bacteria, fungi, parasites and even viruses, they have anti-inflammatory effects and are not toxic to the body. The use of herbs helps in fighting Borrelia infection and other microbiological infections, removing symptoms accompanying the disease, strengthening the immune system, do not cause intestinal dysbiosis and are safe in use. Toxicological studies at the University of Guayaquil, Ecuador have shown that herbs from the Cowden protocol can be administered to animals thousands of times over the recommended dose without changes in animal behavior or organ histopathology.
Description of general properties of all products from the Cowden protocol:
BANDEROL Microbial Defense: anti-inflammatory properties, broad spectrum of antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic, effective against bacteria Borelia burgdorferii and other Borrelia bacteria and tick-borne co-infections such as Bartonella, Babesia, Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, Rickettsia (including Coxiella and Erlichia) or Cytomegalovirus.
BURBUR-PINELLA Detox: supports detoxification of the brain and central nervous system, cleanses the body of toxins and biotoxins, detoxifies the liver, kidneys, lymphatic system and intercellular spaces, and purifies the blood. It eliminates toxins from the brain, spine and peripheral nervous system. Burbur-Pinella is also effective in reducing Herx’s reaction.
CUMANDA Microbial Defense: anti-inflammatory properties, a broad spectrum of antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic, effective against Borelia burgdorferii and other Borrelia bacteria and tick-borne co-infections. It also has a strong antifungal activity against Candida, Apargillus and Mucor fungi. It also has the properties of crossing the blood-brain barrier.
ENULA Microbial Defense: anti-inflammatory properties, a broad spectrum of antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic, effective against bacteria of the Borrelia species and some species of Babesi.
HOUTTUYNIA Microbial Defense: anti-inflammatory properties, a broad spectrum of antibacterial and antifungal activity, effective against Borelia burgdorferi and other Borrelia bacteria and tick-borne co-infections. High efficiency against Bartonelia.
MAGNESIUM MALATE: it is a form of magnesium absorbed very well by the body. Magnesium is an essential mineral required for proper functioning of the organism. The majority of people with chronic diseases have a magnesium deficit. About fifty percent of the metabolic enzymes that ultimately account for ATP energy production for the proper functioning of cells require magnesium as a cofactor. Magnesium is necessary to maintain normal heart rhythm, blood pressure, nerve and brain function, normal contraction and relaxation of skeletal muscles, as well as smooth muscle in the intestines, bile ducts, pancreatic duct, etc.
MORA Microbial Defense: anti-inflammatory properties, a broad spectrum of antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic activity.
PARSLEY Detox: cleanses the body of toxins and biotoxins, detoxifies the liver, kidneys, lymphatic system and intercellular space, cleanses the blood. Parsley Detox is also effective in reducing Herx’s reaction. In addition, it supplements deficiencies of calcium, iron, thiamine, riboflavin, carotenes, vitamin A and vitamin C.
SAMENTO Microbial Defense: is an effective modulator of the immune system, has a broad spectrum of antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and antiparasitic activity, effective against Borelia burgdorferii and other Borrelia bacteria and tick-borne co-infections.
SEALANTRO Metal Detox: helps detoxify the body from heavy metals, various biotoxins and many other toxic substances.
SERRAPEPTASE: is a proteolytic enzyme (decomposing protein) obtained from the digestive system of silkworms. This enzyme digests fibrin that covers Borrelia bacteria and helps break down microbial biofilms. The distribution of fibrin that protects the bacteria makes the cells of the immune system effective in attacking and fighting pathological microflora. In addition, Serrapeptase breaks down fibrin adhering to the capillary walls and thereby improves oxygen transport to tissues. Therefore, in those tissues, where anaerobic conditions favourable for the development of bacteria predominated, the environment is changed to oxygen, i.e. unfavorable for bacteria.
SPARGA Sulphur Detox: helps remove sulfo antibiotics and other sulfonamide-based drugs that block the body’s sulphate pathways and routes of conjugation of glutathione toxins.
STEVIA: demonstrates antibacterial activity against all developmental forms of Borelia bacteria and against biofilm, a broad spectrum of antifungal and antioxidant activity.
TAKUNA Microbial Defense: shows very strong antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. It weakens the symptoms of infection.
Additional information:
People using the Cowden Support Program should drink 2-3 liters of water a day (correspondingly less for children depending on weight). They should reduce stress and should use relaxation techniques. Correct rest at night is very important – you should sleep in a darkened bedroom at least from 11 p.m. to 6-7 in the morning. The diet should contain large amounts of raw vegetables and fruits, preferably organic, and should exclude sugar, excess starch, processed foods, products containing wheat, dairy products (of cow origin) and refined oils. Diet is an important element of improving health.
NOTICE: Fiber and most products used as toxin binding agents can be taken at least minutes after the adoption of any product from the Cowden Protocol and at least 4 hours prior to the adoption of any such product. Products such as activated carbon, bentonite clay and cholestyramine (Questran) can be taken ONLY if it is absolutely necessary, e.g. when the Herxheimer reaction occurs.