Hey mikey, sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I got a little busy with Thanksgiving and now I'm recovering from it all. lol

On the cat's claw vs. samento, I honestly am not sure whether it really makes a difference what is used or not. I'm using the Samento by Nutramedix because that is what my Lyme doctor likes to use. I'm on a limited form of what is known as the Cowden Protocol. It uses herbs to try and treat the Lyme.

Last Spring I did use a Cat's Claw by Biotics Research for another ailment. My holistic gyn put me on it, as I've said before. It was a powdered herb in a capsule. I got herxing reactions from that too. So, I don't know what is so special about the samento tincture or whether it makes a difference. I do know that quite a few of the members on the Lymenet forum use the Cat's Claw from Raintree -- http://www.rain-tree.com/catclaw.htm

Info on the Cowden Protocol: http://www.bionatus.com/nutramedix/pages/lymepage.html

As I've said, my Lyme doc also has me on antibiotics, supplements and other things.

I'm herxing alot so I haven't even been able to work up to the full dosage of samento, nor have I been able to incorporate the other two herbs my doc wants me to start.

Is your niece seeing a Lyme specialist?

There is also another protocol which incorporates herbals and it is called the Buhner Protocol. Buhner is a herbalogist and has written a book "Healing Lyme."

My Lyme doc told me that he has never seen anyone clinically that recovered from Lyme without using antibiotics at least at some point during treatment. Also, that patients usually require nutritional supplements, enzymes, herbs and a multi-pronged, holistic, approach to healing.

This is a pretty good website and Forum on Lyme. The "newbie links" in the Medical Questions section are very good reading for acquiring resources on treatment.

http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php

And this woman's website has a nice list of resources. She (and her Lyme disease) has been featured on the Discovery Health Channel's "Mystery ER" show.

http://www.wildcondor.com/lymelinks.html

Hope this helps!

SomedaySoon (Sharon)