Focus on Thyme Formula (for candida overgrowth).
This anti candida remedy was originally marketed in the early 1990’s as NHF1, then as Candacurb, then as Golden Seal Formula (in order to comply with EU regulations, designed to “protect” the consumer, in other words, big pharma), and finally as Thyme Formula (thanks to yet more EU regulations designed to protect the vested interests that campaigned for them). This is an extremely powerful anti-candida product consisting of seven anti candidal herbs. In severe cases, westronglysuggest preceding taking it with Wild Endive Formula (for candida die-off), as discussed below, for up to two months, or at the very least taking both at the same time, as it may otherwise cause Herxheirmer / die-off reactions.
In an article in the Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine in June 1993 entitled “Conquering Candida”, the original formulator described it as such : –
“NHF1 {Thyme Formula} has simplified the treatment of candidiasis enormously. We used to spend much time at each consultation identifying the various organs infected by Candida and would then test a variety of supplements for their activity at these sites. We often found that several supplements had to be combined in order to achieve the spectrum of activity that we needed to eliminate Candida overgrowth completely. Now, in all but the most complicated of cases, we have been able to abandon this tedious procedure. We also found that resistance to individual supplements would sometimes develop, necessitating a change of supplement half-way through treatment. This hardly ever occurs with Thyme Formula, presumably because of its highly composite nature”.*
* Composite meaning “from a wide variety of herbs”.
Thyme Formula properties
1. Thyme Formula is a highly effective herbal remedy, designed to bring Candida under control in 2-3 months, and usually eliminates it within six months. (Please note, one bottle = 2 weeks supply on an average / typical dosage of 2 capsules twice per day).
2. Thyme Formula has been designed to penetrate all organs, including those difficult to access, such as the colon, brain, vagina, and bone.
3. Thyme Formula contains several different anticandidal herbs and therefore possesses a broader spectrum of activity than a single agent against the many different candida strains encountered clinically. For the same reason, resistance to Thyme Formula is less likely to develop. By using a combination of herbs, the ingredients work synergistically. In other words the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
4. Thyme Formula provides an array at beneficial effects in addition to its anticandidal activity that are relevant to the control of candidiasis:
i) It supports the immune system. If Candida is merely killed by an antifungal agent and the immune system left unsupported, the chances of recurrence are high.
ii) It supports the liver, which is usually stressed by Candida and its toxins. Improving liver function helps combat Candida overgrowth since the liver is part of the immune system, and since bile is inhibitory to intestinal Candida. The liver is also the main eliminatory organ for Candida toxins, which cause many of the symptoms associated with candidiasis.
iii) It enhances secretions from all digestive organs. Such secretions inhibit intestinal Candida and diminish gas production, a frequent problem in candidiasis.
iv) It supports the adrenal glands. There is a reciprocal relationship between the adrenal glands and Candida: hypofunction of the adrenal glands permits Candida overgrowth, and Candida damages the adrenal glands by free-radical and autoimmune mechanisms.
v) It helps treat intestinal bacterial dysbiosis. Dysbiosis is responsible for allowing Candida to overgrow in the first place, and additionally, contributes to the intestinal disturbance (gas, bloating, and discomfort) and systemic toxicity associated with candidiasis.
vi) It helps heal the leaky gut induced by Candida. A leaky gut encourages the development of food allergies and facilitates the absorption of toxins from the bowel.
vii) It is strongly anti-protozoal. Infestation with intestinal protozoan parasites such as Giardia and Blastocystis often accompanies candidiasis. Such a parasitosis may cause some of the symptoms attributed to Candida (gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, leaky gut, dizziness, fatigue), and may also give rise to immunosuppression.
viii) It possesses useful anti-nematode activity. Nematode (worm) infestation sometimes accompanies candidiasis and may be responsible for some of the symptoms attributed to Candida (abdominal discomfort gas, ileo-caecal valve dysfunction, leaky gut, fatigue), and may also give rise to immunosuppression.
ix) It helps treat the hypoglycaemia that often results from candidiasis. Much of the malaise and discomfort experienced by Candida victims originates from hypoglycaemia.
Please note, because they are so similar, if the “regular” Thyme Formula is out of stock, we may send Thyme Formula A (below) instead rather than keep customers waiting.
Thyme Formula A
Thyme Formula A is an alternative herbal blend to Thyme Formula more appropriate for people with sensitive gastro intestinal systems, Colitis or Crohn’s disease. The only difference is that the Cayenne (Chilli pepper) has been replaced with Yellow Dock in the “A” formula. Thyme Formula is a minimally gentler remedy than the regular Thyme Formula but on a parr – more or less – in terms of effectiveness.
Oregano Formula
Oregano Formula has been formulated with seven herbs (one of which is Oregano) by the same people as Thyme Formula for those requiring a completely different anti candidal product – it would usually be used if Thyme Formula is too aggressive and the person wants an effective but gentler polyherbal formula. It can also be useful if Thyme Formula doesn’t work. And it can be alternated on an approximately two weekly rotational basis with Thyme Formula for the people we come across occasionally who find that no matter what they take, their bodies become resistant to single products within days or weeks*.
* If seems to be necessary or desirable to rotate it with a third anti-candidal polyherbal remedy, I usually recommend Mycozil.
How Long Must I Take Them For?
Too many of our customers expect to be cured in a week. Sorry, but although there are odd exceptions, that just isn’t the way nature normally works. So even though it sounds a bit patronising to repeat myself, as I wrote above Thyme Formula is a highly effective herbal remedy, designed to bring Candida under control in 2-3 months, and usually eliminates it within six months.
Please note, one bottle = 2 weeks supply on an average / typical dosage of 2 capsules twice per day.
Probiotics and anti candidal herbal remedies
When taking Thyme or Oregano Fomula or Mycozil it is important to take a high quality probiotic such to replenish the gut with friendly bacterial strains. The ones we most commonly recommend due to their excellent success in their own right at combatting candida are Threelac or Fivelac. If possible the probiotic should be taken at least an hour away from Thyme Formula or any other herbal remedies that are antifungal or antibacterial.
Dealing with die-off / Herxheimer reaction: Wild Endive Formula (for candida toxins)
Originally marketed in the early 1990’s as NHF8, then as Candatoxcurb, then when that name became illegal under EU regulations, renamed as Bayberry Formula. It was then re-formulated and renamed a second time as Wild Endive Formula in order to comply with yet more petty EU regulation designed as the authorities put it to “protect the consumer” in other words “protect the pharmaceutical industry that campaigned for it”. Five of the seven herbs are the same as the original formulation, and we estimate that it’s around 90% as effective. In an article in the Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine in June 1993 entitled “Conquering Candida”, the formulator described it as such (please note, we have amended the wording by using the newest name for the product here)
“Candida toxins are undoubtedly the cause of much of the symptomatology associated with candidiasis. Pre-eminent among these is acetaldehyde, which poisons by irreversibly binding to tissues and destroying them by free-radical activity.(1,2). Whilst it takes some months to eliminate Candida overgrowth, it is often possible to lower the level of Candida toxins quite quickly, and to achieve this we give Wild Endive Formula alongside the anti-candidal treatment. This formula contains herbs that support appropriate eliminatory pathways, and is also an antioxidant formula. One lady who was suicidal actually claimed that it saved her life by lifting her Candida-induced depression within a matter of days.”
Wild Endive Formula is especially useful for severe cases, and for those who have a history of a “die‑off” reaction when undergoing anticandidal treatment as it will minimise the die off symptoms. It should precede anticandidal therapy in such patients for approximately two months, or the two may be given concurrently where there is less concern over a possible die‑off reaction.
Please note, because they are so similar, when Wild Endive Formula is out of stock but Wild Endive Formula is in stock, we will usually ship Wild Endive Formula A (explained below) rather than keep customers waiting.
Wild Endive Formula-A
For most Candida sufferers, Wild Endive Formula is an extremely useful and well tolerated remedy. However, it has emerged that for a small minority, its mild anticandidal activity from ginger is sufficient to provoke a die-off reaction. In Wild Endive Formula-A this has been removed and replaced with Artichoke and Galangal so that it is completely devoid of even mild anticandidal activity.
Diet Whilst Using These Products
Avoid alcohol and sugar while you are trying to eradicate candida, dysbiosis or small intestine bacterial overgrowth as much as you can. Consumption of the above will slow down your improvement. I am not a fan though of being obsessional or making your life into a complete misery over it, as advocated by some practitioners. Stevia, xylitol or erythritol are usually OK, unless following a FODMAPS diet, which I am not going to go into in detail here.
Try them – be willing to give them a fair crack of the whip as opposed to dabbling with them for a week or two, which frankly is a waste of time with any herbal remedy, and let us know how you get on. Reviews on the web site are always very, very welcome.
Mark G. Lester & The Vicious Wolf
Director and Overall Clever Cloggs
The Finchley Clinic Ltd
www.thefinchleyclinic.com