Seeking expert opinion on Reptaid

[Elizadolots]

"For a drug at least the chemical mechanism is known."

Sometimes. Often the knowledge that it works and can be used safely precedes any idea of how it works.

Although the exact way that Cymbalta works in people is unknown, it is believed to be related to an increase in the activity of serotonin and norepinephrine, which are two naturally occurring substances in the brain and spinal cord.

 

[KingJulien]

"For a drug at least the chemical mechanism is known."

Sometimes. Often the knowledge that it works and can be used safely precedes any idea of how it works.

Good point. Some drugs are found effective for one probelm when they are being used for another purpose, or their method is not fully understood for years. My son takes an "off label" med that is meant for something completely different.

 

[Syn]

I asked initially (post #1) for the opinion of a qualified vet or scientist. Later (post#32) I said "the information I would be most interested in is the risks/benefits of each of the ingredients, and how and why they work. "

This is not meant to be a snarky response, I know this is a super long and wordy thread.

This does not answer my question whatsoever. I simply asked "What qualifies anyone as an expert?"

 

[PedroANDAshley]

I asked initially (post #1) for the opinion of a qualified vet or scientist. Later (post#32) I said "the information I would be most interested in is the risks/benefits of each of the ingredients, and how and why they work. "

Reptaid Ingredients:

*

Olive Leaf - Helps keep colds and flu at bay, supports immune system, high in antioxidants. Olive Leaf is an excellent anti-microbial that will kill viruses and bacteria.
*

Mustard Seed - Used in fevers, colds and influenza. Helps move acute conditions from the body more quickly.
*

Black Seed - An overall tonic herb known for its effects on the respiratory system, stomach and intestinal tract, kidney and liver, and the circulatory and immune system.
*

Pau D’arco - South American herb that is used for parasites and fungus. Also used for dry cough, anti-inflammatory and blood cleansing. We also use this herb for it’s anti-bacterial properties. Large doses or continued use of this product can cause miscarriage in pregnant animals.
*

Cloves - To rid the body of any microscopic parasites and soothes the intestinal tract. Strong disinfecting action.
*

Grapefruit Seed Extract – Used as a parasitic for small parasites. Has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties.
*

Alcohol - To bring out the properties in the herbs and preserve the tincture.
*

Distilled Water.
*

A single 1 ounce bottle contains 300 doses.


Well theres the ingredient but I couldnt tell you WHY they work but it does say for what

 

[Elizadolots]

Olive Leaf - Helps keep colds and flu at bay, supports immune system, high in antioxidants. Olive Leaf is an excellent anti-microbial that will kill viruses and bacteria.

Here's what Wikipedia says:

Olive leaf is the leaf of the olive tree (Olea europaea). While olive oil is well known for its flavor and health benefits, the leaf has been used medicinally in various times and places. Natural olive leaf and olive leaf extracts (OLE), are now marketed as anti-aging, immunostimulators, and even antibiotics. Clinical evidence has proven the blood pressure lowering effects of carefully extracted olive leaf extracts.[1][2][3][4] Bioassays support its antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory effects at a laboratory level. A liquid extract made directly from fresh olive leaves recently gained international attention when it was shown to have an antioxidant capacity almost double green tea extract and 400% higher than vitamin C.[5]

Mustard Seed - Used in fevers, colds and influenza. Helps move acute conditions from the body more quickly.

Well, Mustard in various forms has long been used in both home and official medical situations. The "mustard pack" was once a common "cure" for most respiratory infections. When my grandmother had major abdominal cancer (it was 1959, they didn't have the ability to determine much about "type of cancer"...her uterus, ovaries, spleen, all but 3 feet of her intestines and 2/3rd of her stomach were removed by a surgeon) her "chemo therapy" was to be inflated with mustard gas (yes, that mustard gas). They filled her up and then rolled her back and forth on a bed (two nurses) for an hour, several times a day. (this was the year I was born, I heard this story but did not witness it). The woman lived another 38 years, dying at 94.

Black Seed - An overall tonic herb known for its effects on the respiratory system, stomach and intestinal tract, kidney and liver, and the circulatory and immune system.

This is also called Nigella Sativa or Black Cumin. Here's what Wikipedia says:

Nigella sativa has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries, both as a herb and pressed into oil, in Asia, Middle East, and Africa. It has been traditionally used for a variety of conditions and treatments related to respiratory health, stomach and intestinal health, kidney and liver function, circulatory and immune system support, as analgesic, antiinflammatory, antiallergic, antioxidants, anticancer, antiviral and for general well-being.
In Islam, it is regarded as one of the greatest forms of healing medicine available. Prophet Mohammed once stated that the black seed can heal every disease—except death—as recounted in the following hadith:
[Sahih Muslim : Book 26 Kitab As-Salam, Number 5489]
Abu Huraira reported that he heard Allah's Messenger as saying: Nigella seed is a remedy for every disease except death.

Okay...so, history is on its side....

Black cumin oil contains nigellone, which protects guinea pigs from histamine-induced bronchial spasms[5] (perhaps explaining its use to relieve the symptoms of asthma, bronchitis, and coughing).
The presence of an anti-tumor sterol, beta-sitosterol, lends credence to its traditional use to treat abscesses and tumors of the abdomen, eyes, and liver.[6]

and...science is not opposed...

Pau D’arco - South American herb that is used for parasites and fungus. Also used for dry cough, anti-inflammatory and blood cleansing. We also use this herb for it’s anti-bacterial properties. Large doses or continued use of this product can cause miscarriage in pregnant animals.

This is also known as Tabebuia and here's what Wikipedia says:

The bark of several species has medical properties. The bark is dried, shredded, and then boiled making a bitter or sour-tasting brownish-colored tea. Tea from the inner bark of Pink Ipê (T. impetiginosa) is known as Lapacho or Taheebo. Its main active principles are lapachol, quercetin, and other flavonoids. It is also available in pill form. The herbal remedy is typically used during flu and cold season and for easing smoker's cough. It apparently works as expectorant, by promoting the lungs to cough up and free deeply embedded mucus and contaminants.

Cloves - To rid the body of any microscopic parasites and soothes the intestinal tract. Strong disinfecting action.

Are y'all too young to remember that movie where Laurence Olivier tortured Dustin Hoffman with dental instruments and then relieved his pain with Clove Oil? So, as something to provide comfort, cloves certainly have historical backing.

Wikipedia says:

Cloves are used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine, Chinese medicine, and western herbalism and dentistry, where the essential oil is used as an anodyne (painkiller) for dental emergencies. Cloves are used as a carminative, to increase hydrochloric acid in the stomach and to improve peristalsis. Cloves are also said to be a natural anthelmintic.[3]

Grapefruit Seed Extract – Used as a parasitic for small parasites. Has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties.

I can't find anything that doesn't raise questions on this, but it is reported to be an antibiotic with properties like cranberries.

 

[PedroANDAshley]

Cool info

 

[KingJulien]

This does not answer my question whatsoever. I simply asked "What qualifies anyone as an expert?"

It anwers your question in terms of who I would consider an expert. I guess you disagree?

 

[Syn]

It anwers your question in terms of who I would consider an expert. I guess you disagree?

I suppose I misunderstood, then.

If that is the case, that you are asking for opinions of a qualified vet or scientist... if that is who you consider an expert... we do not have many on this forum....

 

[KingJulien]

Elizadolots, I won't quote your post because it's long but thanks! Lots of info on the ingredients. The concern I have is that the remedies could have side effects or interaction problems. It does seem like most of the people who have used it have not had a problem, but you never know. I guess I'm still skeptical.



Here is some info on problems with other herbal remedies, and those are fairly widely used and well known.

 

[Elizadolots]

Skepticism is a good thing.

Just don't let it blind you to good options.

Obviously, if your chameleon is on other medication you should not administer Reptaid without your vet's approval. I bet a bunch of money that somewhere on their site, they say that.

You might want to reach out to other reptile owners in your area (there almost has to be a club) and see what they say. Real people have more verisimilitude than online people.

 

[KingJulien]

I hear ya. I think I would try it if my cham were in a very beginning stage of illness, of course not with any other drug or supplement. I haven't read any instance of anyone's animal becoming more ill after taking it. Of course, that doesn't mean it can't happen, so I remain skeptical. Maybe after I get that freebie I'll be convinced.

 

[Elizadolots]

Please report what you find from the "freebie"...I'm interested.

I'm sure I'm not alone in that.

 

[KingJulien]

lol, yes for anyone who is interested, I will do that.