BURBUR PINELLA
Updated: 3 days ago
I used this consistently for about 10 years, and then as needed. It has helped me countless times. I absolutely believe in it.
Burbur Pinella is a NutraMedix liquid that blends two herbs. It is one of the detox herbs in Dr. Lee Cowden's Lyme protocol, and many people use it to help ease Herx reactions.
Short on time or energy? A quick-view graphic with the key points is at the bottom of this post.
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WHAT IS BURBUR PINELLA?
- Burbur comes from the leaves of Desmodium molliculum, a plant from the Andes mountains. It is harvested in Peru as high as 3,500 meters (about 11,500 feet).
- In traditional medicine in Ecuador, this plant has been used for inflammation, wound healing, stomach ulcers and liver problems.
- Burbur leaf has also been used traditionally for cleansing, including the liver, kidneys and lymphatic system.
- Pinella comes from anise (Pimpinella anisum). Anise has been used for centuries from the Mediterranean to southwest Asia. Anise and related plants have mostly been used for digestion and breathing.
- NutraMedix sells Burbur and Pinella on their own, and together as Burbur Pinella.
WHAT LYME-LITERATE DOCTORS SAY
- Dr. Lee Cowden: the newer 6-month Cowden+ program begins with three days of detox and energy support (Burbur Pinella, dandelion and magnesium malate) before the first microbial formula is added. These three stay in for all six months.
- Dr. Joseph Jemsek's clinic (2022) lists Burbur and Pinella among the products their patients have done very well with. The clinic notes that it doesn't endorse any product.
- The clinic says Pinella is a key part of Dr. Cowden's protocol. Dr. Cowden and others have found it helpful for clearing man-made toxins and biotoxins from the brain and nervous system. Some patients and providers noticed their brain fog eased.
- The clinic also says Burbur is part of the Cowden protocol, and health care providers report it has eased a strong Herx in many cases.
- This comes from doctors' experience and traditional use. No studies have tested Burbur or Pinella in people with Lyme yet, so research is still needed.
- More about the Cowden protocol here:
COWDEN PROTOCOL
HERX AND DETOX SUPPORT
- When herbs or antibiotics start working, die-off can make you feel worse for a while. This is called a Herx.
- NutraMedix describes these herbs as cleansing support that may make Herx-like reactions easier.
- In the Cowden+ program, the amounts start low and build slowly over the first month. The goal is to give the body time to adjust and lower the chance of Herx-like reactions.
- Ideas to help with die-off and detox here:
HERX - POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
HERX vs. FLARE EDUCATION
DETOX - POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
BINDERS
PEKANA DETOX DRAINAGE KIT - BIORESOURCE
LYMPH DRAINAGE
LIVER SUPPORT - POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
LIVER HEALTH and LYME
TOLERATING TREATMENT
BRAIN FOG AND NERVES
- NutraMedix says Pinella may support the brain and nerves, and Burbur Pinella may help with occasional brain fog.
- More ideas here:
BRAIN FOG - POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
BRAIN FOG EDUCATION
HEAD PAIN / HEAD PRESSURE - POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
BURBUR PINELLA OPTIONS ON FULLSCRIPT
- All three are NutraMedix liquids. The labels say to add the drops to a small glass of water and wait one minute before drinking. NutraMedix says not to use distilled, reverse osmosis or hot water.
Both herbs together, the one I used:
Buy here (NutraMedix Burbur-Pinella Detox Brain-Nerve Cleanse):
- Burbur Pinella combined is the one mentioned most. Occasionally someone wants to take just one of the herbs, so here are both on their own.
Burbur by itself, for cleansing and Herx support:
Buy here (NutraMedix Burbur):
Pinella by itself, for brain and nerve support:
Buy here (NutraMedix Pinella):
- More NutraMedix herbs here:
NUTRAMEDIX
BANDEROL (OTOBA BARK)
CRYPTOLEPIS
A note from me: this list doesn't cover everything. Burbur Pinella may offer more benefits than I've included here. I'm sharing the uses that are best known or most studied as of today, from sources I trust. Research keeps growing, and one post can only cover so much.
BEFORE YOU START
- Read the warning on each bottle.
- Pregnancy and nursing: all three labels say not to use them.
- Alcohol: all three contain 20 to 24% alcohol.
- Start low and go slow with your doctor's guidance.
- Always ask your doctor before adding anything new.
MY EXPERIENCE
When I was herxing, one of my keys was increasing my Pekana kit and Burbur-Pinella.
My doctor also had me add Burbur Pinella, or increase it, when I was having ammonia issues, along with yucca root.
AMMONIA TOXICITY EDUCATION
AMMONIA TOXICITY - POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
YUCCA ROOT
In our groups, Burbur Pinella is the one mentioned most for head pain and head pressure.
Let us know if you use Burbur Pinella and your experience.
RELATED POSTS
COWDEN PROTOCOL
NUTRAMEDIX
HERX - POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
DETOX - POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
BRAIN FOG - POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
SOURCES
Dr. Lee Cowden and NutraMedix, Cowden+ Support Program (2026)
NutraMedix, Burbur Pinella product page and FAQ (2026)
Jemsek Specialty Clinic, Supplements aiding in Lyme disease fight (2022)
Penaherrera et al., Desmodium molliculum study, Frontiers in Plant Science (2025)
Wu et al., Pimpinella (anise) review, Molecules (2023)
Fullscript product labels: NutraMedix Burbur-Pinella, Burbur and Pinella (2026)
Disclaimer: Rise Above Lyme makes no claims about any possible benefit of using any product mentioned within this site. Always consult with your doctor before adding anything. The information shared is based on personal experience, years of accumulated researched resources from Lyme Literate doctors and polls conducted within Lyme groups from actual patient experience using these solution ideas.
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