Clinical Benefits
Clinical Benefits
Bacto-C and GI combines targeted herbal extracts and essential oils specifically formulated to address Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), a condition where excessive bacteria proliferate in the small intestine, leading to uncomfortable symptoms like bloating, gas, and digestive discomfort.
Phellodendron amurense extract, standardized for berberine content, provides potent antimicrobial action against the pathogenic bacteria that drive SIBO symptoms. Berberine works by disrupting bacterial cellular processes, including interference with DNA and protein synthesis, which suppresses bacterial replication and colony formation [42]. Additionally, berberine compromises bacterial cell membrane integrity, increasing permeability and causing leakage of intracellular contents, ultimately leading to bacterial death. These mechanisms have been shown to inhibit a range of opportunistic gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria commonly implicated in SIBO, including Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus mutans [42].
Andrographis paniculata extract, rich in andrographolides, works synergistically to support the body's natural antimicrobial defenses. While not specifically detailed in SIBO research, andrographolides are well-established for their broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties and immune-supporting effects, making them a valuable addition to bacterial overgrowth protocols.
The essential oil component featuring Origanum vulgare (oregano) provides carvacrol and thymol, volatile aromatic compounds with potent antimicrobial properties that disrupt bacterial cell membranes, increasing permeability and causing cell wall disintegration, ultimately leading to cell death [2]. Clinical trials have demonstrated remarkable efficacy, with oregano and thyme oils showing superior results to antibiotic treatment. In a comparative study, 100mg of oregano oil combined with thyme essential oils achieved 46% breath test normalization after 4 weeks compared to only 34% with the antibiotic rifaximin after 2 weeks [3]. Even more impressive, patients who didn't respond to rifaximin achieved 57-60% breath test normalization when switched to the essential oil protocol [3].
Pimpinella anisum (aniseed) essential oil contains anethole and related compounds that provide both antimicrobial and antispasmodic benefits. In a double-blind clinical trial involving 120 IBS patients, anise oil treatment for 4 weeks resulted in 75% of patients becoming completely symptom-free, with all participants experiencing significant improvement in abdominal discomfort, bloating, diarrhea, constipation severity, difficulty in defecation, gastroesophageal reflux, headache, and tiredness [36]. The antispasmodic properties help relax intestinal muscles, reducing cramping and spasms while also decreasing gas formation and aiding in the expulsion of trapped gas.
[2]>https://www.metagenicsinstitute.com.au/tech-data/small-intestinal-bacterial-control
[3]>https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4030608/
[36]>https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874116316294
[42]>https://www.metagenicsinstitute.com.au/protocols/small-intestinal-bacterial-overgrowth
Ingredients
Phellodendron amurense ext.
equiv. Berberine
ext. equiv. dry (stem bark)
80 mg
38 mg
1.6 g
Andrographis paniculata ext.
equiv. Andrographolides
ext. equiv. dry (whole plant)
100 mg
10 mg
1 g
Pimpinella anisum (Aniseed) (seed) essential oil
125 mg
Origanum vulgare (Oregano) (leaf) essential oil
75 mg
Instructions
Instructions
Dosage
2 capsules 2 times daily before meals
Duration
4 weeks
Warnings
Contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation or if likely to become pregnant
If diarrhoea persists for more than 6 hours in infants under 6 months, 12 hours in children under 3 years, 24 hours in children aged 3-6 years or 48 hours in adults and children over 6 years, seek medical advice
Always read the label
Dietary supplements should not replace a balanced diet
If symptoms persist, worsen or change unexpectedly, consult your healthcare professional
For short-term use only
Andrographis may cause taste disturbance, including loss of taste, loss of appetite, vomiting and abdominal discomfort
If you develop any adverse symptoms, stop taking the product as soon as possible and seek medical advice
Andrographis may cause allergic reactions in some people; if you have a severe reaction (such as anaphylaxis) stop use and seek immediate medical attention
Contraindications
Contraindications
This supplement may interact with the following categories of medications, as well as specific active ingredients.
• Birth control pills
• Caffiene
• Codeine
• Diazepam
• Estrogens
• Fluoxetine
• Imipramine
• Medications for diabetes
• Midazolam
• Tamoxifen
• Medications for high blood pressure
• Medications that decrease the immune system
• Medications that slow blood clotting
• Etoricoxib
• Glipizide
• Dextromethorphan
• Losartan
• Medications changed by the liver - refer list
• Metformin
• Pentobarbital
• Sedative medications
• Tacrolimus
Further details are provided below.
Please note that medications may be sold under different brand names, so check the listed active ingredients against your medication packaging.
Major Interactions
Moderate Interactions
Birth control pills
• Contraceptive drugs
Some birth control pills contain estrogen. Taking anise along with birth control pills might decrease the effects of birth control pills. If you take birth control pills along with anise, use an additional form of birth control such as a condom.
Caffeine
Taking anise oil with caffeine might reduce the levels of caffeine in the blood. This might decrease the effects of caffeine.
Codeine is changed into morphine by the liver. Taking anise oil with codeine might increase the effects and side effects of codeine.
Diazepam
The body breaks down diazepam to get rid of it. Taking anise oil with diazepam might slow down how quickly the body breaks down diazepam. This might increase the effects and side effects of diazepam.
Estrogens
• Oral contraceptive pill
• Estradiol
• Conjugated estrogens
• HRT combination products
Large amounts of anise might have some of the same effects as estrogen. Taking anise along with estrogen pills might increase or decrease the effects of estrogen pills.
Fluoxetine
Taking anise oil with fluoxetine might reduce how well fluoxetine works.
Imipramine
• Tofranil
Taking anise oil with imipramine might reduce how well imipramine works.
Medications for diabetes
• Glyburide
• Glipizide
• Insulin
• Sitagliptin
• Empagliflozin
• Semaglutide
• Dapagliflozin
Anise might lower blood sugar levels. Taking anise along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
Midazolam
• Versed
The body breaks down midazolam to get rid of it. Anise oil might slow down how quickly the body breaks down midazolam. This might increase the effects and side effects of midazolam.
Tamoxifen
• Soltamox
• Used for: breast cancer treatment and prevention
Tamoxifen is used to help treat and prevent estrogen-sensitive cancers. Anise seems to affect estrogen levels in the body. By affecting estrogen in the body, anise might decrease the effects of tamoxifen.
Medications for high blood pressure
• Amlodipine
• Ramipril
• Perindopril
• Metoprolol
• Losartan
• Hydrochlorothiazide
Andrographis might lower blood pressure. Taking andrographis along with medications that lower blood pressure might cause blood pressure to go too low. Monitor your blood pressure closely.
Medications that decrease the immune system
• Cyclosporine
• Tacrolimus
• Mycophenolate
• Prednisone
• Methotrexate
• Azathioprine
Andrographis can increase the activity of the immune system. Some medications, such as those used after a transplant, decrease the activity of the immune system. Taking Andrographis along with these medications might decrease the effects of these medications.
Medications that slow blood clotting
• Heparin
• Rivaroxaban
• Apixaban
• Dabigatran
• Clopidogrel
Andrographis might slow blood clotting. Taking andrographis along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Oregano might slow blood clotting. Taking oregano along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Dextromethorphan
• Robitussin DM, others
Phellodendron contains a chemical called berberine. Berberine might decrease how quickly the body breaks down dextromethorphan. This might increase the effects and side effects of dextromethorphan.
Losartan
• Cozaar
• Hyzaar
• Used for: high blood pressure, heart failure
The liver activates losartan to make it work. Phellodendron might decrease how quickly the body activates losartan, which might decrease the effects of losartan.
Medications changed by the liver
• Glipizide
• Phenytoin
• Losartan
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Phellodendron might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. If you are taking medications metabolised by the liver, monitor for any changes in how your medication affects you.
• Tramadol
• Metoprolol
• Fluoxetine
• Paroxetine
• Tamoxifen
• Amitriptyline
• Atorvastatin
• Simvastatin
• Amlodipine
• Diltiazem
• Cyclosporine
• Tacrolimus
• Midazolam
• Alprazolam
• Rivaroxaban
• Some HIV antiretrovirals
Phellodendron contains a chemical called berberine. Berberine might lower blood sugar levels. Taking phellodendron along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
Phellodendron contains a chemical called berberine. Berberine might lower blood pressure. Taking phellodendron along with medications that lower blood pressure might cause blood pressure to go too low. Monitor your blood pressure closely.
Phellodendron contains a chemical called berberine. Berberine might slow blood clotting. Taking phellodendron along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Phellodendron contains a chemical called berberine. Berberine might increase the amount of metformin in the body. This may increase its effects and side effects. This interaction seems to occur when berberine is taken around 2 hours before metformin. Taking berberine and metformin at the same time doesn't seem to increase the amount of metformin in the body.
The body breaks down midazolam to get rid of it. Phellodendron contains a chemical called berberine. Berberine can decrease how quickly the body breaks it down. This might increase the effects and side effects of midazolam.
Pentobarbital
• Nembutal
Pentobarbital is a medication that can cause sleepiness. Phellodendron might also cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Taking phellodendron with pentobarbital might cause too much sleepiness.
Sedative medications
• Diazepam
• Alprazolam
• Temazepam
• Zolpidem
• Zopiclone
• Promethazine
Phellodendron might cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Some medications, called sedatives, can also cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Taking phellodendron with sedative medications might cause breathing problems and/or too much sleepiness.
Tacrolimus
• Astagraf
• Used for: organ transplant anti-rejection
Tacrolimus is removed from the body by the liver. Phellodendron contains a chemical called berberine. Berberine might slow down the body's ability to remove tacrolimus. This might increase the effects and side effects of tacrolimus.
Minor Interactions
Etoricoxib
• Arcoxia
Andrographis might decrease the amount of etoricoxib in the body. It is not clear if this will impact the effects of etoricoxib.
Glipizide
• Glucotrol
Andrographis might change the amount of glipizide in the body. It is not clear if this will impact the effects of glipizide.
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• Oregano oil demonstrated superior efficacy to antibiotic rifaximin, achieving 46% SIBO breath test normalization vs 34% with pharmaceutical treatment
• Berberine from Phellodendron disrupts bacterial DNA synthesis and cell membranes, effectively targeting key SIBO-causing bacteria including E. coli and Clostridium
• Anise essential oil achieved 75% complete symptom resolution in IBS patients, significantly reducing bloating, abdominal discomfort and gas retention