
Otoba parvifolia (Banderol)
Otoba, more commonly known as Banderol, is made from the bark of the Bandarilla tree native to South America. Research suggests that this herb has potent antibacterial effects against Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease. Most importantly, it has been shown that Otoba tincture may be effective at treating the persister form of Lyme infection, which consists of stubborn cells responsible for chronic Lyme disease.
Otoba holds great potential for chronic Lyme disease and should be used in combination with other persister herbs (particularly Cat’s Claw) or medications, as determined by your medical practitioner.
Otoba, more commonly known as Banderol, is made from the bark of the Bandarilla tree native to South America. Research suggests that this herb has potent antibacterial effects against Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease. Most importantly, it has been shown that Otoba tincture may be effective at treating the persister form of Lyme infection, which consists of stubborn cells responsible for chronic Lyme disease.
Otoba holds great potential for chronic Lyme disease and should be used in combination with other persister herbs (particularly Cat’s Claw) or medications, as determined by your medical practitioner.
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PRODUCT DETAILS
INGREDIENTS
CLINICAL USES
| Antimicrobial | Effective against Borrelia (Lyme), Babesia, Ehrlichia, and Mycoplasma. |
| Immune Support | Boosts immune function, particularly in chronic infections. |
| Anti-Inflammatory | Reduces inflammation, easing joint pain and neurological symptoms. |
| Antiviral | Helps combat viral co-infections like EBV and CMV. |
| Digestive Aid | Supports digestion, alleviating gut issues common in Lyme patients. |
| Detox Support | Helps detoxify the liver and kidneys during treatment or Herx reactions. |
| Pain Relief | Provides mild analgesic effects for muscle and nerve pain. |
| Respiratory Support | Assists with respiratory co-infections like Mycoplasma pneumoniae. |
RECOMMENDED DOSAGE
CAUTIONS & WARNINGS
Synergistic Products:
26 reviews for Otoba parvifolia (Banderol)
Additional Information About Otoba parvifolia (Banderol)
References
- 1. Herb-Drug Interaction Potential of Anti-Borreliae Effective Extracts from Uncaria tomentosa (Samento) and Otoba parvifolia (Banderol) Assessed In Vitro. Johanna Weiss. Molecules. 2018 Dec 31;24(1):137. doi: 10.3390/molecules24010137. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30602711/
- 2. Comparative phylogeography of five widespread tree species: Insights into the history of western Amazonia. Eurídice N Honorio Coronado et al. Ecol Evol. 2019 Jun 11;9(12):7333-7345. doi: 10.1002/ece3.5306. eCollection 2019 Jun. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31380054/
- 3. Insights into Lyme Disease Treatment. 13 Lyme-Literate Health Care Practitioners Share their Healing Strategies. By Connie Strasheim.
FAQ
What makes Apex Botanical tinctures different from other herbal tinctures?
Our tinctures stand out due to the premium quality of herbs we use. Crafted at a concentration of 1:4, our herbal tinctures prioritize both potency and effectiveness.
Unlike many other companies that employ a uniform alcohol percentage across all products, our approach is nuanced. We tailor the alcohol concentration for each herb based on the distinct medicinal properties of the plant.
This strategy reflects our commitment to a sophisticated extraction of medicinal compounds, effectively setting Apex Botanicals apart in the realm of herbal tinctures.
How should I consume my herbal tincture?
Herbal tinctures are generally taken on an empty stomach (1 hour before and after meals). They can be taken directly or added to 1oz of water if the taste is hard to swallow.
Dosing of herbal tinctures will generally vary from 1 drop once per day up to 1 tsp 3 times per day. When taking anti-microbial herbal tinctures, starting at a lower dose and increasing slowly is the general rule of thumb.
*Be sure to speak with your primary care provider to determine the correct dose for your needs.
How long should I take my herbal tincture for?
The length of time a tincture should be taken will vary considerably based on your state of health, the infection / symptom you’re trying to treat and other medications or treatments you are concurrently taking.
Most people with chronic tick-borne infections take an herbal tincture for between 3 months and 2 years.
As a general rule, its recommended to take an herbal tincture for at least 1 month to see the best results.
Are herbal tinctures safe for children?
Generally speaking, it is safe for children to consume herbal tinctures, but dosing should be adjusted. Refrence 'Clarks Rule' for further information.
*Always consult your primary care provider before starting a new protocol or giving your child herbal tinctures.
Are herbal tinctures safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Some herbs are strictly contraindicated in pregnancy and should be avoided. We do our best to indicate this on the product information page but are not held liable for any errors or omissions.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding consult your primary care provider before consuming any herbal tinctures.
Will my herbal tincture interact with medications or supplements?
Interactions of herbal tinctures with medications or supplements do exist. We strongly recommended consulting with your primary care provider or pharmacist before taking any herbal tinctures if you are concerned about potential contraindications.
What does a 1:4 ratio imply and how does it compare to 1:2 or 1:5+?
The ratio describes the concentration of a tincture. We use a 1:4 ratio, meaning 1 part dried herb (in grams) to 4 parts menstruum (the combined alcohol and herb).
A ratio of 1:5 has more liquid to the same amount of herb and is therefore more diluted.
A ratio of 1:10 or higher is very diluted and requires very high daily doses and is not recommended.
Tinctures made at 1:2 are often too concentrated for Lyme patients and commonly induce Herx reactions that can be very intense.
Most tinctures on the market are made at 1:5. We’ve chosen to use 1:4 to ensure greater potency while still being very safe and tolerable.
Does higher alcohol content mean an herbal tincture is more or less potent?
Using the correct alcohol percentage to extract the specific medicinal constituents of that herb is of highest importance when making a tincture. Using more or less alcohol essentially reflects the chemical nature of the compounds that we want to extract into the liquid portion.
A tincture made at 40% versus one made at 80% is not twice at strong. It simply implies that for the first herb, 40% alcohol will optimally extract the medicinal qualities. For the second herb, 80% is the concentration for optimal extraction.
We’ve gone to great lengths to ensure that our tinctures are made using the correct concentrations.
*Please note that not all herbal tinctures on the market are made with the appropriate alcohol concentration so use our site as a reference or conduct your own research to make sure you’re purchasing the best formulated tincture possible.
Click here to read our complete list of Frequently Asked Questions.
SHARING THE GIFT OF WELLNESS
Free Herbal Protocol Guide for Lyme & Co-Infections
This comprehensive educational guide, developed by our Medical Director, Dr. Sal Meli ND, provides evidence-based insight into the physiological mechanisms of tick-borne infections and the supportive role of botanicals in addressing these challenges.
This resource is designed to simplify complex concepts and empower readers to make informed decisions about their approach to tick-borne infections.





Same comment as Yarrow. Using in conjuction with Cat’s Claw (Samento) on a rotating basis.
High quality products and great customer service.Their information PDF is top notch.
Very good! Otoba is a stronger anti microbial so I notice it when I increase the dose.
Like all Apex tinctures its purity is obvious, it’s strength takes a backseat to none and its consistency is like the sun in the morning.
I got an embedded tick this spring. It was removed but my scans showed borrelia. My health counselor said I needed Otoba bark which was very difficult to find. Apex came through and I’ve been using it since with positive results. Many thanks to Apex for a well-managed Canadian-US transaction and most of all for your great supply of botanicals!
same as previous response