The Guaifenesin Story: A centuries-old bark extract used for clearing the airways – now key to a popular Fibromyalgia symptom-reversal protocol

From: ImmuneSupport.com

What is guaifenesin? It is a substance that helps loosen and liquefy mucous, and as such is a common component of many nonprescription cold and cough remedies. It is derived from a tree bark extract called guaiacum, first used in the 16th century, and was approved for use as an expectorant by the Food and Drug Administration in 1952. Twenty years ago, the extract was synthesized, pressed into tablets, and named guaifenesin.

Guaifenesin works by drawing water into the bronchi – the air passages branching into our lungs. The released water both thins the mucous and lubricates the airway, facilitating the removal of mucous by coughing. Guaifenesin should be taken exactly as directed on the container or by a prescribing doctor or pharmacist.

What is the Guifenesin Protocol for Fibromyalgia patients? Guaifenesin is also used in the very popular Guaifenesin Protocol for symptoms of Fibromyalgia, conceived by R. Paul St. Amand, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine in Endocrinology at UCLA. Though highly demanding and still considered experimental, the Protocol has been adopted by many FM patients, owing to widespread anecdotal descriptions of quality-of-life benefits. Nevertheless, note that Guaifenesin has not been approved by the FDA for this application and should be used as such only with the approval and supervision of a medical doctor familiar with the patient and Protocol.


What is the Protocol’s underlying theory? Dr. St. Amand explains this in detail at FibromyalgiaTreatment.com and in his book written with Claudia Marek, What Doctors May Not Tell You About Fibromyalgia. The theory is that...

Read Entire Article:
The Guaifenesin Story: A centuries-old bark extract used for clearing the airways – now key to a popular Fibromyalgia symptom-reversal protocol