Editor’s Note: This article first appeared in the May 2018 edition of TTAC’s Insiders member newsletter.
There’s new news about Lyme disease, and it’s not great.
According to the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC)1 – the leading source of information on parasitic diseases that affect both pets and people – veterinarians are seeing more cases of Lyme in dogs in the areas of Northeast U.S. where this infectious disease is already known to be prevalent.2
What’s worse, Lyme seems to be moving into nearby regions that were not previously affected, suggesting that human risk will be increasing in these areas. Since these new regions are close to high-incidence areas, dogs may be more sensitive than humans to Lyme. In fact, Lyme incidence in dogs might help to serve as an early warning system for changes in human Lyme risk.
Let’s take a quick look at what we know so far about Lyme disease.
Lyme Disease: The Facts
Incidence
Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in North America and Europe. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Lyme is the fastest growing vector-borne disease in the U.S. today.
Every year, approximately 30,000 cases are reported to the CDC by state health departments and the District of Columbia. However, this is very likely to be an underestimate. Estimates using other methods suggest that approximately 300,000 Americans are infected with Lyme each year.3
The Cause
In the U.S., Lyme is caused by a germ known as Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks (Ixodes scapularis and Ixodes pacificus). These are also known as deer ticks because they are typically found as parasites on white-tailed deer, as well as on other animals.
Black-legged ticks typically live for two years and have four life stages.4 Since ticks can’t fly or jump, they typically sit on the tips of grasses and shrubs with their upper pair of legs outstretched. When a host animal brushes past the grass or shrub, the tick quickly climbs on.
Once it finds a feeding spot, the tick then cuts into the skin and inserts its feeding tube, which may have barbs to help keep it firmly attached to its host. Ticks also typically secrete small amounts of saliva with anesthetic properties so that the bitten host can’t feel anything.
A black-legged tick will feed for several days. If the host animal has the Lyme bug in its blood, the tick may ingest the bug. If it later feeds on a human, then he or she can also become infected. Unfortunately, once infected, a tick can transmit infection throughout its entire life.
To make things worse, black-legged ticks also usually carry multiple other debilitating infections, including Powassan virus, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and human babesiosis, a rare microscopic parasite that infects red blood cells.
The Disease
Lyme is a multi-stage disease, named after the east coast town of Lyme, Connecticut, where the illness was first identified in 1975. One of its most typical symptoms include a rash or spreading area of redness, known as erythema migrans.5,6
This rash can occur anywhere on the body and is seen in approximately 70 to 80% of infected persons. It expands gradually and can reach up to 12 inches or more (30 cm) across, clearing as it enlarges, resulting in a target or “bulls-eye” appearance.
Other early signs and symptoms that usually occur within 3 to 30 days of a tick bite include:
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
- Body aches
- Joint pain
If left untreated, Lyme infections can progress to:
- Muscle spasms
- Loss of coordination
- Severe headaches with neck stiffness
- Joint swelling
- Meningitis (swelling of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord)
- Heart palpitations
- Temporary paralysis.6,7
Complete recovery IS POSSIBLE if patients receive the correct diagnosis and suitable treatment as early as possible during the infection. However, some people have reported joint pain and swelling, shooting pains or tingling in their arms and legs, tiredness, and memory problems many months to years after the original infection, even after undergoing treatment.7 In fact, some health experts strongly feel that Lyme is a chronic and persistent disease for which the word “cure” is not realistic.
As mentioned earlier, Lyme is often accompanied by other infections – all carried by black-legged ticks – which together raise inflammation levels and damage the immune system. It’s estimated that as many as 40% of patients with chronic Lyme disease may also be afflicted with one or more other infectious diseases.7
Patients with chronic Lyme disease consistently report significantly lower health quality, more bad mental and physical health days, and greater limitations on their activity levels and ability to work, relative even to patients with other chronic diseases.8
Last but not least, Lyme is known as “the great imitator,” because it seems very similar to many other disorders, including arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, thyroid disease, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), psychiatric illness, and Alzheimer’s disease.9
What Can You Do to Prevent Lyme Disease?
As we’ve seen, Lyme is a complex disease and usually occurs with other infectious diseases, which makes treatment both extremely complicated and challenging. In other words, prevention by reducing exposure to ticks is key.
Here are some ways to avoid contracting Lyme disease:
- There’s a common misperception that ticks are only active in spring and summer. In reality, different species of ticks are active all throughout the year. Specifically, black-legged ticks are active at different times of the year in different parts of the U.S. In other words, year-round protection is critical.
- Many people believe that if they don’t go on hikes or spend time in wooded areas, they aren’t at risk for Lyme. In fact, ticks are everywhere, including in suburban communities where deer, raccoons, opossum, birds, and other hosts frequent back yards. Many people get ticks in their own yard or neighborhood.
This is yet another reason why the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) recommends year-round tick prevention, including for dogs and other pets, along with regular screening.2
- Ticks live in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas, and on animals. Walking your dog, camping, gardening, or hunting can increase your exposure to ticks.
Therefore, it is advisable to completely avoid tick-infested areas, such as leaf piles around trees. When hiking, walk in the middle of trails and avoid brushing against long grasses and shrubs as much as possible. Avoid sitting on logs, wooden stumps, stonewalls, or the ground.9
- The TickEncounter Resource Center (TERC) advises people to wear tick-repellent clothing, including those treated with the insecticide permethrin.10 Permethrin is recommended as being safe for use on the skin in adults and children over the age of 2 months.
However, excessive exposure to permethrin is known to cause nausea, headache, muscle weakness, excessive salivation, shortness of breath, and seizures. Further, it is classified by the EPA as a likely human carcinogen, based on multiple studies in which mice fed permethrin developed liver and lung tumors.
If you prefer not to wear clothes treated with permethrin and other toxic chemicals, wearing light-colored long pants and long sleeves with a tight weave to make it easier to see ticks. When venturing out into wooded areas, tuck your shirt into your pants and pull your socks up over your pants. Also, wear closed shoes and a hat.
How to Check for Ticks
Ticks are very tiny and difficult to spot. It is vital to find and remove them before they bite.
So, when returning indoors from a hike:11
- Check your clothing for ticks – Any ticks found should be removed immediately. It’s advisable to tumble dry outdoor clothes in a dryer on high heat for 15-20 minutes to kill ticks. Damp and wet clothes may need more time. If the clothes require washing first, hot water is recommended.
- Examine gear and pets – Ticks can ride indoors on clothing and pets, then attach to a person later – so carefully examine pets, coats, backpacks and other outdoor gear.
- Shower as soon as possible after being outdoors – Showering within two hours of coming indoors has been shown to reduce the risk of getting Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.
- Check your body for ticks – Conduct a full body check using a hand-held or full-length mirror to view all parts of your body, including armpits, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, back of the knees, hair, between the legs and groin, and around the waist. Continue to check your body and bedding for several days after being in an area likely to have ticks.
If you find that a tick has latched onto you, there’s no need to panic. If you remove a tick within 24 hours of it latching on, you can greatly reduce your chances of getting Lyme disease.
How to Remove a Tick
To remove a tick that is attached to your skin, we recommend that you use a drop of essential oil directly on the tick, which typically causes the tick to back out of the skin and fall off. Some good choices are lavender, thyme, citrus, and tea tree.
Also, conventional dermatologists recommend the following tips:12
- Use sterile fine-tipped tweezers to remove the tick – Sterilize the tips of the tweezers using rubbing alcohol and grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible.
- Pull upward with steady, even pressure – Avoid twisting, squeezing or crushing the tick, as this can cause its head or mouth to break off and remain in your skin. If this happens, use tweezers to remove the remaining parts. If you cannot remove the rest of the tick, see a board-certified dermatologist as soon as possible.
- Dispose of the tick – Dispose of a live tick by putting it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed bag or container, or flushing it down the toilet. If you save the tick in a sealed jar, it can be tested for disease if you develop any symptoms later.
- Wash the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
What to Ask Your Physician
If you’ve been bitten by a tick and are concerned about the possible consequences for your health, it may be best to start by seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner. If necessary, they will then refer you to a rheumatologist, or infectious disease specialist.
Before your appointment, write down:13
- Your symptoms, and when they began
- All medications, vitamins, and other supplements you take, including their doses
- Any questions you’d like to ask your doctor
If possible, it’s a good idea to take a family member or friend along to help you remember the information your physician gives you.
If you’re concerned about getting Lyme, or feel that you have symptoms of Lyme, here are some basic questions to ask your doctor:
- What is causing my symptoms?
- Other than the most likely cause, what are other possible causes for my symptoms?
- What tests do I need to take and why do I need to take them?
- What is the best course of action available to me?
- What alternatives do I have to the course of action you’re suggesting?
- I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together with treatment for Lyme?
- Are there any dietary or lifestyle restrictions I need to follow?
- Should I see a specialist or specialists?
- Are there brochures or other printed material I can read?
- Which websites do you recommend for further information?
Carefully note down your doctor’s responses – and don’t hesitate to ask any other questions that occur to you.
Lyme Disease Diagnosis (or Misdiagnosis…)
Lyme is notoriously difficult to diagnose. In fact, it’s often misdiagnosed.
As we’ve seen earlier, Lyme symptoms seem very similar to that of other health conditions.9,14 Also, the germs that cause Lyme are hard to detect.15
For instance, the singer Avril Lavigne told Good Morning America that she visited many doctors and underwent a battery of tests, but that it wasn’t until she found a Lyme disease specialist that she was given a correct diagnosis.16
Unfortunately, pinpointing Lyme is not an exact science. Although many people develop the tell-tale bulls-eye rash, this symptom is sometimes faint or hidden away – and some people don’t get it at all.
Other early symptoms such as fever or aches and pains might get attributed to a virus or flu. So, if you don’t see a rash, you might not even go to the doctor. Even if you go, if your physician has not had much exposure to Lyme, he or she might not recognize the rash for what it is. Some Lyme cases go away on their own, so it’s entirely possible to have had the rash and never even known you were infected.
If you’ve been experiencing fatigue or joint pain for several weeks or months – and if you’ve spent time in an area known for Lyme disease outbreaks, or if you’ve been hiking outdoors – getting a Lyme blood test is a good idea.
A blood test cannot confirm whether you are currently infected, but it can tell if you have been exposed to the Lyme germ in the past. This test identifies antibodies to the Lyme germ and can help confirm or rule out the diagnosis. Its most reliable a few weeks after an infection, after your body has had time to develop antibodies.
Your blood test may show up as negative when you’ve actually have been infected because it’s too soon after the bite and Lyme antibodies have not yet shown up in your blood.
On the other hand, you may test positive for Lyme when in fact you have a different bacterial illness. This can happen if you were infected with Lyme at some point earlier, even if the infection is no longer current.
Either way, early testing can mean the difference between getting Lyme and dodging the bullet, so never wait to get tested if you believe you’ve contracted Lyme.17 A bulls-eye rash indicates a high likelihood of Lyme and must be treated immediately.
An experienced doctor can use these test results, along with your current symptoms, to make a diagnosis although physicians who aren’t used to dealing with Lyme can sometimes get confused themselves. Experienced doctors will diagnose Lyme based on their combined evaluation of both your risk level – in other words, whether you live in, work in, or have frequented tick-infested areas – as well as your symptoms, and not just one or the other.
If you don’t have the characteristic Lyme disease rash, your doctor might ask about your medical history, including whether you’ve been outdoors in the summer where Lyme disease is common, and do a physical exam.
Remember, there is a lot of misinformation about Lyme, even in the medical community. We recommend that you get as many facts about Lyme before visiting your doctor to ensure a more accurate diagnosis and suitable, timely treatment, which may make all the difference to your health and wellbeing.
Lyme Disease: Conventional Treatment Options
Treating Lyme disease is a complex matter. There are various stages of Lyme infection, and treatments differ according to the stage of infection.18
Antibiotics
According to mainstream medical opinion, antibiotics are the most effective treatment option, especially in the early stages of the Lyme infection. If the disease progresses untreated, or if there are co-infections, complications can arise. This includes oral antibiotics and intravenous antibiotics (if the central nervous system is affected). 19
Unfortunately, IV antibiotics cause many side effects, including a lower white blood cell count, mild to severe diarrhea, or colonization or infection with other antibiotic-resistant organisms unrelated to Lyme.
Patients being treated for late-stage Lyme often receive supportive therapies such as physical therapy, antidepressants, anti-inflammatories, and others.
Intramuscular treatment
The slow and sustained release of intramuscular antibiotics allows people who cannot tolerate oral antibiotics a better chance at recovery.
A chronic version of Lyme – which typically occurs when a patient has been infected for more than a year before seeking treatment – is known to cause continuous, low-grade symptom flare-ups, and can last for years or even longer.
Research shows that antibiotics are only partially effective against Lyme. Up to 35% of those infected will not respond or will relapse. Further, new research shows that the Lyme germ can survive a 28-day course of antibiotic treatment for up to four months after the original infection! Despite testing negative for Lyme, some of these test subjects still had the germ in their heart, brain, and other organs.20
The Lyme germ has the ability to change its shape to protect itself, become more mobile, more invasive, and so on – all of which help it evade the immune system and resist antibiotic therapy.21,22
B. burgdorferi also creates so-called antibiotic-resistant “biofilms” or colonies wherever there is moisture and a surface, including inner surfaces in our body.23 Last but not least, Lyme germs grow very slowly, dig deep into cartilage and brain tissue, and can live hidden away inside our body’s cells.
In other words, Lyme bacteria are stealthy pathogens – and Lyme itself is a potent, emerging epidemic for which the available mainstream treatment options are at best only partially effective.
So, are there any other, more effective treatment options?
3 Promising Lyme Disease Natural Treatment Options
#1. Andrographis
This herb grows mostly in India, Pakistan, and Indochina, and has been widely used for hundreds of years to treat malaria and other parasites, syphilis, bowel problems, liver dysfunction, and other chronic and acute infectious diseases.
Andrographis paniculata is the most popular Andrographis species and was first introduced as a treatment for Lyme by herbalist Stephen Buhner in his 2005 book, Healing Lyme.23
Along with its actions against Lyme, Andrographis also has anti-parasitic properties, enhances immune function, protects the heart, is anti-inflammatory, and crosses the blood-brain barrier, which allows it to access harmful organisms in the brain.
Buhner states that clinical trials and studies have found Andrographis to be effective against a wide range of parasitic organisms. Since many people with Lyme have other parasitical infections, by treating Borrelia these infections will also be eliminated.
According to Stephen Buhner, Andrographis:
- Acts against the Lyme germ and other “spirochete” germs
- Heals the neurological aspects of Lyme
- Lowers inflammation, especially in the nervous system
- Relieves pain, headache, confusion, and chronic fatigue
- Stimulates the immune system to fight Lyme
- Protects the heart and cardiovascular system
- Acts throughout the body to protect the body against damage from spirochetes
According to Buhner, Andrographis helps around 60% of people treated with it and may not be enough to put Lyme into remission.24 However, natural health experts still believe that it’s a valuable addition to any anti-Lyme regimen – and for some, Andrographis may be enough. Indeed, Buhner’s protocol for Lyme patients has been widely regarded as being both safe and effective.25
Side effects of Andrographis include dizziness and heart palpitations. Up to one percent of users experience severe allergic reactions. If any of these side effects occur, the herb should be discontinued and only resumed according to your alternative therapist’s recommendations.
#2. Cat’s Claw
Cat’s claw (scientific name Uncaria tomentosa) is a woody vine that grows wild in the Amazon rainforest and other tropical areas of Central and South America. Its bark has been used in traditional medicine to treat gastric and inflammatory disorders. Its thorns resemble a cat’s claws, hence the name.26,27
Using cat’s claw for health dates back to the ancient days of the Inca civilization. Its historical uses include contraception, as a therapy for inflammation, cancer, and viral infections, and to stimulate the immune system.
Today, cat’s claw is used as a dietary supplement for viral infections such as herpes and HIV, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, arthritis, peptic ulcers, colitis, gastritis, hemorrhoids, parasites, and leaky bowel syndrome.
In laboratory experiments, compounds found in cat’s claw have been shown to stimulate the activity of specific immune cells.27 It also may help halt the spread of diseases and assist in eradicating bacterial infections and other pathogens.28
Cat’s claw also lowers inflammation levels, enhances DNA repair, and speeds up wound healing. While most of these effects have been observed in laboratory studies, preliminary human studies indicate that cat’s claw may benefit patients with active rheumatoid arthritis.
Further, cat’s claw was shown to reduce the adverse effects of chemotherapy in breast cancer patients and improve the quality of life in patients with advanced cancer.27 However, a cat’s claw extract was shown to enhance the survival of pediatric leukemic cells, suggesting that this herb may not be safe for all cancers.
Back in 2003, a six-month pilot study was conducted on 28 patients suffering from advanced chronic Lyme disease.29 The control group of 14 patients got conventional antibiotic treatment. At the end of the study, three of these patients had improved slightly, three had gotten worse, and the rest had no change in their clinical condition.
Promisingly, of the remaining 14 patients who had been treated with cat’s claw, 85% tested negative for Borrelia burgdorferi – and all patients reported a massive improvement in their symptoms.
#3. Essential Oils
Laboratory research conducted at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health shows that various essential oils – including garlic, Allspice or Jamaica pimento, cumin seeds, lemongrass, myrrh, thyme leaves, lemon eucalyptus, Hedychium, Amyris, and Litsea, as well as cinnamaldehyde (the active component of cinnamon bark) – can kill the long-persisting forms of the Lyme germ.30,31
According to the lead researcher and study author Dr. Zhang, “We found that these essential oils were even better at killing the ‘persister’ forms of Lyme bacteria than standard Lyme antibiotics. At this stage, these essential oils look very promising as candidate treatments for persistent Lyme infection, but ultimately we need properly designed clinical trials.”30
#4. Homeopathy
Editor’s Note 7/26/19: There are many more natural (& promising!) methods to treat Lyme. Since publishing this article, we’ve received many comments and emails asking for more holistic information on treating this disease. Although we can’t cover all natural treatments in every article, we promise to put pen to paper and do more research on the subject. In the meantime, when doing your own research, talk to a homeopathic practitioner to learn more. We believe homeopathy is an excellent option that is offering hope and relief to people with Lyme Disease around the world.
Article Summary
Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in North America and Europe.
Lyme is caused by a germ known as Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks
Complete recovery is possible if patients receive the correct diagnosis and suitable treatment as early as possible.
It’s estimated that as many as 40% of patients with chronic Lyme disease may also be afflicted with one or more other infectious diseases.
How to avoid contracting Lyme disease:
- Practice year-round protection
- Avoid tick-infested areas (even your back yard!)
- Regular screening
- Wear tick-repellent clothing
You may test positive for Lyme when in fact you have a different bacterial illness.
4 Promising Natural Treatment Options:
- Andrographis
- Cat’s Claw
- Essential Oils
- Homeopathy
How is an essential oi; used to treat Lyme?
I was wondering the same thing! Plus, in what way does one use the Cat’s Claw?
I would like to hear how to use essential oils, also. Who can give us the answer?
Great question! We do have a couple resources linked below the Article Summary that will help provide more information on which essential oils to use with Lyme. Just click on [+] Sources and References and the list will appear. I linked them here below as well.
– https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/12/17/essential-oils-for-lyme-disease.aspx
– https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/7/4/89/htm#B3-antibiotics-07-00089
Here’s an additional resource from our good friend Dr. Z:
https://naturallivingfamily.com/how-to-treat-lyme-disease-naturally/
Excellent info on Lyme disease. Thanks so much. This should be required reading and teaching in schools for all grade levels. God Bless.
You’re welcome! Thanks for reading and sharing your kind feedback with us.
I just read Lyme Disease 101: What You Need to Know and was very happy you included herbal info from Stephen H Buhner. I have been using his protocol for 6-years for Chronic Lyme and, although not cured, have regained mobility and a high level of functionality. I am concerned that you didn’t include Japanese Knotweed which is a major herb in Buhner’s Core Protocol. It should be revised so as to give the best outcome. Also Buhner has revised his Lyme treatment books (2015?) and now there are 4 (or more), addressing Lyme and specific coinfections in each one! This is a must have library for anyone battling tick-borne infections)
Thank you for sharing your testimony for Stephen Buhner’s protocol and providing additional information on it. All the best on your healing journey!
I pray you are doing better. Lemon and garlic combined are great against Lyme.
I lost my husband a year ago from tick paralysis. I had to do my own research to find out what was causing his decline in health. I found a research paper on ticks entitled “Are ticks venomous animals?” And yes, they are. All female ticks of every type create a neurotoxin that is likened to a rattlesnake bite, a scorpion, and venomous spiders. There isn’t any antiserum or antivenom at this time. The Lyme vaccines do not work. And usual run-of-the-mill tests for Lyme are very inadequate. The doctors in our local hospital are not Lyme literate. They would not treat my husband because his tests came back negative. We begged them for 8 days to treat him with the antibiotics and they refused. So I had to discharge him and took him to another hospital, but by that time he was failing so fast, he had to be on life support for 2 and 1/2 months and then he was discharged to a local nursing home. He was totally paralyzed. This neurotoxin wipes out the muscle system. Needless to say, I hate ticks. I live in Pennsylvania and we are the number one state in the country for tick problems. And our state does nothing for the ever growing tick issue.
The CDC upped the number of annual cases per year in 2013 to 300,00 cases. To this day those numbers are still low. Lyme is world-wide. Top members of the IDSA(Infectious Diseases Society of America and Insurance companies are involved with 28 Lyme patients in a RICO anti-trust Lawsuit-This is the start from 2017. /www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/LymeDisease.pdf. Most doctors don’t treat and many across this country of Canada and around the world are being told “We don’t have Lyme in this___________Name that country or city. Many people have tried Stephen Buhner treatments and failed. Lyme disease is lifelong. More info at canlyme.com
Sue., you may be interested to know that Lyme no longer needs to be “lifelong”. If you are interested in the information that supports my statement, I would be happy to provide it
Norma- I would love that information.
Hello I would like to add that Lyme is also sexually transmitted you can pass it to your partner which the CDC knows but will not admit that information, you can also pass Lyme to your unborn child. Also you never pull a tick out with tweezers, you apply an antibiotic ointment use a tip a turn counter clock wise the tick will come out head and all in one piece, when you pull with tweezers the tick can panic or break and release its antibodies into you. There is so much information on Lyme that the CDC is hiding and sweeping under the rug. Also if you have Lyme good luck getting treatment using your medical insurance it’s almost impossible because the Doctor’s, CDC and the Health Department’s are not on the same page. Leaving millions of people infected and infecting others.
Rose, thank you for commenting on proper removal of ticks…..I was somewhat horrified at the method listed in this article, and know that you are correct. I have been removing ticks from my dogs and horses for many years, but never with tweezers. You may be interested in new information regarding true healing from Lyme
Hi, I’m from Tropical Australia and have symptoms of Lyme but our medical DRS say we don’t. We have a paralysis tick which can kill an animal in under 48hrs also known cases where children have died.I was horrified about pulling ticks with tweezers, we use Rose Geranium Oil, the tick immediately blows a bubble from its behind and backs out then we use tweezers and dab with more oil.Also was reading about work by Dr D Klinghardt MD PhD he uses hyaluronic as a bait that brings virus/bacteria out of the organs and into the bloodstream where a blood sample can give an accurate diagnosis. Maybe the reason for so many false tests.
I too was surprised by the suggestion to remove ticks with tweezers. While walking through the southern Mexican jungle, I emerged with more than 30 engorged ticks while my friend had double that am’t.
I immediately applied to each one a drop of the lavender oil I was carrying to keep the mosquitos at bay. The ticks backed out and immediately fell away.
Great article. I would like to know more about using essential oils for lyme disease. The article doesn’t say what to do, how to use, or how much. How can I find out?
Hi Debbie, our good friend Dr. Z has a great article on this! Check it out here: https://naturallivingfamily.com/how-to-treat-lyme-disease-naturally/
For the final part of my lyme journey I used oil of oregano. I would ingest a couple of drops in a glass of orange/apple juice. It kills off so many bacteria. You could also rub a few drops of essential oil on the soles of your feet where it would be absorbed into the body also.
What do you think of the research on Ledum Palustre Homeopathic Remedy?
For the final part of my lyme journey I used oil of oregano. I would ingest a couple of drops in a glass of orange/apple juice. It kills off so many bacteria. You could also rub a few drops of essential oil on the soles of your feet where it would be absorbed into the body also.
I used Ledum Palustre to finally get rid of my headaches which were with me 24/7 for 18 months. I used this along with a remedy called Pinella
My daughter had seemingly unrelated symptoms that were greatly affecting her quality of life and she is 28 years old. She was diagnosed with lymes and the doctor said it looked like it had been there a long time. She had lymes when she was 10 and it was caught right away and treated with antibiotics and after treatment they said she was good. This time we went to a Functional Medicine Practitioner and she was treated with homeopathic medicine and she has fully recovered. My brother and his family all tested for lymes and they did the same treatment and are all recovered.
My husband at the age of 60 had walked around with the bull’s eye red mark on his elbow for about a year. He had been diagnosed with bursitis because of the swelling on the elbow, and then thought to be a bear claw plant infection common in the Netherlands. Finally when the red line on his body appeared when he had been lying under a sun lamp a dermatologist diagnosed him with Borrelia Burgendorfi spirochete infection (Lymes). All this time he had been taking high doses of Vit C as he was convinced of the good effects of Vit C in all health problems. He had avoided all the nasty symptoms of Lymes and was then given the first series of antibiotics. He increased his Vit C to 12000 mg per day. It was never necessary to have the second course of antibiotics as the tests showed an extremely low titer of antibodies for Lymes. He died at the age of 84 and as far as we were aware had had no problems from the Lymes in approximtely those last 20 years.
Sheila de Koekkoek. The Netherlands.
I cannot save this article on Pinterest. Message says, “Sorry! We’ve blocked this post because it may contain inappropriate material”. I HATE THIS! I want to decide what I save!!!
Hi Linda, Pinterest has blocked our content. In this tragic age of censorship, it is important that we make our voices heard. Here is some more information on what’s going on: https://thetruthaboutcancer.com/pinterest-censorship/. Thank you for your support!!
I’m currently reading an excellent book by Dr. Richard Horowitz on treating chronic Lyme disease. This article is CORRECT in everything written here. AND the most important is info on how to REMOVE TICKS! DO NOT AND I REPEAT DO NOT REMOVE A TICK USING A COTTON SWAP SOAKED IN ANYTHING!! Doing this yes removes the tick, but you make them angry and they’ll inject more of what they have in them before they leave your body! Use a pointed tweezer and gently remove it. You should also save the tick and put it in the freezer in a clear bag or jar and label it. If the tick needs to be tested, you still have it.
Great information here folks.
After doing my own research a couple years ago when my dog was diagnosed with Lyme, we started to get him monolaurin. It’s about $10 a bottle found at places like vitamin shop and GNC. It helped his symptoms immediately. I do not know if he still has the bacteria for lime, but the symptoms are definitely gone. They were so severe that he could not even stand or go outside to P. Literally, with one dose of monolaurin, the symptoms disappeared.
Check it out for yourself.
I am surprised that you omitted homeopathic treatment by a professional, certified Homeopath for treatment of Lyme disease. It has been demonstrated to be extremely effective in lyme treatment for humans and animals, without any side effects. To find a qualified homeopath readers can visit the webpage of the North American Society of Homeopaths. Be sure to ask about their training and experience treating Lyme.
Stephen Buhner’s protocol cures Lyme in 90% of patients. So yeah, I guess you could say ‘a lot’ of people don’t get cured using his protocol, and that Lyme is ‘lifelong’ for them. Though I would hesitate to say you are doomed to Lyme for life. Who knows what info is out there, or will be found? We used to think cancer was a death certificate. Look at how wrong we were.
Anyway, I would say a 90% cure rate for Lyme is pretty dang good. Try his protocol; the worst thing that can happen is it will help but not sure.
Amanda, there IS something that will assist true healing for all with Lyme, as well as everything else that ails you! There is so much ignorance in the realm of Western medicine….what a shame!
I’m hearing that STEVIA is a cure for Lime disease. Do you know anything about this one? Made me happy because I hike everyday, where there are ticks and I also have stevia leaf everyday in my tea. So, I’m feeling SOOOOOO safe! Hopefully!
I use stevia and give to my horse who is infected with lyme too
Great article. Thanks.
Great article! Any comment on the efficacy of bracelets using essential oils to repel ticks?
THIS ARTICLE IS AMAZING AND FULL OF INCREDIBLE INFO WE HAD A NIECE AND SHE WAS AN INFANT AT TIME WHEN SHE GOT INFECTED HERE IN GERMANY AND ONE OF MY PATIENTS HAD THE INFECTION WHEN HE WAS LIVING A BRUSHY AREA IN NOTHERN C:A;;US: ABLE TO TREAT HIM WITH TEA TREE OIL (MELALEUCA ALTERNIFOLIA – D-Limonene- and Linalool mixture, and Cats Claw
Thank you for writting this very Wonderful article, Dr. Raphael Rayfinder, OMD,ND
Thank you for sharing your experience with Lyme and for your kind words. We agree this is such an important topic to cover.
Dear TTAC, I could easily give a two hour lecture on what I have learned about tickborne illnesses over the past 17 years. The article was a good beginning and did give a lot of good information, but I would not rely it all on what the CDC or the ideas say say about Lyme disease or tickborne illnesses. I have absolutely no doubt that it is far more of an epidemic than what they know and or say. I would refer to the International Lyme Associated Disease Society or ILADS, and find out The names of Lyme literate doctors in the area or in a state that you can travel to if you believe that you have Tickborne illness. If you have a bull’s-eye that’s a dead ringer. I had Lyme diseaseBartonella, Protomyxzoa Rheumatica (which is similar to Babasia), and possibly more. I was properly diagnosed by my neighbors daughter who was a nurse and worked for a Lyme literate doctor who traveled around the nation doing symposiums. this was after numerous tests that all came up negative as Lyme disease does not necessarily stay in the bloodor at least not enough to be detected by the tests that 99.9% of the doctors run. It was 2003 when I was properly diagnosed by the nurse and I had to wait nine months before beginning treatment due to the waiting list. After learning more through the years, I realized that I had probably had Lyme disease and possibly more since 1981 at least. From 1981 to 1996, I was very healthy. I was working a full time job, gutting and rebuilding two old buildings, and working out at a local gym. I had Bells Palsey twice after my daughter was born, a fatty cyst, ( Lyme hiding in a form that needs to be treated with specific antibiotics), and another symptom that showed that my brain was being affected,(my foot would go to the wrong step when going up a staircase), and a couple other symptoms. The docs never caught on and refused to believe. I even got the same story 4 years ago, and we live in an area where the awareness is heightened. I recommend getting a doc that will do the DNA Connections test for tickborne diseases, or testing from I Gene X in Palo Alto, CA. We used I Gene X, but DNA Connections is newer amd I have heard possibly better. Stephen Buhner is right on, but proper diagnosis is a must! There is only one of him, and he cannot help everyone. It is difficult to follow a book alone in many cases. There are some Lyme literate doctors well versed in allopathic and holistic treatments. I gave birth to two children with tickborne disease, and lost two unite to because I was misdiagnosed. We have spent almost every extra penny- (over $700,000) over the past 21 years to find out what was really wrong with me after 1997 when I crashed and then treating all of us, to the present time. I do believe that I am cured of tickborne illness due to a specific homeopathic protocol that I have followed for the last nine months. I fully understand that even Lyme literate doctors would at the least have a very difficult time believing this, and I do plan to get tested. Even the best tests leave room for a good diagnostician. This is where the Lyme literate doctors come in. You can Google ILADS.org, and look for the Lyme literate protocol by Joe Burrascano, Jr. Up to 70% of people never have a bulls eye or any rash, and in 2004 my Lyme doc, Who has done and is still doing extensive research, said that there were over 400 mutations of Bartonella at that time. Our grandparents called that cat scratch fever, but after Hurricane Agnes flooded Plum Island all of this took off with a vengeance. Lyme disease has been around for thousands of years but there are now over seven new major strains of Lyme disease alone. Don’t play around if you suspect anything. If you really want to do the anabiotic route and you have just found Lyme disease within 10 days and Max two weeks at the absolute most of being diagnosed, six weeks of doxycycline for adults is the absolute minimum according to the Lyme literate doctors. Children need to be treated with amoxicillin. Lyme disease goes to the brain extremely quickly, probably will within two weeks. The Lyme literate doctors do testing that is equal to or better than CDC and infectious disease. You don’t need to take my word for it, but I would urge anybody who suspects tickborne illnesses to contact ILADS, And or a Lyme literate doctor. The expense is well worth it. We know too many people who have either lost their lives, or children that are in wheelchairs, have had to drop out of school, etc. it is beyond horrible., and is greatly under diagnosed. The Lords blessings, and my prayers for your healing and good health. Gail
Mary, we appreciate you taking the time to contribute what you have learned over the last 17 years about Lyme. All the best on your journey!
According to lyme specialists, Borellia and coinfections can be spread by many insects, and also sexually transmitted. It is present all over the world at this time. Many lyme docs are the 12 or 14th (in once case 32nd) doc a patient has tried before getting a good diagnosis.
Love your work, Ty and Char
Thank you for your support!
I grt bit by ticks all summer.
Is there a natural and safe protocol for dog’s suffering from tick bites and lyme disease? Would Andrographis, Cat’s Claw or essential oills be safe to give a dog for lyme disease if it is suspected?
Paul
I am disappointed there was no mention of high-dose I.V. Vitamin C therapy for elimination of Lyme. This would be my first choice! Why has it been overlooked?
Hi Diane, thank you for providing your valuable input on eliminating Lyme.
My partner and I are members of Lifewave using a product now used by millions around the world for recovering from serious issues and providing a wonderful quality of life. We know there are so many products out there that do tend to help but the most impressive we have all found is the Lifewave Photobiomodulation patches. Already proven with extensive clinical studies, safe, easy to use for any age, no harmful side effects, low in cost and EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE!
Below is a note from just one user of the X39 patch. (The picture – not shown – is the comparison of the mass of ineffective medication previously used and the Lifewave patch now proving so effective). There are thousands more having these results and could be worth considering if having ANY health issues? We can direct you to a Facebook group where thousands of users are helping others with information and support using these patches. Rob. wellnessplus@adam.com.au
LYME DISEASE-X39-MEDICATED ZOMBIE NO MORE (from a user of the Lifewave X39 patches).
Ok….. Talking with another friend about Lyme and listening to the struggles of others that I know ALL TO WELL…….
People….. LISTEN to what I’m telling you…… The first picture was my everyday reality. It was not a relief I was getting. It was a band aid. Nothing was being fixed or cured or relieved….. I was a medicated zombie with a failing body that was dying…… Literally.
I do not sugar coat and I do not bullshit…. Period…… If you want to feel better and your body to TRULY heal itself and fight for itself…. You CANNOT afford to go without the x39 patch.
I am saving every penny of $2,000 a month, maybe more by using my Life Wave patches versus filling my body with pills that I were told would “help” me……..
It’s your choice…… I chose to LIVE!!!
My daughter at age 12 had late stage Lyme, was on antibiotic and a pic line for 8 months. She was loosing her hearing, her eye sight was bad ,brain fog was really bad. Then we found a therapy that really worked. It is Field Control therapy. My daughter is now 23 and has not had an other flare up.
I also hunt a lot and I use Elmit-tick clothes, made in Minnesota.I never had a deer tic on my yet.
Has there been any information about using CBD oils for treatment of Lyme Disease? Our Endocanabinnoid system is designed to bring the body back into homeostasis and Canabidiol or CBD is a plant version of whats in our bodies as a phytocanabinnoid. (if im spelling that right haha) and should help with viral infections. Just wondering if anyone has used or heard of it helping with Lyme Disease. TTAC THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORK!! You are changing lives!!
Dear Rob, My husband, then 52,and very healthy, had a stroke ten years ago. The symptoms at the time and the outcome of the standard tests were rather odd, so the neurologist check his blood for Lyme. It turned out he was infected and the infection had spread to his spinal fluid and his brain. He had four weeks of IV antibiotics. He was extremely debilitated afterwards and suffered from numbness in right arm (but not his hand)combined with severe pain in the same areas but ïnside”. The pain was such that he could not lie on his right side at all; heavy snoring at night plus sleep apnoea, extreme fatique. A friend recommended CBD oil, which was fairly unknown at that time. I was extremely sceptical but purchased a bottle. Husband scoffed and would not take it but I told him it was pretty expensive so he did it to placate me. Within three days he could lie on his side for half an hour without pain, the snoring and sleep apnoe stopped completely. Probably because of this, he no longer felt tired. He takes raw cold pressed oil 5%, three drops at night. The pain has never left completely, but is bearable. About a mont ago, he ran ut of the drops and did not use them for three days. The pain became worse and the snoring and sleep apnoea returned. I realise this is just one person, but since the CBD oil seems to have no known sideeffects I would definitely suggest you try it. I would say begin with four drops, twice a day and see how that works. Wishing you all the best in the future.
check these resources
http://buhnerhealinglyme.com/ Stephen Harrod Buhner and the book Healing Lyme
I heard an interview with him in a recent summit (Remedy by Nick Polizzi)
The only method that will truly work is a rife machine
An interesting “read” on the history of Lyme is Bitten by Kris Newby There should be a class action lawsuit against our government.
Why doesnt your article list MitoSynergy bioavailable copper supplement as the best treatment for lyme disease and coinfections?! I had lyme symptoms since high school but wasnt diagnosed until I was 69 by dark field microscopy in the lab at MitoSynergy in Flagstaff AZ. MitoSynergy stopped all my symptoms within 4 months and there was no more visible evidence in my blood. Im 74 now and still no more lyme symptoms. Many other people have achieved complete remission just as fast with MitoSynergy. It crosses the blood brain barrier so it kills lyme everywhere in your body…brain, liver, gums, spine, bones, everywhere. Copper kills any gram negative microaerophillic bacteria so it doesnt harm gut bacteria etc. We need copper for almost every organ function but most of us are deficient because farmers stopped adding it to soils over 100 years ago. And most of us are also copper toxic because we are exposed to the toxic metal form of copper in water pipes, pesticides, birth control pills and IUDs, even in multivitamins. If we had sufficient copper we may be able to fight off lyme infections from ticks etc. FYI we can get lyme from mosquitoes and other biting insects.
Mosquitoes carry viruses too. Mosquitoes carried the West Nile virus and also the Zika virus which is not good. Sometimes it is best to protect ourselves from being bitten by any insect.
Lots of garlic and lemon and sweat baths and walks, cleansing foods, no junk foods, are a great fight against Lyme’s Disease. I have personally see people healed for good within a month to several months depending on the severity. Natural ways work. God has given natural antibiotics.