Humans have been using plants for medicinal purposes since ancient times. Today, botanical herbal medicine is increasingly being integrated with modern allopathic medicine.
Recently, two experts in complex chronic illness reviewed the literature on which botanical medicines are most effective against three common vector-borne diseases.
The paper entitled The Use of Natural Bioactive Nutraceuticals in the Management of Tick-Borne Illnesses was written by Samuel Shor, MD and Sunjya Schweig, MD and published in the journal MDPI: Microorganisms.
Natural Treatment For Lyme Disease
Importantly, the authors note whether these botanical medicines are active against the growing, stationary, and/or biofilm forms of the pathogens. In all, they list over 30 natural substances with efficacy against
, ” said the paper’s co-author Sunjya K. Schweig, MD, President and Director, California Center for Functional Medicine. (“In vitro” means in a test tube, compared to “in vivo, ” which means in a living organism.)
Most antibiotics, including doxycycline, attack the growing form of the pathogen. However, many microorganisms, like Borrelia, will change form when threatened by antibiotics. They can transform into a slow-growing or dormant state which is more resistant to antibiotics. In addition, biofilms are notorious for causing treatment-resistant forms of infection.
Healing Lyme Disease Naturally: History, Analysis, And Treatments: Storl, Wolf D., Wood, Matthew, Thum M.d., Andreas: 9781556438738: Amazon.com: Books
Tick-borne diseases are typically treated with a limited number of medications prescribed by a healthcare provider. Doxycycline, the standard antibiotic used for Lyme disease, often fails to cure the illness, leaving 10-30% of patients who receive prompt treatment with residual symptoms. Left untreated or undertreated, the disease can progress to a chronic infection, making it even more difficult to cure.
There are many theories about the reasons for treatment failure in Lyme disease including: genetics, persistent infection, immune evasion, autoimmunity or immune dysregulation and physical damage to the systems of the body.
Regardless of the reason for persistent symptoms, the fact is patients simply want to get better. While evidence has shown that extended combination antibiotic treatment can be effective, not everyone has access to or can afford it. As a result, many patients may explore complementary and alternative approaches, including the use of botanical medicines and nutraceuticals.
The 8 Best Herbs For Lyme Disease
In this age of growing antibiotic resistance, many healthcare professionals try to limit their use of antibiotics. To aid in healing, and even to boost the efficacy of antibiotics, many clinicians have learned to use botanical medicines.
“We use many botanical medicine protocols for Lyme and other tick-borne diseases but also for gut issues, adrenal and hormone issues, inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, health optimization and longevity, and so much more, ” said Dr. Schweig. “These can be used as standalone protocols or layered/combined with prescription medications as needed and appropriate.”
Over the past three years, researchers including Dr. Schweig have published studies showing herbal medicines that kill these common pathogens in the laboratory including:
Lyme Disease And Modern Chinese Medicine: Dr. Qingcai Zhang, Yale Zhang: 9780967721316: Amazon.com: Books
Here is a short list of the above-mentioned botanicals, showing which bacteria they are effective against, as well as if they hit the active (A), stationary (S) or biofilm (B) form of
Dr. Schweig says, “It is my hope and belief that botanical medicines will continue to help people recover from multiple chronic illnesses, including tick-borne diseases, improve treatment outcomes, decrease side effects of treatment, and prevent relapse. With more research, including animal studies and eventual human studies, I hope that we will continue to discover optimal protocols.”
It is crucial to note that while some studies have shown promising results in vitro or in animal models, human clinical trials for botanical treatments in Lyme and tick-borne diseases are still needed.
Sleep: The Natural Medicines.
As always, consult with a healthcare professional before trying any alternative treatments or supplements, as they may interact with other medications or medical conditions.
LymeSci is written by Lonnie Marcum, a Licensed Physical Therapist and mother of a daughter with Lyme. She served two terms on a subcommittee of the federal Tick-Borne Disease Working Group. Follow her on Twitter: @LonnieRhea Email her at: lmarcum@.Originally published on jillcarnahan.com with permission to repost. There’s mounting evidence that botanical treatment strategies, using herbs and extracts from plants, may be a promising way to combat persistent Lyme disease. In summertime we naturally look forward to spending more time outdoors. And while fresh air, sunshine, and nature are all great for your health, there may be a not-so-obvious danger lurking in the great outdoors. The danger I’m referring to is ticks – and the nasty microbes that can come along with a bite from these creepy crawlers. One of the primary dangers of tick bites is contracting an infection known as Lyme disease. Lyme disease can cause a whole host of problematic and persistent symptoms that can be challenging to address. But the good news is, there’s emerging research on the use of a class of medicinal compounds known as botanical treatments to treat and beat this perplexing condition. Today we’re going to look at exactly what Lyme disease is, why conventional treatments don’t always work to address this infection, and explore how botanical treatments may just be the key to eliminating Lyme disease for good. Let’s dive in. Lyme Disease Defined: What Does Lyme Disease Do to a Person? Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by a pathogen known as Borrelia burgdorferi that is transmitted to humans almost exclusively through the bite of insects known as black-legged deer ticks. When these creepy crawlers bite you, they can inadvertently inject Borrelia burgdorferi directly into your bloodstream.1 Once in your bloodstream, this sneaky bacterial invader essentially hijacks your cells – manipulating them to enhance its own survival. As it disseminates and exploits your cells, your immune system senses the invading threat and sounds the alarm – triggering widespread inflammation and a cascade of pro-inflammatory mediators. This combination of effects can lead to an array of confusing and persistent symptoms that can mimic a number of other health conditions such as:2 Alzheimer’s disease Multiple sclerosis Fibromyalgia Rheumatoid arthritis Chronic fatigue syndrome Schizophrenia This perplexing ability to create such a wide range of symptoms that so closely resemble a multitude of other conditions has earned Borrelia burgdorferi the nickname “the great imitator”. But to make matters worse, this masterful imitator often comes with another complication – co-infections. What Are the Symptoms of Lyme Co-infections? The term “co-infections” simply refers to the simultaneous contraction of multiple pathogens. You see, ticks often carry a cocktail of infectious microbes that can easily be transferred through their bite. Some common Lyme co-infections include: Anaplasma and Ehrlichia Babesia Bartonella Rocky Mountain spotted fever Tick-borne relapsing fever Co-infections add another layer of complexity because the symptoms of Lyme combined with these additional pathogens can be overlapping and vague – making it even trickier to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. And to make it even more complicated, these co-infections often have a synergistic effect – amplifying each other’s effects, symptoms, and duration. So can Lyme disease and these complex co-infections be cured? Can Lyme Disease Be Cured? Typical treatment for Lyme disease and other co-infections is a round of antibiotics. Sometimes multiple types of antibiotics or antiparasitic drugs are used to address multiple organisms that may have set up camp in your body.3, 4 But in many cases, antibiotics aren’t enough to completely eradicate Lyme disease – allowing this stealthy bacteria to persist and continue wreaking havoc on your health. You see, Borrelia burgdorferi is exceptionally skilled at dodging both your immune system and antibiotics. This bacteria is able to change its morphology and form biofilm-like microcolonies. These biofilm-like microcolonies are a consortium of bacteria that adhere together and form a sticky, slimy layer that serves as a protective barrier – shielding the bacterial colony from your immune system and drugs.5, 6 This ability to evade drug therapy and immune attack is what allows this bacteria to persist for months and years, creating a host of complications and devastating life-altering symptoms. But there’s a promising new approach that may be able to penetrate through this protective biofilm and attack these persistent pathogens. This new approach is a class of treatments known as botanical medicine. What Is Botanical Medicine? Botanical medicine is also sometimes referred to as herbal medicine, or phytomedicine. Botanical medicine simply uses botanicals, or extracts from plants, as a form of medicine. Plants and their extracts can have powerful therapeutic effects and have long been used in the treatment of numerous conditions.7 And there’s mounting evidence that these botanical treatment strategies may be a promising way to combat persistent Lyme disease. Do Herbs and Botanical Treatments Work for Lyme Disease? Studies are finding that the answer to this question is – yes. But not just any plants will have an effect on Lyme disease. Studies have found that the following 7 plants and botanical treatments are particularly effective at neutralizing and eliminating Lyme disease-causing Borrelia burgdorferi:8 Sweet Wormwood (Artemisia annua): This herb contains an active constituent called artemisinin. This compound exerts powerful antimicrobial effects thanks to its ability to generate free radicals that damage Borrelia burgdorferi proteins. Pink rock-rose (Cistus creticus): Extracts from this shrub have potent antimicrobial effects and can inhibit biofilm formation without causing any adverse changes to healthy cell proliferation, survival, or cellular receptor function. Nibima/Kadze (Cryptolepis sanguinolenta): This plant
In this age of growing antibiotic resistance, many healthcare professionals try to limit their use of antibiotics. To aid in healing, and even to boost the efficacy of antibiotics, many clinicians have learned to use botanical medicines.
“We use many botanical medicine protocols for Lyme and other tick-borne diseases but also for gut issues, adrenal and hormone issues, inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, health optimization and longevity, and so much more, ” said Dr. Schweig. “These can be used as standalone protocols or layered/combined with prescription medications as needed and appropriate.”
Over the past three years, researchers including Dr. Schweig have published studies showing herbal medicines that kill these common pathogens in the laboratory including:
Lyme Disease And Modern Chinese Medicine: Dr. Qingcai Zhang, Yale Zhang: 9780967721316: Amazon.com: Books
Here is a short list of the above-mentioned botanicals, showing which bacteria they are effective against, as well as if they hit the active (A), stationary (S) or biofilm (B) form of
Dr. Schweig says, “It is my hope and belief that botanical medicines will continue to help people recover from multiple chronic illnesses, including tick-borne diseases, improve treatment outcomes, decrease side effects of treatment, and prevent relapse. With more research, including animal studies and eventual human studies, I hope that we will continue to discover optimal protocols.”
It is crucial to note that while some studies have shown promising results in vitro or in animal models, human clinical trials for botanical treatments in Lyme and tick-borne diseases are still needed.
Sleep: The Natural Medicines.
As always, consult with a healthcare professional before trying any alternative treatments or supplements, as they may interact with other medications or medical conditions.
LymeSci is written by Lonnie Marcum, a Licensed Physical Therapist and mother of a daughter with Lyme. She served two terms on a subcommittee of the federal Tick-Borne Disease Working Group. Follow her on Twitter: @LonnieRhea Email her at: lmarcum@.Originally published on jillcarnahan.com with permission to repost. There’s mounting evidence that botanical treatment strategies, using herbs and extracts from plants, may be a promising way to combat persistent Lyme disease. In summertime we naturally look forward to spending more time outdoors. And while fresh air, sunshine, and nature are all great for your health, there may be a not-so-obvious danger lurking in the great outdoors. The danger I’m referring to is ticks – and the nasty microbes that can come along with a bite from these creepy crawlers. One of the primary dangers of tick bites is contracting an infection known as Lyme disease. Lyme disease can cause a whole host of problematic and persistent symptoms that can be challenging to address. But the good news is, there’s emerging research on the use of a class of medicinal compounds known as botanical treatments to treat and beat this perplexing condition. Today we’re going to look at exactly what Lyme disease is, why conventional treatments don’t always work to address this infection, and explore how botanical treatments may just be the key to eliminating Lyme disease for good. Let’s dive in. Lyme Disease Defined: What Does Lyme Disease Do to a Person? Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by a pathogen known as Borrelia burgdorferi that is transmitted to humans almost exclusively through the bite of insects known as black-legged deer ticks. When these creepy crawlers bite you, they can inadvertently inject Borrelia burgdorferi directly into your bloodstream.1 Once in your bloodstream, this sneaky bacterial invader essentially hijacks your cells – manipulating them to enhance its own survival. As it disseminates and exploits your cells, your immune system senses the invading threat and sounds the alarm – triggering widespread inflammation and a cascade of pro-inflammatory mediators. This combination of effects can lead to an array of confusing and persistent symptoms that can mimic a number of other health conditions such as:2 Alzheimer’s disease Multiple sclerosis Fibromyalgia Rheumatoid arthritis Chronic fatigue syndrome Schizophrenia This perplexing ability to create such a wide range of symptoms that so closely resemble a multitude of other conditions has earned Borrelia burgdorferi the nickname “the great imitator”. But to make matters worse, this masterful imitator often comes with another complication – co-infections. What Are the Symptoms of Lyme Co-infections? The term “co-infections” simply refers to the simultaneous contraction of multiple pathogens. You see, ticks often carry a cocktail of infectious microbes that can easily be transferred through their bite. Some common Lyme co-infections include: Anaplasma and Ehrlichia Babesia Bartonella Rocky Mountain spotted fever Tick-borne relapsing fever Co-infections add another layer of complexity because the symptoms of Lyme combined with these additional pathogens can be overlapping and vague – making it even trickier to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. And to make it even more complicated, these co-infections often have a synergistic effect – amplifying each other’s effects, symptoms, and duration. So can Lyme disease and these complex co-infections be cured? Can Lyme Disease Be Cured? Typical treatment for Lyme disease and other co-infections is a round of antibiotics. Sometimes multiple types of antibiotics or antiparasitic drugs are used to address multiple organisms that may have set up camp in your body.3, 4 But in many cases, antibiotics aren’t enough to completely eradicate Lyme disease – allowing this stealthy bacteria to persist and continue wreaking havoc on your health. You see, Borrelia burgdorferi is exceptionally skilled at dodging both your immune system and antibiotics. This bacteria is able to change its morphology and form biofilm-like microcolonies. These biofilm-like microcolonies are a consortium of bacteria that adhere together and form a sticky, slimy layer that serves as a protective barrier – shielding the bacterial colony from your immune system and drugs.5, 6 This ability to evade drug therapy and immune attack is what allows this bacteria to persist for months and years, creating a host of complications and devastating life-altering symptoms. But there’s a promising new approach that may be able to penetrate through this protective biofilm and attack these persistent pathogens. This new approach is a class of treatments known as botanical medicine. What Is Botanical Medicine? Botanical medicine is also sometimes referred to as herbal medicine, or phytomedicine. Botanical medicine simply uses botanicals, or extracts from plants, as a form of medicine. Plants and their extracts can have powerful therapeutic effects and have long been used in the treatment of numerous conditions.7 And there’s mounting evidence that these botanical treatment strategies may be a promising way to combat persistent Lyme disease. Do Herbs and Botanical Treatments Work for Lyme Disease? Studies are finding that the answer to this question is – yes. But not just any plants will have an effect on Lyme disease. Studies have found that the following 7 plants and botanical treatments are particularly effective at neutralizing and eliminating Lyme disease-causing Borrelia burgdorferi:8 Sweet Wormwood (Artemisia annua): This herb contains an active constituent called artemisinin. This compound exerts powerful antimicrobial effects thanks to its ability to generate free radicals that damage Borrelia burgdorferi proteins. Pink rock-rose (Cistus creticus): Extracts from this shrub have potent antimicrobial effects and can inhibit biofilm formation without causing any adverse changes to healthy cell proliferation, survival, or cellular receptor function. Nibima/Kadze (Cryptolepis sanguinolenta): This plant
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