Treating Lyme and Other Tick-borne Infections With Natural Remedies

There is no universally effective treatment for Lyme disease. Prescribed medication will vary from person to person and should be monitored by a medical provider. This resource is designed to educate patients and caretakers about the natural protocols commonly used to treat Lyme. It leverages existing treatment guidelines and expert opinions to provide information about types of herbal medicines, typical dosages, side effects, and emerging research. This resource should not be misconstrued as medical advice. For Project Lyme’s full disclaimer, see here.

Introducing Herbal Protocols

Because of the complexity of disseminated spirochetal infection, prescription antimicrobials may not be a cure-all for Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections. It is possible instead to utilize a more comprehensive approach,also attacking the pathogens with whole plant medicines.

According to recent research publications, including this study at Johns Hopkins, herbals can be very useful in treating Lyme disease. Many herbal medicines have been found to kill Borrelia burgdorferi in lab conditions.

These natural remedies may also help support your immune system, cellular repair, sleep, detoxification, and inflammation. The main benefits of herbals include:

SUPPRESS MICROBES: Herbs with strong antimicrobial phytochemicals directly suppress a wide range of bacteria, protozoa, viruses, and fungi. This allows the immune system to regain its footing and get the microbes under control.
REDUCE INFLAMMATION: By protecting cells from harmful stress factors such as free radicals and toxic substances, herbs can limit cell turnover along with the destructive inflammation that comes with it.
IMPROVE CELLULAR COMMUNICATIONS: Herbs can help normalize disrupted hormones and other chemical messengers in the body. Because all cells must be in constant communication for the body to function as a unit, wellness is only possible when cellular functions are coordinated.

Types of Herbs and Their Benefits

Many people seek natural remedies as a complementary therapy or may use it as their sole treatment approach. It is best to follow the recommended protocol as prescribed by your healthcare provider.

This section educates on the most common types of herbs used to treat tick borne disease as backed by science, including the specific benefits each provides and typical dosage.

JAPANESE KNOTWEED (POLYGONUM CUSPIDATUM)

Not only does Japanese knotweed stop the inflammatory NF-kB cascade, it also inhibits the growth of Spirochetes at several different developmental stages of the parasite. Japanese knotweed may also eradicate various phases of Bartonella bacteria, according to a study in the journal bioRxiv. The herb is also highly concentrated with Resveratrol, which may be helpful for relieving Lyme-associated inflammation. Lastly, resveratrol is highly neuroprotective, which can be helpful for the brain fog associated with Lyme infection.
This herb has been found to enhance blood flow, especially to the eye, heart, skin, and joints. These benefits make it especially helpful for Lyme disease patients as it facilitates blood flow in hard-to-reach areas to kill the spirochetes. It can also be useful in treating the Lyme coinfections of Bartonella and neuroborreliosis, Lyme arthritis, and post-Lyme syndrome.

Typical dosage: 200-800 mg Japanese knotweed (standardized to 50% trans-resveratrol), two to three times daily.

Side effects: Reportedly rare, with low potential for toxicity. Caution is advised if you’re also taking anticoagulants, because resveratrol has blood-thinning properties. Avoid it during pregnancy.

CAT’S CLAW (UNCARIA TOMENTOSA)

Cat’s claw has been used for thousands of years by indigenous people of the Amazon for treating a variety of inflammatory conditions. Common traditional uses include age-related cognitive issues, rheumatism, asthma, stomach problems, and tumors. It was also one of the pre-antibiotic treatments for syphilis.

Cat’s claw offers immune-modulating properties, and it has been found to increase WBCs, including B and T lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cells, and granulocytes. Cat’s claw is known to enhance a specific type of natural killer cell, called CD 57, which is commonly deficient in people with Lyme disease.

Typical dosage: 375 mg, one to two times daily. Inner bark extract standardized to 3% alkaloids is preferred.

Side effects: Occasionally, cat’s claw can cause stomach upset, but it is generally very well tolerated. Cat’s claw requires activation by stomach acid to be effective and should be taken with food. Acid-blocking drugs can prevent the activation of cat’s claw. Taking apple cider vinegar with the herb may enhance activation.

REISHI (GANODERMA LUCIDUM)

Reishi is a mushroom known for exceptional immune-modulating and antiviral properties. Immune modulation means that it strongly reduces destructive inflammatory processes, but at the same time, enhances normal immune function and increases the ability of the immune system to deal with threatening microbes.

Typical dosage: 175 mg, one to two times daily. Fruitbody standardized to 7% beta glucan is preferred.

Side effects: Reishi is extremely well tolerated, with rare side effects and no known toxicity.

TURMERIC (CURCUMA LONGA)

Turmeric offers powerful anti-inflammatory properties and has long been used for arthritis and similar conditions. The herb is also known to inhibit cancer formation in multiple stages, in addition to decreasing the risk of dementia. Evidence available here.

Not only does turmeric have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but it may be useful in reducing stomach ulcers, unlike anti-inflammatory drugs. It’s also known to protect liver cells.

Typical dosage: 250 mg, one to two times daily. Rhizome extract standardized to 45% curcuminoids is preferred.

Side effects: Turmeric has a very long history of use in humans, and side effects are rare.

RHODIOLA (RHODIOLA ROSEA)

Traditionally, rhodiola was used to improve work tolerance at high altitudes, and research suggests that it may increase oxygen delivery to tissues, especially the heart. This adaptogen is now known for decreasing fatigue, increasing alertness, and improving memory.

In addition to enhancing immune function, it has multiple benefits including restoring energy, improving stress tolerance, enhancing immune function, enhancing cardiovascular function and even has antidepressant properties by increasing serotonin in the brain

Typical dosage: 275 mg, one to two times daily. Root extract standardized to 3% rosavins and 1% salidroside is preferred.

Side effects: For some people, rhodiola is mildly stimulating. In general, however, it’s a well-tolerated, calming herb.

ASHWAGANDHA (WITHANIA SOMNIFERA)

Ashwagandha is a calming adaptogen that is particularly useful in balancing the control center for hormone regulation. By restoring balance in this critical pathway, ashwagandha improves stress resistance, allows for improved sleep, reduces brain fog and fatigue, eases the transition through menopause (especially hot flashes), and has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-enhancing properties. It also has been found to counteract the exact modulation of the immune system that tick saliva and pathogens initiate and maintain to keep infection going.

One of the immune molecules that spirochetes alter in the body is NF-kB (Nuclear Factor Kappa Beta), which feeds inflammation. Spirochetes stimulate NF-kB to drive inflammation, breaking down tissues from which they need to feed. Ashwagandha is one of the best herbs for balancing hormones and reducing the detrimental effects of stress.

Typical dosage: 225 mg, twice daily. Root and leaf extract standardized to 10% withanolides is preferred.

Side effects: Ashwagandha has been used as both food and medicine for thousands of years. Side effects of any type are unusual and mild. Ashwagandha is appropriate for men, women, and adolescents. Occasionally, ashwagandha causes mild stimulation in some individuals. Ashwagandha does contain iron and should be avoided by individuals who retain iron (hemochromatosis).

Other Known Herbs

ASTRAGALUS MEMBRANACEUS

This legume has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries, most notably as a general immune system enhancer. A 2020 study showed that the herb alleviates inflammation specifically through the NF-kB pathway (Dong, 2020). Astragalus also has the benefit of being an adrenal adaptogen, balancing the body’s stress response and fighting fatigue (Huang, 2021).

CORDYCEPS MILITARIS

This type of fungus that has been historically used in folk medicine to improve immune function. Its ability to modulate NF-kB was identified in the 2000s, and a recent study from China showed that different preparations of the fungus (water, 50% ethanol, or 70% ethanol extract preparations) could encourage the immune system to operate in different ways (Lee, 2020). This is a tremendous development in the individualized approach to healing Lyme disease, as different people will need different aspects of their immunity adjusted to effectively eradicate the infection. In addition to its anti-inflammatory actions, this botanical reduces fatigue (Song, 2015) and is a potent antioxidant (Rupa, 2020).

Artemisinin SOD

This herb helps to get rid of parasites, provide immune support, and calm inflammation at the same time. This product was formulated for doctors looking to support the patient’s ability to maintain healthy levels of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Nuclear Factor kappa B (NF kappa B), while also supporting the body’s natural ability to fight parasites.

Ginseng Sublime

Research has found that ginseng showed significant reductions in general fatigue, and was associated with an uptrend toward quality of life improvement without an increase of adverse effects from Herxheimer reactions.

Crypto-Plus

This herbal regime promotes the body’s healthy anti-viral system, anti-bacterial response, parasitic response, immune system, circulation, digestion, and inflammatory response. Prescription anti-microbials are not always tolerated or effective as a single therapy, so many doctors find that nutritional support in the form of herbal microbial balancers may potentiate traditional antibiotic therapy.

Copa-Calm

This combination of herbal ingredients are designed to address stressful situations in the moment or may be taken in preparation for these events. The formula includes support for focus, mood balance and calming relaxation without drowsiness.

Chinese Skullcap

This herb is known for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity, but it also has neuroprotective, antioxidant, and anti-excitatory properties. Its active constituent is Baicalein.

Additional Resources

Dr. Myriah Hinchey is a naturopathic physician whose career has been devoted to the treatment of tick-borne diseases, most notably Lyme disease. In this webinar, Dr. Hinchey generously shares her unique and effective approach to naturally healing Lyme and its co-infections using herbals. You may also review her powerpoint presentation here.

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