Natural Remedies for Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. It is spread through the bite of infected ticks. Ticks are tiny, and their bites—which can occur anywhere on the body—are usually painless, so you may not immediately be aware that you have been bitten.

In most cases, a tick must be attached for at least 36 to 48 hours before Lyme disease is transmitted. If a tick is removed within 24 hours, the chances of getting Lyme disease are greatly reduced. 

Many people turn to natural remedies to help treat Lyme disease. Natural remedies are regarded as complementary therapies (used alongside conventional medicines or treatments) rather than substitutes or alternatives to clinical treatment.

This article provides an overview of Lyme disease, symptoms that you might experience, and natural remedies that may aid in healing from this disease.

What Is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease (infection transmitted to humans by blood-feeding insects, in this case, black-legged ticks) in the United States. It's estimated that approximately 476,000 people were diagnosed with Lyme disease yearly between 2010-2018.  

Cases are diagnosed based on symptoms, a physical examination, and by tracking your history of possible tick exposure.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of Lyme disease usually start within three to 30 days after an infected tick bite. Many people experience flu-like symptoms early on, while more serious symptoms may appear later if the disease has not been treated early enough or is left untreated.

Early signs and symptoms of Lyme disease include:

• Chills
• Fatigue 
• Fever
• Headache 
• Joint and muscle aches
• Rash (shaped like a bullseye) 
• Swollen lymph nodes

If left untreated, symptoms can worsen to include Bell’s palsy (facial paralysis), severe headaches, muscle, joint, and tendon pain, cardiac (heart) problems, and neurological disorders.

Most cases of Lyme disease can be managed and treated with two to three weeks of antibiotics. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and how long after the bite you were diagnosed, you may need a longer course of antibiotics to clear up the infection.

Essential Oils for Lyme Disease

It is believed that many essential oils have antimicrobial activities, and some people with long-term Lyme disease have turned to essential oils to help reduce their symptoms. 

Researchers tested 34 essential oils against B. burgdorferi in the lab (not in humans) and found cinnamon bark, clove bud, citronella, wintergreen, and oregano show strong activity against the bacterium that causes Lyme disease, even more effectively than daptomycin, the “gold standard” antibiotic many people with long-term Lyme disease are prescribed (in combination with doxycycline and cefoperazone).

While these results indicate that essential oils show promise as additional treatment options for Lyme disease, clinical trials are needed to determine their effectiveness in humans.

When used properly, most essential oils are safe and free of adverse side effects. However, it is important to use them carefully. They can irritate the skin if not properly diluted, and some should not be taken internally. Always remember to skin test products on the underside of your arm first to detect sensitivity.

Essential oils are strong, so only small amounts (typically a few drops) are used. They can be diffused (aromatherapy), mixed with a carrier oil (like coconut) and applied directly to the skin, or ingested (which should only be done under the supervision of a medical professional or an herbalist). Follow product usage and dilution instructions carefully.

Make sure to purchase high-quality essential oils that go through testing to ensure that each product is safe to use. Talk with your healthcare provider before using essential oils to avoid drug interactions with any other medications you are taking.

Naturopathic Treatment 

Naturopathic treatment for Lyme disease takes a whole-body approach. A naturopathic practitioner will evaluate your diet, lifestyle, immune status, environment, and any other medical conditions you have to come up with a treatment plan. Naturopathic Lyme disease treatment may include a combination of nutritional and lifestyle counseling, homeopathic remedies, herbs, and dietary supplements that are recommended based on your specific symptoms and needs.

Many people choose to seek naturopathic treatment as a complementary therapy and follow the recommended protocol in combination with antibiotic medication that has been prescribed by their healthcare provider. Licensed naturopathic practitioners who can prescribe pharmaceuticals may use antibiotic treatment in combination with natural approaches.

The goal is to support your immune system, promote healthy detoxification, and protect and repair your body during the healing process. Research on the efficacy of naturopathic treatment for Lyme disease is limited.  

Herbs for Lyme Disease Treatment

Herbs have been used as a medicinal treatment for thousands of years. Many people turn to herbal remedies to help provide relief from Lyme disease when antibiotics don't eliminate all their symptoms.

One research study found that a combination of doxycycline (antibiotic) and baicalein (the active ingredient found in Chinese skullcap) provides additional healing benefits. More encouraging, a 2020 laboratory study found seven herbal medicines to have anti-B. burgdorferi (Lyme bacteria) activity compared to doxycycline and cefuroxime (antibiotic):

• Cryptolepis sanguinolenta
• Juglans nigra (black walnut)
• Polygonum cuspidatum (Japanese knotweed)
• Artemisia annua (sweet wormwood)
• Uncaria tomentosa (cat's claw)
• Cistus incanus
• Scutellaria baicalensis (Chinese skullcap)

The antibacterial properties of these herbs show promise, but further studies are needed to establish their effectiveness against Lyme disease in humans.

Chelation Therapy

Chelation therapy is a method that involves removing heavy metals from the bloodstream. Some people believe that Lyme disease symptoms are linked to heavy metal toxicity in the body caused by environmental factors (e.g., pollution, lead exposure) and turn to chelation therapy to treat Lyme disease. 

A chelating agent is a molecule that binds with heavy metals in the body and eliminates them through the kidneys. Chelation therapy may be given as an oral preparation or by intravenously administering saline and a chelating agent such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA).

Chelation therapy is approved by the Food and Drug Administration when administered by a licensed practitioner. It is used to treat lead poisoning. Some alternative practitioners use it for additional applications, including atherosclerosis and arthritis.

There is currently no evidence to suggest that Lyme disease is caused by or worsened by heavy metal exposure, and chelation therapy is not a proven treatment for Lyme disease. 

Other Natural Treatments

There are many natural options offered to treat Lyme disease. A 2015 study identified 30 alternative treatments, including:

• Acupuncture
• Bee venom
• Energy and radiation-based therapies
• Enemas 
• Magnets
• Nutritional therapy
• Photon therapy
• Sauna
• Stem cell transplantation

There is currently no research to prove the efficacy of these unconventional treatments and, in some cases, the treatments may be more harmful than helpful.

Garlic essential oil, on the other hand, has been shown to eliminate the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. In addition to garlic's antibacterial effects, it may help prevent tick bites. One study determined that people who took garlic supplements reported fewer tick bites than the placebo group.

Garlic can interact with certain medications, so speak with your healthcare provider before using it to prevent or treat Lyme disease. 

Stevia—a natural sweetener and sugar substitute derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant—may be effective in treating Lyme disease. A study published in the European Journal of Microbiology and Immunology discovered that stevia extracts are more effective in killing Lyme disease bacterium in the lab (not tested in humans) than the standard antibiotics.

Summary

Natural remedies for Lyme disease are considered complementary therapies rather than replacements for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Some people choose to use natural remedies in combination with the antibiotics routinely prescribed to treat the disease.

While some natural remedies show great promise against Lyme bacteria in a lab, more research is needed to determine their effectiveness in people. It's important to speak with your healthcare provider before opting to add any natural or herbal remedies because some may interact with prescription medications.

It is best to get medical treatment as soon as possible if you suspect you have Lyme disease. At this time, antibiotics are the only proven treatment for Lyme.