Herbs for Lyme disease: Which ones are best for you?
Taking herbs for Lyme disease treatment is one of the smartest approaches available. Here’s why:
- Herbs are powerful. If you’re dealing with Lyme disease, you want to feel better and ensure that the infection does not become a chronic health issue.
- Herbs are safe. Every herb listed here is considered non-toxic, and is backed by a long history of safe use throughout human history. This means that while these herbs are potent antimicrobial with multiple health benefits, they also does not stress the liver. Instead, they support the immune system and body function in a variety of ways, aiding your body’s natural capacity to heal.
- Herbs can be taken long-term without damage to the gut or microbiome. This means that they are a sustainable way to address and recover from infections that take many months (and sometimes years) to eradicate and heal from completely. They can be taken alongside pharmaceutical antibiotics, and in some cases may replace them entirely.
But with so many herbs to choose from, how do you choose which ones are the best for your herbal Lyme disease treatment protocol?
Many patients come to me with a cabinet full of herbal tinctures and supplements. They are taking so many things that they don’t know what’s working. You can save time and money by focusing on taking the herbs that are most likely to work for you.
Read on to learn more about 8 of our favorite herbs to treat Lyme Borreliosis infection. Each herb has unique properties, energetics and areas of focus within the body. Matching such properties to your symptoms and constitution will help your herbal Lyme treatment work better.
Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata)
Also known as Kalmegh in Ayurvedic medicine, and chuan xin lian in the Chinese herbal tradition, this herb is highly regard as the King of Bitters. Indeed, it has a very bitter flavor! Therefore it is often best tolerated when taken as a capsule or tincture versus a tea.
Andrographis has been used for thousands of years for many types of infections, most especially those causing diarrhea, urinary tract infections, and throat infection (such as strep throat). It is historically recognized in India for reversing the spread of disease during the 1919 flu epidemic.
Andrographis is very bitter, astringent, and cold. It has a strong and direct action upon the digestive system, liver and urinary bladder.
Its primary action is to clear inflammation, toxins, and infections from these organs. Its anti-toxin properties are strong and it can be used for snakebite and other toxin-infection induced health conditions such as Lyme disease, co-infections, as well as cancer.
Andrographis also promotes liver and gallbladder function to support detoxification. It also helps resolve phlegm. Other benefits include lowering blood sugar, blood pressure, and aiding blood clot prevention.
Andrographis is ideal for acute lyme disease (within 6 months of initial infection). If using this herb for treatment of chronic Lyme disease, we recommend taking for 1 month on, followed by 1 month off due to its very cold and bitter qualities. During this time, try another herbal antimicrobial to observe its benefits. Andrographis is not ideal for those who predominantly feel cold.
Cat’s claw (Uncaria tomentosa)
Cat’s claw is a powerful herbal remedy native to the Amazon rainforest. Known for its impressive immune-boosting properties, this vine has been used for centuries in traditional South American medicine.
Cat’s claw is particularly valued for its anti-inflammatory effects, making it helpful in managing conditions involving pain, like arthritis.
It is immune-modulatory, which means that it also supports the rebalancing of immune system function – strengthening immune function against bacteria and viruses while also diminishing the inflammation associated with chronic pain, infection and auto-immunity.
Cat’s Claw also helps to heal leaky gut syndrome. Rich in antioxidants, it aids in fighting oxidative stress and supports overall vitality.
Japanese Knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum)
Also called hu zhang in Chinese medicine, this herb is highly regarded in the treatment of Lyme disease and co-infections.
According to Classical Chinese medicine, Japanese knotweed moves blood stasis, which promotes circulation and helps reduce inflammation. It is especially useful to treat symptoms such as joint and muscle pain, menstrual pain and irregularity, and infectious skin conditions.
It supports the liver (as a source of Resveratrol), and aids detoxification.
Japanese knotweed is a highly effective and broad spectrum herbal antimicrobial to protect against and treat Lyme and co-infections. Clinically it can be used to help resolve Lyme-borreliosis, anaplasma, ehrlichia, Bartonella, and Babesia.
Cryptolepis (Cryptolepis sanguinolenta)
Cryptolepis is a staple of traditional African herbalism that has a proven effectiveness and safety record based on thousands of years of use. It is used to treat pain and inflammation, infections such as malaria in people of all ages. In research labs and in our clinic it is a top herb for the treatment of Lyme and co-infections such as bartonella and babesia.
In addition to outstanding effectiveness demonstrated against Lyme-Borreliosis and Bartonella, Cryptolepis also has demonstrated antimicrobial effectiveness against:
- Staphylococcus aureus
- E. coli
- Salmonella typhi
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Candida albicans
- Klebisella pneumonia
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
This makes it an ideal herb for gut-based and food-related infections.
Cryptolepis also reduces blood glucose, triglycerides and LDL cholesterol.
Alchornea (Alchornea cordifolia)
Commonly referred to as Agbara in its native African habitat, Alchornea is a highly valued traditional medicinal and is referred to as the “miracle tree” because of its wide application and effectiveness.
Alchornea is anti-inflammatory and often used to provide relief from joint pain, menstrual pain, and headache.
It is also anti-inflammatory for the gut). It soothes indigestion, diarrhea and gastritis and can be used to address symptoms related to IBD, IBS, and other inflamed gut syndromes.
Alchornea supports regeneration of damaged tissues and contains many anti-oxidants to promote healing. It strengthens the immune system, heart and cardiovascular system.
It also benefits the lungs and is used in cases of respiratory distress such as asthma, cough and lung infection.
Alchornea is effective against a broad range of infections, including bacteria such as Lyme, fungus, and parasites.
Stephania (Stephania tetrandrae)
Stephania (S. tetrandrae), also known as “fang ji” in Chinese herbal medicine, is a well-regarded herb for joint pain, inflammation, and water retention.
It is used for Lyme arthralgias, neurological or musculoskeletal pain, and swelling. We use it in protocols designed to address swollen joints, pain and stiffness in the hands and feet or other joints.
Stephania is a natural diuretic and can help alleviate water retention in the lower body (legs, ankles and feet).
It is also neuroprotective and may be helpful in cases of brain inflammation, eye inflammation, and cardiovascular disorders.
Sweet Wormwood (Artemisia annuae)
Sweet Wormwood (aka Sweet Annie, or qing hao in Chinese medicine) is a premier antimicrobial herb. Its application in herbal medicine traditions spans the globe and a wide array of pathogens, from parasites to babesia, to Lyme-Borreliosis, and viruses. For example, it was demonstrated to inhibit replication of SARS CoV-2.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, wormwood (Sweet Annie) is ideal for clearing fevers due to epidemic and pestilential qi, such as occurs when we catch an infection from a bug bite or a flu-like illness that causes fever, sweating, chills, body aches and is difficult to clear fully from the body.
It is also an anti-toxin herb and an immune system mediator, which also makes it a top choice for auto-immune presentations such a Lupus, Sjogren’s, and Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Our tincture is made from herb that is grown with care in our clinic garden, then tinctured fresh at the height of harvest season. Super fresh and potent!
Teasel (Dipsacus asperoides)
Teasel is not an herbal antibiotic, but rather a plant medicine that activates clearance of the infections and toxins from the bones and muscles of the body. It has been used for centuries in Chinese medicine as a tonic for the bones and connective tissue, to support weakness in pregnancy, and promote healthy blood flow.
instead of killing the bacteria itself, Teasel engages the body’s own capabilities to kill off the Lyme bacteria. By warming the cells and muscles, it invites the Lyme bacteria into the bloodstream, where it can be exposed to antimicrobials and the immune system.
Teasel is warming, so ideal for those who feel cold and suffer from cold conditions such as stiffness, joint and muscle pain. It is an ideal tonic for pregnant women who are also dealing with Lyme disease.
What’s your favorite herb for Lyme disease? Share with us in the comments below!
Sources:
Jayakumar T, Hsieh CY, Lee JJ, Sheu JR. Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology of Andrographis paniculata and Its Major Bioactive Phytoconstituent Andrographolide. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:846740. doi: 10.1155/2013/846740. Epub 2013 Mar 24. PMID: 23634174; PMCID: PMC3619690.
Sandoval-Chacón M, Thompson JH, Zhang XJ, Liu X, Mannick EE, Sadowska-Krowicka H, Charbonnet RM, Clark DA, Miller MJ. Antiinflammatory actions of cat’s claw: the role of NF-kappaB. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 1998 Dec;12(12):1279-89. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2036.1998.00424.x. PMID: 9882039.
Zhang Y, Alvarez-Manzo H, Leone J, Schweig S, Zhang Y. Botanical Medicines Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, Artemisia annua, Scutellaria baicalensis, Polygonum cuspidatum, and Alchornea cordifolia Demonstrate Inhibitory Activity Against Babesia duncani. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2021;11:624745. Published 2021 Mar 8. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.624745
