Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Lyme Disease?SymptomsEssential OilsNaturopathic TreatmentHerbsChelation TherapyOther Natural Treatments
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Lyme Disease?
Symptoms
Essential Oils
Naturopathic Treatment
Herbs
Chelation Therapy
Other Natural Treatments
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 helptreat 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.
Speak with your healthcare provider before opting for any natural or herbal remedies, as some remedies may have interactions with prescription medications you are taking.
Oleksandra Yagello / Getty Images
Thesigns and symptoms of Lyme diseaseusually 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:
If left untreated, symptoms can worsen to include Bell’s palsy (facial paralysis), severe headaches, muscle, joint, and tendon pain, cardiac (heart) problems, andneurological 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.
Can your body naturally fight off Lyme disease?Many people never show symptoms of a Lyme infection and do not require treatment. Left untreated, most people with Lyme will heal without developing complications.
Can your body naturally fight off Lyme disease?
Many people never show symptoms of a Lyme infection and do not require treatment. Left untreated, most people with Lyme will heal without developing complications.
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 againstB. burgdorferiin the lab (not in humans) and foundcinnamon bark, clove bud, citronella, wintergreen,andoreganoshow 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.
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.
White Mulberry Benefits and Side Effects
Naturopathic treatment for Lyme disease takes a whole-body approach. Anaturopathic practitionerwill evaluate yourdiet, 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.
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):
The antibacterial properties of these herbs show promise, but further studies are needed to establish their effectiveness against Lyme disease in humans.
There are many natural options offered to treat Lyme disease. A 2015 study identified 30 alternative treatments, including:
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 theStevia rebaudianaplant—may be effective in treating Lyme disease. A study published in theEuropean Journal of Microbiology and Immunologydiscovered that stevia extracts are more effective in killing Lyme disease bacterium in the lab (not tested in humans) than the standard antibiotics.
Summary
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.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How lyme disease spreads.Kugeler KJ, Schwartz AM, Delorey MJ, et al.Estimating the Frequency of Lyme Disease Diagnoses, United States, 2010–2018.Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2021;27(2):616-619. doi:10.3201/eid2702.202731.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About lyme disease.Cedars-Sinai.Ticks and Lyme Disease.Feng J, Zhang S, Shi W, Zubcevik N, Miklossy J, Zhang Y.Selective essential oils from spice or culinary herbs have high activity against stationary phase and biofilmBorrelia burgdorferi.Front Med (Lausanne). 2017;4:169. doi:10.3389/fmed.2017.00169National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy.Safety information.Goc A, Niedzwiecki A, Rath M.Cooperation of doxycycline with phytochemicals and micronutrients against active and persistent forms of Borrelia sp.Int J Biol Sci. 2016;12(9):1093-1103. doi:10.7150/ijbs.16060Feng J, Leone J, Schweig S, Zhang Y.Evaluation of natural and botanical medicines for activity against growing and non-growing forms ofB. burgdorferi.Front Med (Lausanne). 2020;7:6. doi:10.3389/fmed.2020.00006Michigan Medicine. University of Michigan.Chelation therapy.Lantos PM, Shapiro ED, Auwaerter PG, et al.Unorthodox alternative therapies marketed to treat Lyme disease.Clin Infect Dis. 2015;60(12):1776-1782. doi:10.1093/cid/civ186Nchu F, Magano SR, Eloff JN.Repellent activities of dichloromethane extract ofAllium sativum(garlic) (Liliaceae) againstHyalomma rufipes(Acari).J S Afr Vet Assoc. 2016;87(1):e1-e5. doi:10.4102/jsava.v87i1.1356Theophilus PA, Victoria MJ, Socarras KM, et al.Effectiveness of Stevia rebaudiana whole leaf extract against the various morphological forms of Borrelia burgdorferi in vitro.Eur J Microbiol Immunol (Bp). 2015;5(4):268-280. doi:10.1556/1886.2015.00031
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How lyme disease spreads.Kugeler KJ, Schwartz AM, Delorey MJ, et al.Estimating the Frequency of Lyme Disease Diagnoses, United States, 2010–2018.Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2021;27(2):616-619. doi:10.3201/eid2702.202731.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About lyme disease.Cedars-Sinai.Ticks and Lyme Disease.Feng J, Zhang S, Shi W, Zubcevik N, Miklossy J, Zhang Y.Selective essential oils from spice or culinary herbs have high activity against stationary phase and biofilmBorrelia burgdorferi.Front Med (Lausanne). 2017;4:169. doi:10.3389/fmed.2017.00169National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy.Safety information.Goc A, Niedzwiecki A, Rath M.Cooperation of doxycycline with phytochemicals and micronutrients against active and persistent forms of Borrelia sp.Int J Biol Sci. 2016;12(9):1093-1103. doi:10.7150/ijbs.16060Feng J, Leone J, Schweig S, Zhang Y.Evaluation of natural and botanical medicines for activity against growing and non-growing forms ofB. burgdorferi.Front Med (Lausanne). 2020;7:6. doi:10.3389/fmed.2020.00006Michigan Medicine. University of Michigan.Chelation therapy.Lantos PM, Shapiro ED, Auwaerter PG, et al.Unorthodox alternative therapies marketed to treat Lyme disease.Clin Infect Dis. 2015;60(12):1776-1782. doi:10.1093/cid/civ186Nchu F, Magano SR, Eloff JN.Repellent activities of dichloromethane extract ofAllium sativum(garlic) (Liliaceae) againstHyalomma rufipes(Acari).J S Afr Vet Assoc. 2016;87(1):e1-e5. doi:10.4102/jsava.v87i1.1356Theophilus PA, Victoria MJ, Socarras KM, et al.Effectiveness of Stevia rebaudiana whole leaf extract against the various morphological forms of Borrelia burgdorferi in vitro.Eur J Microbiol Immunol (Bp). 2015;5(4):268-280. doi:10.1556/1886.2015.00031
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How lyme disease spreads.Kugeler KJ, Schwartz AM, Delorey MJ, et al.Estimating the Frequency of Lyme Disease Diagnoses, United States, 2010–2018.Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2021;27(2):616-619. doi:10.3201/eid2702.202731.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About lyme disease.Cedars-Sinai.Ticks and Lyme Disease.Feng J, Zhang S, Shi W, Zubcevik N, Miklossy J, Zhang Y.Selective essential oils from spice or culinary herbs have high activity against stationary phase and biofilmBorrelia burgdorferi.Front Med (Lausanne). 2017;4:169. doi:10.3389/fmed.2017.00169National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy.Safety information.Goc A, Niedzwiecki A, Rath M.Cooperation of doxycycline with phytochemicals and micronutrients against active and persistent forms of Borrelia sp.Int J Biol Sci. 2016;12(9):1093-1103. doi:10.7150/ijbs.16060Feng J, Leone J, Schweig S, Zhang Y.Evaluation of natural and botanical medicines for activity against growing and non-growing forms ofB. burgdorferi.Front Med (Lausanne). 2020;7:6. doi:10.3389/fmed.2020.00006Michigan Medicine. University of Michigan.Chelation therapy.Lantos PM, Shapiro ED, Auwaerter PG, et al.Unorthodox alternative therapies marketed to treat Lyme disease.Clin Infect Dis. 2015;60(12):1776-1782. doi:10.1093/cid/civ186Nchu F, Magano SR, Eloff JN.Repellent activities of dichloromethane extract ofAllium sativum(garlic) (Liliaceae) againstHyalomma rufipes(Acari).J S Afr Vet Assoc. 2016;87(1):e1-e5. doi:10.4102/jsava.v87i1.1356Theophilus PA, Victoria MJ, Socarras KM, et al.Effectiveness of Stevia rebaudiana whole leaf extract against the various morphological forms of Borrelia burgdorferi in vitro.Eur J Microbiol Immunol (Bp). 2015;5(4):268-280. doi:10.1556/1886.2015.00031
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How lyme disease spreads.
Kugeler KJ, Schwartz AM, Delorey MJ, et al.Estimating the Frequency of Lyme Disease Diagnoses, United States, 2010–2018.Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2021;27(2):616-619. doi:10.3201/eid2702.202731.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About lyme disease.
Cedars-Sinai.Ticks and Lyme Disease.
Feng J, Zhang S, Shi W, Zubcevik N, Miklossy J, Zhang Y.Selective essential oils from spice or culinary herbs have high activity against stationary phase and biofilmBorrelia burgdorferi.Front Med (Lausanne). 2017;4:169. doi:10.3389/fmed.2017.00169
National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy.Safety information.
Goc A, Niedzwiecki A, Rath M.Cooperation of doxycycline with phytochemicals and micronutrients against active and persistent forms of Borrelia sp.Int J Biol Sci. 2016;12(9):1093-1103. doi:10.7150/ijbs.16060
Feng J, Leone J, Schweig S, Zhang Y.Evaluation of natural and botanical medicines for activity against growing and non-growing forms ofB. burgdorferi.Front Med (Lausanne). 2020;7:6. doi:10.3389/fmed.2020.00006
Michigan Medicine. University of Michigan.Chelation therapy.
Lantos PM, Shapiro ED, Auwaerter PG, et al.Unorthodox alternative therapies marketed to treat Lyme disease.Clin Infect Dis. 2015;60(12):1776-1782. doi:10.1093/cid/civ186
Nchu F, Magano SR, Eloff JN.Repellent activities of dichloromethane extract ofAllium sativum(garlic) (Liliaceae) againstHyalomma rufipes(Acari).J S Afr Vet Assoc. 2016;87(1):e1-e5. doi:10.4102/jsava.v87i1.1356
Theophilus PA, Victoria MJ, Socarras KM, et al.Effectiveness of Stevia rebaudiana whole leaf extract against the various morphological forms of Borrelia burgdorferi in vitro.Eur J Microbiol Immunol (Bp). 2015;5(4):268-280. doi:10.1556/1886.2015.00031
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