The home remedies for Lyme disease include the use of herbs like wormwood, oregano, and clove for eliminating the underlying infection. Garlic, valerian, passionflower, and Ganoderma mushrooms are also good for treatment.
Increasing the intake of water, eliminating gluten from your diet, and increasing consumption of lean organic proteins like nuts, avocados, flaxseed, and fish oil can help, as well as a high-fiber regimen. Astragalus, elderberry, and olive leaf can also be used to eliminate the effects of Lyme disease.
Home Remedies for Lyme Disease
The treatment of Lyme disease at home is however supplementary. You should consult with a doctor before taking up these remedies as Lyme disease can prove fatal for your health. Now let’s look at the top remedies for treating the disease.
Boost Immune System
Lyme disease attacks the body and compromises the immune system, so you need to give it a well-needed boost to eliminate the bacterial infection. Consume plenty of vitamin C-rich foods like astragalus, olive leaf, probiotic foods, and elderberry to provide an immediate boost to your immune system so it can help eliminate the bacteria directly. [1]
Most cases of Lyme disease are successfully treated with a few weeks of antibiotics. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Reduce Inflammation
One of the major symptoms of Lyme disease is inflammation, both at the point of the bite as well as throughout the body as the infection spreads. One way to allow your body to rest and muster a defense against this disease, without resorting to antibiotics, is to reduce the inflammation. Mushrooms have long been used to reduce inflammation and reducing dairy and gluten-based products from the diet can also lower general inflammation throughout your system. According to Dr. Steven J. Bock, medical director of The Rhinebeck Health Center, protein-rich and lean foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and fish oil should be consumed to keep the body packed with nutrients, coupled with making sure to avoid any inflammatory materials. [2]
Adaptogenic Herbs
Extensive research by James A. Duke, Ph.D., has been done on the role of various herbs in battling microbial infections and bacteria that can harm our bodies. In terms of Lyme disease, a direct connection has been made between oregano, ashwagandha, and clove, since they have anti-spirochete capacities, meaning that they directly inhibit the spread of specific types of bacteria of which the Borrelia genus is a part. Using these herbs in either salve on the site of the bite or including them in your diet can naturally help to heal your body from infection. However, it is always safe if you first consult with a doctor to be safe. [3]
Co-infection Prevention
Many people suffer from a weakened immune system when they contract Lyme disease, and subsequently, other viruses take hold, even further taxing the immune system and leaving it unable to heal either the bacterial or viral infection. Herpes is commonly seen developing on Lyme disease patients. According to research by Dietrich K.Klinghardt, MD, Ph.D., two herbs, olive leaf, and cat’s claw, have shown themselves to be very effective against that type of virus. Other antiviral and antibacterial vegetables, particularly garlic cloves, can be used as often as possible to kill off the bacteria before it can spread and worsen the condition. [4]
Detoxification
As the bacteria are killed off within the body, they release certain neurotoxins that can be very dangerous to your body and can make you ill or weaken your immune system enough to let Lyme disease have a resurgence. Therefore, be sure to eat a high-fiber diet and drink at least 2 liters of water per day so you can flush out these toxins and eliminate them from the body before they can do any damage. [5] [6]
Get Some Sleep
According to the John Hopkins Lyme Disease Research Center, sleep patterns are often disrupted in individuals who have the disease, which can unbalance their metabolism and circadian rhythms, upset their neurotransmitter hormones, and weaken their immune system. [7]
Try valerian root and passionflower, which are both known to induce sleep and eliminate insomnia. Also, try not to stress yourself as it can aggravate the condition.
Word of Caution
While the infections and the most important symptoms can be treated with home remedies and a healthy diet that strengthens the immune system, if the symptoms begin to worsen rapidly, immediately go to see a doctor. The more serious symptoms that occur when the disease is left untreated can be quite severe and have a long-lasting impact, despite the fact that death from this disease is extremely rare.
