The word “natural” refers to something made in nature. When discussing medicine, “natural” refers to the remedies that can be made using plants and other parts of nature. For example, herbal teas are made of plant leaves or stem steeped in hot water. Plants or trees with the hormone salicylic acid are used to create aspirin. Morphine comes from the poppy plant, and CBD derives from hemp.
There are numerous natural Lyme disease treatment methods that many people don’t know about. Understanding that “natural” does not always mean safer is crucial. Some people may assume it is harmless because it is made from plants, flowers, or trees. However, natural products contain chemicals like synthetic medicines that can harm you if misused.
Natural Lyme Disease Treatment Must-Knows
Before you begin trying natural remedies to treat Lyme disease, you must consult with a Lyme-literate doctor who can assess you and prescribe the correct dose for your gender and weight. Also, they can tell you if the natural treatments interact with other medicines you may be taking.
Lyme-literate doctors know the side effects of natural Lyme disease remedies. Some side effects are expected and harmless, while others may cause you to need immediate medical attention. Natural treatments are not only supplements you take. They can also be holistic therapies known to ease Lyme disease symptoms.
Holistic Lyme Disease Treatments
The idea behind holistic therapies is to treat the whole individual, including the mind, body, and spirit, for complete healing. If one part is left untreated, there is a chance for a symptom relapse. Holistic practices may include one or more of the following:
- Massage
- Acupuncture
- Chelation therapy
- Photon therapy
- Stem cell therapy
- Sauna
- Essential oils
When it is time to create your Lyme disease treatment plan, you will work with your Lyme-literate doctor to develop a unique schedule of therapies. Below are some of the most common natural treatments for Lyme disease.
Natural Lyme Disease Treatment
Several goals of using natural Lyme disease treatment exist, including boosting the immune system, detoxing the body, and repairing the damage. Many natural therapies start with making healthy changes to your lifestyle.
Lower Sugar and Carbohydrate Intake
Your gut contains good and bad bacteria. What you eat contributes to the amount of good and bad bacteria in your gut. The good bacteria promote digestion, immune system health, and lower inflammation. On the other hand, harmful bacteria can prevent natural functioning. Harmful bacteria thrive on sugars in candy, ice cream, doughnuts, cookies, and cakes.
Harmful bacteria also thrive on carbohydrates that turn into sugar when processed by the body. Foods like potato chips, crackers, and white bread are examples of food high in carbohydrates. Understanding how this sugar affects gut health is extremely important to overall health.
If you have Lyme disease and eat a lot of junk food, you have at least two sources of inflammation. It can feel like you are getting a double dose, and your Lyme disease symptoms may worsen. You can lower sugar intake by reducing the amount of alcohol you consume and swapping processed sugar items with natural sweeteners.
Antioxidant Protocols
Your body’s cells can be damaged by free radicals, which can build up and cause oxidative stress, making it easier for diseases to develop. Antioxidant protocols include eating foods with antioxidant properties, like berries, nuts, vegetables, teas, and spices.
Also, glutathione, an antioxidant consisting of amino acids, is often suppressed in those with an unhealthy lifestyle. Increasing glutathione can reduce oxidative stress and damage and fight autoimmune diseases. Intravenous glutathione treatments offered by Lyme-literate doctors have proven beneficial in treating Lyme symptoms.
Herbal Supplements
Herbs are plants used as medicine, which has been done for thousands of years. There are specific herbs that kill Borrelia burgdorferi, the Lyme bacteria, in test tubes when they are combined with antibiotics, including:
- Black walnut
- Wormwood
- Japanese knotweed
- Cat’s claw
- Chinese skullcap
Garlic and stevia may also have properties that kill Lyme bacteria.
Chelation Therapy
Heavy metals and toxins get into your bloodstream due to everyday environmental factors like pollution and exposure to lead. Lyme disease symptoms worsen with higher levels of heavy metals. Chelation therapy can help but is only approved by the Federal Drug Administration when administered by a Lyme-literate licensed doctor. A binding agent, or chelating agent, is put into your bloodstream. It binds to heavy metals and forces them to be flushed out through the kidneys.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture can help alleviate symptoms like inflammation caused by Lyme disease. It has been used as an alternative method for centuries. Points on your body are given a boost by inserting a needle tip in that area.
This stimulates the central nervous system and releases chemicals into the brain, spinal cord, and muscles. Lyme disease hinders the functioning of the central nervous system. It can slow or stop processes. Acupuncture boosts the central nervous system, so it can aid in natural healing and fighting Lyme bacteria.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are recommended for both preventing and treating Lyme disease. Specific essential oils repel ticks and other insects. Applying them to your body before you go into an area with ticks may reduce your chances of getting bitten.
Essential oils like lemongrass, citronella, cedarwood, geranium, and lavender are often used in prevention. It would help if you worked with your Lyme-literate doctor in choosing which essential oils will benefit you the most. Below is a brief list of essential oils and how they can help you.
- Clove- antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
- Cinnamon bark- antimicrobial.
- Juniper Berry Oil- nerve healing.
- Marjoram- antibacterial and antiviral.
- Vetiver- improves concentration and focus.
- Frankincense- anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, immune system booster.
Vitamins and Minerals
Lyme disease robs the body of essential nutrients, often leading to malnutrition. A Lyme-literate doctor can replenish the vitamins and minerals your body needs using intravenous methods or supplements. Standard supplemental IV vitamin treatments for Lyme disease include vitamin C mega dose, silver, gallium, selenium, and vitamins A through D.
Key Natural Lyme Disease Treatment Takeaways
Talk to your doctor about the risks beforehand if you decide to explore natural Lyme disease treatment options. Alternative therapies, like traditional medicine, can still be toxic or dangerous. But in combination with medical treatment, a complementary approach might improve health. To see which natural Lyme disease treatment will benefit you the most, reach out to a Lyme-literate doctor. Together, you can create a treatment plan that works.
