This is a complicated infection which is caused by the bacteria that is transmitted from a tick or insect bite. The type of deer tick known as the black – legged tick is the most common cause for Lyme disease because it carries and passes on bacteria known as borrelia burgdorferi. Ticks are small arachnids and they are usually found in grassy areas or wooded areas. In the recent studies was said that other insects can also spread Lyme disease, such as other types of ticks, mosquitoes, and possibly fleas or spiders.
This disease can start like flu like symptoms, such as joint pain, muscle pain and headaches. As the time passes, the symptoms of Lyme disease can worsen and they can turn into a long – lived inflammatory response which is similar to an autoimmune illness. Some factors can increase the risk of getting Lyme disease, such as environmental factors, including exposure to mold and parasites; systemic bacterial infection; inhibited cellular function and protein; weakened immunity. Some people who suffer from Lyme disease can have all four problems while others just one.
The most common symptoms of Lyme disease are flu – like symptoms; a rash shaped like a bull’s eye; achiness and joint pains. You should not let the Lyme disease to progress because it can cause you complications and the death from this disease is rare. You need to talk with your doctor if you suffer from Lyme disease before you start using some of the below mentioned home remedies for this condition.
Home remedies for Lyme disease
Probiotics: There are some studies in which are shown that probiotics can reduce the symptoms and progression of infectious diseases. You should consume foods rich in probiotics. Some of the best foods rich in probiotics are amasi, kefit and yogurt. Yogurt is highest in probiotics. [1]
Also you can consume fermented vegetables, like kvass, kimchi and sauerkraut because they are beneficial for your health and you can add them in your daily diet. Probiotics are good bacteria that are needed to kill the bad bacteria. Probiotics can help the good bacteria to grow and flourish in the GI tract and this has a huge impact on the overall health and immunity. Also you can take probiotic supplements with at least eight strains and 50 billion units per day. This is one of the biggest factors which could lead destroy the Lyme disease.
Turmeric: This home remedy has anti – inflammatory properties which has the ability to reduce headaches, joint pain and damage to nerves and blood vessels. [2]
Magnesium: This is an electrolyte which has hundreds of roles in the body, such as reducing muscle aches and supporting the nerve signaling. There are many people who are magnesium deficient so if you suffer from Lyme disease, then you should not allow being deficient in this mineral because the stress and illness will increase the need of your body for more magnesium. [3]
Bone broth: It has amino acids known as glycine and proline and they can help to repair a leaky gut and they will enhance the immune function. The digestive health is very important for the immune functioning. It is known that about 70% or more of the immune system lives in the gut. It is known that foods which can help you to replenish your gut with healthy bacteria and also rebuild the lining of your GI tract can help you to control allergies and inflammation along with many symptoms which they can trigger.
Omega – 3 fatty acids: Omega 3 – fatty acids are having anti – inflammatory properties. Also they can support the neurological and cognitive functions. You should consume foods that are rich in Omega – 3 fatty acids, such as seeds, nuts and wild – caught fish. Also you can supplement with 1,000 mg of fish oil on daily basis, especially with those who have astaxanthin which can boost the absorption. [4]
B – complex: It is known that B vitamins can support the metabolic and cellular functions and also they can fight against the infections and improve neurological health. The Vitamin B6 is very important for people who suffer from Lyme disease or for every single person who deals with the affects of fatigue and stress.
Medicinal mushrooms: There are some studies in which are shown that the medicinal mushrooms, such as maitake, reishi and cordycep mushrooms, promote an adaptive immune system and this can help to control autoimmune reactions. You can find these mushrooms in supplement form and it has been proven that they can help to reduce the reactions to stress and inflammation. These mushrooms have SOD (superoxide dismutase) which is antioxidant that can protect your cells. Also they can increase the function of natural killer cells which can kill off the bad bacteria.
High – antioxidant foods: You should consume fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants, especially leafy green and other brightly colored veggies or berries because they are the best sources of antioxidants and also they have many other key nutrients. They can help to control the free radical damage and inflammation, lower your risk for nutrient deficiencies and it can protect you from the complications of Lyme disease. You should consume foods rich in Vitamin C, such as elderberry, probiotic foods, olive leaf and astragalus to boost your immune system and it helps to eliminate the bacteria directly. [5]
Ashwagandha: This is adaptogenic herb which can naturally reduce the effects of stress and it can control your stress response.
Get a lot of rest: It has been shown that the chronic stress, no matter if it is emotional or physical, can weaken the immune system and it will increase the risk of some people to get sick. Also stress can trigger inflammation and causes hormonal imbalances and at the same time it can disturb the digestive functions and worsen the symptoms of Lyme disease. This is a reason why you should take a lot of rest. It is known that the Lyme disease can lead to fatigue and it will require you extra sleep so you should balance the activity with rest and relaxation. Also you should make your own sleeping schedule.
You should sleep for same hours every day. Also you should have fun times with your friends, family and also alone. May this look fun for you, but the chronic stress can make people to feel sicker than they really are. Also you can use some herbs which can induce the sleep and eliminate insomnia, such as passionflower and valerian root. You should try not to stress yourself before you go bed because this can aggravate your condition.
Oregano: This natural cure can help in the treatment of Lyme disease because it has anti – spirochete capacity which means that it can directly inhibit the spread of the bacteria that is cause for this disease and that is Borrelia genus. You can add to your daily diet to naturally heal your body from infection. You can use it as salve to the site of the bite. You need to ask your doctor about the recommended dosage for the Lyme disease. [6]
Detoxification: It is known that the bacteria are killed off within the body so they can release neurotoxins which can be very dangerous for your body and they can weaken your immune system so the Lyme disease can take its place. This is a reason why you should eat high – fiber diet and drink at least two liters of water per day so you can flush out the toxins and eliminate them from your body before they make any damage to it.
Clove: This is adaptogenic herb that has the ability to fight against the bacteria which is cause for Lyme disease. You can add this herb in your everyday diet or you can apply it as salve to the affected side. In the both ways it can help you but you need to talk with your doctor about the best way for your treatment. [7]
CoQ10: This natural cure can protect your brain and nervous system from the degradation and inflammation while at the same time, it will lower symptoms like joint aches and pain. This home remedy is commonly used by patients who are having ongoing fatigue and autoimmune disorder symptoms, including people who suffer from fibromyalgia. It is recommending taking 200 mg of CoQ10 two times per day. [8]
Vitamin D: It is known that the Vitamin D3 can naturally boost the immune system and it is playing an important role in the regulation of inflammation. Doctors are recommending taking 5,000 IU of Vitamin D on daily basis, especially if you live in the northern region of the world where you do not get direct sunlight exposure. The best way to make your body its own Vitamin D is to stay in the sun. [8]
References:
[1] Gasta MG, Williamson CB, Gossard CM, et al. Probiotics and disease: A comprehensive summary—Part 4, Infectious diseases. Integrative Medicine: A Clinician’s Journal. 2017; 16(2):28–38.
[2] Lantos PM, Shapiro ED, Auwaerter PG, et al. Unorthodox alternative therapies marketed to treat lyme disease. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2015;60(12):1776–82.
[3] Cristea V, Crisan M. Lyme disease with magnesium deficiency. Magnesium Research: Official Organ of the International Society for the Development of Research on Magnesium. 2004;16(4):287-9.
[4] Goc A, Niedzwiecki A, Rath M. Anti-borreliae efficacy of selected organic oils and fatty acids. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2019.
[5] Narasimhan S, Sukumaran B, Bozdogan U, et al. A tick antioxidant facilitates the lyme disease agent’s successful migration from the mammalian host to the arthropod vector. Cell Host Microbe. 2007;2(1):7–18.
[6] Leyva-López N, Gutiérrez-Grijalva EP, Vazquez-Olivo G, Heredia JB. Essential oils of oregano: Biological activity beyond their antimicrobial properties. Molecules. 2017;22(6):989.
[7] Feng J, Shi W, Miklossy J, et al. Identification of essential oils with strong activity against stationary phase Borrelia burgdorferi. Antibiotics (Basel). 2018;7(4):89.
[8] Donta ST. Issues in the diagnosis and treatment of lyme disease. The Open Neurology Journal. 2012;6:140–5.
