In my journey with Lyme disease, I’ve discovered a ton of natural ways to treat Lyme, including by using herbs for Lyme disease!
Herbs are a fantastic tool for wellness and recovery. They support the body’s natural processes instead of covering over symptoms, as many over-the-counter drugs do. They’re also gentle and generally can be used by anyone, even us sensitive Lymies!
It’s easy to incorporate herbs into your Lyme disease protocol since you don’t need a prescription and there are very few (if any) side effects from adding herbs to your Lyme diet.
At the bottom of this page, you’ll also find my recipe for an herbal tea for Lyme disease, which is the tea I use almost every day to help with support and Lyme symptoms as I’m healing.
Please note that I’m not a doctor. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This website contains affiliate links- meaning that if you follow a link to something I recommend, I might receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. More info here.
Herbs for Lyme disease
There are many herbs that are fantastic for pretty much anyone to take, such as adaptogens (including ashwagandha and astragalus), which help to bring the body back into balance no matter where it’s at.
There are a couple of more specific herbs for Lyme disease that are super helpful for specific Lyme symptoms and problems.
These herbs can be a great part of chronic Lyme disease treatment.
I’ve also included links for you to find good places to buy each herb. It’s important to find somewhere to buy from that you can trust, and that offers high-quality herbs that haven’t used pesticides or herbicides, and that’s why I always buy my herbs from Starwest Botanicals.
Read on to find out which herbs are best for you to include in your Lyme disease herbal protocol!
Herb energetics
First off, a little herb lesson for you: Herbs have energetics. This means they can be warming, moistening, bitter, drying, and more.
I’m sure you’ve noticed the heat from eating ginger or cayenne, or the cooling feeling of peppermint.Those are theplant’s energetics!
One thing most people don’t know about herbs is that they work best when they’re bringing your energetics into balance.
What this means is that if you feel cold all the time, and you take an herb that is supposed to be good for nausea, but it’s cooling -peppermint is one such herb- it might not be the best solution for you. It could even make your symptoms worse!
So you can’t just search “what herbs are good for (fill in the blank)” because they might not be good for you personally.
What you need to do is to first be aware of your energetics (also called your constitution) and how you’re feeling at the time, and then look for herbs that can help bring you into balance while also supporting your body to soothe the symptoms you’re feeling.
You can find out exactly what your energetic constitution ishere.
If one herb doesn’t work for you, don’t lose hope in all herbs! Just move on and try something different.
The herbs below are fantastic for Lyme symptoms, but that doesn’t mean they’re perfect choices for everyone. I’ve included a little about the energetics of each herb below to help you decide if it’s right for you.
The good thing is that all these herbs are very safe to use, and they won’t harm you if they don’t perfectly match your energetics.
Cat’s claw
The herb cat’s claw (Uncaria tomentosa) is by far one of the best herbs for Lyme disease.
The active alkaloid constituents of the inner bark of cat’s claw help to support the body’s immune system. Cat’s claw is an immunomodulator, meaning it helps to balance either an over- or under-active immune system, both of which can be a problem for people with Lyme disease.
They either have an immune system that’s going crazy trying to find and destroy invaders, or it can be tricked into ignoring Lyme parasites completely.
It’s best to take cat’s claw with food since the herb is activated by stomach acid. (source)
Cat’s claw is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women. (source)
This herb is bitter and cooling, so it’ll work best for people who regularly feel warm, and the bitter energetics help with digestion.
You can buy cat’s claw here. (Note: This is a link to cat’s claw powder. You’ll need to add it and stir in individually to each cup of tea instead of preparing beforehand. I couldn’t find thewhole bark, but you can check your local co-op!)
Pau d’Arco
You can use Pau d’Arco (Handroanthus impetiginosus) to fight against numerous issues faced by people with Lyme disease.
Pau d’Arco is antimicrobial and antiparasitic, so it can help strengthen the body to rid itself of Lyme parasites such as Bartonella.
It’s also antifungal, so it can help with candida, or yeast overgrowth in the gut. This is a problem many people with Lyme have since their normal gut balance is usually off because of the Lyme.
This herb also reduces pain from joint issues and symptoms of arthritis, something many Lymies suffer from.
Related: Organic joint support tea
It can also boost your strength and stimulate the immune system.
Pau d’Arco has not been confirmed safe for pregnant women yet, so it is not recommended for women who are pregnant. (source)
Taking extremely high doses of Pau d’Arco (such as a tea using one cup of the herb) might cause diarrhea and gastrointestinal issues.
Pau d’Arco is bitter, astringent, and cooling. (source)
You can find Pau d’Arco online here. Make sure to buy it cut and sifted (C/S) and not the powder.
Marshmallow root
Marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis) is a great herb for many different maladies. It can help with a dry cough and irritated throat, skin care, and heart health.(source)
For Lymies, marshmallow root is a good choice because it is an antioxidant that helps to protect the body, and it can help to heal the lining of the gut.
Leaky gut and indigestion is a problem that a lot of people with Lyme have, and using herbs to support gut healing is a major way you can aid the body so that it has more energy to put towards healing from Lyme disease.
Marshmallow root is sweet, cooling, and moistening. (source)
It’s also a slight diuretic (just like dandelion!), and it helps cling to and rid the body of waste, as well as working to reduce inflammation and pain.
Related: Dandelion herbal benefits from flower to root
You can buy marshmallow root (C/S) here.
Yarrow
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) has been used for hundreds of years to help with wound healing.
The flower helps with all kinds of blood issues, and it can purify the blood, boost the immune system, and increase circulation. Yarrow is good for anyone with a cold.
Yarrow is alsoantimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and diaphoretic (helps you sweat). This makes yarrow a fantastic herb for chronic Lyme disease treatment, as it helps the body fight off Lyme parasites and get rid of the pathogens.
Yarrow can also help decrease menstrual pains and stomach cramps, but pregnant women should consult a doctor before using yarrow.
This herb is bitter and has a balancing effect on the body. (source)
Buy yarrow flowers here.
Other herbs for Lyme
The four herbs above are my top choices for chronic Lyme disease treatment. There are a couple other herbs that deserve mention as well, and would make great choices as part of your Lyme disease herbal protocol!
Peppermintis good for relieving pain and helping with any indigestion or nausea. It’s cooling and anti-inflammatory and is good for any gut issues, including IBS and SIBO. (source)
Nettleis good for replenishing minerals, as many Lymies are deficient in crucial minerals. If you’re looking for Lyme disease nutritional supplements, stinging nettle is a great herb to add to your diet.
Rose hips and elderflower both help to boost the immune system and strengthen the body’s defense systems. Echinacea is another great choice for supporting immunity and recovery.
Related: Echinacea root and flower tincture
Ashwagandha is a balancing adaptogenic herb that helps with the anxiety that many people with chronic Lyme experience. It’s also a mood-booster!
Related: 10+ natural anxiety remedies you can do at home
These are all fantastic herbs to experiment with for chronic Lyme disease treatment. My favorite way to use herbs regularly is by making a simple tea for Lyme disease!
Tea for Lyme disease
A homemade herbal tea for Lyme disease is incredibly easy to make and safe to incorporate into your daily routine. You can mix all the ingredients ahead of time for quick access, or just get the individual ingredients and make a mixture each time you prepare your tea.
You’ll need cat’s claw, Pau d’Arco, marshmallow root, and yarrow. I also like adding either orange peel or peppermint for the taste. If you’re missing any of the ingredients, don’t sweat it! Each and everyone of the ingredients is beneficial for people with Lyme disease.
To make a single cup, just use a pinch of equal parts of each herb. To prep a batch of tea, mix together about a tablespoon of each herb and store in a small glass jar or tin. (This works for cut herbs but not powdered- they’ll just sink to the bottom. You’ll need to add powdered herbs to each cup of tea individually)
It can be tough to measure the Pau d’Arco because of the way the herb is shaped, so you might just need to eyeball it.
Then you’ll just boil water and infuse the herbs with a tea strainer like you would with any other tea.
Let it steep for about 10 minutes then strain.
I don’t usually add any sweetener but you can add some honey or stevia to taste if you’d prefer.
Compost the herbs, and enjoy your tea!
Printable recipe
4 from 4 votes
Herbal tea for Lyme disease
This tea is packed with nutritious herbs that are fantastic for the symptoms faced by people with chronic Lyme disease. Add this herbal tea to your daily routine to aid in immunity and recovery from Lyme disease!
Keyword drinks, healthy, natural remedy, organic, paleo, tea, vegan
Prep Time 10 minutes
Servings 1 cup
Ingredients
- 1/2 tsp cat's claw
- 1/2 tsp Pau d'Arco
- 1/2 tsp marshmallow root
- 1/2 tsp yarrow
- 1/2 tsp orange peel or peppermint leaf (optional)
- Sweetener (optional)
Instructions
Heat two cups of water to almost boiling.
Add one pinch or 1/2 teaspoon of each herb to a tea strainer.
Pour over water and let steep for 10 minutes.
Strain, add sweetener to taste if desired, and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
You can prepare your tea mixture ahead of time by adding about a tablespoon of each herb to a jar. Shake to combine and use a couple pinches each time you make your tea.
Conclusion
These are some of the best Lyme disease herbs to use as part of a natural treatment for chronic Lyme disease. Of course, just drinking herbal tea isn’t enough for most people to completely recover from Lyme.
There is a cure for Lyme disease in humans, and it’s absolutely treatable, but you’ll need to work with a natural practitioner to find what options are best for you.
Do you think you’ll add any of these herbs to your Lyme disease protocol?
Let me know what you’re using to treat Lyme in the comments below!
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FAQs
What herbs get rid of Lyme disease? ›
“This study provides the first convincing evidence that some of the herbs used by patients, such as Cryptolepis, black walnut, sweet wormwood, cat's claw, and Japanese knotweed, have potent activity against Lyme disease bacteria, especially the dormant persister forms, which are not killed by the current Lyme ...
What is the best natural treatment for Lyme disease? ›...
These include:
- vitamin B-1.
- vitamin C.
- fish oil.
- alpha lipoic acid.
- magnesium.
- chlorella.
- cat's claw.
- garlic.
One reason people can get better without specifically treating for Lyme disease biofilm is all antibiotics can decrease biofilm size. Research by Eva Sapi PhD shows that the antibiotics doxycycline, metronidazole, tinidazole, and amoxicillin can reduce biofilm size by various degrees.
What homeopathic remedy is good for Lyme disease? ›...
Such remedies for Lyme disease include:
- Arsenicum album.
- Borrelia burgdorferi nosode.
- Carcinosin.
- Lac canimum.
- Ledum.
- Mercurius.
- Syphilinum.
- Thuja.
Japanese Knotweed is very popular for treating Lyme. It's also one that's used very often for Bartonella infections, and it has a naturally occurring constituent known as resveratrol.
What kills Lyme spirochetes? ›Researchers found that a neglected antibiotic called hygromycin A selectively kills the bacteria that cause Lyme disease.
What tea is good for Lyme disease? ›Lyme Healing Tea
This tea is a synthesis of medicinal powerhouses - including ginseng, goldenseal, and kelp - that support the treatment of Lyme disease. These potent herbs cleanse the blood, restore and invigorate the body, repair tissue, tonify the immune system, and detoxify the liver.
Oils from garlic and several other common herbs and medicinal plants show strong activity against the bacterium that causes Lyme disease, according to a study by researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Does Ashwagandha help Lyme disease? ›Ashwagandha is an Ayurvedic herbal medicine adaptogen, a substance which improves the ability to withstand stress. Ashwagandha is an essential medicinal herb that I used with great benefit in most of my Lyme disease treatments in my Seattle practice. There is not a comparable prescription medicine.
Does Ivermectin treat Lyme? ›It has been proposed that certain parasites could also be a factor in Lyme disease. European doctors have already incorporated Ivermectin, an antihelminth drug, into their Lyme disease protocol with surprising success.
How do you beat chronic Lyme disease? ›
The first-line standard of care treatment for adults with Lyme disease is doxycycline, a tetracycline antibiotic. Other antibiotics that have activity against borrelia include the penicillin-like antibiotic, amoxicillin, and the second generation cephalosporin, Ceftin.
What do spirochetes eat? ›Since glucose isn't available in the tick, the spirochete consumes glycerol and possibly chitobiose while living in the tick's midgut.
When should I take Ledum? ›Ledum Palustre (Led.) is an important remedy for puncture wounds from stings, bites, nail or thorn penetration. The affected area swells, feels cold to touch, and is mottled or bluish. It also suits joint swelling, pain or gout that is better for cold applications (even ice) and worsened by warmth.
What is Ledum used for in homeopathy? ›Ledum palustre can help with the telltale symptoms of bug bites. It relieves itching and swelling from insect bites, especially when taken at times of exposure.
What is Lyme disease caused by? ›Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and rarely, Borrelia mayonii. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks.
Can you get rid of Lyme disease without antibiotics? ›Antibiotics are the only proven treatment for Lyme disease. Some people who have unexplained signs and symptoms or chronic disease might believe they have Lyme disease even if it's not been diagnosed.
What does Japanese knotweed do for Lyme? ›Japanese knotweed has broadly systemic actions and its function in Lyme disease, Buhner says, modulates and enhances immune function.
What herbs to take after tick bite? ›- Cryptolepis sanguinolenta.
- Artemisia annua (Sweet wormwood)
- Scutellaria baicalensis (Chinese skullcap)
- Alchornea cordifolia (African Christmas bush)
- Polygonum cuspidatum (Japanese knotweed)
In Lyme, it is part of the organism's virulence, and it uses primarily manganese. This study also shows that zinc plays a role in modulation of Lyme virulence as a cofactor for a different enzyme. This doesn't mean that you have Lyme, you should try to restrict manganese or zinc from your diet.
Can you donate blood if you had Lyme disease? ›Individuals being treated for Lyme disease with an antibiotic should not donate blood. Individuals who have completed antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease may be considered as potential blood donors.
How do you combat Lyme fatigue? ›
- How to Fix Chronic Lyme Fatigue. Most people with chronic Lyme disease have fatigue and low energy. ...
- Sleep. Treatments. ...
- Diet. Treatments. ...
- Cytokine Control. Treatments. ...
- Adaptogen. Treatment. ...
- Hormones. Treatments. ...
- Essential Micronutrients. Treatment. ...
- Treat Your Infections.
Oils from garlic and several other common herbs and medicinal plants show strong activity against the bacterium that causes Lyme disease, according to a study by researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
What tea is good for Lyme disease? ›Lyme Healing Tea
This tea is a synthesis of medicinal powerhouses - including ginseng, goldenseal, and kelp - that support the treatment of Lyme disease. These potent herbs cleanse the blood, restore and invigorate the body, repair tissue, tonify the immune system, and detoxify the liver.
Ashwagandha is an Ayurvedic herbal medicine adaptogen, a substance which improves the ability to withstand stress. Ashwagandha is an essential medicinal herb that I used with great benefit in most of my Lyme disease treatments in my Seattle practice. There is not a comparable prescription medicine.
Can your body naturally fight Lyme disease? ›People often recover within two to six weeks without antibiotics. Even Lyme arthritis often improves on its own as the body's immune system attacked the infection, although it's common for it to return. Antibiotic therapy is highly effective at curing the illness.
What supplements help Lyme disease? ›- Magnesium.
- Grape Seed extract.
- Vitamin B-complex.
- Omega 3 fatty acids (fish oil)
- Probiotics.
- Mushroom extract.
- Turmeric.
- Olive leaf.
Antibiotics are the only proven treatment for Lyme disease. Some people who have unexplained signs and symptoms or chronic disease might believe they have Lyme disease even if it's not been diagnosed.
How do you get rid of Lyme disease inflammation? ›How is it treated? An initial episode of Lyme arthritis should be treated with a 4-week course of oral antibiotics. Patients with persistent joint inflammation and pain after the first course of antibiotics may require a second course (see tables below).
Can stevia cure Lyme disease? ›Stevia is a Sweetener
However it is not a sugar, and therefore it is safe to use in diabetes or in intestinal yeast overgrowth. As a sweetener it is available in powder forms. However, these forms do not appear useful in killing Lyme, eliminating Lyme persister cells, or removing Lyme biofilms.
The dose is usually 150 micrograms (mcg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight taken as a single dose. The treatment may be repeated every 3 to 12 months. Each tablet contains 3 milligrams (mg) of ivermectin. Weighing 85 kg or more—150 mcg/kg of body weight taken as a single dose.
Does CBD help Lyme disease? ›
CBD isn't a treatment or cure for Lyme disease itself. However, some people find that CBD helps to ease specific post-Lyme disease syndrome symptoms like trouble sleeping and joint pain. A small 2019 study suggests that CBD can help people sleep more soundly.
How does cat's claw help Lyme disease? ›Cat's claw offers immune-modulating properties, and it has been found to increase WBCs, including B and T lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cells, and granulocytes. Cat's claw is known to enhance a specific type of natural killer cell, called CD 57, which is commonly deficient in people with Lyme disease.
How do you get rid of spirochetes? ›Treatment with metronidazole has been shown to eliminate the spirochaetes. However, treatment might not lead to improvement of symptoms. In most cases, the patient can be observed without antibiotic treatment.
Can diet help Lyme disease? ›Anti-inflammatory foods, such as nuts and seeds, fruits and vegetables, and other whole foods may help reduce inflammation in the body and alleviate Lyme disease symptoms. Other foods, such as processed foods high in salt, fat, and sugar, may increase inflammation.
What does Lyme bacteria feed on? ›Borrelia burgdorferi is also known to use glucose to sustain life. This means that the organisms require and feed on sugar consumption. Fruits and vegetables are natural sugar sources but contain other necessary nutrients for the body.
Can late stage Lyme disease be cured? ›Without early diagnosis and antibiotic treatment, Lyme disease can cause many serious long-term health complications. But even people with late-stage Lyme disease can recover fully with the right treatment. It may take longer to get back to normal, and you may need several courses of medication.
Is oatmeal good for Lyme disease? ›Products recommended in moderate amount:
Oats, Millet, buckwheat, Brown rice, Quinoa, Raw carrot and beetroot.