Lyme Disease

Why it works: Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) is used by some clinicians as a supportive (immune-modulating) herb in people with Lyme disease, but there are no high-quality clinical trials...

Instructions: Common formulations & typical dosing ranges found in clinical/traditional usage:. • Dried root (decoction / tea): commonly prepared as a decoction; typical dried-root doses reporte...

Warnings: Autoimmune disease: because astragalus can stimulate immune function it may worsen autoimmune condit...

Studies: No randomized clinical trials demonstrating astragalus as an...

Why it works: Oregano oil (main active compound: carvacrol) shows strong in-vitro activity against Borrelia burgdorferi (including non-growing “persister” forms and biofilms), but there are no r...

Instructions: Oral supplements (capsules/enteric softgels): Many commercial products are standardized to a high % of carvacrol (e.g., ~70% carvacrol) and label doses vary. Typical consumer sugge...

Warnings: No substitute for proven care: Don’t stop or replace physician-prescribed antibiotics or other Lyme...

Studies: Frontiers in Medicine (2017) — “Selective essential oils … h...

Why it works: There’s promising laboratory (in-vitro) evidence that Cryptolepis extracts kill Borrelia burgdorferi (including persister/stationary forms), but there are no well-controlled clinic...

Instructions: Laboratory testing (what worked in vitro): investigators tested ethanol extracts (30–90% ethanol) and reported that 60–90% ethanol extracts were often the most active. The in vitro...

Warnings: Genotoxicity / cytotoxicity: cryptolepine is a DNA intercalator and has shown in vitro cytotoxicity...

Studies: Direct evidence vs Lyme: No randomized controlled trials (or...

Why it works: Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum / Reynoutria japonica) contains polyphenols (notably resveratrol and related compounds) that show antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and biof...

Instructions: Herbal practice / Buhner protocol (commonly cited by patients/practitioners): Japanese knotweed root tincture or extract is used as part of multi-herb protocols (the “Buhner protoc...

Warnings: Evidence gap / don’t replace standard care: because human evidence is lacking, do not replace physic...

Studies: Key in-vitro study (most-cited): Evaluation of Natural and B...

Why it works: Direct antimicrobial activity (in vitro). Certain Uncaria extracts (notably a pentacyclic-alkaloid chemotype often sold as Samento) have been shown in laboratory (in-vitro) studies...

Instructions: 28-patient clinical cohort (TOA-free Uncaria protocol): In a prospective cohort published as a clinic report, patients began with detox/supportive measures and then started TOA-fre...

Warnings: Pregnancy / breastfeeding: Avoid use during pregnancy. Cat’s Claw has traditional and preclinical co...

Studies: Laboratory (in vitro) studiesIn vitro anti-Borrelia screenin...

Why it works: Chinese skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis, “huang qin”) and its main flavonoids (baicalin / baicalein) have reliable in-vitro activity against Borrelia (including stationary/persis...

Instructions: Forms commonly used. • Whole root in TCM decoction (dried radix, “huang qin”).. • Standardized extracts / capsule formulations (standardized to % baicalin).. • Baicalin or baicalei...

Warnings: Principal safety points. • Evidence gap — no proven clinical cure. There are no well-controlled huma...

Studies: Feng J., Leone J., Schweig S., Zhang Y. — Evaluation of Natu...

Why it works: There is laboratory (in-vitro) evidence that certain Artemisia (wormwood) preparations — especially Artemisia annua / its compound artemisinin — can kill or inhibit Borrelia burgdo...

Instructions: Which species: People discussing “wormwood” for tick-borne illness often mean two different species:. • Artemisia annua (sweet wormwood) — source of artemisinin; typically used whe...

Warnings: Species and compound differences — thujone vs artemisinin: Artemisia absinthium (common wormwood) co...

Studies: In-vitro / preclinical studies (most of the “proof” to date)...

Why it works: Black walnut (Juglans nigra) shows antimicrobial activity in lab studies (in vitro) against Borrelia burgdorferi and contains active compounds (mainly juglone and polyphenols) that...

Instructions: Forms used: green (fresh) hull tincture (alcohol extract) is the most commonly recommended form for “antiparasitic/antimicrobial” use. Capsules made from dried hulls or standardize...

Warnings: Toxicity (juglone): juglone can be toxic in high concentrations. Concentrated extracts (high-strengt...

Studies: What exists: the best available published evidence to date a...