About Treating Lyme Disease Naturally

By Enid Hinton


The news is full of reports of the prevalence and maybe even increased risk of a tick-borne illness named for the town in Connecticut where it was first identified. More and more people are interested in ways of treating Lyme disease naturally or with pharmaceutical medicines. There are many advocates for both protocols.

This illness is diagnosed by a blood test, which may reveal the spirochetes that carry the infection. However, many people, including medical doctors, feel that some cases may return negative results even though the illness is present. This is one reason why people turn to natural methods, which require no prescription.

The herbs known to help people who suffer from Lyme's are immune system boosting plants. They are nutritive rather than potentially toxic, which means they can be taken indefinitely without harmful side effects. Since almost everyone needs a stronger immune system, no harm is done if the illness is not present. One of the most widely used herbal preparations comes is cat's claw plant, a native plant in South America and Asia. It is sold in liquid extract form and in capsules.

People have used cat's claw for arthritic complaints for generations. Researchers have found that the herb's effectiveness for Lyme can be increased by inactivating certain elements in the plant. People who want to self-treat for this illness should obtain a special preparation rather than using the whole herb.

Even those who have had a medical diagnosis of Lyme's may want to use an herbal approach. Doctors generally prescribe high does of antibiotics; if the problem has gone undetected for months or years, antibiotics may be prescribed for extended periods. This approach seems to work best on those recently infected; people who have had the problem longer may find that antibiotics are not a definitive cure.

Others may not like the idea of taking antibiotics, especially for month after month if the problem is persistent. They may choose herbal products to avoid the consequences of antibiotic use, such as yeast over-growth or immune system weakness. It also is a good idea to follow antibiotic use with herbal preparations.

For those who prefer a local herb over an exotic one, the common roadside weed, teasel, has been proved effective by wide-spread use and by research. This thistle-like plant grows in waste land, especially in regions where deer abound and their ticks can attack humans. Teasel is available from herbalists, or people can harvest their own roots in November, choosing plants away from major roads (to avoid heavy metal contamination). Soaking the cleaned and chopped roots in alcohol - vodka is preferred - for six weeks will make an effective extract. Dosages can be found on product labels or online.

Ignoring Lyme's is unwise. The effects worsen over time, resulting in arthritic complaints, higher risk for Alzheimer's, tremors, skin problems, and damage to the heart and nervous system. Mosquitoes, fleas, and horseflies may also spread the disease.




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