Overview of lyme disease 

Lyme disease (also known as  Lyme borreliosis) is a bacterial infection transmitted to humans by tick bites. Ticks carrying the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease are common in grassy and woodland areas in temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North America. Thankfully, Lyme disease is rarely fatal but can manifest serious long-term side effects if left untreated.¹ It is typically treated with antibiotics.

It is so important to have knowledge about Lyme disease to protect yourself and your loved ones. So, this article will provide a thorough understanding of Lyme disease and the alternative treatment options.

Causes of lyme disease

Lyme disease, or Lyme borreliosis, is caused by bacteria transmitted through the bites of infected Ixodes ticks. In Europe, the most common causative bacteria are Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia garinii, whereas in the U.S., it is primarily Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto.⁶

In the UK and Europe, the main vectors of Lyme disease are Ixodes ricinus ticks. An infected tick transmits bacteria during a bite, into the skin, causing an infection that often leads to a characteristic skin rash, erythema migrans.⁶

The diversity of Borrelia species is greater in Europe, which may explain some of the different symptoms seen compared to the U.S.

Symptoms of lyme disease

The infection typically begins with a lesion or rash, known as erythema migrans, that expands from the bite site in the days to weeks following infection. Other symptoms at this early stage can include:

• Headaches
• Muscle aches
• Fatigue
• Fever

Though these are less common in the European variant of Lyme disease.¹

If left untreated the disease can progress in the weeks to months following infection and spread from the bite site throughout the body. Symptoms at this stage can become more severe, including additional erythema migrans, Lyme carditis, and neurological symptoms such as bells palsy, and meningitis.¹

In the months to years following infection, patients can develop chronic arthritis.¹ 

Diagnosis

Diagnosing Lyme disease involves evaluating symptoms, physical findings, and potential exposure to infected ticks. In the UK, healthcare providers follow a systematic approach to ensure accurate diagnosis.¹

Clinical evaluation

• Symptom assessment: Early signs include a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans, along with flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and muscle aches
• History of exposure: It is very important to ascertain whether the patient has been in any areas where ticks are generally found, such as areas with woods or grass

Laboratory investigations

Blood Tests: In cases of suspected Lyme disease, blood tests can detect antibodies against the bacteria. These antibodies may not be present early in the disease and thus tests may be more reliable a few weeks after exposure. 

Laboratory tests can be used in conjunction with a clinical evaluation to confirm a diagnosis if necessary. The infection can be identified by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a western blot test. These tests are non-invasive and can detect substances in your blood or urine that implicate an infection.¹  

For early infection, the blood tests are most reliable a few weeks after the initial infection, since it takes time for the body to develop antibodies. As such, early-stage Lyme disease may not always be detected through these tests. 

If you suspect Lyme disease, seek medical attention promptly to be evaluated and receive the appropriate testing.

Antibiotic resistance and the importance of exploring natural remedies 

Treatment of lyme disease

Typically, Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics such as doxycycline, amoxicillin, cefuroxime axetil, and phenoxymethylpenicillin.¹ 

Antibiotics are drugs that treat bacterial infections. Whilst these are an effective and recommended form of treatment, individuals may experience adverse reactions such as:

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Diarrhoea 
• Vomiting

Additionally, not all patients with Lyme disease fully respond to antibiotics and may develop long-term symptoms. It is worth noting side effects vary by antibiotic and not everyone will experience them. 

Antibiotic resistance

Resistance means that the efficacy of antibiotics is reduced as bacteria acquire resistance or immunity to them. This has become quite a concern, as finding new antibiotics is a limiting and complex task. In this regard, alternative methods are being researched to help reduce dependence on conventional antibiotics, such as natural remedies, which could prove to be a promising alternative.²

Natural remedies for lyme disease

One area of research toward reducing dependency on antibiotics includes natural remedies. Following is a list of some herbal remedies researched for their possible use in the treatment of Lyme disease:

Cat's claw 

Cat's claw is a vine native to South and Central America. In vitro tests have demonstrated that Cat’s claw has antibacterial properties that can target the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease. It is, however, important to note that in vitro studies look at cells outside the context of their natural biological systems and do not imply that the same results could be observed in vivo.³

Cats claw also has anti-inflammatory properties and there is limited evidence to suggest it may be beneficial in managing arthritic symptoms.³ While there is no evidence that cats claw can effectively treat Lyme disease, there may be potential for use in an integrative approach to help manage symptoms of those unresponsive to conventional antibiotics.

Japanese knotweed 

Japanese knotweed has confirmed anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory traits in vitro, though no in vivo human clinical studies have been performed as yet. Thus, there is no evidence for the efficacy of Japanese knotweed in treating Lyme disease.³

Cryptolepis 

Cryptolepis is a family of plants.  There is some evidence that Cryptolepsis may have antibacterial traits that might be effective in treating Lyme disease but not enough research has been conducted to provide any reliable conclusions. However, there are significant safety concerns as studies in animals have shown that it could negatively damage the reproductive system.³

Chinese skullcap 

Chinese skullcap has been shown to have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory attributes in vitro and neuroprotective (protecting the central nervous system against injury) attributes in vivo, but these effects have not been studied in human trials.³

Sweet wormwood

Sweet wormwood is native to Europe and antibacterial properties have been confirmed in vitro but its efficacy in treating Lyme disease is understudied. Wormwood oil purchased online should be treated with high levels of caution as there have been links to several cases of acute kidney failure. It is important to consult a healthcare professional before beginning a course of treatment.³

Oregano and thyme 

Again, these herbs have proven antibacterial attributes in vitro, and thyme may also have anti-inflammatory traits, but there is not enough evidence to conclude their efficacy in treating Lyme disease.³

Other natural remedies 

Black walnut and pink rock rose have also been shown to be active against Lyme disease in an in vitro model.⁴

Evaluating the effectiveness of natural remedies

Unfortunately, current research regarding natural remedies as a treatment option for Lyme disease is understudied and there is no scientific evidence that currently supports their efficacy. Options like, cats claw, Japanese knotweed, Cryptolepsis, Chinese skullcap, sweet wormwood, oregano and thyme, black walnut, and pink rock rose have all demonstrated antibacterial traits against the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease in vitro, but the results of in vitro studies cannot be extrapolated to efficacy in humans.

While these options may have potential and merit further research, there are currently not enough in vivo studies and clinical human trials to conclusively recommend them as primary treatment options or an alternative to antibiotics.^3,4,5

Additionally, some of the above-discussed treatment options do have anti-inflammatory properties, which may be beneficial in symptom management.³

Safety considerations

Natural, herbal, and alternative treatments for Lyme disease have some promise but are largely untested for safety, and their manufacture is not regulated. It is important to be cautious and to research the seller thoroughly. Although various alternative remedies have promise because of their properties, their effectiveness, allergic reactions, side effects, and interactions with medications have not been studied. There are also no guidelines about dosage and length of treatment. Alternative remedies should not be used without consulting a healthcare professional. Further, depending on unproved therapies might delay the application of conventional treatments, perhaps resulting in disease progression.

Summary

Lyme disease is an infection carried by ticks and comes from North America, Europe, and Asia. Although never usually fatal, if left untreated, it can result in extreme symptoms that alter one's life. 

Antibiotics are the standard treatment and work extremely effectively for the majority of individuals. However, they do not work in all cases, and concerns about antibiotic resistance make the need to consider alternative treatments to reduce dependency on antibiotics very real.

Cat's claw, Japanese knotweed, Cryptolepis, Chinese skullcap, sweet wormwood, oregano, thyme, black walnut, and pink rock rose have been among those showing the antibacterial properties in the test tube (in vitro) against bacteria responsible for Lyme disease. However, there is limited or no evidence of their effectiveness against LD in humans, and until such time as more concrete scientific data are available, these should not be regarded as reliable methods of treatment.

In the case of alternative medicines, one must always be aware of and wary of unsubstantiated claims that may be based on anecdotal evidence or pseudoscience. Treatments that are not studied and regulated extensively may result in serious side effects and unpredictable interactions with other medications. If you suspect Lyme disease, consult a healthcare professional for safe and effective treatment.