Home Remedies and Herbs for Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is known for being the result of a deer tick bite. Lyme disease may first start out with minor symptoms such as a lyme disease rash, but can quickly progress if left untreated. Untreated lyme disease can spread to the heart, joints and nervous system.^{1 2} Though uncommon, lyme disease is more likely to be contracted by those who spend time outdoors in woode or grassy areas where infected ticks may reside. Lyme disease can be prevented by using insect repellant and removing any ticks immediately when you notice them attached to your skin. It’s also advised to avoid wooded areas where these infected ticks may reside.³

What Causes Lyme Disease?

• Borrelia burgdorferi
• Borrelia mayonii
• Borrelia afzelii
• Borrelia garinii

The bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia mayonii are the leading lyme disease causes in the United States, while the Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia garinii are attributed to lyme disease causes in Europe and Asia.³ These bacterial infections are contracted through the bite from an infected deer tick. Deer ticks are black four-legged ticks and can carry these bacteria at any stage of life. Once the tick has bitten into the skin, the bacteria can makes its way into the bloodstream causing lyme disease.³ Typically, a tick needs to be attached to the skin for 36-48 hours before it’s possible to pass along the bacteria that will cause the lyme disease infection.³

Lyme Disease Symptoms

• Small red bump at the site of the tick bite
• Lyme disease rash (erythema migrans) that’s red in the center and forms a bull’s eye pattern
• Fever
• Chills
• Body aches and pains
• Headache
• Fatigue

• Lyme disease rash (erythema migrans) spreading to other parts of the body
• Joint pain and swelling, especially in the knees
• Neurological symptoms such as inflammation in brain membranes, facial paralysis, muscle numbness and impairment
• Nausea and vomiting

References

1. https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/
2. https://medlineplus.gov/lymedisease.html
3. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lyme-disease/basics/definition/con-20019701