11 Effective, Natural Remedies For Treating Lyme Disease

Lyme disease has spread rapidly across the United States in recent years due to the rise in tick populations around the country. Conventional medicine generally focuses on treating the disease with a course of antibiotics, but that doesn’t always mean you won’t be left with lingering effects.

The National Institutes of Health estimates that at least 10-20% of Americans infected with Lyme develop what’s called post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS). (1) This is chronic Lyme disease, a series of complex symptoms that linger once the active infection is gone.

In functional medicine, natural remedies for Lyme disease are about finding the right treatments to achieve long-term, sustainable healing. It’s an individualized approach to reduce inflammation and boost your immune system when symptoms persist after antibiotics.

1. Lyme Diet

While there is no specific Lyme disease diet, there are certain foods to eat with Lyme disease that may slow inflammation, support your immune system, and reduce lingering symptoms.

The opposite is true, too. Diets high in saturated fats, refined sugar, and processed carbs can contribute to inflammation and exacerbate symptoms.

Following an eating plan like the Mediterranean diet, known for its anti-inflammatory effects, is a good start. (2) The following foods may help you recover from Lyme and other conditions that compromise your immune system:

• Leafy greens
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Berries
• Avocadoes
• Fatty fish
• Lean proteins
• Nuts and seeds
• Beans

A functional medicine provider may try an elimination diet to see if symptoms improve or to rule out other conditions. That may mean going gluten-free, dairy-free, or cutting out nightshade vegetables like tomatoes, eggplant, and potatoes that may trigger existing inflammation.

The most important piece may be your mindset as you uncover food triggers. Instead of imposing dietary restrictions, think about foods that nourish you and support a natural detox.

That includes drinking plenty of water, especially if you’re dealing with excessive thirst, a common symptom of tick-borne diseases. Add electrolytes rich in sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium if you feel dehydrated.

2. Ketotarian Diet

In my practice, dietary recommendations for Lyme often take the form of a ketotarian diet, a primarily plant-based take on the ketogenic diet. Here’s why:

• It supports healthy methylation pathways. Methylation helps control the health of your hormones, inflammatory pathways, and detox pathways, which all help you manage Lyme. Keto can optimize this process, supporting energy levels and cellular health. (3)
• It boosts mitochondrial health. Oxidative stress harms the mitochondria in your immune cells, resulting in chronic fatigue. Intermittent fasting and a ketogenic diet may boost mitochondria production through autophagy, or the removal of damaged cells. (4)
• It combats chronic inflammation. Long-term Lyme disease can trigger autoimmune diseases. (5) To reverse or even prevent this, it’s imperative to reduce inflammation in your body. The ketones produced when your body is in ketosis are anti-inflammatory.
• It balances the microbiome. The gut microbiome is a key player in fighting off Lyme and similar infections. The combination of healthy fiber and probiotic foods on the ketotarian diet can help rebalance your microbiome, lower inflammation, and fight disease.

If you’re ready to get healthy, elevate your diet, and learn more about going ketotarian, check out my course, The Ultimate Guide To Plant-Based Ketogenic Nutrition. You’ll get 24/7 access to expert advice about managing chronic inflammation, combating fatigue, and more.

3. Supplements

The best supplements for Lyme disease address the root causes of chronic symptoms and support overall wellness. Here are a few that offer research-backed benefits to combat Borrelia burgdorferi (B. burgdorferi), the bacteria responsible for Lyme: (6)

• Andrographis: This herb enhances immune response, fights bacteria, and reduces inflammation and joint pain, which is common in long-term Lyme. (7)
• Artemisia annua: Also known as sweet wormwood, this anti-parasitic combats brain fog common in Lyme patients. You may find it combined with black walnut or juglans nigra. (8)
• Ashwagandha: This adaptogen helps manage anxiety, fatigue, and brain fog common in Lyme disease. Try The Ashwagandha for better mental and physical energy. (6)
• Cat's claw: Also known as uncaria tomentosa, this powerful immune booster is a popular natural remedy for arthritis pain and inflammation. (8)
• Chinese skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis): This anti-inflammatory contains flavonoids that inhibit Lyme bacteria. It may also protect against neurological symptoms seen in Lyme. (8)
• Cryptolepis sanguinolenta: Studies show this African plant is a powerful anti-inflammatory that is effective against growing and non-growing forms of B. burgdorferi. (8)
• Curcumin: The active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin reduces inflammation and oxidative stress, helping with pain relief and immune support. (8)
• Garlic extract: Known for its antibacterial and antiviral properties, garlic improves immune function and fights back against active infection. (8)
• Japanese knotweed: Also known as polygonum cuspidatum, this anti-inflammatory supports immune function and helps reduce Lyme-related inflammation. (6)
• Magnesium: This essential mineral relieves muscle cramps, chronic joint pain, and fatigue, often seen in Lyme. Try The Magnesium for a quality option with a high absorption rate. (9)
• Omega-3 fatty acids: Found in fish oil supplements, these healthy fats help reduce inflammation and support brain and joint health. (10)
• Probiotics: Probiotics support your gut health and balance your microbiome, especially after a course of antibiotic treatments like doxycycline and cefuroxime.
• Resveratrol: Resveratrol boasts antioxidant activity that helps reduce inflammation, supporting your immune system health. (8)

Addressing any nutritional deficiencies is also important. If you’re low in essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium, and B-complex vitamins, that will only contribute to symptoms like chronic fatigue.

Seek medical advice before starting supplements, especially if you’re on existing medications. A functional healthcare provider can help you find the right combination of natural treatments to treat persister cases of Lyme disease that are less responsive to antibiotic therapy.

4. Essential Oils

Thanks to their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, essential oils may be one of the most promising alternative treatments for persistent symptoms of chronic Lyme disease. Here are the top 5 research-backed options to help you heal from Lyme disease naturally (11):

• Cinnamon bark: Studies show active compounds in cinnamon can inhibit bacterial growth in the stationary phase of Lyme. This is the period of time post-infection when you’re most likely to see lingering symptoms.
• Citronella: Citronella oil contains antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory compounds that inhibit bacterial and fungal growth. It may also alleviate the symptoms of fatigue and skin irritation seen in some Lyme sufferers.
• Clove bud: Clove oil is rich in eugenol, a compound known for antifungal and antimicrobial effects that combat various bacterial pathogens. Cloves also have centuries of history as natural pain-relievers, which could mean less joint pain in Lyme sufferers.
• Oregano: Oregano is one of the most potent herbs for Lyme because of its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. It’s also a tick repellent and a natural remedy for tick bites. (To use it this way, mix up to 6 drops with an ounce of carrier oil and apply it to exposed skin.)
• Wintergreen: Methyl salicylate, the active ingredient in this one, is a potent analgesic with anti-inflammatory properties. In the treatment of Lyme disease, this may mean sustainable joint and muscle pain relief.

5. Saunas And Steam Rooms

Saunas and steam rooms can be helpful complementary treatments for Lyme symptoms like muscle stiffness and joint pain. Both use heat, but in different ways to increase your body temperature, reduce inflammation, and support detoxification. (12)

Sitting in an infrared sauna supports improved lymphatic and endocrine system function, cellular health, and overall immunity. While that’s not a direct link to Lyme, anything that helps your body detoxify can help speed up healing processes in long-term symptom management.

LISTEN: Navigating Chronic Lyme Disease: Protocols, Practical Tips, Labs + Insights To Heal

6. Detoxing

Lyme disease often triggers inflammatory processes in the body, leading to the release of harmful byproducts. Detoxing to heal from Lyme disease involves helping the body eliminate toxins that may have accumulated over the course of treatment.

I’ve already mentioned strategies to reduce Lyme symptoms that have the added benefit of detoxification. Eat a healthy diet, take anti-inflammatories, drink lots of water to flush out toxins and promote kidney function, and get regular sweat sessions by utilizing saunas.

You should also reduce exposure to known toxins like mold and heavy metals (e.g. lead and mercury) that impair detox pathways in the body and wreck your metabolism. (13) Heavy metals are found in environmental sources like air pollution, certain foods, and household products.

Activated charcoal can absorb toxic chemicals that build up in the body and support your body’s natural detox processes in the liver and kidneys. Chelation therapy is another potential detox strategy for heavy metals in the body, but there’s less research about its efficacy. (14)

7. Healthy Lifestyle Habits

Adopting healthy lifestyle habits can boost overall immune function and reduce inflammation, two ways your body heals from chronic Lyme symptoms. I’ve already addressed nutrition and hydration, but it’s also important to sleep well, reduce stress, and exercise regularly.

Good sleep is essential to healing. Quality sleep allows the body to repair tissues, regenerate cells, and regulate immune responses. Sleep deprivation can worsen Lyme symptoms like fatigue and brain fog. Try to prioritize sleep with a consistent schedule.

Chronic stress weakens your immune system and exacerbates inflammation. Mindfulness practices like meditation, yoga, and grounding can promote relaxation. Exercise can help, too, especially if you’re dealing with lingering muscle stiffness.

If you’re new to regular physical activity, start with short walks to improve circulation and boost your mood. Listen to your body, especially if you have joint pain. You want to move without overdoing it to maintain mobility without causing flare-ups.

8. Acupuncture

Acupuncture can be a complementary therapy for managing chronic pain associated with long-term Lyme. Numerous clinical trials show that the practice has a positive effect on back pain, arthritis, headaches, and fibromyalgia with fewer side effects than pain medications. (15)

It may also enhance circulation and reduce stress and inflammation, helping your body cope with lingering symptoms. While acupuncture doesn’t treat the underlying infection, anything that may provide natural symptomatic relief is worth a try.

9. Physical Therapy

Joint pain and muscle stiffness are two classic symptoms of chronic Lyme disease. Working with a physical therapist can be a beneficial piece in treating Lyme disease naturally and reducing pain in a sustainable way.

A physical therapist can design personalized exercises and stretches to restore strength, flexibility, and range of motion affected by the infection. These gentle movements help alleviate joint stiffness and reduce discomfort without overburdening your body and triggering flare-ups.

10. Stevia

Stevia, a natural sweetener, is a mild biofilm disruptor that studies show may make bacteria responsible for Lyme less resistant to treatment. (16) Biofilm is a film of bacteria that adheres to a surface. It’s a way that bacteria colonize, and its composition makes it probiotic or pathogenic.

Functional medicine aims to promote a healthy biofilm through foods, lifestyle changes, and natural medicines. I’ve used stevia extract and tinctures in my practice for this purpose, but for the average consumer, what you buy really matters.

Commercial stevia is often cut with other sugar alcohols like xylitol. It’s also bleached to appear as a white powder, something that isn’t ideal when you’re trying to detox. If you’re thinking about using stevia for Lyme disease, whole-leaf stevia extract is the most promising way to go.

11. Other Natural Methods

Lyme bacteria knows how to stay alive inside its host. It has the ability to suppress the immune system and cloak itself to survive against the onslaught of antibiotics. That’s a big reason why chronic Lyme is one of the most challenging conditions to treat.

It’s also why there are so many alternative treatments out there promising to tackle antibiotic-resistant Lyme disease. I’ve shared my preferred holistic Lyme disease treatments, but there are a few others that you may see as part of your own research.

Studies show some of these may be promising in the long-term treatment of Lyme, but others may offer little more than a placebo effect. More research is needed to support these as complementary therapies:

• Bee venom
• Stem cell transplantation
• Urotherapy (urine ingestion)
• Magnets
• Photon therapy
• Enemas
• Hormonal therapy

Putting It All Together

Most of the time, mainstream treatments for Lyme stop after a round of antibiotics. Treatment for chronic Lyme, while gaining more attention in public health, is still challenging, especially when many doctors may not recognize the vague and mysterious symptoms of Lyme.

Treating Lyme with natural methods can complement conventional treatments and help manage symptoms more effectively. A holistic approach considers diet, lifestyle changes, and herbal protocols to support the body’s healing processes and boost your immune system.

It’s also important to eliminate toxins as best as you can and know your inflammatory triggers. That includes chronic stress, processed foods, and bad sleep. Functional medicine is integrative, combining traditional medical treatments with natural approaches for long-term healing.

A Functional Approach To Lyme

As a Lyme-literate functional medicine expert, I take a multi-pronged approach to treating Lyme. That may include supplements, lifestyle changes, and using food as medicine. The first step is always getting to the root of your symptoms, especially in a disease as complex as Lyme.

If you’re ready to work with a provider who will listen to your concerns and address them with individualized treatment plans, schedule a consultation. As one of the first functional telehealth clinics in the world, we provide webcam consultations for people around the globe.

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