Lyme disease results from infection with a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of blacklegged ticks or infected ticks. Ticks are small arachnids typically found in wooded or grassy areas. Can natural treatments be a more effective and gentle option? Read on to learn how to naturally treat Lyme disease.

Treating Lyme disease naturally with essential oils

Essential oils are concentrated liquids from plants. Some of them have antibacterial properties, which means they can kill bacteria.

A 2017 study evaluated the use of 34 essential oils to kill B. burgdorferi bacteria in the laboratory. Cinnamon bark, clove bud and essential oils of oregano killed the bacteria with no new growth.

These results are promising, but there is no evidence that they work in humans with Lyme disease. Essential oils are used in aromatherapy, where the scented oils are inhaled via a diffuser or diluted in a carrier oil and applied topically.

Supplements for Lyme disease

Some people claim thatsupplements stimulating the immune system Can naturally cure Lyme disease.

These include:

• Vitamin B-1
• Vitamin C
• Fish oil
• Alpha-lipoic acid
• Magnesium
• Chlorella
• Cat's claw
• Garlic
• Saffron of India
• Glutathione

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves exposure to 100% oxygen at high pressure. This is often done in a room called a hyperbaric oxygen chamber to promote wound healing.

There is not much research on the effectiveness ofhyperbaric oxygen therapy inLyme disease. However, a 2014 case study from Taiwan indicates that it treats Lyme disease in a person who has not responded to antibiotics. Nevertheless, large-scale studies are still needed to understand whether this is an effective treatment.

Chelation therapy

Some people believe that the symptoms of Lyme disease are related to heavy metal toxicity from materials like lead or mercury. Chelation therapy is a method of removing heavy metals from the blood.

This is done by using a type of medication called a chelator or chelating agent. This drug binds to metals in the blood, gathering them into a compound that can be processed by the kidneys and released in urine.

Chelation therapy isan effective method against heavy metal accumulation. But there is no evidence that heavy metals contribute to Lyme disease. Furthermore, chelation therapy will not treat the underlying infection.

Other natural remedies

The treatments discussed above are just a few of the natural treatments claiming to treat Lyme disease. According to a 2015 study of alternative treatments discovered in an internet search, other remedies natural used by people with Lyme disease include:

• Saunas and steam rooms
• Ultraviolet light
• Photon therapy
• Electromagnetic frequency treatments
• Magnets
• Urotherapy (urine ingestion)
• Washing
• Bee Venom

Investigators noted that there was no research to support these treatments, and none of them had logical justification.

Precautions

If you decide to explore natural treatments for Lyme disease, talk to your doctor beforehand. Natural treatments, like traditional treatments, can still be toxic or dangerous. But in combination with medical care, a complementary approach could improve health.

Other natural treatments may interact with other medications or supplements you take. Your doctor can help you confirm whether the medications you are currently taking will interact with the therapy you want to try.

Other strategies for the natural treatment of Lyme disease

Natural antimicrobials can combat chronic Lyme disease without causing bacterial resistance to antibiotics. You can also consume a nutritious diet rich in antioxidants to boost your body's defenses against infection. The following supplementscan help your body fight the infection and relieve symptoms:

• Astaxanthin - can neutralize toxins and relieve joint pain. 
• Probiotics - can help optimize gut flora and boost immunity. 
• Grapefruit seed extract - may help treat Borrelia in the form of a cyst. 
• Krill oil - can reduce inflammation and relieve Lyme symptoms.
• Coriander - A natural chelator for heavy metals. 
• Resveratrol - may aid in detoxification and may have bacteriostatic and bactericidal anti-spirochetal effects. 
• Quercetin - may reduce histamine, which is usually elevated in patients with Lyme disease. 
• Whey Protein Concentrate - may help alleviate malnutrition, a common problem in Lyme disease patients who cannot eat properly.
• Andrographis and artemisinin - Extract of these herbs may reduce the risk of co-infection with Lyme disease.
• Curcumin - can help reduce brain swellingand remove neurological toxins. 
• GABA and melatonin - can combat insomnia, which is common in people with Lyme disease.
• CoQ10 - may improve heart health and relieve muscle pain. This supplement can thus improve cognitive health. 

Sources:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lyme-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20374651
https://www.columbia-lyme.org/signs-and-symptoms