LYME DISEASE: AN INTEGRATED APPROACH
Andrea Candee, MH, MSC
Named for the town of East Lyme, CT, where the disease was first identified, a Lyme infected tick, as it feeds off its human host, passes a bacteria known as a spirochete into the bloodstream.
The conventional medical approach is to treat the Lyme disease with antibiotics. When a child or adult is quickly treated with an appropriate antibiotic, the result is usually a swift and positive healing. However, if the person does not recover with the first round of antibiotic, additional rounds are routinely prescribed, often leading to “antibiotic cocktails.” Long-term antibiotic therapy can result in an imbalance of micro-organisms in the intestinal tract and deplete the functioning of the immune system, making the body more susceptible to other illnesses. Consider taking the best of both conventional and holistic medical practices by integrating natural remedies with antibiotic therapy. They can help keep the body strong while the antibiotic does its job.
Researchers still puzzled
In many cases of chronic Lyme, medical researchers cannot understand why symptoms persist when intensive testing fails to reveal signs of the Lyme bacteria in blood or spinal fluid. In a New York Times article, they reportedly account for these symptoms by assuming that Lyme has led to autoimmune dysfunction without considering that the tick may have passed more than just bacteria into its human host. In my client population, I have found the majority of long-term Lyme cases complicated by viral co-infections.
Common scenario of infection
A common scenario is for a tick to feed upon a dog, picking up a strain of parvo virus; feed upon a mouse, picking up a strain of hanta virus; feed upon a deer, picking up the spirochete, and then feeding upon the human and passing a spirochete piggybacked by viruses. In recent months, doctors are discovering bartonella bacteria piggybacking the spirochete. Bartonella is cat scratch fever – likely picked up by the tick feeding on a cat. If the tick can pick up a bacteria from a cat, why not viruses from dogs and mice? It is also possible for the tick to pass neuroviruses picked up from other wildlife and pass them into the central nervous system of the human host.
The integrated approach
When my son had Lyme disease, blood tests confirmed that it was accompanied by the virulent bacteria, ehrlichiosis, and his doctor immediately put him on an antibiotic. Of course, I gave him probiotics and echinacea as described below. However, since antibiotics do not treat viruses, rather than waiting to see if one round of antibiotics would bring him to total recovery, I tested him for viruses, using kinesiology. I gave him natural remedies that specifically addressed the particular strains of virus that commonly piggyback the spirochete and for which he tested positively. When children and adults do not fully and quickly recover with a round of antibiotics, it may be because viruses are also involved. They do, however, respond to natural remedies designed to address the specific viruses and can be given along with antibiotics--without interfering with each other.
If your Lyme disease is not responding well to the antibiotics alone, or you have been suffering with chronic Lyme disease, in spite of long-term antibiotic therapy, you may wish to consult with a health practitioner who is familiar with the viruses that are known to attach themselves to the ticks that transfer this disease.
Increasing good bacteria
Friendly bacteria and yeast micro-organisms live harmoniously in the intestinal tract. The antibiotic does not differentiate between beneficial and harmful bacteria and, in its quest to go after the “bad guys”, may deplete the “good guys” located in the intestinal tract. When the level of good bacteria is depleted, yeast, regularly kept in check by the “good guys”, has an opportunity to grow out of control. Yeast overgrowth can cause a variety of symptoms such as bloating, gas, itching, sugar cravings, brain fog, mouth sores, headaches, weight gain, mood swings, depression, and extreme fatigue.
Acidophilus and other probiotic, active bacterial cultures in yogurt (plain yogurt without added sugar, as sugar feeds yeast) help to bring balance to the intestinal flora by repopulating the area with good bacteria. Probiotics are available in capsules, liquid and tablet form, and are best taken three times a day, one hour before or after the dose of antibiotic, and continuing for at least three weeks, three times a day, following the antibiotic therapy. Making the last dose of the day right before bedtime helps the good bacteria have a chance to grow unimpeded overnight.
Immune support
Echinacea, known to gardeners as the purple coneflower, is a popular, non-toxic herb easily found in health food stores. It helps to support an immune system which can become depleted by antibiotic use. Although it is available in tea and capsule form, the liquid alcohol extract of echinacea is the most potent and effective form of the herb, safe for adults and children alike (except for those with autoimmune disease). One teaspoon, diluted in a little bit of water or juice, taken three times a day, can accompany the antibiotic therapy (see my book, Gentle Healing for Baby and Child (Simon & Schuster), for dosing instructions for children). To further strengthen the immune system, continue taking the echinacea for a few weeks after the antibiotic is finished. Cycling it for 10 days on and 4 days off will keep your body from becoming resistant to its benefits and give you an additional immune-stimulating boost each time you go back on it. People often feel weakened coming off an extended therapy of antibiotics. Supporting the body’s immune system will help them to feel stronger when the therapy is finished.
Reducing sugar intake
Bacteria and viruses feed on sugar so it would be a good idea to reduce sugar intake. Desserts should be limited to low sugar fruits like strawberries, raspberries and blueberries. Keep in mind that many fresh and dried fruits, and fruit juice, like banana, raisins and apple juice have a high sugar content. This would be a good time to eliminate junk foods and eat health promoting foods like pesticide-free vegetables, antibiotic-free chicken, fish, grains, organic eggs, and nuts, so as not to pose any additional challenges to the body. Check with your local health food stores and organic produce departments in supermarkets for the best choices.
Protection against tick bites
The safe, natural way to prevent tick bites is with the essential oil of eucalyptus, found at the health food store. The strong but pleasant smell seems to effectively repel the ticks. There are three ways to use this aromatic oil.
In a spray bottle, add 16oz water to 1oz eucalyptus oil. Spray on the skin before an outdoor activity, like gardening. The bottled mixture remains potent for many months.
For longer protection, such as a hike in the woods, mix 10 drops eucalyptus into ½ ounce almond or sunflower seed oil and apply to skin and clothing. A larger amount can be pre-mixed for a camping trip or for sending off with a child to summer camp.
Protect your dogs and cats from ticks and you will also be protecting yourself! Some people never touch a blade of grass yet get Lyme disease and wonder why. Your pet may be transporting the ticks into the house. Dip a thin rope into the eucalyptus oil and wrap in a bandana. Tie the bandana around your pet’s neck, refreshing the rope twice a week. Your pet will look fashionable and be protected at the same time! It is best not to tie the eucalyptus rope directly onto your pet’s skin as it may cause irritation. The spray bottle of eucalyptus and water may also be used to spray your pet’s coat before an outdoor romp in the grass or in the woods.
Choosing the pleasures of country life over city life means we must learn to cohabit with nature harmoniously. The fewer chemicals we use internally and externally will mean safer groundwater and air, healthier bodies, and a reverence for life around us.
Andrea Candee (www.AndreaCandee.com) is a master herbalist with a consultation practice in South Salem, NY. Her book, Gentle Healing for Baby and Child (Simon & Schuster) was awarded The National Parenting Center’s Seal of Approval. She lectures for The NY Botanical Garden, corporate workplace wellness programs and throughout the country about natural approaches to health and well-being. To receive her free e-letter, click on Did You Know?
