Recovery from chronic Lyme disease is rarely about a single remedy. It takes an interplay of antimicrobial support, immune modulation, detoxification and rebuilding the terrain — which is far easier when you know which (co-)infections you actually have. For that, DualDur is recommended: it gives a broad picture and lets you see, and follow over time, how much active living Borrelia is in your body. Botanical protocols — often inspired by the work of Stephen Buhner and Richard Horowitz — have become a decisive piece of the puzzle for many people, both on their own and alongside antibiotics.
Many of the herbs used today against chronic Lyme disease have documented activity in vitro against the persistent forms of the spirochete — where antibiotics are often insufficient. Just as important is their ability to modulate the immune system, calm inflammation and support detoxification.
The single most studied herb against Borrelia. Research from Johns Hopkins (Feng et al., 2020) showed that Cryptolepis extract eliminated stationary-phase Borrelia cells in vitro more effectively than doxycycline. Widely used in the Buhner and Horowitz protocols.
Rich in resveratrol — anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and with demonstrated antimicrobial activity against Borrelia. A cornerstone of Stephen Buhner's herbal protocol.
A South American vine with immunomodulating and anti-inflammatory properties. Active against spirochetes and frequently included in combinations for neuroborreliosis.
Contains artemisinin — well documented against Babesia and one of the few herbs with strong evidence in concurrent babesia infections.
A broad-spectrum antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory herb. Crosses the blood-brain barrier — relevant for neurological Lyme symptoms.
Feng et al. (Front Med 2017, PMID 29075628) identified several essential oils with strong activity against persistent Borrelia in vitro — including cinnamon bark, clove and oregano.
MakeWell (developed with Dr Carsten Nicolaus, BCA-clinic) offers a hypoallergenic herbal range formulated specifically for tick-borne infections and their co-infections. Below is an overview of the main products — click a product to open it in MakeWell's shop in a popup window. The key products for Borrelia symptoms are APP+, Cryptolepis and TBB+; for Bartonella symptoms BART+; for Babesia and gut symptoms BAB+; for respiratory symptoms CPN+ — plus various others for broader support of the body.
The information on this page is general and does not constitute medical advice. Supplements and herbs can interact with medicines and should be used in consultation with a doctor or practitioner experienced in tick-borne infections. Images and product names belong to MakeWell Europe Ltd.