The Treatment of Lyme Disease Using Herbal Medicine from China

There are many distinct aspects of Lyme disease and many different ways that Chinese medicines can help treat those aspects. Borrelia Burgdorferi is the spirochetal organism that is responsible for causing Lyme disease, which is a bacterial infectious disease. In most cases, the disease is brought on by the bite of a tick. Although the sickness is most prevalent in the northeastern region of the United States, there have been reports of cases of the ailment occurring in each of the lower 48 states.

Antibiotics make quick work of the disease in its early stages, but unfortunately, the illness is rarely diagnosed at that point in its progression. There is a rash that looks like a bull's eye that is indicative of the condition; however, a significant number of patients do not receive the rash. Because the rash appears differently in individuals with darker pigmentation, it is easy to confuse it with other skin problems, such as bruising or eczema. This is a common problem. It is difficult to establish an appropriate diagnosis due to the vast variety of symptoms that a person can have in the later stages of the illness. Furthermore, the medical testing for the sickness is still not particularly accurate in many cases.

People who are in the later stages of Lyme disease require therapy on multiple fronts at the same time. Herbs that have antibacterial properties, particularly those that work against spirochetal bacteria, are an essential component of the treatment at the most fundamental level. Herbs that have been shown to have activity against spirochetal bacteria include coptis (huang lian), andrographis paniculata (chuan xin lian), isatis (ban lan gen/qing dai), phellodendron (huang bai), scute (huang qin), forsythia (lian qiao), smilax (tu fu ling), and gardenia (zhi zi). Garlic is an effective antibacterial substance that can be helpful for people who have Lyme disease.

The symptoms of Lyme disease include a decreased core temperature and impaired blood circulation. It is also possible for a person to feel cysts, lumps, and swellings in various parts of their body, which frequently shift position and vary over time. The bacteria seal themselves off and establish an environment in which they are able to grow and thrive; as a result, the person who has the condition ends up in a lot of pain, has very little energy, and has difficulties with their nervous system. The environment that the disease generates within the body is one in which it thrives, which is characterized by a low temperature and a low oxygen content.

People who have this disease frequently have signs and symptoms that are comparable to those of severe altitude sickness, which is likewise brought on by being in an environment with low oxygen levels. When it comes to this particular element of the condition, Chinese medicines that remove blood stasis and break blood stagnation can be of great assistance. People who suffer from Lyme disease may find that the herb known as pseudoginseng (san qi) is of great assistance to them. It does this by increasing blood circulation and oxygenation throughout the body, and it also has the ability to force open cysts, which are what protect germs from being eliminated.

By boosting blood circulation and oxygenation to the brain, it can also assist in removing some of the brain fog that is experienced by those who have this disease. Frankincense (ru xiang) and myrrh (mo yao) can also be helpful by boosting blood circulation, particularly to the joints. This is important since bacteria frequently hide in cartilaginous tissue, which has a tendency to have worse blood circulation. Teasel root is a type of herb that is useful for those who have Lyme disease because it helps to enhance circulation in the body and also has a warming effect. All of these herbs have the potential to be of substantial assistance with the severe and persistent pain that can be experienced in the later stages of Lyme disease.

It is possible to lessen a person's sensitivity to cold by using specific Chinese herbs, which also have the added benefit of improving the body's microcirculation. For this particular purpose, clove, cinnamon, ginger, and Siegesbeckia are all useful herbs to have on hand.

People who suffer from Lyme disease frequently have problems with both their lymphatic system and their metabolism. It is common for the bacteria to hide within the cell walls of white blood cells, which leads to lymph nodes that are enlarged and packed with fluid. Even when all of their thyroid tests come back normal, people who have this disease frequently have the symptoms of hypothyroidism, including a reduced metabolic rate. Herbs that treat phlegm are commonly used in Chinese medicine for illnesses related to a sluggish metabolism and a clogged lymphatic system.

Prunella vulgaris (also known as xia ku cao), also known as scrophularia (also known as xuan shen), is a very beneficial Chinese herb for treating inflammation, congestion, and infection of the lymphatic system. People who have Lyme disease and show signs or symptoms of an underactive thyroid may find that herbs like citrus aurantium, kelp, epimedium, and Siberian ginseng are helpful in boosting their slow metabolisms.

Lyme disease is characterized by a number of symptoms, one of which is extreme and debilitating weariness, in addition to an overall lack of energy. Many different things could be to blame for this situation. Inadequate oxygenation and blood circulation, as well as a slowed metabolism and decreased core temperature, all contribute to the overall image. It is possible that the individual's adrenal glands are not working normally as well. A person who has Lyme disease may also have a variety of digestive issues, which can lead to a deficiency in the required amount of nutrition. The condition itself can cause chemical changes in the brain, which can lead to severe depression as well as an inability to concentrate, both of which are devastating symptoms.

Herbs that are said to help replenish the qi and blood are used in Chinese medicine to treat this loss of vitality. The herbs have the potential to increase a person's capacity to digest food, promote the functioning of the brain and adrenal glands, and enhance the body's resistance to the negative effects of stress. They can also help the mitochondria work properly and produce ATP in the cells, which is beneficial to a person's energy on a very fundamental level.

This is because ATP is the fuel that keeps a person going. Herbs such as Siberian ginseng, schizandra, licorice, and astragalus are helpful for enhancing a person's capacity to handle stress, increasing their energy level, and improving the functioning of their digestive system. White peony, dong quai, and wolfberry are all effective at reducing fatigue and nourishing the blood. Both polygonum and eucommia have the potential to boost a person's adrenal response as well as the functioning of their brain. The symptoms of despair, anxiety, and loss of concentration, as well as sleep issues, are common in people who have Lyme disease. Bupleurum, longan fruit, zyzyphus seed, dragon bone, oyster shell, and magnolia bark have all been shown to be helpful in treating these symptoms.

As can be seen, Lyme disease is a complicated condition that manifests in many different ways. The pharmacopia of Chinese herbal therapy has a large number of herbs that, when applied in an all-encompassing and holistic manner, can treat a variety of symptoms and signs associated with this disease.