The Wild & Weedy Apothecary carries all of the suggested Core Protocol herbs for treating the symptoms of Lyme disease as outlined by Stephen H. Buhner in HEALING LYME. *
In fact, that was the main reason we opened our home apothecary for business – Dave’s journey with Lyme disease and hepatitis C. [He is now HepC-free, but that is another story.]
We learned that there were many other people struggling with what is an unrecognized phenomenon – Chronic Lyme. It can manifest in many ways, most notably connective tissue and joint pain, physical weakness, and “brain pain”, to name a few, and the co-infections which often accompany Borellia bergdorfii can be equally debilitating.
a tick!… a blood-suckin’ tick!
The herbs we carry are by no means a “cure” for this or any other disease, nor do we purport them to be. A thorough study of Buhner’s very well-researched book is highly recommended before embarking on this journey, whether solo or with a health care practitioner educated in the area of Lyme disease. That being said, a body can’t go wrong starting out with regular doses of Japanese Knotweed, Polygonum cuspidatum to help with inflammation.
These are the herbs in the Core Protocol:
Japanese Knotweed – Synergistic, modulates and enhances immune function, anti-inflammatory, protects against endotoxin damage. CNS anti-oxidant, improves cognitive function. Source of resveratrol
Cat’s Claw – Strengthens immune system, anti-inflammatory, specific for arthritis and muscle pain as Lyme disease
Eleuthero (Siberian Ginseng) – Adaptogen, immune activator and modulator, adrenal tonic. Useful for chronic fatigue and SAD, with a cumulative effect
Astragalus – Primary TCM immune support, adaptogen, anti-viral. Good for people who catch other people’s colds all the time
Rawwwr! Cat’s Claw!
We also offer some of the additional herbs recommended by Buhner for Lyme disease, for various symptoms and conditions (and we highly recommend you read his book Healing Lyme):
- Ashwagandha
- Cordyceps
- Cryptolepis
- Devil’s Claw
- Hawthorn
- Nettle leaf
- Red Root
- Rhodiola
- Sarsaparilla
- Sida Acuta
- Teasel
We are not experts at treating Lyme disease, but we do know what has worked for us in the past as well as the present. Dave is still dealing with symptoms on a daily basis, and takes supplements in addition to herbs, but he knows how he feels if he doesn’t take, for instance, the Devil’s Claw tincture, since it is so useful in relieving arthritis pain as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory.
Astragalus plant
© Doreen Shababy
*[Stephen has recently passed away, a great loss to the herbal community and to anyone who delved deeper into plant medicines. His research was astounding, and his knowledge was vast. He will be sorely missed. RIP Stephen.]
Write to us – WILDNWEEDY@FRONTIER.COM.