Table of Contents
What is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is a very common infection, characterized by fever, fatigue, and a large red rash. This infection is transmitted to humans by the bite of a black-legged tick infected by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. The black-legged tick is most commonly found in and around North Eastern states in America, such as Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, and the other surrounding states. Though less common, infected black-legged ticks have also been found in California, Oregon, and Washington. Essential oils for lyme disease can help.
Early Symptoms
Early symptoms of Lyme disease occur within 3 to 30 days after the initial bite. These symptoms include the following:
- Fever, headache, chills, fatigue, and muscle aches
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Erythema migrans rash- this rash occurs in over 70 percent of patients and begins at the opening of the bite, which can be found anywhere on the body. The rash is red in color and can eventually spread over 12 inches in diameter across the skin. The Erythema migrans rash is not normally painful, but it can feel hot to the touch.
Later Symptoms
If left untreated, the disease can spread to the heart, joints, and nervous system. At this point, the Lyme disease has turned from an infection into an autoimmune disease. Some symptoms that may occur after the infection spreads include the following:
- Headaches and stiffness of the neck
- Erythema migrans rashes on other parts of the body (not just at the opening on the tick bite)
- Extreme joint swelling and pain in knees and other larger joints
- Facial palsy- loss of muscle movement in the face
- Pain in muscles, joints, tendons, and bones
- Lyme carditis- an irregular heart beat and heart palpitations
- Dizziness and shortness of breath
- Brain and spinal cord inflammation
- Issues with short-term memory
- Nerve Pain, shooting pains, or numbness in the body
- Tingling of the hands or feet
Essential Oils
There are two types of oil that come from plants- fixed oils and essential oils. Fixed oils mainly come from the seeds of a plant, while essential oils are extracted from the leaves, roots, petals, or bark of the plant. Throughout the ages, essential oils have been considered the best and most natural remedies for many ailments and infections, including Lyme disease.
The Best Oils for Lyme Disease
Essential oils can be used to treat the early symptoms brought on by Lyme disease, as well as can help to get rid of the infection in its early stages. The following oils are best suited for treating Lyme disease:
1. Oregano oil
This essential oil has anti-bacterial properties. In the case that the borrelia bacteria, the bacteria transmitted by the ticks that causes Lyme disease, is resistant to other treatment options, this is a good alternative, as oregano oil can kill the borrelia. It is found that many Lyme disease victims are subject to co-infections, or have more infection-causing bacteria in their system than just the Lyme-causing borrelia.
Some of the other bacteria that Lyme victims are subject to having in their systems at the same time are babesia, ehrlichia, mycoplasma, or batronella. Oregano oil is a great option for getting rid of the co-infection bacteria as the oil is an antimicrobial, and is very potent against bacteria.
This oil is effective against strains of drug-resistant bacteria. When mixed with thyme oil, oregano oil can be highly effective. Because oregano oil is so strong, use the one percent dilution rate method which is one drop of essential oil to one teaspoon of carrier oil (coconut oil, olive oil, etc.) and apply to the skin or the bottom of the feet.
2. Clove oil
Similar to oregano oil, clove oil is a natural repellant for ticks due to its anti-parasitic qualities. Not only does it repel ticks in the first place, but it is also capable of treating borrelia, the Lyme-causing bacteria, and bartonella, a co-infection bacteria which is commonly found in conjunction with Lyme disease. In order to heal Lyme disease properly, all other co-infections, like other parasites, bacteria, and infections, must be rid from the body.
Treating the other parasites, bacteria, and infections shortens the time in which one requires to fight off Lyme disease. Inflammation is one of the major symptoms of this infection. Clove oil has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation and pain symptoms. Clove oil also helps blood flow to the tissues, which helps speed up the delivery of healing bodies to the cells. This essential oil is very strong, so be sure to dilute it by using the one percent dilution rate method and apply it to the skin.
3. Frankincense oil
This essential oil helps to relax muscles, has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, and helps support immune function. It aids in curing Lyme disease by reducing the inflammation that the infection has caused and helps to regulate immune system functions. Mix two drops of this essential oil with coconut oil and apply to the bottom of the feet.
4. Cinnamon oil
This oil does not only promote relaxation, but it also has antimicrobial properties that helps to cure Lyme disease. Cinnamon oil is powerful against bacteria and can stop the spread of bacteria within two weeks of beginning to take the oil orally on a daily basis. Put two drops of cinnamon oil in water and drink it or place a drop in carrier oil and place it on the skin.
5. Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil also has bacteria-fighting qualities that have been proven to fight against many infections, including Lyme disease. Mixing a few drops of tea tree essential oil with eucalyptus oil and applying it upon the infection site has shown to have almost immediate effects that continue to work for the next 24-hours after application. It also liquefies and removes biofilms, or bacteria that is on the surface of the skin. Tea tree oil has also been known to be more effective when combined with clove oil.
6. Rosemary oil, lavender oil, geranium oil, rose oil
these essential oils are all aromatic oils, and each are known to help stop the spread of infectious bacteria. These nice-smelling oils stop the borrelia bacteria from communicating with other borrelia bacteria, thus preventing any further spreading of the infection or relapse of infection in the future.
Best Method of Use of Essential Oils
Essential oils can be very strong and if not properly handled, could lead to more health issues. A few drops go a long way, so using the one percent dilution rate method will always provide the best and safest results. Make sure to only use 100 percent natural, pure, and organic essential oils that have no additional synthetic ingredients.
Preventative Essential Oils
A few of the aforementioned essential oils can also help to prevent Lyme disease, including clove oil and oregano oil. Other essential oils that prevent the infection and deter the bacteria-ridden insects are vetiver oil and garlic oil.
1. Clove oil
Clove oil repels ticks better than chemical-ridden bug spray according to a study done in 2014. Scientists found that clove oil was 90 percent effective in deterring black-legged ticks from biting humans. Putting clove oil and water into a spray bottle and spraying in areas where ticks are commonly found is a great way to prevent the insects from coming near and spreading the disease.
2. Oregano oil
Similar to clove oil, this common cooking herb (in its essential oil form) is powerful in preventing tick bites when diluted with water in a spray bottle and used on the skin. The anti-bacterial properties will also help ward off Lyme disease if a tick bite does occur, and will give a head start in treatment of the infection.
3. Vetiver oil
Vetiver oil, an essential oil that comes from perennial grass in tropical areas in Asia, not only has a great impact on brain function, but is powerful at repelling insects with its scent. This essential oil should be diluted with water and sprayed on the ground where these bacteria-infested ticks are common.
4. Garlic oil
This oil, derived from another kitchen favorite, is also a tick repellant due to its pungent smell and flavor. According to a study done where ticks were exposed to garlic oil, 100 percent of the ticks died upon contact with the oil, making it an excellent way to get rid of those pesky insects in a natural way without the use of harsh chemicals.
Other Natural Remedies for Lyme Disease
While essential oils are a great way to prevent and eradicate the symptoms of Lyme disease, using the oils in conjunction with these other natural remedies may decrease the time it takes to get rid of the infection.
1. Eat Healthy
Stop eating inflammatory foods, such as grains, fruits, and sugars, and start eating a diet filled with anti-inflammatory foods like vegetables, coconuts, nuts, meat, raw cultured dairy, and bone broth. Bone broth has been found to be very helpful in aiding in recovery from Lyme disease, as it replenishes and repairs tissue damaged by the bacteria.
Drinking up to four cups a day will speed up the healing process and reduce inflammation. Reducing the inflammation in your body can help to improve your immune system, thus helping to fight off the bacterial infection faster and more easily.
2. Take Vitamin Supplements
In order to fight off Lyme disease, cellular function needs to be improved. The bacteria can attack the healthy cells and weaken the immune system. Some vitamins and dietary supplements that can help to strengthen cellular function are Vitamin D, CoQ10, B-Complex, Omega-3 fatty acids, Magnesium, Turmeric, fish oil, and Probiotics. Taking these supplements will help speed up the healing process.
3. Get Enough Sleep and Get Stress Under Control
Studies have shown that long-term stress causes the immune system to weaken, as well as cause inflammation and hormone imbalances, which can worsen Lyme disease. Try to make getting enough rest and staying away from stressful situations a priority during the duration on the infection.
4. Stay Away from Mold and Parasites
Environmental triggers, such as other viruses, bacteria, and pathogens, play a role in developing autoimmune diseases, like Lyme, further. The continuous exposure to mold and other parasites can cause stress to the immune system, thus causing the disease to linger for much longer.
Taking activated charcoal or bentonite clay will help fight the infection as these supplements bind to the parasites and other bad bacteria and remove them from the body. Also, staying away from places ridden with mold and parasites will be helpful during recovery.
Conclusion
Fighting the symptoms of Lyme disease can take time, but thankfully due to the proper essential oils, it can be done naturally. Although some individuals may need to seek out a more extensive recovery regimen, essential oils can speed up the healing process when used in conjunction with other medications.
Prevention of Lyme disease should be a priority, but if prevention is not possible, the use of essential oils can greatly help. These essential oils are best to try before turning to antibiotics to get rid of the infection. Please get a diagnosis from a doctor before trying these methods.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/index.html
https://www.optimalhealthnetwork.com/Healing-from-Lyme-Disease-s/1187.htm
https://drericz.com/how-to-treat-lyme-disease-naturally/
https://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com/eleven-essential-oils-that-help-fight-lyme-disease
https://cassingram.com/lyme-cannot-survive-oregano-oil/
https://drjaydavidson.com/treating-lyme-disease-essential-oils/