Chronic Lyme: Healing with Herbs & Acupuncture
May marks Lyme Disease Awareness Month, a crucial time to shed light on this complex, often misunderstood illness. Because early symptoms can be subtle, and many patients never recall a tick bite or develop the telltale bull's-eye rash, Lyme disease frequently goes undiagnosed for years. Left untreated, it can progress to affect the brain, nervous system, and heart. I am committed to raising awareness and helping others recognize and treat Lyme disease and its co-infections more effectively.
Welcome to Part 3 of the Lyme Disease Series!
Before diving into this segment, take a moment to check out Part 1, which offers a thorough introduction to Lyme disease and explores how Chinese Medicine views and approaches bacterial infections. In Part 2, the focus shifts to Lyme disease co-infections—what they are, why they matter, and how they complicate diagnosis and treatment. Part 3, the spotlight is on how Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine can support those dealing with chronic Lyme disease, offering strategies to help manage persistent symptoms and improve quality of life.
The Challenge of Late Lyme Diagnosis
Diagnosing Lyme disease is inherently challenging, as Borrelia burgdorferi—the bacteria responsible for the infection—rapidly disseminates from the bloodstream into tissues, making it difficult to detect through standard blood tests (Steere et al., 2004). As a result, many individuals may go undiagnosed for years, unaware that persistent neurological symptoms, joint pain, muscle twitches, or heart palpitations may stem from a prior tick bite.
If not identified and treated early, Lyme disease can progress and cause widespread damage to the brain, nervous system, joints, muscles, and internal organs (CDC, 2022). This advanced form of the illness, often referred to as Late-Stage Lyme Disease, Chronic Lyme, or Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS), affects thousands of patients annually.
Common symptoms of Late-Stage Lyme Disease include:
Persistent, debilitating fatigue
Joint and muscle pain
Cognitive and neurological issues such as brain fog, neuropathy, tremors
Cardiovascular symptoms, including palpitations and chest pain
Mood disorders, including anxiety and depression
Autoimmune-like responses
These symptoms can be life-altering and are frequently misattributed to other conditions, underscoring the importance of awareness, early detection, and access to knowledgeable care.
Acupuncture for Late-Stage Lyme Relief
Acupuncture, a core component of Traditional Chinese Medicine, has gained recognition as a supportive therapy in managing the complex symptoms of late-stage Lyme disease. Acupuncture can help alleviate many of the chronic manifestations associated with Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS), including pain, fatigue, neurological dysfunction, and mood disturbances.
Research indicates that Acupuncture modulates the nervous system, promotes circulation, and reduces inflammation—all key factors in managing Lyme-related symptoms. A study published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that Acupuncture significantly reduced pain and fatigue in patients with chronic illness, including those with Lyme disease-related symptoms (Wang et al., 2013). Additional evidence supports its role in improving sleep quality, reducing anxiety, and enhancing overall quality of life (Zhao, 2008; Lee et al., 2013).
Acupuncture may be particularly beneficial for:
Chronic joint and muscle pain
Neurological symptoms such as neuropathy or headaches
Insomnia and fatigue
Anxiety and depression related to chronic illness
As part of an integrative approach, Acupuncture offers a low-risk, evidence-informed option to help manage the ongoing symptoms of late-stage Lyme disease and improve patient well-being.
Herbal Support for Chronic Lyme
While antibiotics are essential for treating early-stage Lyme disease, they often fall short for chronic or late-stage Lyme. That's because Borrelia burgdorferi—the bacteria that causes Lyme—can transform into harder-to-treat forms and embed itself deep within body tissues, evading both the immune system and standard treatments. Herbal medicine offers distinct advantages in this area.
Targeting Persistent Bacteria
Unlike antibiotics that primarily kill actively dividing bacteria, certain herbs can target dormant and biofilm forms of Borrelia. Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum) and Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata), for example, have shown antimicrobial effects even against these resistant forms (Feng et al., 2015).
Balancing the Immune System
Chronic Lyme can trigger a dysregulated immune response, overactive in some areas, underactive in others. Herbs like Cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa) and Andrographis offer immunomodulatory benefits, helping the body strike a better balance rather than simply overstimulating it (Mur et al., 2002; Spelman et al., 2006).
Reducing Inflammation and Supporting the Brain
Many long-term Lyme symptoms stem from inflammation and neurological involvement, such as brain fog, nerve pain, and fatigue. Japanese knotweed, rich in resveratrol, has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties and can cross the blood-brain barrier to offer direct support to the central nervous system (Baur & Sinclair, 2006; Wang et al., 2002).
Managing Detox and Die-off Reactions
When bacteria die, they release endotoxins that can worsen symptoms (known as a Herxheimer reaction). Sarsaparilla root (Smilax spp.) helps bind and clear these toxins, potentially easing the detox burden on the liver and kidneys (Silva et al., 2001).
Whole-Body, Synergistic Support
Herbal protocols are often multi-targeted, working not only to combat bacteria but also to support detoxification, reduce inflammation, and enhance immune resilience—all at once. Unlike antibiotics, herbs preserve gut health and can be used long-term with fewer side effects (Buhner, 2015).
Herbal medicine offers a comprehensive, integrative approach to supporting the body’s healing processes—addressing not only microbial imbalances but also inflammation, immune function, and overall resilience. While pharmaceuticals play an important role in Lyme disease treatment, herbal therapies can complement and enhance care in ways that conventional drugs may not. It is essential to consult with a Lyme-literate practitioner before beginning any herbal protocol to ensure safety, appropriateness, and effectiveness for your individual case.
Whether you’ve been recently diagnosed or have been living with chronic symptoms for years, Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine can offer targeted, supportive care as part of your Lyme disease recovery. As a practitioner experienced in working with complex chronic conditions, I invite you to schedule a Consultation to explore how a personalized treatment plan can help reduce symptoms, restore balance, and support your long-term healing.
Some resources for Chronic Lyme disease:
Lyme disease Testing + CoInfection Testing
Dr. Horowitz, M.D., Symptom Checker
* The information presented on this blog is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or another qualified healthcare provider if you have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.
References
Steere AC, et al. (2004). The emergence of Lyme disease. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 113(8), 1093–1101.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022). Lyme Disease Data and Surveillance. https://www.cdc.gov/lyme
Wang, S. M., et al. (2013). Acupuncture for chronic pain: Update of an individual patient data meta-analysis. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 19(5), 383–392.
Zhao, L., et al. (2008). Acupuncture for the treatment of chronic pain: A review of the evidence. Pain Physician, 11(3), 519–538.
Lee, J. H., et al. (2013). Acupuncture for chronic fatigue syndrome and related symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013, 1–9.
Feng, J., Shi, W., Miklossy, J., & Zhang, Y. (2015). Antimicrobial activity of herbal medicines against stationary phase Borrelia burgdorferi. Frontiers in Medicine, 2, 74. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2015.00074
Thompson, A., Hynicka, L. M., & Shere-Wolfe, K. D. (2023). A Comprehensive Review of Herbal Supplements Used for Persistent Symptoms Attributed to Lyme Disease. Integrative medicine (Encinitas, Calif.), 22(1), 30–38.
Baur, J. A., & Sinclair, D. A. (2006). Therapeutic potential of resveratrol: The in vivo evidence. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 5(6), 493–506. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrd2060
Buhner, S. H. (2015). Healing Lyme: Natural prevention and treatment of Lyme borreliosis and its co-infections(2nd ed.). Raven Press.
Feng, J., Shi, W., Miklossy, J., & Zhang, Y. (2015). Persisters in Borrelia burgdorferi: Implications for understanding and treating Lyme disease. Drug Design, Development and Therapy, 9, 607–621. https://doi.org/10.2147/DDDT.S73838
Mur, E., Hartig, F., Eibl, G., & Schirmer, M. (2002). Randomized double-blind trial of an extract from the pentacyclic alkaloid-chemotype of Uncaria tomentosa for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Journal of Rheumatology, 29(4), 678–681.
Silva, O., Duarte, A., Cabrita, J., Pimentel, M., Diniz, A., Gomes, E., & Machado, M. I. (2001). Antimicrobial activity of Smilax aspera, Smilax excelsa, and Smilax glabra. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 75(2–3), 141–147. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8741(01)00195-1
Spelman, K., Burns, J., Nichols, D., Winters, N., Ottersberg, S., & Tenborg, M. (2006). Modulation of cytokine expression by traditional medicines: A review of herbal immunomodulators. Alternative Medicine Review, 11(2), 128–150.
Wang, Q., Xu, J., & Rottinghaus, G. E. (2002). Resveratrol protects against global cerebral ischemic injury in gerbils. Brain Research, 958(2), 439–447. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0006-8993(02)03733-2