Many Chinese herbs are useful for different aspects of Lyme disease. Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by the spirochete organism, Morelia. It is usually caused by a tick bite. Outbreaks appear to be exacerbated in the northeastern United States, with cases reported in the lower 48 states. In the early stages of the disease, it is easy to treat with antibiotics, but often undetectable at that time. Bull eye rash is a symptom of the disease, but most people do not get the rash. The rash looks different in those with darker pigmentation, which makes it easier to misdiagnosis of other skin conditions, including skin lesions or eczema. The wide variety of symptoms that can occur in a person's later stages make it difficult to make a proper diagnosis, and the medical examination for the disease is still not very accurate in most cases.
Individuals with the later stages of Lyme may need different levels of treatment.
Lyme disease lowers body temperature and creates poor blood circulation. A person is more likely to experience sores, bumps and inflammation in different parts of his body that change and move frequently. The bacteria close on their own, creating an environment for them to grow and thrive, and the infected person experiences severe pain with low energy and neurological problems. The disease thrives in a low temperature, low oxygen environment, and this is the environment it creates inside the body. People with the disease often have the same signs and symptoms of the disease at high altitude (due to the low oxygen environment). Chinese herbs that remove blood clots and break down blood clots are very useful for this disease. The Herb, Pseudogenes (San Qi), is very useful for people with Lyme disease. It promotes blood circulation and oxygenation in the body and forces open ulcers to protect against killing bacteria. It can also help people with the disease to get some relief from the brain haze caused by improving blood circulation and oxygen to the brain. Incense (Ru Jiang), and Mir (Mo Yo) can also help improve blood circulation, especially in the joints, where bacteria often hide in cartilage where blood circulation is impaired. Teasel root, a herb often used by people suffering from Lyme disease, is beneficial because it improves circulation in the body and also affects warmth. All of these herbs can significantly help with the acute and chronic pain experienced in the later stages of Lyme disease.
Some Chinese herbs can be used to reduce a person's sensitivity to colds and to improve micro circulation in the body. Herbs such as cloves, cinnamon, and sesame seeds are useful for this purpose.
The lymphatic system and metabolism are often compromised in people with Lyme disease. Bacteria often hide within the walls of white blood cells, resulting in inflammation and congestion of the lymph nodes. People with this disease often have signs of hypothyroidism and although all of their thyroid tests are normal, they have a slow metabolic rate. In Chinese medicine, herbs that treat phlegm are often used for conditions related to slow metabolism and congested lymphatic system.
Another aspect of Lyme disease is severe and debilitating fatigue and total lack of energy. This can be due to different factors. Poor oxygen and circulation and low metabolism and body temperature are part of the picture. The person's adrenal glands may also not function properly. A person with Lyme disease may also have many digestive problems due to lack of adequate nutrition. The disease triggers chemical changes in the brain that can lead to severe depression and inability to concentrate, which can also be debilitating.
In Chinese medicine, chi and herbs that nourish the blood help to correct this energy deficiency. Herbs improve a person's digestion, brain function, support the proper functioning of the adrenal glands and improve a person's ability to manage stress. They can also help in the proper functioning of the mitochondria in the production of ATP in the cells, which helps a person's energy at a very basic level. It may be beneficial for depression, anxiety, lack of concentration and sleep problems experienced by people with buffalo, Logan fruit, gizzard seed, dragon, musk shell, and magnolia bark Lyme disease.
As you can see, Lyme disease is a complex disease with many components. There are many herbs in the pharmacopoeia of Chinese herbal medicine that can treat many aspects of the disease in a comprehensive and holistic manner.
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