Bay Area Lyme Foundation, a leading sponsor of Lyme disease research in the U.S., today announced the publication of new data finding that seven herbal medicines are highly active in test tubes against B. burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, compared to the control antibiotics, doxycycline and cefuroxime. Published in the journal Frontiers in Medicine, the laboratory study was primarily funded by the Bay Area Lyme Foundation and supported in part by the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation. The study was a collaboration between researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, California Center for Functional Medicine and FOCUS Health Group, Naturopathic.

“Since traditional antibiotic approaches fail to resolve symptoms in up to 25% of patients treated for Lyme disease and many suffer disabling effects of the disease, there is a need for novel treatment proven effective against B. burgdorferi,” said the paper’s co-author Sunjya K. Schweig, MD, CEO and co-director, California Center for Functional Medicine and Scientific Advisory Board Member, Bay Area Lyme Foundation. “Because patients are currently turning to herbal remedies to fill the treatment gaps left by antibiotics, this research is a critical step in helping clinicians, as well as patients, understand which ones may offer the most potential benefit.”

According to this laboratory study, carried out by Prof. Ying Zhang’s group at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the seven herbal medicines that have the ability to kill B. burgdorferi in test tubes are:

It is important to note that each of these products have the potential to produce significant side effects in patients, and should be taken only under advisement of a clinician knowledgeable of their capabilities and toxicities.

Of these products, the Cryptolepis sanguinolenta extract caused complete eradication, while doxycycline and cefuroxime and other active herbs did not. This extract has been used for the treatment of malaria as well as the tick-borne infection Babesia, a malaria-like parasite. This study is believed to be the first time this extract has been documented to have a potential impact on B. burgdorferi, and additional laboratory and clincial studies should be conducted to investigate the potential role Cryptolepis sanguinolenta could play in the treatment of Lyme disease.

Further, Cryptolepis sanguinolenta and Polygonum cuspidatum (Japanese knotweed) showed strong activity against both growing B. burgdorferi (MIC=0.03%-0.06% and 0.25%-0.5% respectively) and non-growing stationary phase B. burgdorferi.

In contrast, Stevia rebaudiana, Andrographis paniculata, Grapefruit seed extract, colloidal silver, monolaurin, and antimicrobial peptide LL37 had little or no activity against stationary phase B. burgdorferi. 

“Our hope is that findings from this study could point to new therapeutic options for doctors and their patients, and pave the way for clinical research to help patients with persistent Lyme disease,” said Linda Giampa, executive director, Bay Area Lyme Foundation.

These data may provide a basis for the clinical improvement of patients who take herbal medicines, particularly those whose chronic symptoms may be due to persistent bacteria that are not killed by conventional Lyme antibiotic treatment. However, it is critical to note that additional studies are needed to further evaluate the seven active botanical medicines identified in the study. Patients should not attempt to self-treat with these herbal medicines due to potential side effects and lack of clinical trials with these products.

Are these herbal remedies also effective against Syphilis, another spirochete?

Ed, this was a test tube study and does not indicate these compounds would be an effective treatment for anything. Many compounds like strong acids are more effective than antibiotics in killing germs in the test tube, but cannot be used as medicines because they are much too damaging to human tissue. Also note that the collaborators are a “functional medicine” organization and a naturopathic organization. These are both forms of practice outside of scientifically-based medicine. They reject that approach, relying on the intuition of the practitioner to apply traditional healing techniques like herbs, acupuncture, homeopathy, etc. rather than modern medicine given by genuine medical doctors. I predict this study is the end of this line of inquiry. Quack practitioners can already use this test tube study to suggest herbal treatments because that is more than sufficient evidence for their form of medical practice. Further research could show inefficacy, toxicity, or other contraindications, so they would wish to avoid lifting that rock.

You moron. All medications originated in nature. You are pedantic, condescending, and self-important. “I predict….” …..you pompous asshole.

Mark, my daughter is dying with what we think is late stage lyme disease and all “scientifically-based medicine” has done is prescribe pharmaceuticals (shopping bags of different pills!) to address the symptoms that only cause additional problems!

Maybe botanicals don’t work, but let’s not shoot it down before we see. This could be a solution. To use the term “Quack practitioners” is a bit smug! To prescribe a shopping bag of varying drugs with a year or two, that’s quackery!

I see a tonne of problems with theses studies just from the summary. At best this might lead to identification of compound for preclinical work somewhere in the future but I have some doubts about even that.

Looks like some potential there. Wonder when eating these herbs if any of the active compounds get in places the virus or microbes hide.

Looks like some potential there. Wonder when eating these herbs if any of the active compounds get in places the virus or microbes hide.

I take a few of these in my herbal Lyme protocol and they 100% help. When I run out and don’t replenish immediately, it’s very obvious that they help.

my wife has lyme diease and after going to a number of doctors we decided that they know nothing abot this diease . after reading the studies from john hopkins we have been on the herb cryptolopis sanquinolont for 2 months and what a difference it has made in my wifes condition she has more energy she is not having to stay in bed for hours and her joint pain is gone her headaches are gone and she is able to function almost normal . she is being tested each week and the test shows her condition has fastly improved and no side affects so far . we are getting the herb from a herbist in main who has treated many people with this herb and it is the only thing she has found to help lyme diease patients .

Could you tell me the dosage your wife takes? Also, what is the testing you are using to track her progress

Roland Homer Can you please tell me the dosage?? I am so so desperate and severe sick

Ronald, my daughter has the same problem. We have spent a fortune that we didn’t have to see doctors who don’t know what’s going on buy yet don’t believe the problem in lyme disease. I just found out about cryptolopis sanquinolont and am buying some today. Can you provide where you got it (website or contact info) and how much she is taking?

That is great news!! Good luck! Would you mind sharing the contact information.

Could you please share the information with me. Regards the herbalist in main, am seeking help for my son. I like in Canada Thank you 🙏🏽

Whoever thinks this is just a load of rubbish, I have been a victim of chronic lyme for a while now. I currently have been taking the Samsara Herbs Tick Immune Support which has given me immediate relief after 1 week from lyme symptoms. The left facial numbness is almost gone and sleeping has gotten a ton better, brain fog is better as well and the feeling of not being able to swallow or food getting stuck in my throat as its going down is negligible. So negligible at this point where it is minimal interference with daily life and work performance. I will follow up after a few weeks with all as well.

Wow !! Really?? I a from Germany and so so desperate

Try Ivermectin. Ivermectin turns to be highly effective against Lyme disease.

Does anyone knows how long patient wit Lyme disease should taking ivermectin to see any improvement?

Try Ivermectin. Ivermectin turns to be highly effective against Lyme disease.

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