An Integrated, Natural Approach to Healing

Understanding Lyme Through a Holistic Lens

Lyme disease affects everyone differently. In Chinese medicine, we look not only at the infection but also at how the illness impacts your immune system, inflammation, digestion, circulation, mood, and overall vitality.

While antibiotics target the bacteria, Chinese medicine focuses on helping your body:

• Strengthen immunity
• Reduce inflammation
• Detoxify and clear pathogens
• Repair tissues
• Support energy, digestion, and sleep

The two approaches work beautifully together.

Chinese Medicine’s Two Core Treatment Principles

1. Strengthen the Body (Support Healthy Qi / Immunity)

This enhances your body’s ability to fight the infection and recover.

2. Clear Pathogens (Detoxify & Reduce Inflammation, Break Biofilm)

This focuses on killing bacteria, clearing inflammation, breaking down bacterial biofilms, and supporting clean, healthy circulation.

If You See a Bull’s-Eye Rash

A bull’s-eye rash is an emergency sign of early Lyme.

Antibiotics are essential.

After proper referral, Chinese medicine can help support the body and reduce side effects from medication.

Later Stage, Chronic, or Post-Treatment Lyme

In these stages, people often struggle with:

• Fatigue
• Brain fog
• Joint or muscle pain
• Sleep issues
• Digestive upset
• Nervous system symptoms
• Mood changes
• Cyclical flare-ups

Chinese medicine helps regulate inflammation, support the immune system, restore energy, and improve long-term recovery.

Herbs Commonly Used for Lyme Support

Below are simple lists of herbs often used to support Lyme recovery. These are not prescriptions, just educational information.

Herbs That Target Lyme Bacteria

• Cryptolepis
• Black Walnut
• Sweet Wormwood (Qing Hao)
• Cat’s Claw
• Japanese Knotweed (Hu Zhang)
• Andrographis (Chuan Xin Lian)

Herbs That Strengthen Immunity & Restore Vitality

• Chinese Yam (Shan Yao)
• Fo-Ti (Shou Wu)
• White Peony (Bai Shao)
• Dipsacus Root (Xu Duan)
• Ligustrum (Nu Zhen Zi)

Herbs That Calm Overactive Inflammation

• Cordyceps
• Green tea extract (EGCG)
• Isatis (Da Qing Ye / Ban Lan Gen)
• Japanese Knotweed
• Andrographis
• Scutellaria (Huang Qin)
• Coptis (Huang Lian)
• Salvia (Dan Shen)
• Boneset
• Ginger
• Houttuynia (Yu Xing Cao)
• Licorice (Gan Cao)

Herbs That Support Brain & Nerve Health

• Ginkgo biloba
• Vinpurazine (circulation-supporting herbal blend)

Herbs That Protect Collagen & Joint Tissues

• Japanese Knotweed
• Turmeric (Jiang Huang)
• Scutellaria
• Cordyceps
• Green tea extract (EGCG)

Herbs That Break Down Bacterial Biofilm

• Andrographis
• Houttuynia
• Japanese Knotweed
• Rhodiola
• Scutellaria
• Turmeric
• Raw garlic (with food – at least 1 clove, 3×/day)

What Is a Jarisch–Herxheimer Reaction?

(“Herxing”) – A Patient-Friendly Explanation

When Lyme bacteria start dying—whether from antibiotics or herbs—they release toxins faster than the body can clear them.

This temporary flare-up is called the Herxheimer Reaction.

It usually lasts a few hours to a day.

Common Herx Symptoms

• Fever or chills
• Headache
• Worsening joint or muscle pain
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Feeling “flu-ish”
• Temporary flare of Lyme symptoms

Only about 15% of people with Lyme experience this.

You can still be healing even if you don’t ”herx”.

What Helps with a Herx?

1. Toxin-Binding Supplements

These help “grab” toxins and carry them out of the body:

• Chlorella
• Zeolite (e.g., ZeoBind)

2. Anti-Inflammatory Herbs

These can calm the reaction, but doses are usually lowered temporarily:

• Japanese Honeysuckle (Lian Qiao)
• Scutellaria (Huang Qin)
• Honeysuckle Vine (Ren Dong Teng)
• Isatis (Da Qing Ye, Ban Lan Gen)
• Rhubarb Root (Da Huang)
• Dandelion (Pu Gong Ying)
• Violet Herb (Zi Hua Di Ding)
• Andrographis (Chuan Xin Lian)

These help reduce inflammation, support lymph flow, and ease symptoms.

3. Traditional Detox Support Formula

(Subhuti Dharmananda’s recommendations)

• Tu Fu Ling (Smilax)
• Qing Hao (Sweet Wormwood)
• Hu Zhang (Japanese Knotweed)
• Chuan Xin Lian (Andrographis)
• Ren Dong Teng (Honeysuckle Vine)

This combination is traditionally used to clear toxins and support the body during intense immune or inflammatory reactions.

How Chinese Medicine Helps at Every Stage

Chinese medicine can support:

• Detoxification
• Immune balance
• Reducing inflammation
• Tissue repair
• Nervous system regulation
• Better digestion & sleep
• Adrenal support
• Long-term vitality

Treatment tools may include acupuncture, herbal medicine, gua sha, cupping, dietary therapy, and gentle movement such as Qigong.

Why Integrated Care Works Best

Lyme disease is complex.

Using both Western and Chinese medicine provides the most complete support:

• Antibiotics target the bacteria.
• Herbs support immunity, inflammation, detox, and healing.
• Acupuncture calms the nervous system and speeds recovery.
• Diet and lifestyle help the body rebuild strength.

This combined approach helps patients recover more fully and more comfortably.