There are many different treatment protocols for Lyme & tick-borne diseases. Here we list some of the protocols that you may hear of as you start educating yourself on how to get well. Our hope is that we can provide you a quick overview of some of the most common protocols in one consolidated place to help ramp up your education as quickly as possible so you can make the best choices for you.
This is not an exhaustive list nor is it all the information for each protocol. Some of the factors that might weigh into which treatment protocol is right for you are when you were infected, what co-infections might be present, your genetic make up, as well as your individual current state of health and stress levels.
It is highly recommended that you work with a knowledgeable practitioner to help guide you on your road to wellness. Having a better understanding of the different treatment strategies will hopefully help you make educated decisions on how to proceed.
LYME DISEASE TREATMENT PROTOCOLS
Beyond Balance Protocol:
Beyond Balance is the U.S.-based nutritional supplement company that produces herbal formulas developed by Susan McCamish used by practitioners with their patients in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. Susan McCamish is a Certified Traditional Naturopath, Nutritional Consultant and Herbalist with a well-deserved reputation for creating effective, high quality herbal formulas for people with chronic complex illnesses.
Susan has been involved in research & development of natural products that support the body in dealing with complex health issues for over 25 years. Her products include over 30 high quality herbal formulas that are used internationally by prominent holistic and Lyme literate physicians and other healthcare practitioners to help fight various pathogens, promote detoxification, and enhance the body’s ability to heal.”
Protocol implementation usually includes detoxification formulas that gently support whole body detoxification, neuro-detoxification and/or environmental detoxification as well as inflammation reduction formulas that are appropriate to the individual. To this core protocol, formulas are added in a layered approach to assist the body in addressing bacterial, viral or environmental toxins in the gentlest way. Additional organ & system support formulas can also be used to further support whole health. All liquid formulas are glycerite based.
Please work with a qualified healthcare professional to appropriately select products for a full individual protocol.
Detox Support: All formulas have been designed to support the body’s natural detoxification process.
Products include: TOX-EASE, TOX-EASE GL, TOX-EASE II, COGNEASE DETOX
Core Immune Support: Formulas have been shown to support the immune system’s natural ability to fight infections and manage differing tick-born illness microorganisms such as Borrelia, Babesia, Bartonella as well as fungal, protozoan & parasitic infestation.
Products include: MC-BB-1, MC-BB-2, MC-BAR-1, MC-BAR-2, MC-BAB-1, MC-BAB-2, MC-BAB-3, COGNEASE, MC-BFM-1, MC-BFM-P, MC-CH, MC-PZ, MC-REGENATO-1, MYCOREGEN, PARAZOMIN, PRONAN
Immune System Support: Formulated with herbs shown to enhance the body’s own natural immunity and ability to fight infections.
Products include: IMN-B, IMN-GI, IMN-R, IMN-V, IMN-V-II, IMN-V-III
Inflammation Reduction Helps the body in reducing inflammation.
Products include: CYFLACALM, CYFLACALM II
Environmental Detox: Formulated to help the body address exposure to biotoxins
Products include: ENL-BT-1, ENL-MC, ENL-NM, ENL-RD, ENL-TX, ENL-VR
Organ Support: Formulated to strengthen digestive process (liver, gallbladder, pancreas & intestinal tract) and kidney/bladder & urinary tract health.
Products include: OGN-DI, OGN-KB
System Support: Formulated to support adrenal, lymphatic & vascular health
Products include: DRENA-SPPT, LYMPH-SPPT, VASC-SPPT
*”These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.”
Buhner Protocol:
Taken directly from Healing Lyme, second edition by Stephen Harrod Buhner. The Core protocol entails:
- Protecting endothelial structures:Protect endothelial cells & junctions to stop the bacteria from moving deeper into the body.
Polygonum cuspidatum (Japanese knotweed root):
Powder: 1 tsp – 1 TBS of the root powder 3x daily. Start at the lower dose and work up, OR
Tincture: ¼ to 1 tsp 3-6x daily, OR
Tablets: These are normally labeled as resveratrol on the bottle. They are in fact knotweed root standardized for resveratrol content. (Note: Do not use grape resveratrol; it won’t work very well)…
- Cytokine remodulators:Stop inflammation in the body & interfere with the bacteria’s ability to replicate & survive in the body.
Salvia miltiorrhiza (Chinese Red Sage) & Scutellaria baicalensis (Baikal Skullcap) (Equal parts tincture): 1 tsp 3x daily.
- Protecting collagenous structures:Reverse or decrease many of the organisms’ impact on the body
Great Lakes gelatin powder: 1 TBSP once a day:
Vitamin C: 1,000-3,000 mg daily:
- Immune modulating herbs to restructure the immune response:Counteract the bacteria’s ability to restructure the body’s immune system response to suit their own needs for survival.
If you are using tinctures, they can all be combined into a single formulation, but dosage must be increased appropriately.
Exception: Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) is best as a powder.
Uncaria tomentosa bark (Cat’s Claw):
Powder: 1 tsp 3x daily, OR
Tincture: ¼ to ½ tsp 3x daily, OR
Tablets/capsules: 1-4 500 mg tablets/capsules 3x day
Cordyceps mycelium:
Powder: 1 tsp – 1 TBSP 3x day, OR
Tincture: ½ – 1 tsp 3x day
Withania somnifera. (Ashwagandha):
Powder: ½ tsp in a.m. 1 tsp p.m. before bed.
Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian Ginseng)(1:5 formulation not the 1:1):
Tincture: ½ tsp 3x day daily
Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice):
Tincture: ¼ tsp 3x daily
- Herb supplements to protect & restore damaged physiological structures:Support & strengthen individual organs that may be impacted.
- Herbs/supplements for reducing specific symptoms:Reduce symptoms to increase quality of life.
- Antispirochetals:Reduce the number of spirochetes in the body.
Andrographis capsules: Begin with a small dose and work up.
Recommended dosage is 600 mg (one capsule of a 1200 mg formulation, for example) 3x daily to begin with, for one week. Then if there are no side effects increase dose to two capsules 3x daily.
Please check the side effects on this herb: unpleasant allergic reactions can occur.
Neuroborreliosis:
If you have neuroborreliosis, it is crucial to add to the core protocol:
Uncaria rhynchophylla:
Tincture: ½ – 1 tsp 3-6x daily.
The above represents the CORE protocol.
Modifications & additions are suggested based on individual presentation.
Cowden Protocol:
The Cowden Support Program (CSP) is a protocol developed by Dr. William Lee Cowden, MD initially for the treatment of late-stage Borrelia and Lyme co-infections. Since the protocol helps to resolve the majority of the root causes of most patient’s symptoms, it can also be used to treat “post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome” and many other chronic health conditions of unclear cause.
The Cowden Support Program utilizes 15 different Nutramedix products including 8 microbial defense herbals (4 pairs of herbals) that are taken in rotation. The first pair (Banderol and Samento) were studied in vitro by Eva Sapi, PhD and her group at the University of New Haven, CT and found to eliminate all forms of Borrelia burgdorferi (spirochetes, round-body forms and biofilm forms). In that study, doxycycline antibiotic was not nearly as effective against biofilm and round body forms of Borrelia burgdorferi. Richard Horowitz, MD in New York State has found the Cowden Support Program to be effective in markedly improving the condition of 70-80% of the advanced Lyme Borreliosis patients with co-infections over 4 to 6 months time, even if the patients had previously failed to improve on multiple courses of antibiotics. In 2012, a 9 month observational study with the Cowden Support Program was conducted by the Borreliose Centrum Augsburg, Germany. This study resulted in 80% of patients showing symptomatic improvements (via questionnaire) and 90% of patients showing improvements via lab blood tests.
In a 2015 study conducted by Dr. Eva Sapi at the University of New Haven, Sapi showed that whole-leaf stevia extract in alcohol suspension (known as Stevia A in the study and manufactured by Nutramedix) was much more effective at killing all forms of the Borrelia bacteria (longform, persisters/cysts and biofilm) than other forms of Stevia (Now®, Sweet leaf®, and Truvia®) in vitro. The study also showed Nutramedix’s Stevia to be superior to the antibiotics doxycycline, cefoperazone, and daptomycin, including a combination of all three.
CLICK HERE FOR PROTOCOL INSTRUCTION BOOKLET
15 PRODUCTS USED & PRIMARY FUNCTIONS:
BANDEROL Microbial Defense: anti-inflammatory, broad-spectrum antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic (both protozoa and worms) herbal tincture; also effective against many Borrelia species and Lyme co-infections, including Rickettsia, Coxiella and Ehrlichia.
BURBUR Detox: an herbal tincture that aids detoxification of man-made toxins and biotoxins from the liver, kidneys, lymphatic system and interstitial space (the space between the cells).
CUMANDA Microbial Defense: anti-inflammatory, broad-spectrum antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic (both protozoa and worms) herbal tincture; also effective against Borrelia burgdorferi, other Borrelia species and Lyme co-infections.
HOUTTUYNIA Microbial Defense: anti-inflammatory, broad spectrum antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral herbal tincture; also effective against most Borrelia species and Lyme co-infections.
ENULA Microbial Defense: anti-inflammatory, broad spectrum antiparasitic (both protozoa and worms) herbal combination tincture with some antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties.
MAGNESIUM MALATE: a highly absorbable and utilizable form of magnesium which helps to maintain normal cardiovascular, muscle, nerve, bone and other cellular functions.
MORA Microbial Defense: anti-inflammatory, broad spectrum antiparasitic (both protozoa and worms) herbal combination tincture with some antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties.
PARSLEY Detox: an herbal tincture that aids detoxification of man-made toxins and biotoxins from the liver, kidneys, lymphatic system and interstitial space (the space between the cells).
PINELLA Brain/Nerve Cleanse: an herbal tincture that eliminates neurotoxins from the brain, spine and peripheral nervous system.
SAMENTO Microbial Defense: immune-system modulator, anti-inflammatory, broad-spectrum, antibacterial herbal tincture effective against Borrelia burgdorferi and the co-infections.
SEALANTRO Metal Detox: a combination of sea weed, chlorella and cilantro extracts that mobilize from the tissues and bind heavy metals, various radioactive substances and other positively-charged toxins, especially in the gut, so that those items can be eliminated from the body.
SERRAPEPTASE: an enzyme derived from the serratia bacteria in the gut of silk worms; this enzyme digests fibrin covering over and hiding microbes in the body, digests fibrin attached to the capillary wall (thus improving oxygen transport into the tissues) and aids in the digestion of microbial biofilm.
SPARGA Sulphur Detox: an asparagus herbal tincture that detoxifies the body from sulfa antibiotics and other sulfa drugs which can block the detoxification pathways.
STEVIA Microbial Defense: Commonly known as a sugar substitute and sweetener, the Cowden protocol’s version of stevia (which is a whole-leaf extract) has been proven in lab studies to be more effective at killing Lyme bacteria than most antibiotics, and it can also eliminate the cyst versions and biofilm of the bacteria by 90%. (See study).
TAKUNA Microbial Defense: Derived from the bark of a South American tree, takuna is an antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory that is effective against influenzas.
Zhang protocol:
Dr. Qingcai Zhang, practices Chinese herbal medicine in New York City, and has become a respected authority on many auto-immune diseases, viruses and especially Lyme disease. His protocol incorporates traditional Chinese herbs and proprietary formulas he has developed using his own extensive research and treatment experience.
Lyme patients may contact his office by phone, mail or email for a consultation involving treatment advice.
20 E. 46th Street
Suite 1402
New York, NY 10017
Tel: (212) 573-9584
Fax: (212) 573-6639
email: YaleZhang@cryticalsolutions.com
Core protocol products and their functions:
Allicin: Allicin is commonly used together with HH as a first-line treatment for chronic Lyme disease. It is a specific extract of garlic that has high antimicrobial properties and can cross the blood brain barrier. For patients with a sensitivity to garlic, Allicin may not be recommended. Substitutes are R-5081, Coptis and HH. Allicin may also be a bit of an antisocial supplement as it does make you radiate a strong smell of garlic while taking it. You can try a chlorophyll supplement to reduce this effect.
HH Capsule: HH is commonly used in combination with Allicin. HH has wide spectrum antimicrobial effects and can be used safely for long-term treatments. It is also anti-fungal and can reduce the risk of Candida infection, usually caused from long-term anti-microbial and especially antibiotics use.
Coptis: Coptis is used in combination with Allicin, HH, and R-5081, depending on your protocol. It is also a broad-spectrum antimicrobial like HH and has many similar properties.
R-5081: This is a traditional Chinese medicine formula that has been used to treat syphilis for hundreds of years. Since syphilis and Borrelia are both spirochetes, the same treatment is employed. R-5081 can be up to 50% effective in treating syphilis even in chronic cases. R-5081 is also a broad-spectrum antimicrobial and an antifungal. If you can’t use garlic (Allicin), replace those caps with R-5081 and Coptis.
Circulation P: This is a must for all Lyme treatments because it increases blood flow to cells, and helps to repair inflammation-damaged tissues. It also helps your immune cells clean up the inflammatory proteins that settle and cause more damage.
Arteminisin: Artemisia is an anti-malarial herbal that has been an effective treatment for Babesiosis (one of the common co-infections). It is recommended that patients treat Babesiosis for at least 2-3 months with Arteminisin or general Lyme treatment may not be effective. The most common symptom of Babesiosis is night sweats, sweats in general, fever, chills, fatigue, headaches, muscle pain and anemia.
Supplemental treatments to help with symptoms:
AI #3: This is an immune-suppressive treatment that reduces the symptoms of muscle aches, joint pain, fibromyalgia, skin rashes, allergies, vasculitis, severe Herxheimer reactions, Raynaud’s, Sjrogren’s and autoimmune antibody production. The maximum dose is 5 caps/day. Once the symptoms subside, the dose should be reduced to 1 cap 3X/day. When symptoms are relieved, then AI#3 should be discontinued, and it should not be used for more than 3 months.
Cordyceps: Cordyceps mushroom helps improve energy level, increases circulation and enhances immunity. It was previously only found above 10,000 feet in the snow on the back of a species of caterpillar. This made Cordyceps the treatment of the elite, due to its rarity and cost. Now Cordyceps is grown in cultures and is available on a wide-spread and affordable basis.
Puerarin: Increases brain function and helps with the brain fog, which is a common symptom among Lyme patients.
HerbSom: A natural, gentle, effective and non-addictive sleep aid that doesn’t cause drowsiness in the morning.
The above material is provided for informational purposes only. The material is not nor should be considered a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.