Nature Cures Remedies

Get a blood test to check for deficiencies of zinc, the vitamin B complex and vitamin D as this can slow down Lyme recovery. Then improve the diet accordingly. See below to find out what foods to eat for these vital nutrients.

Probiotic foods can replenish the beneficial bacteria in the intestines that are wiped out by antibiotic Lyme disease treatment.

NOTE: It is advisable to consume probiotics at least an hour before other foods to enable enough friendly bacteria to survive and pass through the strong stomach acids.

Herbs that can target Lyme disease and support the body in eliminating it

Alpha lipoic acid works as an antioxidant in both water and fatty tissue enabling it to enter all parts of the nerve cell and protect it from damage and thus relieve peripheral neuropathy which can be caused by injury, nutritional deficiencies, chemotherapy or by conditions such as diabetes, Lyme disease, alcoholism, shingles, thyroid disease and kidney failure. Symptoms can include pain, burning, numbness, tingling, weakness and itching.

NOTE: If suffering from reoccurring herpes, as can happen with Lyme disease, avoid Brewer's yeast and all yeast products as this can bring on attacks.

• All green leafy herbs and vegetables

• Algae and seaweeds such as chlorella and spirulina

• Aloe vera

• Ashitaba

Highest sources of vitamin B3 in milligrams per 100 grams

• Yeast extract 127.5 mg

• Brewer’s yeast 40.2 mg (dependent upon source)

• Rice bran 34 mg

• Tuna fish (fresh) 22 mg

• Anchovies 19.9 mg

• Lamb’s liver 16.7 mg

• Chicken breast 14.8 mg

• Shiitake mushrooms 14.1 mg

• Peanuts 13.8 mg

• Tuna fish (tinned) 13.3 mg

• Spirulina 12.8 mg

• Calf’s liver 12.6 mg

• Chilli powder 11.6 mg

• Venison 10.8 mg

• Duck 10.4 mg

• Paprika 10 mg

• Sun dried tomatoes 9.1 mg

• Chia seeds 8.8 mg

Highest sources of vitamin B6 in milligrams per 100 grams

• Rice bran 4.07 mg

• Sage 2.69 mg

• Brewer’s yeast 1.50 mg

• Sunflower seeds 1.35 mg

• Wheat germ 1.30 mg

• Garlic 1.24mg

• Pistachio nuts 1.12 mg

• Tuna fish 1.04 mg

• Beef or calf’s liver 1.03 mg

• Shiitake mushrooms 0.97 mg

• Salmon 0.94 mg

• Turkey 0.81 mg

• Venison 0.76 mg

NOTE: Wild salmon (0.94 mg) contains far more vitamin B6 than farmed salmon (0.56 mg) and fresh salmon and tuna are far richer in vitamin B6 than tinned.

Highest sources of vitamin B9 in micrograms per 100 grams

Highest sources of vitamin B12 in micrograms per 100 grams

• Clams 98.9 μg

• Liver 83.1 μg

• Barley grass juice 80 μg

• Nori seaweed 63.6 μg

• Octopus 36 μg

• Caviar/fish eggs 20.0 μg

• Ashitaba powder 17.0 μg

• Herring 13.7 μg

• Tuna fish 10.9 μg

• Crab 10.4 μg

• Mackerel 8.7 μg

• Lean grass fed beef 8.2 μg

• Duck eggs, goose eggs, rabbit 6 μg

• Crayfish, pork heart, rainbow trout 5 μg

• Shiitake mushrooms 4.8 μg

• Lobster 4 μg

• Lamb, venison 3.7 μg

• Swiss Cheese 3.3 μg

• Salmon 3.2 μg

• Whey powder 2.37 μg

• Golden chanterelle mushrooms 2 μg

• Tuna 1.9 μg

• Halibut 1.2 μg

• Chicken egg 1.1 μg

• Chicken, turkey 1.0 μg

• Ashitaba 0.4 μg

• Oysters 78.6 mg

• Chlorella 71 mg

• Wheat germ 16.7 mg

• Beef 12.3 mg

• Calf's liver 11.9 mg

• Hemp seeds 11.5 mg

• Pumpkin and squash seeds 10.3 mg

• Sesame and watermelon seeds 10.2 mg

• Bamboo shoots, endives and gourds 9 mg

• Chervil (herb) 8.8 mg

• Lamb 8.7 mg

• Venison 8.6 mg

• Alfalfa seeds (sprouted), amaranth leaves, Crimini mushrooms, Irish moss and tea 8 mg

• Crab 7.6 mg

• Lobster 7.3 mg

• Agave, basil, beefalo, broccoli, elk, emu, oats, ostrich, spinach and turkey 7 mg

• Cocoa powder 6.8 mg

• Asparagus, chicken livers, laver seaweed, mushrooms, parsley and rice bran 5.7 mg

• Cashew nuts 5.6 mg

• Pork 5.1 mg

• Jute (herb), lemon grass, mung beans, Portobello mushrooms, radishes and shiitake mushrooms 5 mg

• Agar seaweed, butterbur, cauliflower, chicory, Chinese cabbage, chives, coriander, green beans, lentils, lettuce, okra, rocket, spring onions, summer squash, Swiss chard, tomatoes and wasabi (yellow) 3.4 mg

• Peanuts 3.3 mg

• Cheddar cheese 3.1 mg

• Mozzarella cheese 2.9 mg

• Anchovies and rabbit 2.4 mg

• Cabbage, cucumber, jalapeno peppers, , kidney beans, navy beans, spirulina and turnip greens 2 mg

• Mussels 1.6 mg

• Arrowroot, artichokes (globe), beetroot, bell peppers, black eyed peas, borage, broad beans, Brussel sprouts, butter beans, cabbage, carrots, celery, chilli peppers, courgettes, dandelion greens, garlic, horseradish, kale, kelp, mustard greens, peas, pinto beans, potatoes, pumpkin, turnips, Swede, sweet potato, tomatoes (red),  wakame (seaweed), watercress and winged beans 1.2 mg

NOTE Non-heme iron is found in tea and dark green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale. However, tea and green leafy vegetables also contain oxalates that block the absorption of iron. To assist the body in the absorption of non-heme iron eat a couple of strawberries, a kiwi fruit or some orange, tangerine or mango at the same time.

NOTE: To benefit from foods containing fat-soluble nutrients, such as the carotenoids in carrots, sweet potatoes and tomatoes, always eat together with oily foods like rapeseed oil, olive oil, fish, nut or other seed oils or avocado because carotenoids are fat-soluble, meaning they are only absorbed into the body along with fats and can then assist with the manufacture of the essential vitamin A nutrient.

Homemade Natural Repellent Spray

In a spray bottle, mix 2 mugs of distilled white vinegar and 1 mug of water. To make a scented solution (to eliminate the vinegar odour) add 20 drops of any essential oil. Eucalyptus oil works as a tick repellent, while peppermint and citrus oils give off a strong crisp scent that also repel ticks and mosquitoes. Other tick repelling essential oils to use are:

• 10 drops rosemary essential oil

• 7 drops cinnamon essential oil

• 3 drops cedar wood essential oil

• 3 drops of rose geranium oil.

• 2 tablespoons of sweet almond oil

After mixing the solution, spray onto clothing, skin and hair before going outdoors. Reapply every four hours to keep ticks at bay and examine your skin and hair when back inside to make sure no ticks are on the body.

NOTE: Essential oil is not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding mothers

Repellent for Pets

For pets, add 1 mug of water to a spray bottle, followed by 2 mugs of distilled white vinegar. Then add two spoonfuls of vegetable or almond oil which both contain sulphur (another natural tick repellent).

Rose geranium essential oil is a good tick repellent for animals. Place a drop between the animal’s shoulder blades and at the base of the tail before going outside.

To make a repellent that will also deter fleas, mix in a few spoonfuls of lemon juice, citrus oil or peppermint oil, any of which will repel ticks and fleas while also creating a nicely scented repellent. Spray onto the pet's dry coat, staying away from sensitive areas including eyes, nose, mouth and genitals. When outdoors spray this solution on two to three times per day.

Plants that repel ticks

Chrysanthemums have a high level of natural pyrethrins that repel ticks. Other plants that repel ticks are geraniums, lavender and peppermint. Using the essential oils of these plants diluted in a spray bottle of water can help to repel ticks.

Removing Ticks

• Use fine-tipped tweezers to firmly grasp the tick very close to the skin.

• Don't squeeze it as squeezing can speed up infection.

• With a steady motion pull the tick’s body away from the skin.

• Then clean skin with soap and warm water.

• Avoid crushing the tick’s body.

• Do not be alarmed if the tick’s mouthparts remain in the skin. Once the mouthparts are removed from the rest of the tick, it can no longer transmit disease.

• If the tick is crushed, clean the skin with soap and warm water or alcohol.

• Don’t use petroleum jelly, a hot match, nail polish or other products to remove a tick

See also Nature Cures Pain and Inflammation for many natural remedies to alleviate the pain that can be caused by Lyme disease.

"Nature cures not the physician..." Hippocrates 460 BC