We are fortunate that in addition to conventional medicine, there are natural methods such as homeopathy, herbs, and nutrition that we can use in response to tick bite infections.
If you find an embedded tick, after proper removal, wash the area with an antiseptic and then use an herbal ointment or ichthymol to try to draw out any bacteria that may still be near the surface. A few hours later, wash off the ointment and use antiseptic again. If you preserve the tick correctly, it can be tested in a laboratory.
Blood tests may not reveal an infection until a few weeks or more after being bitten. So check with your doctor about the timing of any tests. Ticks aren’t just the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. There are other tick-borne diseases. Keep this in mind if you test negative for Lyme and yet have symptoms that developed some time after a tick bite. Once it starts to spread, the progression can be quite rapid. Therefore, it is important to be proactive, use antibiotics if necessary, and support your immune system as much as possible for at least three weeks. Homeopathic remedies do not interfere with the effectiveness of antibiotics.
For homeopathic support, use the Hypericum remedy. You can use one ounce of 200c or one 30c potency three times in one day. The next day, use Ledum 200c once, or 30c three times, unless the bite site is warm or hotter than the surrounding skin. Within a week of the bite, there is a remedy you can use if you find it in time: Aurum Arsenicatum 200c potency. According to Peter Alex, author of the book “The Homeopathic Treatment of Lyme Disease”, it is being used effectively for prevention in Germany, where Lyme disease is quite common. Hahnemann Labs in California and Helios in England are two homeopathic pharmacies that have marketed this remedy. If you can’t find it, a second option is Mercurius Vivus 200c (or 30c three times). You can take the Aurum Ars or the Mercurius again a week later.
If you’ve had Lyme in the past, or are currently dealing with it, it’s good to take steps to try to prevent another infection if you find a tick, as there is no immunity.
EARLY STAGE OF LYME
If the first sign of trouble is fever, joint pain, or a “bull’s-eye” rash (the rash only occurs in less than half of Lyme cases), you should skip the prevention steps above, but to use remedies focused on the actual symptoms. present, after consulting with your doctor. One of the most common remedies used in the early stage of Lyme is Rhus Toxicodendron. It is specifically for stiff, sore joints that feel best in humid heat, where stiffness is most pronounced first thing in the morning and after sitting too long. The joints ache, are hot and swollen. The pain is worse at night and worse in cold, wet weather.
If whole bread is better than cold applications, consider homeopathic Ledum instead. With a case of Ledum, most of the lower extremities are affected. The pains progress over time, ascending to other joints. There may be transverse pain, affecting the left shoulder and right hip, for example. Joints may feel hot at night.
In a case of Rhododendron, the swelling and pain goes from one joint to another, mainly affecting the right side of the body, and the person feels much worse at night.
In a case of Kalmia, the pain starts in the shoulders or hips, moving down from the shoulder to the elbow and hand, or from the hip to the knees and feet. Pain worsens with cold, better with cloudy weather.
There are more homeopathic remedies useful in the early stages of Lyme, each for a specific set of symptoms and qualities. Consult with a homeopath to find the best combination.
In any case, keep your immune system as strong as possible. In addition to using homeopathy, rest, excellent nutrition, and well-chosen herbs are important.
ADVANCED LYME
If symptoms have spread beyond the musculoskeletal system, or if joint symptoms are severe and do not improve, in addition to proper medical care, you may want to consult with a well-trained naturopathic physician or classical homeopath. One note: you can take the correct homeopathic treatment one month for every year you’ve had Lyme to result in noticeable improvement. Don’t expect dramatic changes overnight for such a profound condition. Look for the best possible combination of treatments.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat medical conditions. Readers are encouraged to consult with their licensed physician.