What the Research Says About Natural Antimicrobials for Lyme, Bartonella, and Babesia — And What I've Learned Living It

A tick clinging to a blade of grass.

Fifteen months ago, my world turned upside down. What started as unexplained, relentless symptoms eventually revealed itself as Lyme disease — along with eight co-infections. Eight. I know that number stops people in their tracks, because it stopped me too. And yet, for those of us navigating the complex, layered terrain of tick-borne illness, polymicrobial infection is not the exception. It is increasingly becoming the rule.

What I want to share with you today sits at the intersection of cutting-edge science and the kind of practical, grounded knowledge that only comes from walking this path yourself. In 2023, a peer-reviewed paper titled "The Use of Natural Bioactive Nutraceuticals in the Management of Tick-Borne Illnesses" was published in the journal Microorganisms (MDPI). Its authors — Dr. Samuel M. Shor, a past president of ILADS (the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society), and Dr. Sunjya K. Schweig of the California Center for Functional Medicine — reviewed over 400 scientific references to evaluate the evidence for botanical medicines and nutraceuticals in the treatment of Borrelia, Babesia, and Bartonella.

This is not fringe science. This is peer-reviewed, evidence-based research. And it validates what integrative practitioners — and many patients — have known for years: the natural world has given us powerful tools, and we are only beginning to understand their full potential.

Let me walk you through what this paper found, along with my own perspective as someone who has been in the trenches.

Why Antibiotics Alone Often Aren't Enough

Before we dive into the herbs and supplements, we have to talk about why conventional treatment frequently leaves people still sick. This is the conversation that mainstream medicine has been slow to have, and it matters enormously.

Borrelia burgdorferi — the primary Lyme-causing spirochete — is not a simple organism. Research has confirmed that it exists in three distinct physical forms, each with different vulnerabilities. The first is the classic corkscrew-shaped spirochete that most people picture. The second is a latent, dormant form called a round body or persister cell. The third is a biofilm — essentially a fortress wall the bacteria construct to shield themselves from both immune activity and antimicrobials.

Standard antibiotics are relatively effective at targeting the active spirochetal form. They are far less effective at penetrating the dormant persister forms and nearly powerless against established biofilm. This is a central reason why so many people complete a course of antibiotics and still feel profoundly ill. The bacteria didn't disappear. They went into hiding.

On top of this, Borrelia has developed sophisticated immune evasion strategies. It can conceal itself in immune-privileged tissues — the central nervous system, joint spaces, the eyes, and collagen-rich connective tissue. It can alter the proteins on its outer surface so the immune system can no longer recognize it. It can modulate inflammatory signaling in ways that suppress the body's ability to mount an effective defense.

This is the landscape we are working within. And this is precisely why a multi-target, multi-tool approach — one that includes well-researched botanical antimicrobials — deserves serious attention.

The Co-infection Reality

If you have received a Lyme diagnosis and nothing else, I would gently encourage you to ask more questions. The research is increasingly clear that tick-borne illness rarely travels alone. Ticks carry multiple pathogens simultaneously, and co-infections like Babesia, Bartonella, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia, and others dramatically complicate both the clinical picture and the path to recovery. People carrying multiple tick-borne pathogens consistently experience more severe disease courses and greater treatment resistance.

I have Babesia microti — not Babesia duncani. I mention this because it matters. Some herbs and protocols show stronger research support for one strain than the other. As you read through the botanicals below, I will note strain-specific distinctions where the research makes them, because your protocol deserves that level of nuance.

 What the Research Found: A Botanical-by-Botanical Breakdown

This paper evaluated evidence for a remarkable range of natural agents. Here is what the science shows — and where I add my own practitioner and patient perspective.

Allicin (Garlic /Allium sativum)

Garlic has been used medicinally for millennia, but its modern scientific profile is impressive. Its key active compound, allicin — and specifically diallyl disulfide (DADS) — has demonstrated broad-spectrum antimicrobial reach: active against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, fungi like Candida albicans, parasites including Giardia and Entamoeba, and viruses.

For tick-borne illness specifically, garlic essential oil showed remarkable activity against the stationary phase (persister form) of Borrelia burgdorferi in laboratory testing — in fact, it ranked among the most active of all agents tested for this purpose. For Babesia, both garlic oil and black pepper oil demonstrated the highest activity against Babesia duncani growth. Research in a murine model showed significant reductions in Babesia microti parasitemia in allicin-treated subjects from days 4 through 14 post-infection.

My take: Garlic — in therapeutic, concentrated forms rather than culinary doses — earns its place in a tick-borne illness protocol. I love that the research supports it against both Borrelia persister cells and Babesia.

Alchornea cordifolia

This herb from the West African traditional pharmacopoeia is less well known in the United States but carries a meaningful research footprint. It has documented antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, along with a long history of use against malaria in several African countries. Its documented toxicology profile shows favorable safety and bioavailability characteristics in preclinical studies.

For tick-borne illness, research identified Alchornea cordifolia as having a good inhibitory effect against Babesia duncani in vitro. Given that Babesia behaves similarly to malaria parasites at a biological level — both are intraerythrocytic (inside red blood cell) parasites — antimalarial herbs frequently demonstrate cross-applicability to Babesia.

My take: Babesia duncani-specific data here. For those of us with Babesia microti, this one warrants a conversation with your practitioner about whether it applies to your strain.

Andrographis paniculata

 

Here is where I want to draw your attention to an important distinction. The 2023 study reviewed by Shor and Schweig found that Andrographis paniculata did not show efficacy against Borrelia species in their in vitro testing. However, it does have research support against Leptospirosis — another spirochetal infection — which speaks to some cross-reactive antimicrobial activity in the spirochete family.

I would be doing a disservice to this herb, though, if I let the story end there. Master Herbalist Stephen Harrod Buhner — whose seminal work Healing Lyme remains one of the most comprehensive herbal frameworks for tick-borne illness — includes Andrographis as a cornerstone herb in his protocols. Buhner's reasoning is not solely about direct anti-Borrelia activity. Andrographis has potent anti-inflammatory, immune-modulating, and neuroprotective properties that address the systemic damage caused by persistent infection. It has also shown activity against Bartonella in Buhner's framework.

This is a good example of why a single in vitro study does not close the conversation on an herb's value. The human body is not a petri dish, and botanical medicines work through many pathways simultaneously.

My take: I follow Buhner's work alongside the emerging peer-reviewed research. Do not dismiss Andrographis based on a single study.

Artemisia annua (Sweet Wormwood / Qing Hao)

Artemisia annua has a 2,000-year history of medicinal use, with its most celebrated application being malaria. Its active constituent artemisinin became the foundation of modern antimalarial drug development and earned its discoverer the Nobel Prize.

For Lyme, artemisinin has shown in vitro activity against stationary phase Borrelia burgdorferi persister cells — the very forms that antibiotics struggle to reach. For Babesia, Artemisia's antimalarial mechanisms translate directly, given Babesia's biological similarities to the malaria parasite. It has shown good in vitro inhibitory activity against Babesia duncani, and its anti-babesia activity is among the most well-studied of any herb in this category.

I have Babesia microti, not duncani — but given Artemisia's broad mechanism of action and its well-established track record against intraerythrocytic parasites generally, it remains a meaningful part of the conversation for Babesia microti as well, though practitioners should note the strain-specific nuance.

At doses up to 2,250 mg daily for up to ten weeks, and 1,800 mg daily for up to six months, Artemisia annua has demonstrated a favorable safety profile in human studies. Higher doses have occasionally produced mild gastrointestinal effects.

Berberine (Berberis vulgaris)

Berberine is one of the most versatile and well-researched natural compounds in existence. Found in several plants including barberry, goldenseal, and Oregon grape, it carries anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, blood sugar-balancing, and cardiovascular-protective properties.

For tick-borne illness, berberine showed inhibitory activity against multiple Babesia species — including Babesia bovis, bigemina, divergens, and caballi — in laboratory testing. One study of North African medicinal plants found that a Berberis vulgaris extract produced more than 90% growth inhibition of Babesia gibsoni at a concentration of 100 mcg/mL, with syringic acid identified as the most potent isolate. For Bartonella, berberine demonstrated relatively high activity against the stationary phase of Bartonella henselae — again, the dormant form that conventional antibiotics often fail to touch.

My take: Berberine's dual action against both Babesia and Bartonella makes it a compelling option for those dealing with these specific co-infections.

Cinnamon Bark (Cinnamomum spp.)

Cinnamon is far more than a kitchen spice. Its primary active constituent, cinnamaldehyde, has demonstrated activity across all three morphological forms of Borrelia burgdorferi: the active spirochete, the stationary persister form, and the biofilm. In comparative testing against known pharmaceutical anti-persister drugs, cinnamon bark essential oil at a low concentration outperformed daptomycin — a drug specifically used for persister cell activity.

For Bartonella, cinnamon bark and cinnamon leaf were both active against stationary phase Bartonella henselae and against its actively growing form. For Babesia, cinnamon-derived compounds showed inhibitory activity against multiple species in vitro, and demonstrated effectiveness against Babesia microti in an in vivo model — directly relevant to my situation, and potentially yours.

The breadth of cinnamon's documented activity across all three major tick-borne pathogens — Borrelia, Bartonella, and Babesia microti — makes it one of the most versatile botanicals in this entire body of research.

Cistus (Cistus creticus / Cistus incanus)

Cistus species have shown antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties in laboratory studies. Its volatile oils have demonstrated inhibition of actively growing Borrelia burgdorferi, with essential oil compounds showing stronger growth-inhibiting effects than leaf extracts in head-to-head comparisons.

The primary active component responsible for Cistus's anti-Borrelia activity is believed to be carvacrol — the same compound found in oregano oil. This is not surprising, as carvacrol is one of the most well-researched natural antimicrobial compounds in existence. The research here covers the log phase (actively growing) spirochete and the stationary persister forms of Borrelia.

Cryptolepis sanguinolenta

Of all the herbs reviewed in this paper, Cryptolepis sanguinolenta may be the most extraordinary — and the least familiar to the general public. Its active compound cryptolepine has demonstrated anti-plasmodial activity against both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant malaria strains, and two open-label clinical trials have shown both safety and efficacy in treating uncomplicated malaria in human patients.

For tick-borne illness, the data is striking. Cryptolepis showed good in vitro efficacy against Borrelia burgdorferi, Bartonella henselae, and Babesia duncani — covering all three major pathogens studied in this paper. It demonstrated activity against both the actively growing and the stationary persister forms of Bartonella. In Babesia research, cryptolepine outperformed traditional treatment combinations of quinine and clindamycin in its inhibitory activity.

The safety threshold identified in research is under 500 mg/kg of body weight, and it has been safely used in human clinical trials. One area requiring further study is its potential impact on fertility and embryonic development, so this herb warrants caution and practitioner guidance, particularly for women of childbearing age.

My take: Cryptolepis is one I discuss frequently in my practice. Its multi-pathogen reach — Borrelia, Bartonella, and Babesia — in a single botanical is clinically significant.

Teasel Root (Dipsacus sylvestris / Dipsacus fullonum)

Teasel root occupies a unique and somewhat controversial place in the Lyme community. Long championed by herbalists as a foundational Lyme herb, its scientific evidence profile is more nuanced than its reputation might suggest.

Research by Leopold and colleagues found that a hydroethanolic extract of Dipsacus showed no growth inhibition against Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, while less polar fractions did demonstrate significant growth-inhibiting activity — suggesting that preparation and extraction method are critically important with this herb. Further testing by Goc and colleagues found no meaningful impact on the persister forms of Borrelia specifically.

The research reviewed in this paper does not close the door on teasel root, but it does underscore that preparation quality matters enormously with this botanical. The data currently available does not support it as a primary anti-persister agent on its own. However, herbalists working in Buhner's tradition and others continue to incorporate it as a supportive herb in broader Lyme protocols.

Clove Bud (Eugenia caryophyllata / Syzygium aromaticum)

Clove bud essential oil entered the spotlight in tick-borne illness research through a landmark study evaluating 34 essential oils against Borrelia burgdorferi persister cells. Clove was ranked among the top three oils — alongside oregano and cinnamon bark — that completely eradicated all viable Borrelia cells in laboratory culture without any observable regrowth when transferred to fresh growth medium. These three outperformed daptomycin, a pharmaceutical drug specifically deployed against persister cells.

Clove's key active components include eugenol, eugenyl acetate, and beta-caryophyllene. For Bartonella, clove bud demonstrated high activity against both the stationary dormant phase and the log-phase actively growing form of Bartonella henselae. For Babesia, clove extract inhibited Babesia microti in an in vivo murine model — again, direct relevance for those of us with the microti strain.

Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE)

Grapefruit seed extract presented conflicting data in the research landscape, which is worth being transparent about. One research group found GSE to have in vitro activity against both the stationary and actively growing forms of Borrelia burgdorferi. A separate research group found no such efficacy using their testing parameters. The researchers noted that these differences could reflect variation in GSE formulations — some commercially available GSE products have been found to contain synthetic antimicrobial additives that may account for their antibacterial effects, rather than the grapefruit-derived compounds themselves.

This is an important reminder: product quality and sourcing profoundly affect outcomes with botanical medicines. The research is only as good as the product being tested.

Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)

Black walnut has a long tradition of use as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial, and the science offers meaningful support for its role in tick-borne illness protocols. Research demonstrated bacteriostatic activity against the log-phase spirochete forms of both Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia garinii, and bactericidal activity against Borrelia round bodies — the persister forms. For Bartonella, black walnut showed efficacy against both the stationary phase and the actively growing log phase forms of Bartonella henselae.

Its primary active compounds include juglone and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which carry antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-tumor, and chemoprotective properties. Black walnut is generally well tolerated, though those with tree nut allergies should proceed with caution, and occasional gastrointestinal effects or skin pigmentation changes have been reported with extended use.

Monolaurin

Monolaurin — chemically known as glycerol monolaurate (GML) — is a fatty acid derivative first developed as a nutritional supplement in the mid-1960s. Its richest natural dietary source is coconut oil, though therapeutic concentrations require supplemental form. It is best known for its antibacterial activity against gram-positive organisms including various Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Listeria, and Bacillus strains.

For tick-borne illness, monolaurin's most significant finding in this body of research was its demonstrated efficacy — alongside baicalein — against the biofilm forms of both Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia garinii. This is notable because biofilm is the morphological form of Borrelia most resistant to virtually every therapeutic agent, conventional or botanical. Agents that can meaningfully disrupt established biofilm structures are clinically precious.

Monolaurin was also a featured component in the human observational combination study discussed later in this article.

Black Cumin (Nigella sativa)

Nigella sativa — commonly called black cumin or black seed — carries an impressive array of documented pharmacological properties: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic, anticarcinogenic, and antiallergic. Its primary active compound, thymoquinone, has been shown in animal studies to have anti-malarial activity against Plasmodium berghei.

For Babesia specifically, research demonstrated the efficacy of thymoquinone against Babesia microti in a murine model — making it one of the relatively few herbs with direct in vivo data relevant to the microti strain.

I am transparent with you: I do not currently include Nigella sativa in my personal protocol. But the research is real, and for practitioners and patients exploring options for Babesia microti, it deserves consideration and a conversation with your provider.

Oregano Oil (Origanum vulgare)

Oregano oil — and specifically its active compound carvacrol — has become one of the most researched natural antimicrobials of the past two decades, and for good reason. In the context of Lyme disease, carvacrol showed excellent activity against Borrelia burgdorferi stationary phase persister cells and demonstrated efficacy against actively growing spirochetes as well. Oregano oil was ranked among the top five essential oils for anti-persister activity and demonstrated the ability to disrupt Borrelia biofilm microcolonies.

For Bartonella, oregano was active against both the dormant stationary phase and the actively replicating form of Bartonella henselae. One particularly meaningful finding: oregano has been documented to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. For those dealing with neurological manifestations of tick-borne illness — and many of us are — this property matters.

Oregano has GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status with the FDA. It is widely available, but therapeutic-grade, emulsified oregano preparations designed for internal use are very different from culinary oregano, and dosing matters.

Banderol (Otoba parvifolia)

Banderol — derived from the bark of the Otoba parvifolia tree, native to South America — has demonstrated in vitro efficacy against both the active and dormant forms of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto. What makes banderol particularly notable in this research context is its synergistic relationship with Cat's Claw. When these two botanicals were combined, the research showed significant activity across all three morphological forms of Borrelia — the spirochete, the persister round body, and the biofilm. The combination outperformed either herb used in isolation.

This is a beautiful illustration of how botanical medicines can work synergistically in ways that isolated compounds cannot replicate, and why protocols — rather than single herbs — tend to produce better outcomes in complex chronic illness.

Black Pepper (Piper nigrum)

Black pepper earns more than a passing mention in this research. In studies evaluating essential oils against Babesia duncani, black pepper oil ranked among the highest performers alongside garlic oil — both demonstrating superior activity against Babesia duncani growth. As with several herbs discussed here, the research is strain-specific: Babesia duncani was the strain evaluated, not microti.

Japanese Knotweed / Resveratrol (Polygonum cuspidatum)

Japanese knotweed is one of the most well-known herbs in the Lyme community, particularly through Buhner's protocols, and the science is catching up with the clinical tradition. Its primary active compound, resveratrol, has documented antitumor, antimicrobial, anti-biofilm, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and cardioprotective properties.

For tick-borne illness, knotweed demonstrated strong activity against both the actively growing and the stationary non-growing forms of Borrelia burgdorferi. For Babesia duncani, it showed a good inhibitory effect. For Bartonella henselae, it demonstrated efficacy against both the stationary dormant phase and the actively growing forms — making it, like Cryptolepis, a multi-pathogen herb with broad clinical relevance.

Knotweed has shown minimal toxicity in both animal and human research. Gastrointestinal upset can occur with higher doses but generally resolves when the dose is reduced.

Sumac (Rhus coriaria)

Sumac, widely used as a spice in Mediterranean cooking, carries a growing scientific profile that extends well beyond the kitchen. It has demonstrated antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, antinociceptive, and anticancer effects in research literature. Toxicology studies confirm it is very safe for human consumption.

For Babesia specifically, an acetone extract of Rhus coriaria showed inhibitory effects against all Babesia strains tested — including Babesia bovis, bigemina, divergens, and caballi. Its inclusion in this paper represents an interesting convergence of traditional food use and emerging antimicrobial application.

Rosmarinic Acid

Rosmarinic acid is a naturally occurring polyphenol found in members of the Lamiaceae plant family — which includes rosemary, sage, oregano, lemon balm, and others. It has well-documented anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and appears frequently as an ingredient in combination botanical protocols for tick-borne illness.

For Borrelia specifically, research showed that rosmarinic acid — when combined with either luteolin or baicalein — produced additive bacteriostatic effects against the spirochetal form of Borrelia burgdorferi. Rosmarinic acid also served as a key component in the combination human observational study discussed below, where it was used alongside baicalein, luteolin, monolaurin, cis-2-decenoic acid, and iodine.

Chinese Skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) / Baicalein / Baicalin

Scutellaria baicalensis and its active flavonoids — baicalein and baicalin — represent some of the most rigorously studied natural compounds in the entire tick-borne illness literature, and the findings are remarkable.

Baicalein demonstrated activity against all three known morphological forms of Borrelia: the active spirochete, the latent round body persister, and the biofilm. This trifecta of activity is rare in any antimicrobial agent, natural or pharmaceutical. Research independently confirmed its efficacy against both the active and stationary forms of Borrelia burgdorferi. For Babesia duncani specifically, baicalein showed superior in vitro activity compared to both quinine and clindamycin — the conventional antimalarial drugs most commonly deployed against Babesia infections.

The synergy research around baicalein is particularly compelling. When combined with luteolin, the two together eliminated approximately 90% of active and persistent Borrelia forms and eradicated 50% of mature Borrelia biofilms — a level of biofilm disruption that is genuinely difficult to achieve with almost any therapeutic agent. This synergism extended to include doxycycline, meaning baicalein can work cooperatively with pharmaceutical antibiotics, not just alongside other botanicals.

Scutellaria baicalensis has documented clinical safety, and baicalein itself has shown a hepatoprotective effect — it actually supports liver health rather than burdening it. Occasional sedation has been noted, attributed to activity at GABA receptor sites.

Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana)

Stevia is widely known as a zero-calorie sweetener, but certain whole-leaf stevia preparations have attracted research attention for something entirely different: antimicrobial activity against Borrelia. Specific formulations of whole-leaf stevia were shown to have efficacy against the active, stationary, and biofilm forms of Borrelia burgdorferi. Stevia leaf was also shown, in combination with three different antibiotics, to significantly reduce biofilm forms.

The caveat is important: not all stevia formulations produced these results. Several preparations tested by researchers showed no efficacy whatsoever, and a separate research group also reported lack of efficacy with the stevia products they tested. The current evidence strongly suggests that results are preparation-specific — meaning that the commercial stevia sweetener in your pantry is not the same thing as the formulations that demonstrated antimicrobial activity.

Safety at high levels of dietary intake has been well established.

Cat's Claw (Uncaria tomentosa)

Cat's claw — a vine native to the Amazon rainforest — has a deep history in traditional South American medicine and a growing evidence base in modern research. For Borrelia, research showed in vitro activity against the stationary persister forms of Borrelia burgdorferi. A separate study found Cat's Claw effective against all three morphological forms of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto.

As noted in the banderol section, Cat's Claw is significantly more potent in combination with Otoba parvifolia (Banderol) than either herb used alone. This synergistic pairing is well recognized in clinical Lyme practice.

Human safety studies have shown minimal side effects comparable to placebo in trials ranging from four weeks to a full year. One important note for women: Uncaria tomentosa has demonstrated an impact on estrogen binding, with potential implications for hormonal contraceptive efficacy. This warrants discussion with your prescribing provider.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C earns its place in this research landscape both as a direct antimicrobial and as a support compound. Research found it effective against the active spirochetal form of Borrelia burgdorferi in vitro, with additive effects when combined with doxycycline — meaning it may enhance antibiotic efficacy rather than simply duplicating it.

For Babesia, Vitamin C combined with an anti-Babesia pharmaceutical agent improved inhibition of Babesia microti growth in vivo, with the combination proposed as a strategy to help prevent drug resistance.

Two important clinical flags: Vitamin C should be avoided alongside hydroxychloroquine, as it may reduce that drug's effectiveness. And if supraphysiologic (high intravenous-level) doses are being considered, practitioners should rule out G6PD enzyme deficiency, as deficient individuals are at risk of hemolysis when exposed to high-dose Vitamin C.

Vitamin D3

The role of Vitamin D in immune regulation is well established and increasingly recognized as central to how the body manages chronic infection. The active form of Vitamin D directly suppresses pathogenic immune cell activity while promoting regulatory T cells that help prevent the autoimmune-like inflammation that tick-borne illness can trigger.

In research using a murine model where arthritis was induced by Borrelia burgdorferi injection, Vitamin D3 supplementation dramatically reduced arthritic symptoms — including measurable reductions in joint swelling. For Borrelia specifically, Vitamin D demonstrated efficacy against the active spirochetal form, though not the stationary or biofilm forms.

Vitamin D is foundational. For most people with chronic illness, optimal levels are between 60–80 ng/mL, and testing is essential because both deficiency and toxicity have consequences.

Two Repurposed Synthetic Agents Worth Knowing About

The study also reviewed two non-botanical, synthetic compounds that have attracted significant research interest in the tick-borne illness community.

Methylene Blue

Methylene blue (MB) is one of the oldest medicines in the pharmacopeia — it was the first synthetic antimalarial ever developed and is best known today as a treatment for acquired methemoglobinemia. In tick-borne illness research, methylene blue has shown significant activity against Borrelia burgdorferi stationary persister cells, and demonstrated activity against stationary forms of Bartonella as well. Against Bartonella biofilm, methylene blue combined with rifampin represented the most active pairing tested. Given its original use as an antimalarial and the biological similarities between malaria and Babesia, researchers have explored its potential cross-applicability to Babesia — and in vitro testing against Babesia bovis showed methylene blue to be the most active of six compounds tested in combination with artesunate.

Methylene blue requires practitioner oversight, as it has interactions with serotonergic medications and other compounds. It is not a self-prescribe supplement.

Disulfiram

Disulfiram is perhaps the most striking repurposed agent in this entire paper. Long used as an adjunct in alcohol sobriety programs, disulfiram has demonstrated potency against a remarkable range of pathogens including parasites, fungi, MRSA, and tuberculosis.

In Lyme disease research, disulfiram was identified as the most potent of 4,366 compounds tested in vitro for anti-Borrelia persister cell activity. In animal models, it completely eliminated Borrelia burgdorferi from cardiac and urinary bladder tissue by day 28 post-infection. In a human study of 71 patients with suspected Lyme disease, 92.5% endorsed net benefit on their symptoms. Among those who completed a high-dose course, over one-third achieved an enduring remission — defined as remaining clinically well for six or more months without further antimicrobial treatment.

The dose-dependent side effect profile includes fatigue, psychiatric symptoms, peripheral neuropathy, and mild to moderate liver enzyme elevation at higher doses. This compound absolutely requires physician supervision and monitoring.

The Power of Combining These Agents: What the Research Showed

One of the most significant contributions of this body of research is the demonstration that botanical medicines work synergistically — that is, in combination, they achieve results that no single agent achieves alone.

A 2020 human observational study used a combination of baicalein (250 mg), luteolin (75 mg), rosmarinic acid (100 mg), monolaurin (250 mg), 10-HAD (100 mg), and iodine in the form of kelp (0.15 mg), administered three times daily for six months. Participants were patients with late or persistent Lyme disease who had not responded to prior antibiotic treatment.

In the animal arm of the study, inflammatory markers including IL-6, IL-17, TNF-alpha, and INF-gamma — which were elevated in infected animals — normalized following treatment. The spirochete burden in animal tissues was reduced by approximately 75% after just four weeks.

In the human arm, among 17 volunteers, 67.4% responded positively with improvements in energy, physical function, and psychological well-being. An additional 17.7% experienced slight improvement. 17.7% were non-responsive.

These are meaningful results for a population that had already failed conventional antibiotic protocols. And the doses used in this study were set at one-eighth of the identified minimum inhibitory concentrations — suggesting there is significant room for therapeutic optimization as research continues.

A Word on Safety and Working with a Practitioner

The risk of side effects from botanical medicines is generally low, but "natural" does not mean "risk-free" or "without nuance." Each herb has its own mechanism of action, potential drug interactions, and individual response variability. Surveillance through lab monitoring — liver enzymes, kidney function, blood counts — is appropriate when working with intensive botanical protocols over extended periods.

I share this not to create fear, but because I believe in informed agency. The same respect we give to pharmaceutical prescriptions should be applied to therapeutic botanicals, especially when working with complex chronic illness. This is one of the most important reasons to work with a trained practitioner who understands both the science and the individual.

What This Means for Your Healing Journey

The 2023 paper by Shor and Schweig represents a meaningful moment in the tick-borne illness research landscape. For the first time, a peer-reviewed, ILADS-affiliated publication has systematically reviewed the evidence for natural antimicrobials across all three of the major tick-borne pathogens — Borrelia, Bartonella, and Babesia — and found the evidence compelling enough to recommend their consideration as genuine therapeutic tools, not mere adjuncts.

This matters for several reasons. It validates what integrative practitioners have been observing clinically for years. It opens the door to reducing reliance on prolonged antibiotic regimens. And it acknowledges what many in our community have long understood: that healing from tick-borne illness requires a comprehensive, multi-target strategy that addresses the biological complexity of persistent infection.

My own journey through Lyme and eight co-infections has made one thing crystal clear: there is no single magic herb, no single antibiotic, no single protocol that does it all. Recovery is built layer by layer — addressing the pathogens themselves, supporting the terrain, reducing inflammatory burden, rebuilding the gut, and giving the body what it needs to mount its own defense.

These herbs are tools. Powerful, research-supported tools. And knowing which ones have demonstrated activity against which pathogens — in which morphological forms — is the beginning of using them strategically.

This article is for educational purposes and is not intended as medical advice. Please work with a qualified healthcare practitioner familiar with tick-borne illness before beginning any new supplement protocol.

Source: Shor, S.M. & Schweig, S.K. (2023). The Use of Natural Bioactive Nutraceuticals in the Management of Tick-Borne Illnesses. Microorganisms, 11(7), 1759. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11071759

Ann-Marie Gunn holds a Masters of Science degree in Holistic Nutritionand and is a CellCore Biosciences Practitioner. After contracting Lyme disease and eight co-infections, she brings both professional expertise and personal experience to supporting clients through complex tick-borne illness recovery. Learn more at [thedetoxprotocols.com](https://www.thedetoxprotocols.com).