Last Updated on October 31, 2018 by Marc Seward
What is Lyme disease?
Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium, which is called Borrelia burgdorferi. This bacterium is transmitted to humans when a black-legged tick bites them. The disease is usually treated successfully by the administration of antibiotics. Borrelia mayonii is another bacteria that leads to Lyme disease in the U.S.
Signs and Symptoms
When you have Lyme disease, you may, at first, notice a small red bump similar to a mosquito bite. This bite will go away and be followed by other symptoms about four weeks after you have been infected. These symptoms include the following:
- Rash: After three to 30 days after you are bitten, you will notice a rash that forms a bulls-eye type pattern. The rash, which is called erythema migrans, expands gradually and may spread as much as a foot or 30 centimeters across. It usually is not painful or irritating but may be warm to the touch. This rash is a sure indicator of Lyme disease although not all patients develop a rash. Some patients develop the rash on more than one area of the body.
- Fever, Chills, and Body Aches: These other symptoms may be experienced after a person has been bitten by a tick.
- Other signs that you are experiencing the disease include stiffness of the neck, headaches, and swollen lymph nodes, all which accompany the rash.
Signs and symptoms may appear later as well. Joint pain may occur as well as swelling, especially in the knees. The pain may shift from one joint to the next. After you have been infected, you may also experience neurological problems. These issues can develop months or years after you have been bitten and infected.
Later symptoms may include inflammation of the membranes around the brain, known as meningitis. Bell’s palsy may also occur, which is marked by a temporary facial paralysis. The condition can lead to impaired muscle movement or weakness or numbness in the limbs.
In some instances, people who have been infected may develop the following problems several weeks after the occurrence.
- Irregular heartbeat
- Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver)
- Severe tiredness
- Inflammation of the eye
- Causes of Lyme Disease
In the U.S., Lyme disease is brought on by the bacterium associated with deer ticks or black-legged ticks. The ticks are no bigger than a poppy seed, which makes them very difficult to see.
To contract the disease, an infected deer tick must bite you and the bacteria must enter the skin and travel through the bloodstream.
If you find a tick on your body that appears swollen, it may have had enough time to transmit the bacteria. \
Facts about Lyme Disease
- To prevent Lyme disease, you need to use insect repellent and remove any ticks you see on your clothing or skin promptly.
- Ticks that transmit Lyme disease also transmit other tick-borne diseases.
- If you are bitten by a tick but do not get sick or experience a rash, you will not need antibiotic treatment. Early-stage Lyme disease responds well to antibiotic treatments, which kill the bacteria in about four weeks’ time.
- You are more likely to get Lyme disease if you spend time in heavily wooded areas or in grassy spots.
- Only a few of the people who are bitten by ticks suffer from Lyme disease. The longer a tick remains attached to the skin, the greater the risk for the disease. A Lyme infection is usually unlikely if the tick is attached for under 48 hours.
- If you believe that you have been bitten by a tick and live in an area where Lyme disease is prevalent, contact your doctor right away. Treatment for the disease is more successful if it is begun early.
Why Essential Oils?
Lyme disease which is usually regarded as a tick-borne disease is very difficult for doctors to correctly diagnose. Although many people assume that a rash is indicative of the illness, not everybody will develop any sort of rash. A number of other symptoms can develop when a person contracts Lyme and it is critical to treat the condition quickly to reduce the symptoms as fast as possible.
Unfortunately, the difficulty in diagnosing the condition means that many other symptoms can progress rapidly. these include serious chronic symptoms including cognitive issues like brain fog, memory loss and insomnia.
Once diagnosed, Lyme disease is not easy to cure. Doctors usually prescribe very strong antibiotics for a very long time. However the fact that the spirochete bacteria is able to burrow into the cell walls make its complete eradication very difficult.
I am sure that everyone is aware of the current concern about antibiotic resistance. Over prescription of antibiotics has led to many bacteria becoming immune to treatment. Continual antibiotic treatment can also destroy the gut’s good bacteria causing an imbalance of bacteria and a weakened immune system. It can also result in a yeast overgrowth which creates the ideal environment in which lyme disease can thrive.
Essential oils provide a natural alternative to antibiotic treatments. Studies have found that many essential oils have excellent antibacterial properties as well as antiviral and anti-fungal actions. They can boost the immune system, help with many of the cognitive symptoms of the disease and help treat skin rashes common in Lyme disease patients.
Essential oils can help treat Lyme disease in the following ways :
- Destroying bacteria
- Boosting immune system health
- Soothing inflammation
- Reducing pain and irritation
- Reducing fever
- Boosting the body’s antioxidant supply
- Detoxifying the system
- Helping to boost memory and focus
- Promoting relaxation and sleep
Essential Oils for Lyme Disease
The essential oils that you can use for treating Lyme disease will get rid of the rash and alleviate the accommodating symptoms. Use the following oils to treat the disease so it resolves itself more quickly and you do not experience further symptoms.
The oils recommended below are proven to be natural antibiotics and are supported by research for use in treating various bacterial infections. They include the following:
Tea Tree Essential Oil
This antibiotic oil will take care of problems with Lyme disease because it has been tested against a variety of bacteria including E.coli and staph infections. One study that looked at the antibacterial effects of tea tree oil combined with eucalyptus oil found that it was effective and had an almost immediate effect. (1)
The oil is safe to use on the skin as long as it is diluted with a suitable carrier oil in advance but should never be taken internally.
Eucalyptus Essential Oil
This calming oil can be used to reduce some of the symptoms of Lyme disease. It has a cooling effect, which is nice to experience when treating the associated fevers or rash. Studies have also demonstrated that eucalyptus oil has powerful antimicrobial properties that may help combat the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease.
Thyme Essential Oil
Thyme essential oil is another oil with proven antimicrobial properties. various studies have demonstrated that this oil was effective against different strains of bacteria including salmonella. (2)
Thyme oil should never be taken internally and should always be diluted with a suitable carrier oil before it is applied to the skin.
Oregano Essential Oil
Studies into the antibacterial effects of oregano essential oil have demonstrated that it is effective against various bacterial strains including some that are notoriously resistant to conventional antibiotics. (3)
This leads experts to believe that oregano essential oil is a potential natural remedy for various types of bacterial infection including Lyme disease.
Make sure that you dilute the oil in a carrier oil before you apply it to your skin and never take it internally.
Cinnamon Essential Oil
Cinnamon essential oil is another potent antimicrobial oil with the ability to fight and destroy various types of bacteria. Studies have revealed that cinnamon essential oil was effective against various types of bacteria including planktonic E. Faecalis.
The results of the research done so far indicate that cinnamon oil is effective in a relatively short space of time leading researchers to suggest the oil could be used as an effective, alternative antibacterial treatment. (4)
Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender essential oil has a number of uses but is probably best-known for its proven ability to relax the mind and promote emotional well-being.
You can this wonderful oil to maintain a feeling of calm and overcome the feelings of depression which many people with Lyme disease experience.
Vetiver Essential Oil
Vetiver essential oil is another oil with a calming and grounding effect. It can be used either in massage therapy or inhaled with the use of a diffuser.
Vetiver essential oil can also help promote a good night of sleep which may help boost many of the cognitive issues caused by Lyme disease.
Marjoram Essential Oil
This oil is ideal because it features calming and warming properties. It is used to ease pains connected with the muscles and is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Marjoram essential oil is the ideal oil to use to ensure that your body can fight many of the symptoms of the disease.
Use the oil regularly to feel more calm and relaxed and to prevent the onset of symptoms that may later occur after being infected by a tick.
How to Use Essential Oils
When using essential oils for Lyme disease, you can use them as topical applications or you can add them to an infuser. Lyme disease carries a number of symptoms besides a rash. You may need to treat all these symptoms with a blend of oils.
One of the best oils to use to combat the disease is tea tree oil which you can use alone or blended with other essential oils. By taking this approach, you will get rid of the rash at a faster rate and will reduce the other symptoms that mark the disease. Use the combination of oils in your bathwater or you can apply them individually.
Just make sure that you dilute them with a highly regarded carrier oil, such as coconut oil. Coconut is a mainstay carrier oil that is used regularly when essential oils are mixed. If you are not sure about the carrier oil, you can always count on coconut.
Selecting the Right Carrier Oil
The most popular carrier oils to use for treating Lyme disease are coconut oil and jojoba oils. These are good standby oils to use with an essential oil blend. You should always use these oils with essential oils to ensure safety when you are applying essential oils for treatment. Because essential oils are so potent, you need to make sure that you have an oil that neutralizes their effect.
Bottom Line
Lyme disease is an illness that can be mild or quite severe. It depends on the individual. By taking certain precautions, you can reduce your risk of getting this condition. You can only be infected if you are bitten by a tick and its bacteria is transmitted into the bloodstream. Sometimes a tick may be attached to your skin for a period. If you remove the tick as soon as you see it, you can avoid problems with infection.
Should you exhibit a rash or experience lethargy or joint pain after being bitten by a tick, you need to contact your doctor immediately. The sooner you have the problem addressed, the easier it will be to treat Lyme disease.
To support the healing process, you can choose from some major essential oils. The best oil to use is tea tree oil because of its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation often causes joint and muscle discomfort.
That is why it is helpful to use an oil with anti-inflammatory qualities. Once you find an oil to use, make sure that it is blended with the right carrier oil.
For most blends of essential oils, it is best to choose a carrier oil such as jojoba oil or coconut oil. If you cannot obtain the recommendation of an aromatherapist, you can always count on coconut oil as a good oil to use. Once you add the oil to the preparation, it will be much safer to use. Essential oils are powerful oils and should always be diluted, especially when applied topically.
Once you apply the essential blend, you will find that you will alleviate the condition at a much faster pace. You should also continue to use the blend after the rash disappears. Use it in an infuser so you can reduce the likelihood of the occurrence of later symptoms.
By taking this approach, you can arrest the disease faster and feel better while doing so. Take a look at the essential oils used for this purpose online. Make sure that the oils that you choose are 100% organic. That way, you will receive the results you want and start to feel better at the same time.
Essential oils are not only designed to cure aches and pains but they also help you feel better mentally. Use them for their overall health benefits, for specific disease like Lyme and a host of other conditions.
(1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27271864
(2) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26082324
(3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27242772
(4) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27206997
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