Dear Stephen,
I was diagnosed with acute neuro lyme in the summer of 09. I live in a tick infested area and cannot really avoid getting bitten at least once from March – November. No matter what I do. I tested positive for an active infection this fall with no new or worsening symptoms. I am just at a loss what I should or should not do and where to start. Would you suggest I start your full protocol?
I was diagnosed with acute neuro lyme in the summer of 09. I live in a tick infested area and cannot really avoid getting bitten at least once from March – November. No matter what I do. I tested positive for an active infection this fall with no new or worsening symptoms. I am just at a loss what I should or should not do and where to start. Would you suggest I start your full protocol?
Stephen’s response:
I would use astragalus and see if it helps, if not, stop using it. I would also recommend the regular use of knotweed tincture and cat’s claw tincture. Those are the main things to help in a lyme endemic area.
I would use astragalus and see if it helps, if not, stop using it. I would also recommend the regular use of knotweed tincture and cat’s claw tincture. Those are the main things to help in a lyme endemic area.
Stephen
I am particularly interested in knowing what tick repellents are both safe and effective for those who enjoy the outdoors. I have been researching Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, DEET, and Peremethrin, but they all seem to have their shortcomings, whether that be ineffectiveness or toxicity. I am currently taking Japanese Knotweed, Cat’s Claw, and am beginning Rhodiola rosea for chronic Lyme, but I begin an outdoor educator position soon and will likely be at risk for more bites. Does anyone have any recommendations?
Jared,
I read recently that the best essential oil to use as a tick repellant is rose geranium or palmerosa. The author, Annie Berthold-Bond, recommends 10-25 drops of the essential oil mixed with 2 tablespoons vegetable or almond oil. Dab on skin or clothing. Alternatively, make a tick spray by combining 2 teaspoons of essential oil with 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. For dogs, place 1 or 2 drops on their collar to repel ticks for a week. I haven’t experimented with this personally yet but I plan on giving it a try. Good luck.
mark
We use permethrin on clothing. It lasts through several washings and is relatively non-toxic when dry. We use DEET-free Natrapel 20% on exposed skin. These can both be ordered from REI or other expedition/camping websites.
The best thing is not a repellent -but to use a roll of that sticky tape -pet hair remover to roll over your cloths and legs. I can get 100 seed ticks off at a time, and you sure cant pick them off they are too tiny…I tried at one time to come up with a tick repellent that worked, I would put a small tick inside a ring of one of the many natural or synthetic repellents or essential oils and see if it would cross it. Considering it was much more concentrated then when you had it on your skin, that if it was a repellent the tick would go around in circles and keep away…. nope they marched right tho it every time! So much for my finding a wonderful new repellent. I doused myself in Deet for a year and still was covered in tick bites. The thing that works great for animals is Ivomectin once a month, dogs, goats, etc. The ticks bite and die. It has not been recommended for people. It does not keep them from biting but does keep them from reproducing. I live in Missouri with lots and lots of ticks, but have very few left in yard and pasture because of the ivomectin every month. I did get Lyme tho never realized what it was for years and did have Rocky Mtn some years before that but that was in Ilinois where you wouldnt expect it at that time.. I still get bit all the time. What is really interesting is that now when even the teeniest tick bites me, it gives me a real sharp pin prick feeling that makes me jump and say ouch! so I must be sensitized to tick saliva. Never did that for many years and dont know anyone else who has that reaction. My neighbor says she never feels them but only notices them a few days later when they are stil attached but Dead. I said are you sure they are dead and not just full and she said yep they are dead and dried up like they are on the dogs who have Ivomectin, so maybe she has a super good immunity to them!!!
I read in your most recent Healing Lyme about your recipe for tick repellent. I would like to make it up but I can’t find the essential oils to do it. Would you please let us know where to find them? I Googled and found nothing.
Thank you!
The American natives used to smoke themselves thoroughly in front of a fire. Most insects will avoid smoke like the plague as they seem to associate it with fire.