For people with Lyme disease and persistent joint pains that don’t improve with antibiotics
by Greg Lee

Have you ever heard about the fancy devices that spies use to listen in on conversations? In Washington, DC, there is a Spy Museum where they have on display normal looking gadgets that were modified to carry miniature cameras and microphones. Even an artificial cherry was used to hide a small microphone for listening to conversations over drinks.

How is a hidden microphone similar to Lyme disease arthritis?

Just like a microphone that is hiding inside a normal object, Lyme bacteria like to burrow inside joints
Borrelia bacteria have been found by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests in synovial joint fluid taken from arthritic Lyme patients¹. They have also been detected in collagen found in ligaments and tendons, which makes the bacteria invisible to the immune system². Unfortunately, collagen and cartilage have a lower amount of blood vessels, which can lead to insufficient levels of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medicines getting into joint tissues. As a result, Lyme patients can have persistent or recurring symptoms of arthritis joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation despite multiple medications³.

Despite multiple rounds of oral antibiotics, Audrey had recurring knee inflammation
Her rheumatoid arthritis factor test came back negative. She lives in a Lyme disease endemic area. After insisting on a Lyme test, Audrey got a positive western blot test. Under treatment with a Lyme literate physician, she was prescribed multiple rounds of antibiotics for Lyme and co-infections, antibiofilm remedies, and other medications which helped reduce the pain and stiffness in her joints. Despite these medications, her knee would swell up repeatedly and require draining. She decided to try other treatments to relieve her joint discomfort.

Physical therapy helped to relieve her joint inflammation
Audrey found that her knee inflammation reduced with Strain and Counterstrain⁴ treatment and craniosacral therapy from her physical therapist. She also found relief with infrared saunas and taking anti-inflammatory supplements like fish oil and baby aspirin. After several months of pursuing multiple treatments and taking many medications, she felt that something was still missing in getting to the root of her joint problems.

What else besides medications and hands-on treatment can help to relieve persistent joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation?

Fortunately, there are multiple methods that are effective at reducing stubborn Lyme disease joint pain and inflammation
These methods can help to reduce the toxins and inflammatory compounds that contribute to recurring joint pain and inflammation. They can also quickly relieve stiffness, aches, and frozen joints. These methods can be used simultaneously to promote rapid healing.

Method #1: Cupping and bloodletting
Cupping and bloodletting has been used continuously for thousands of years in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. It has been used effectively for treating rheumatoid arthritis⁵ and gouty arthritis⁶. When suction cups were placed near Andrea’s inflamed joints, she experienced some relief of pain, stiffness, and swelling in her knee. Next, acupuncture needling were use to poke small holes under the suction cup to allow small quantities of blood and lymphatic fluids to be sucked into the cup. She noticed a dramatic reduction in the swelling and discomfort in her joint. In other studies, cupping extracted blood and fluids have been found to have a high amount of toxins⁷ and inflammatory compounds⁸. Not only cupping and bloodletting, but also moxabustion is extremely effective at relieving joint discomfort.

Method #2: Moxabustion
Used for thousands of years in Asia, moxabustion is a treatment that uses finely ground artemisia argyii or artemisia vulgaris that is burned on tender skin points around symptomatic joints. Also, “moxa heated needles” use moxa that is burned on top of inserted needles to deliver heat into arthritic areas. Moxa has been used for treating osteoarthritis⁹ and rheumatoid arthritis¹⁰. Burning small thread of ultra pure artemisia argyii on Andrea’s tender skin points was highly effective at reducing and eliminating joint pains within seconds. Moxa heated needle treatments using artemisia vulgaris also helped to quickly relieve deep joint discomfort. Frequency Specific Microcurrent is also effective at reducing inflammation and toxicity in painful joints.

Method #3: Frequency Specific Microcurrent
Frequency Specific Microcurrent uses very low power, millionth of an amp, electrical currents to reduce toxins and inflammation inside joints. Andrea’s microcurrent treatment used two electrical lead applied above and below her symptomatic joints. The first current used specific electrical frequencies to: reduce inflammation, neutralize toxins, treat arthritis, and to promote healing. The second set of frequencies used to target different specific joints like her hips, knees, hands and feet. It was also used to direct healing into specific tissues including cartilage, joint capsules, collagen, ligaments, and tendons¹¹. Laser delivered homeopathic remedies can also relieve stubborn joint problems.

Method #4: Laser Delivered Homeopathic Remedies
Shining a 980 nm laser through a glass vial containing a homeopathic remedy into a symptomatic joint can relieve persistent pain and inflammation¹². Despite all of her treatments and medications, one of her knee joints still had persistent inflammation and aches. Using the laser with two homeopathic remedies: first with Gc Protein Macrophage Activation Factor (GcMAF) and then Epstein Barr Virus remedy, Andrea experienced a deep warming inside her knee which intensified after ten minutes. Soon afterward, she remarked that her knee felt much cooler and more mobile. Liposomal anti-toxin and anti-inflammatory remedies also help to reduce joint pains.

Method #5: Liposomal Anti-inflammatory Remedies
Liposomes are remedies that are processed into very small particles and are surrounded by a fat called a lipid. Liposomal medications are more effective at penetrating into joints¹³. Liposomal remedies have been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis¹⁴, inflammatory arthritis¹⁵, and osteoarthritis¹⁶. Andrea found that liposomal glutathione was very effective at relieving joint swelling and stiffness. Andrea also took a customized combination of liposomal essential oils of lavender, frankincense, and nutmeg that helped to reduce her joint symptoms. A combination of multiple anti-inflammatory treatments and remedies can help dramatically reduce painful joints in Lyme disease patients

Combining multiple methods for detoxifying and reducing pain and inflammation helps to relieve persistent joint discomfort
Just like discovering a spy’s hidden microphone, a combination of cupping and bloodletting, moxabustion, Frequency Specific Microcurrent, laser delivered homeopathics, and liposomal remedies helps get at the underlying factors in drug resistant Lyme disease arthritis. These methods helped Andrea to reduce her joint pain from a subjective rating of 8 out of 10 to 1 out of 10. Since several of these methods may produce Herxheimer reactions, work with a Lyme literate acupuncturist to develop a safe and effective strategy for relieving your persistent Lyme disease joint inflammation and pain.

– Greg

P.S. Do you have experiences where treatments or remedies helped to relieve drug resistant Lyme arthritis? Tell us about it.

 

>> Next step: Come to our evening lecture: Getting Rid of Lyme Disease in Frederick, Maryland on Monday June 2nd at 6pm to learn more about treatments, essential oils, herbs, and homeopathic remedies for drug resistant arthritis, managing weight issues caused by toxins, reducing brain overwhelm, Epstein-Barr virus, adenovirus, brucellosis, bartonella, Babesia, Lyme disease, mold, parasites, abnormal fatigue, inflammation, and pain. https://goodbyelyme.com/events/get_rid_lyme

 

1. Jones KL, McHugh GA, Glickstein LJ, Steere AC. Analysis of Borrelia burgdorferi genotypes in patients with Lyme arthritis: High frequency of ribosomal RNA intergenic spacer type 1 strains in antibiotic-refractory arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 2009 Jul;60(7):2174-82. doi: 10.1002/art.24812. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19565522

2. Stricker RB. Counterpoint: long-term antibiotic therapy improves persistent symptoms associated with lyme disease. Clin Infect Dis. 2007 Jul 15;45(2):149-57. Epub 2007 Jun 5. https://cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/45/2/149.full

3. Ross JJ, Hu LT. Bacterial and Lyme Arthritis. Curr Infect Dis Rep. 2004 Oct;6(5):380-387. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15461889

4. Wong CK, Gidali A, Harris V. Deformity or dysfunction? Osteopathic manipulation of the idiopathic cavus foot: A clinical suggestion. N Am J Sports Phys Ther. 2010 Feb;5(1):27-32. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21509155

5. Ahmed SM, Madbouly NH, Maklad SS, Abu-Shady EA. Immunomodulatory effects of blood letting cupping therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Egypt J Immunol. 2005;12(2):39-51. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17977209

6. Zhang SJ, Liu JP, He KQ. Treatment of acute gouty arthritis by blood-letting cupping plus herbal medicine. J Tradit Chin Med. 2010 Mar;30(1):18-20. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20397456

7. Schockert T. [Observations on cupping. High toxin concentration in blood from cupping]. MMW Fortschr Med. 2009 Jun 4;151(23):20. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19591347

8. Zhang CQ, Liang TJ, Zhang W. Effects of drug cupping therapy on immune function in chronic asthmatic bronchitis patients during protracted period. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2006 Nov; 26(11) pp. 984-7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17186726

9. Yu D, Xie HW, Zhang B, Wen HJ, Chen RX. [Observation on clinical effects of moxibustion stimulation of different sensitive status acupoints for knee osteoarthritis]. [Article in Chinese] Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2013 Dec;38(6):497-501. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24579366

10. Xie XX, Lei QH. [Observation on therapeutic effect of the spreading moxibustion on rheumatoid arthritis]. [Article in Chinese] Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2008 Oct;28(10):730-2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18972729

11. Frequency Specific Microcurrent Advanced Summary Protocols. https://www.frequencyspecific.com/faq.php#protocol

12. Cowden, L. Change the Terrain To Resolve Disease. 2012 Physician’s Round Table. January 28th, 2012. Tampa, FL.

13. Alhariri M, Azghani A, Omri A. Liposomal antibiotics for the treatment of infectious diseases. Expert Opin Drug Deliv. 2013 Nov;10(11):1515-32. doi: 10.1517/17425247.2013.822860. Epub 2013 Jul 26. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23886421

14. Kapoor B, Singh SK, Gulati M, Gupta R, Vaidya Y. Application of liposomes in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: quo vadis. ScientificWorldJournal. 2014 Feb 4;2014:978351. doi: 10.1155/2014/978351. eCollection 2014. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24688450

15. Quan L, Zhang Y, Crielaard BJ, Dusad A, Lele SM, Rijcken CJ, Metselaar JM, Kostková H, Etrych T, Ulbrich K, Kiessling F, Mikuls TR, Hennink WE, Storm G, Lammers T, Wang D. Nanomedicines for inflammatory arthritis: head-to-head comparison of glucocorticoid-containing polymers, micelles, and liposomes. ACS Nano. 2014 Jan 28;8(1):458-66. doi: 10.1021/nn4048205. Epub 2013 Dec 27. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24341611

16. Cho H, Stuart JM, Magid R, Danila DC, Hunsaker T, Pinkhassik E, Hasty KA. Theranostic immunoliposomes for osteoarthritis. Nanomedicine. 2014 Apr;10(3):619-27. doi: 10.1016/j.nano.2013.09.004. Epub 2013 Oct 2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24096032

 

For people and families that live or work in tick infested areas
by Greg Lee

When my daughter was under one year old, she loved to climb up as high as she could. In order to prevent her from getting to the top of the stairs, we installed baby gates. She would try climbing over the gate, pushing through, and pulling to open it. No matter how hard she tried, she was unable to get past the safety gate.

How is a climbing baby similar to deer ticks that emerge in the springtime?

Deer ticks carrying Lyme disease and co-infections are emerging in the spring looking to feed
Just like a baby that like to climb, ticks will climb up high onto anything, grass, trees, and buildings, so they can latch on to their next host. In the spring and summer months, very small nymph deer ticks, about the size of an asterisk “*”, emerge to feed. Because of their size, they are difficult to see and feel. Nymph deer ticks are also the main vector for transmitting Lyme disease¹. Chemical pest repellents help to protect you from ticks.

Permethrin, DEET, Picaridin, and IR3535 can help to repel ticks
DEET and IR3535 are repellents that can be applied to the skin for repelling ticks. Permethrin is recommended to be applied to clothing only. Unfortunately, in rare cases DEET dermal exposure has led to symptoms in adults and children ranging from skin irritation, lethargy, headaches, tremors, involuntary movements, seizures,  convulsions, and death². IR3535 has a low toxicity and is said to be a minimal or nonexistent health risk.  Permethrin is classified as a weak carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It is highly toxic to fish, cats, and aquatic invertebrates. It is classified as a restricted use pesticide³. Most studies report Permethrin as having a low toxicity in humans. Short-term side effects in sensitive individuals include eye, skin, nose, and throat irritation, and may include breathing problems. Signs and symptoms of poisoning following very high exposure include abnormal facial sensation, dizziness, salivation, headache, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, and irritability to sound and touch. Pulmonary edema, seizures, and fasiculations may occur in more severe cases⁴. Picaridin is classified as slightly toxic and is not likely to be a carcinogen based on dermal exposure⁵. There are also natural repellents that help your to keep ticks away.

Natural essential oils can also help repel ticks
Essential oils of lemon eucalyptus, citronella, geranium, and peppermint oils are used in commercial insect repellents. Lemon eucalyptus was effective at reducing the numbers of tick bites by 34% against the European castor bean tick, which carries Lyme and co-infections⁶. Citronellol, a major compound in citronella essential oil, geraniol from lily of the valley, and eugenol from clove oil demonstrated pronounced effects at repelling the castor bean tick⁷.  In one study, geranium essential oil at 103 mcg/cm² repelled more than 90% of Amblyomma americanum (lone star tick) nymphs⁸.

In other nymph tick studies on the species Ixodes scapularis (deer tick) and on lone star ticks, these obscure essential oils were effective at repelling ticks: amyris (827 mcg oil/cm²)⁹, Cupressus funebris wood (deer tick EC(100) 10.3 mcg oil cm², lone star EC(95) 42.6 mcg oil cm²), Juniperus communis (deer tick EC(90) 10.3 mcg oil cm², lone star EC(95) 50.8 mcg oil cm²), and Juniper chinensis (deer tick EC(73) 10.3 mcg oil cm², lone star EC(95) 91.7 mcg oil cm²)¹⁰. Hydrogenated nepetalactones found in the essential oil of catmint were effective at repelling deer tick nymphs¹¹. The essential oil of catnip, a relative of catmint, contains 12 – 84% nepetalactones¹². As a topical repellent, light sesame, coconut, peanut, and olive oil, which offer partial (20-30%) UV protection¹³ can be mixed with tick repelling oils to apply to the skin. Essential oils can also be used to kill emerging nymph ticks.

Essential oils and their compounds are also effective at killing ticks
Incense cedar heartwood, western juniper and Port-Orford-cedar essential oils were effective a killing deer tick nymphs¹⁴. Nootkatone, a compound in grapefruit essential oil, was effective at killing nymph ticks: I. scapularis (deer tick) 50% lethal concentration (LC50) 0.16 mcg cm² and 90% lethal concentration (LC90) 0.54 mcg cm², A. americanum (lone star) LC50 0.35 mcg cm² and 90% lethal concentration LC90 1.0 mcg cm², D. Variabilis (wood tick) LC50 0.23 mcg cm² and LC90 0.64 mcg cm²,  and R. sanguineus (brown dog tick) 0.19 mcg/cm², and LC90 0.48 mcg/cm²¹⁵. Nootkatone is found at concentrations of 0.1 – 0.8% in grapefruit essential oil¹⁶. Nootkatone from Alaskan yellow cedar was also effective a very low concentrations of LC50 0.0029% at killing nymph deer ticks¹⁷. When encapsulated in lignan and sprayed as a pest control, nootkatone at 0.56% was 100% effective for eight weeks¹⁸. Unfortunately, nootkatone is very expensive. Natural desiccants and insecticide soaps are also effective at killing ticks.

Soaps and desiccants are effective at killing ticks on landscaping materials
Diatomaceus earth and Dri-die were 10-41% effective at killing ticks. Silica-based desiccant Drione and Safer’s insecticidal soap (SIS) treatments were 91-100% effective at killing ticks on landscape materials, which both contain pyrethrins¹⁹. Drione and Safer’s soap provided short-term reduction in deer tick nymph populations for about a week²⁰. IC2, which is a combination of Bifenthrin mixed with 10% rosemary oil, sprayed with water was highly effective against adult and nymph ticks²¹. Bifenthrin is a pyrethroid insecticide which is highly toxic to aquatic organisms. Tick killing compounds can be sprayed easily around your home.

Anti-tick compounds can be sprayed around your home with spreaders and sprayers
A spreader can be used to spread powdered desiccants like diatomaceus earth or boric acid. A pressure washer or hose sprayer can be used to spread essential oils dissolved in a little alcohol, liquid desiccants, or insect soaps. With a little preparation, the right repellents and tick killers can protect your home and your family from infected ticks.

A combination of the right tick killing strategies and repellents help keep ticks away
Just like setting up protective barriers to keep a child safe, using anti-tick compounds can help keep ticks away from your home. Topical repellents can also help protect you from ticks when you are out and about. Some of these chemicals have cautions on their use, so follow their directions carefully. Natural essential oils, desiccants, and soaps provide a less toxic repellent or tick killer for chemically sensitive people and animals.

– Greg

P.S. Do you have experiences where repellents or tick killing treatments helped to protect you and your family against ticks? Tell us about it.

 

>> Next step: Come to our evening lecture: Getting Rid of Lyme Disease in Frederick, Maryland on Monday June 2nd at 6pm to learn more about treatments, essential oils, herbs, and homeopathic remedies for managing weight issues caused by toxins, reducing brain overwhelm, Epstein-Barr virus, adenovirus, brucellosis, bartonella, Babesia, Lyme disease, mold, parasites, abnormal fatigue, inflammation, and pain. https://goodbyelyme.com/events/get_rid_lyme

 

 

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Lyme disease transmission. https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/transmission/
2. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide) Chemical Technical Summary for Public Health and Public Safety Professionals. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/consultations/deet/health-effects.html
3. Environmental Protection Agency. Permethrin Facts (Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) Fact Sheet). https://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/REDs/factsheets/permethrin_fs.htm

4. Prevention and Health Promotion Administration, Maryland Dept of Health and Mental Hygiene. Permethrin Fact Sheet.https://phpa.dhmh.maryland.gov/SitePages/permethrin.aspx
5. National Pesticide Information Center. Picaridin Fact Sheet. https://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/Picaridintech.pdf
6. Gardulf A, Wohlfart I, Gustafson R. A prospective cross-over field trial shows protection of lemon eucalyptus extract against tick bites. J Med Entomol. 2004 Nov;41(6):1064-7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15605645

7. Thorsell 1, Mikiver A, Tunón H. Repelling properties of some plant materials on the tick Ixodes ricinus L. Phytomedicine. 2006 Jan;13(1-2):132-4. Epub 2005 Jul 1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16360943
8. Tabanca N, Wang M, Avonto C, Chittiboyina AG, Parcher JF, Carroll JF, Kramer M, Khan IA. Bioactivity-guided investigation of geranium essential oils as natural tick repellents. J Agric Food Chem. 2013 May 1;61(17):4101-7. doi: 10.1021/jf400246a. Epub 2013 Apr 22. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23528036
9. Carroll JF, Paluch G, Coats J, Kramer M. Elemol and amyris oil repel the ticks Ixodes scapularis and Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae) in laboratory bioassays. Exp Appl Acarol. 2010 Aug;51(4):383-92. doi: 10.1007/s10493-009-9329-0. Epub 2009 Dec 18. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20016930

10. Carroll JF, Tabanca N, Kramer M, Elejalde NM, Wedge DE, Bernier UR, Coy M, Becnel JJ, Demirci B, Başer KH, Zhang J, Zhang S. Essential oils of Cupressus funebris, Juniperus communis, and J. chinensis (Cupressaceae) as repellents against ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) and mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) and as toxicants against mosquitoes. J Vector Ecol. 2011 Dec;36(2):258-68. doi: 10.1111/j.1948-7134.2011.00166.x. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22129397
11. Feaster JE, Scialdone MA, Todd RG, Gonzalez YI, Foster JP, Hallahan DL. Dihydronepetalactones deter feeding activity by mosquitoes, stable flies, and deer ticks. J Med Entomol. 2009 Jul;46(4):832-40. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19645285 

12. Tisserand, R. and Young. R. 2013 Essential Oil . 2nd Ed. p. 607.
13. Korać RR, Khambholja KM. Potential of herbs in skin protection from ultraviolet radiation. Pharmacogn Rev. 2011 Jul;5(10):164-73. doi: 10.4103/0973-7847.91114. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22279374

14. Dolan MC, Dietrich G, Panella NA, Montenieri JA, Karchesy JJ. Biocidal activity of three wood essential oils against Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae), Xenopsylla cheopis (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae), and Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae). J Econ Entomol. 2007 Apr;100(2):622-5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17461093

15. Flor-Weiler LB, Behle RW, Stafford KC 3rd. Susceptibility of four tick species, Amblyomma americanum, Dermacentor variabilis, Ixodes scapularis, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Acari: Ixodidae), to nootkatone from essential oil of grapefruit. J Med Entomol. 2011 Mar;48(2):322-6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21485368

16. Tisserand, R. and Young. R. 2013 Essential Oil Safety. 2nd Ed. p. 610.

17. Panella NA, Dolan MC, Karchesy JJ, Xiong Y, Peralta-Cruz J, Khasawneh M, Montenieri JA, Maupin GO. Use of novel compounds for pest control: insecticidal and acaricidal activity of essential oil components from heartwood of Alaska yellow cedar. J Med Entomol. 2005 May;42(3):352-8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15962787

18. Bharadwaj A, Stafford KC 3rd, Behle RW. Efficacy and environmental persistence of nootkatone for the control of the blacklegged tick (Acari: Ixodidae) in residential landscapes. J Med Entomol. 2012 Sep;49(5):1035-44. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23025184

19. Patrican LA, Allan SA. Laboratory evaluation of desiccants and insecticidal soap applied to various substrates to control the deer tick Ixodes scapularis. Med Vet Entomol. 1995 Jul;9(3):293-9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7548948

20. Allan SA, Patrican LA. Reduction of immature Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) in woodlots by application of desiccant and insecticidal soap formulations. J Med Entomol. 1995 Jan;32(1):16-20. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7869337

21. Rand PW, Lacombe EH, Elias SP, Lubelczyk CB, St Amand T, Smith RP Jr. Trial of a minimal-risk botanical compound to control the vector tick of Lyme disease. J Med Entomol. 2010 Jul;47(4):695-8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20695287

Image courtesy of Jarekt of Wikimedia Commons

 

For people with fatigue, swollen lymph glands, or liver dysfunction due to an elevated Epstein-Barr infection
by Greg Lee

There is an invasive species vine that can grow a foot in a single day. This plant has been able to cover entire forests. It has been called the green plague in the southeastern United States. Its name is “Kudzu.”

How is a run-away kudzu overgrowth similar to an Epstein-Barr viral infection?

Similar to an unstoppable kudzu vine, Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) can spread easily between people
Epstein-Barr virus is also called Mononucleosis or the Human Herpes Virus-4 (HHV-4) and approximately 95% of humans are infected with it¹. Oral contact with infected saliva when kissing, drinking from a cup, or mouthing a baby toy can transmit the virus. Symptoms of an EBV infection include: fatigue, fever, inflamed throat, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, enlarged spleen, swollen liver, and rash². Other frequent symptoms (occurring in 20-40% of patients) include hypersensitivity to mosquito bites, and coronary artery aneurysms. Less common features are calcification of basal ganglia, oral ulcers, interstitial pneumonia, and central nervous system infection³. EBV has also been linked to autoimmune illness.

EBV has been linked to cancer and other autoimmune illnesses
EBV has been linked to cancer formation in Burkitt’s lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Additionally, it is hypothesized to be a trigger for a subset of chronic fatigue patients as well as multiple sclerosis⁴. Lyme disease patients can often show elevated EBV titers.

When larger parasites or bacteria are killed with medications, EBV levels have dramatically increased⁵
In Lyme disease patients that have received prolonged antibiotic or anti-parasitic medications, elevated levels of Epstein-Barr virus have been detected in blood tests and electrodermal scans. Unfortunately, antiviral medications that inhibit EBV replication in the lab are not effective against EBV in humans. Epstein Barr also has a unique survival strategy.

EBV uses a clever strategy of hijacking immune system cells
Epstein-Barr infects several different cells: immune system B-cells, endothelial cells⁶, and bone marrow cells⁷. This virus has the ability to take over the intracellular machinery in B cells, make unlimited copies of itself, and prevent cell death. One theory why EBV survives drug treatment is that oral antiviral medications are at too low levels to eliminate the Epstein Barr viruses that are shed in saliva⁸. This virus may also have an unhealthy relationship with other pathogenic bacteria.

Epstein-Barr can make other bacteria more virulent and vice-versa
One article explores how oral EBV can disable local defenses which can lead to more aggressive symptoms from pathogenic bacteria. It also explores how pathogenic bacteria can also support a more active EBV infection⁹.

What can help you fight an antiviral resistant, bacteria collaborating, and intracellular manipulating Epstein-Barr infection?

Here are three methods for stopping a run away Epstein-Barr infection
Fortunately, there are three remedies and treatments that can help to overcome an out-of-control EBV infection: liposomal antiviral herbs, Frequency Specific Microcurrent, and laser delivered antiviral remedies. These methods help to fight antiviral resistant EBV infections and penetrate into cells and reservoirs where the viruses are hiding.

Strategy #1: Anti-Epstein-Barr Liposomal Herbs
In multiple studies, these antiviral herbs and their compounds demonstrated high levels of EBV anti-tumor promoter early antigen activation properties including turmeric and passionflower¹⁰, several varieties of curcuma, ginger, and galanga¹¹, and AL-1 from artemisia lactiflora¹². Curcumin inhibited B-cell immortalization in EBV infected cells¹³.

Liposomal medicines have a greater ability to penetrate into B cells¹⁴, endothelial cells¹⁵, the liver (mouse study)¹⁶, biofilms, joints, and the nervous system¹⁷ where the Epstein-Barr Virus can hide. Using liposomal herbal remedies which contain turmeric, curcumin, ginger, galanga, or artemisia have been effective at reducing inflammation, swollen lymph glands, and elevated liver enzymes in Lyme disease patients that have EBV. In addition to liposomal herbs, Frequency Specific Microcurrent can help relieve an Epstein Barr infection.

Strategy #2 Antiviral Frequency Specific Microcurrent
Frequency Specific Microcurrent uses millionth of an amp electrical currents to reduce viral infections, toxicity, and inflammation. Frequencies for reducing viruses, toxins, inflammation, and promoting healing are combined with frequencies to target viruses hiding inside organs like the liver, spleen, and the brain. This method can also direct antiviral frequencies into tissues where EBV infections reside like the mucus membranes, mouth, meninges, tonsils, and bone marrow. Frequencies can also be directed to target intracellular viral infections¹⁸. Homeopathic remedies can also help to target an Epstein Barr infection.

Strategy #3 Antiviral Homeopathic Remedies
Epstein Barr Virus Series Remedies use increasing strength homeopathic medicines to target different hiding places in the body. In the beginning, a patient will start with the lowest strength remedy. Over the course of a month, they will take increasing strength remedies to target deeper and deeper levels where EBV is entrenched in the body. Usually patients have one or more Herxheimer reaction in response the remedy they just took. Another way to help relieve EBV symptoms is through laser delivered remedies.

Laser homeopathic remedy treatments use a 650nm laser which is beamed through a glass vial containing an anti-EBV homeopathic remedy into the patient¹⁹. The laser is able to deliver the frequency of the remedy into the nervous system and other hiding places where the Epstein Barr virus has accumulated. Using multiple remedies and treatment can help to fight off a troublesome EBV infection.

A combination of treatments and remedies can help to fight a stealthy EBV infection
Just like cutting down a mass of overgrown kudzu vines, anti-EBV liposomal herbs, frequencies, and homeopathic remedies have help reduce recurring symptoms of fatigue, pain and inflammation in the liver, spleen, and nervous system. Since some of these methods have contraindications or cautions or may produce Herxheimer reactions, work with a Lyme literate herbalist to develop a safe and effective strategy for your EBV infection.

P.S. Do you have experiences where treatment or remedies that helped you to reduce or eliminate Epstein Barr Virus symptoms? Tell us about it.

>> Next step: Come to our evening lecture: Getting Rid of Lyme Disease in Frederick, Maryland on Monday June 2nd at 6pm to learn more about treatments, essential oils, herbs, and homeopathic remedies for managing weight issues caused by toxins, reducing brain overwhelm, Epstein-Barr virus, adenovirus, brucellosis, bartonella, Babesia, Lyme disease, mold, parasites, abnormal fatigue, inflammation, and pain. https://goodbyelyme.com/events/get_rid_lyme

1. Bennet, J. Pediatric Mononucleosis and Epstein-Barr Virus Infection. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/963894-overview
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