For people with anxiety, depression, and hopelessness that are diagnosed with Lyme disease and Babesia
by Greg Lee
Have you ever seen a bunch of boys playing football? On weekends, friends and I would play for several hours at my elementary school. After tackling the person with the ball, someone would inevitably yell, “Pile on!!!” And every boy would run and jump onto the boy who got tackled. To the boy at the bottom of the pile, it felt like a super-heavy mass of laughing boys all trying to pin you with their chest and arms.
How is being at the bottom of a pile of boys like a person with Lyme and Babesia anxiety, depression, and hopelessness?
Similar to being at the bottom of the pile, a person with Lyme and Babesia can feel crushed by the weight of their emotions
“My wife thinks I’m crazy.” Phil always woke up wondering if it was going to be a good day or a bad day. A good nights sleep was critical in improving his mood. Some mornings, he felt good enough to get up and go to work. On bad mornings, he felt mired in a dark pit of anxiety, hopelessness, and despair. He hated how he would cry for no reason. Something was eating away at his mind and emotions and taking away any control he had left. Unfortunately, Lyme disease and Babesia toxins can deeply affect your mind and emotions.
Lyme and Babesia produce toxins which can leave a person feeling hopeless and depressed
Unfortunately, there are a limited number of medical providers that really understand how Lyme and Babesia infections can produce states of depression, panic attacks[1], psychosis[2], emotional blindness (alexithymia), and suicidal attempts[3]. Most patients with painful emotions get prescribed antidepressants. These drugs can provide relief in some patients. A subset of these patients do not see improvement in their mood. Unfortunately, antibiotics for Lyme and anti-protozoals for Babesia can also increase painful emotions.
Medications which kill Lyme and Babesia also release endotoxins which can aggravate painful emotions
A Herxheimer reaction or herx occurs when antibiotics kill germs and release toxins that aggravate physical symptoms[4] as well as uncomfortable emotions. These toxins can wander into all areas of the body. They can affect levels of hormones[5], neurotransmitters, and inflammatory compounds called cytokines[6] which can increase anxiety behavior in animal studies[7]. Unfortunately, Babesia can inhibit the immune system response which allowed greater numbers of Lyme bacteria to flourish in one mouse study[8].
What can help reverse depression and hopelessness in people with Lyme disease and Babesia?
Here are four remedies for relieving recurring symptoms of hopelessness, depression, and anxiety in Lyme-Babesia patients
Fortunately, there are natural remedies that have anti-spirochete, anti-protozoa, and/or anti-depressive properties in human and animal studies. Babesia is a protozoa infection that is very similar to malaria. Anti-malaria drugs have been shown to reduce Babesia symptoms in patients[9]. Lyme disease is a spirochete infection which is similar to leptospirosis and syphilis. Anti-leptospirosis antibiotics are also used to treat Lyme disease[10]. Natural remedies which inhibit leptospirosis have produced significant improvements in symptoms of depression and anxiety in patients with Lyme disease. Phil received a liposomal mixture of herbs and essential oils, which are microscopic particles of these remedies that are wrapped in a fat called lecithin. Liposomes penetrate more deeply into cells than their non-liposomal equivalent medications. Liposomal drugs were 40 times more effective at delivering medicine into and clearing out a malaria infection from red blood cells in a mouse study[11].
Lyme-Babesia Depression Remedy #1: Bupleurum, Chinese name: Chai Hu
Bupleurum has the properties of bitter, acrid, and cool. It is used to treat Shaoyang syndrome which is described as a pathogenic condition that is unable to be expelled out of the body. This herb is said to be able to guide trapped pathogens out of the body. It used to treat symptoms of alternating fever and chills, fullness and distention of the chest and abdomen, a bitter taste in the mouth, dry throat, poor appetite, nausea and vertigo, and irritability. Bupleurum is also used to treat liver stagnation symptoms including emotional distress, headaches, migraines, eye disorders, breast swelling and pain, irregular menstruation, menstrual cramps, jaundice, and cold extremities. It is also used to treat prolapse of the rectum or uterus, shortness of breath, fatigue, excessive menstruation, and frequent urination. This herb is especially used to treat malaria[12].
Bupleurum in multiple studies reduces pain, fever, and inflammation. In multiple animal studies, it also protects the liver, increases the production of bile, reduces cholesterol, and stimulates the immune system. This herb has an inhibitory effect on B-hemolytic streptococcus, Vibrio cholerae, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, leptospirosis (a spirochete infection), influenza viruses, and hepatitus viruses Buplerum is cautioned in patients with excessive dryness and heat symptoms. There may an increased risk of acute pneumonitis when this herb is used with interferon[13]. This herb has demonstrated anti-toxin properties[14] in multiple animal studies[15]. Bupleurum reduced depression in one human study by increasing Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in the brain[16]. Similar to Bupleurum, artemisia has been used to inhibit multiple tick infections.
Lyme-Babesia Depression Remedy #2: Artemisia annua, Chinese name: Qing Hao
Artemisia and two of its derivatives, artemisinin and artesenuate, are being used by physicians to treat patients with Babesia infections. Artemisinin has been used effectively with other medications by a Lyme literate physician to effectively cure persistent, relapsing Babesia[17].
Artemisia annua has the properties of clears heat, treats malaria, cools the blood, clears liver heat, and brightens the eyes. It is also used to treat “steaming bone disorder” or the feeling that one’s bones are being cooked, tidal fever, unremitting low-grade fever, thirst, soreness and weakness of the low back and knees, irritability, and heat in the palms, soles, and the middle of the chest. Other symptoms this herb is used to treat are warmth at night and chills in the morning, absence of perspiration, heavy limbs, stifling sensation in the chest, and a flushed face. This herb also treats red eyes, dizziness, photophobia, arrhythmia, and jaundice[18].
Artemisia annua is also effective in inhibiting Staphylococcus aureus (staph), Bacillus anthracis (anthrax), Corynebacterium diphtheriae (diphtheria), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus dysenteriae (dysentery), and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (tuberculosis). This herb is cautioned in patients with diarrhea and coldness in the stomach. Azole antifungals and calcium channel blockers may present significant herb-drug interactions with this herb. In long term studies, this herb had no adverse effects on vital organs[19]. This herb is recommended for treating leptospirosis and Lyme disease in Chinese medicine[20]. Using the whole herb instead of one derivative compound gives patients the benefits of the synergistic effects of other active compounds. Multiple sesquiterpene and flavonoid compounds from Artemisia annua neutralized the effects of endotoxins in a lab study[21]. Artemisia annua contains rosmarinic acid which demonstrated a synergistic interaction with artemisinin against the malaria protozoa in a lab study[22]. Rosmarinic acid also reduced depression[23] and anxiety behavior[24] in multiple animal studies. Similar to artemisia, Ylang Ylang essential oil has been used to treat patients with malaria.
Lyme-Babesia Depression Remedy #3: Ylang Ylang essential oil
The properties of this oil are middle note, base note, cooling, calms the spirit and emotions, clears heat, clears heart fire, cools the blood, nourishes yin, nourishes heart, nourishes kidneys, strengthens qi, strengthens kidneys, strengthens wei qi. This oil is cautioned in patients with coldness or yang deficiency[25].
Traditionally, C. odorata is used to treat malaria, stomach ailments, asthma, gout, and rheumatism. The essential oil or ylang-ylang oil is used in aromatherapy and is believed to be effective in treating depression, high blood pressure, and anxiety. Many phytochemical studies have identified the constituents present in the essential oils of C. odorata. A wide range of chemical compounds including monoterpene, sesquiterpenes, and phenylpropanoids have been isolated from this plant. Recent studies have shown a wide variety of bioactivities exhibited by the essential oils and the extracts of C. odorata including antimicrobial, antibiofilm, anti-inflammatory, antivector, insect-repellent, antidiabetic, antifertility and antimelanogenesis activities[26]. Just like Ylang Ylang oil, lemongrass essential oil has anti-anxiety properties.
Lyme-Babesia Depression Remedy #4: Lemongrass essential oil
The properties of this oil are top note, nourish blood, strengthen spleen qi, tonify yang energy, warm interior to expel cold, strengthen wei qi. This oil is cautioned in patients with heat signs, glaucoma, prostatic hyperplasia, and in children[27].
Traditional applications of Cymbopogon genus in different countries shows high applicability as a common tea, medicinal supplement, insect repellent, insecticide, in flu control, and as anti-inflammatory and analgesic. Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) is ranked as one of the most widely distributed of the genus which is used in every part of the world. Its applications in Nigeria include cures for upset stomach, malaria therapy, insect repellent and as an antioxidant[28]. In one lab study, lemongrass essential oil inhibited the malaria parasite[29]. In multiple mouse studies[30], lemongrass oil reduced anxiety behaviors[31]. A combination of remedies with anti-Lyme, anti-Babesia, and mood lifting properties can cut through the dark layers of depression.
Remedies that inhibit Lyme disease, Babesia, and/or depression can help relieve persistent painful emotions
“My wife is really pleased that I’m back to my old self!” Similar to getting out from under a pile of boys, a combination of liposomal anti-Lyme, anti-Babesia remedies can help to fight multiple infections and relieve symptoms of anxiety, hopelessness, and depression. Phil’s liposomal herbs and essential oils helped him to emerge out of his dark pit. He slept better, felt more energized, started to socialize more, and no longer dreaded waking up in the morning. Since some of these remedies have cautions, work with a Lyme literate Chinese medicine practitioner to develop a proper, safe, and effective strategy for your condition.
– Greg
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[15] Xie, Jun-yun, Hong-ye Di, Hong Li, Xiao-qin Cheng, Yun-yi Zhang, and Dao-feng Chen. “Bupleurum Chinense DC Polysaccharides Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Mice.” Phytomedicine: International Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopharmacology 19, no. 2 (January 15, 2012): 130–37. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2011.08.057. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22112722
[16] Wang, Xia, Qing Feng, Yong Xiao, and Ping Li. “Radix Bupleuri Ameliorates Depression by Increasing Nerve Growth Factor and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor.” International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine 8, no. 6 (2015): 9205–17. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26309578
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[22] Suberu, John O., Alexander P. Gorka, Lauren Jacobs, Paul D. Roepe, Neil Sullivan, Guy C. Barker, and Alexei A. Lapkin. “Anti-Plasmodial Polyvalent Interactions in Artemisia Annua L. Aqueous Extract–Possible Synergistic and Resistance Mechanisms.” PloS One 8, no. 11 (2013): e80790. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0080790. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3828274/
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[29] Akono Ntonga, Patrick, Nicolas Baldovini, Elisabeth Mouray, Lengo Mambu, Philippe Belong, and Philippe Grellier. “Activity of Ocimum Basilicum, Ocimum Canum, and Cymbopogon Citratus Essential Oils against Plasmodium Falciparum and Mature-Stage Larvae of Anopheles Funestus S.s.” Parasite (Paris, France) 21 (2014): 33. doi:10.1051/parasite/2014033. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24995776
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[31] Blanco, M. M., C. a. R. A. Costa, A. O. Freire, J. G. Santos, and M. Costa. “Neurobehavioral Effect of Essential Oil of Cymbopogon Citratus in Mice.” Phytomedicine: International Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopharmacology 16, no. 2–3 (March 2009): 265–70. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2007.04.007. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17561386
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