What is a lyme co-infection, and how do I get rid of it? Simply put, it is one more infection in the “soup” of infections that many of us get when we have lyme disease. Because our immune systems have been compromised by lyme, mold, or environmental toxins (or for many of us, all three), we simply cannot overcome our illness.
Co-infections like Babesia are one of the most common that we see in those we serve. It is considered by many of my ILADS (International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society) colleagues to be the toughest to beat and the one that blocks most people’s healing.
So what is Babesia? It is a one-celled parasite in the family of parasites called Protozoans. They have a little whip-like tail called a flagella that helps them to move. They typically invade red blood cells, but can travel in the blood to all parts of the body. Some classic symptoms can include,
- A sense of not being able to get a deep breath at times or “air hunger”
- Unusual night and day sweating
- Anxiety – sometimes extreme
- Headaches and the feeling of a tight band around the head at times
- Fatigue – sometimes crushing levels of it
- Fibromyalgia pain – sometimes related to fibrin being put down in the body in response to Babesia
- POTS – Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome
- Some may experience hemolytic anemia
- Some may experience joint pain
- Some may experience insomnia
Many more symptoms can be connected to Babesia co-infections, but these are the ones I see most often. The most common strains of Babesia include B Microti, B Duncani, and B Divergens. However, more studies are coming out all the time on Babesia due to their pleomorphic ability, which means that they can change their genetics and their nature in order to adapt to whatever treatments are being thrown at them and they continue to survive. In other words, new variants keep emerging – sound familiar? This is another reason why they are so difficult to get rid of.
Lyme literate medical doctors are using multiple drug regimens to help reduce the load of Babesia in the body, and sometimes these anti parasitic drugs are absolutely necessary to save someone’s life (especially with hemolytic anemia). However, as a holistic Lyme practitioner, I partner with well studied, safe and effective herbal formulas to help defeat Babesia. The beauty of the potent yet safe liposomal essential oil formulas and herbal tinctures we partner with here at FWC, is that they kill the bad guys, while simultaneously helping prevent resistance and pleomorphisms (variants). They offer to clients either a wonderful adjunct for what their doctor has them on, or a safe and effective alternative to pharmaceuticals. Some of the herbs we utilize include:
Cryptolepis
Artemisia
Black walnut hulls
Nutmeg
Clove
Myrtle
Thyme
Caraway
Citronella
Garlic
Cinnamon
Black cumin
Savory
Myrrh
Holy basil
and more...
When clients use these plant formulas, they are finally able to help their immune system handle Babesia and many other co-infections. Clients with Babesia and similar co-infections often will have an excess of histamines and reactions to herbal supplements. The beauty of the liposomal preparations is that more often than not, those who are reactive will finally be able to take these types of formulas. Detoxification of mold, stored chemicals, and heavy metals in the body also really help. It is super rewarding to safely and effectively help the person who is suffering, to finally defeat Babesia and other co-infections once and for all!
Best,
Theresa
