Lyme Protocol for Sensitive People: A Natural Homeopathic Approach After a Tick Bite

First published in November 2018 as Bitten: Quick Lyme-related Protocol, this updated article includes additional information.

In this article:

• Why Lyme disease and related infections can come from more than just ticks — and why sensitive people need to know this.
• The homeopathic Ledum palustre 200C protocol — how to take it, when to start, and how long to continue.
• Why this approach is especially well suited for sensitive people and sensitive children.
• How to apply essential oils topically after a bite or sting.
• When to seek additional Lyme-literate support.

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If you are a sensitive person or have a sensitive child who has recently been bitten by a tick or another insect, this article is for you.

Sensitive people often need a gentler approach when it comes to addressing potential Lyme exposure. Aggressive antibiotic protocols can be particularly disruptive to a sensitive immune system that is already dealing with multiple stressors. Thankfully, there is a well-established homeopathic protocol that is effective, gentle, and appropriate for sensitive adults, sensitive children, and even pets.

Made popular by Homeopath Joette Calabrese and originally from the Banerji doctors in India, this protocol uses Ledum palustre 200C — a homeopathic remedy that is well-suited to the sensitive body's way of responding to infection.

This protocol is most effective if taken within 3 to 6 month of the bite/exposure, so if exposure occurred within that time frame it is not too late to follow the protocol now. (If your exposure has been longer or you have other complicated health issues, it is best to work with a Lyme-literate health professional to determine a customized protocol.**) 

Most people do not realize that the Lyme disease can come from multiple sources, not just ticks. Anything that can bite another animal (or an infected human) can possibly transmit Borrelia or other Lyme-related infections, including lice, mites, mosquitoes, biting flies, spiders, etc. In fact, more recent studies are showing that fleas are a big culprit too. And, because spiders eat a variety of other insects, they transmit much more than people realize.

You should also know that there is more than one Lyme-related organism. You mostly hear about Borrelia burgdorferi, but there is actually many different strains of Borrelia, some of which can cause similar symptoms. There are also three other common Lyme-related organisms: Babesia, Bartonella, and Ehrlichia.

In addition, there are a number of co-infections that can be similarly transmitted in the same tick or insect bite. (Or, once exposed to Lyme-related microbes, you can become more susceptible to other organisms.) This includes things like Rickettsia, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF), mycoplasma, Coxsackie virus, Epstein-Bar virus (EBV), strep, just to name a few.

For sensitive people, whose immune systems tend to respond more intensely to microbial stress, understanding the full picture of what can be transmitted is especially important — both for prevention and for knowing when to act quickly.

I will write more about the intricacies of Lyme disease at a later time, including my personal experiences with it. However, if you think you have been recently exposed to a Lyme-transmitting insect, consider taking the following protocol:

Using the homeopathic Ledum palustre 200C, take 2-3 pellets every 3 hours for the first day, followed by twice daily for a week. Then use twice weekly for a month and then once per week for another month. (Taking it this long is probably overkill, but worth the extra effort to be certain.)

Do not touch pellets. Use the cap to put directly under tongue and take it away from food and drinks.

If the bite was rather recent (such as a few weeks ago), this measure has been 100% effective per Homeopath, Joette Calabrese. She raised her family in the country, which had plenty of deer and other critters, and their woods were considered a Lyme tick Mecca. (Source)

This gentle protocol is particularly well suited for sensitive people and sensitive children because it works with the body's own immune response rather than overriding it — which is why it is often better tolerated than antibiotic approaches in sensitive individuals.

Although there are other Ledum potencies available, this protocol usually works best if using a 200C potency and it can be used by adults, children, and pets (not infants or pregnant/nursing women). We use it on our small dog too.

Ledum 200 is also the go-to remedy for any kind of animal bite, so it is a good remedy to have on hand. If you cannot find the remedy locally, you can get homeopathic remedies in my Fullscript store. Signup for free and always get 10% off using the link on my products page.

In my family, we also topically apply (neat) either Thieves oil, tea tree oil or oregano oil directly on the bite/sting, usually multiple times over the course of a few days. This helps to squelch possible infection at the site of the bite or sting. A good quality colloidal silver would be another option.

Essential oils are another area where sensitive people need to be thoughtful — choose organic, high-quality oils and start with a small amount on a patch of skin first if your body tends to react to topical applications. (Some organic essential oils are available on Fullscript.)

To learn how to appropriately remove a tick that has punctured the skin, see this article.

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Lyme-related organisms are part of our world — and for sensitive people, building and maintaining a strong immune system is the most important long-term strategy.

That means addressing not just infections when they occur, but also the ongoing factors that burden a sensitive immune system: EMF exposure, toxic load from everyday products, emotional overwhelm, and nutritional gaps.

If you have more complex Lyme-related concerns, or if you are a sensitive person who hasn't found relief through conventional approaches, I'd love to help you look at the whole picture. Schedule a free discovery call at sharonharmon.com/contact.

** In older Lyme disease cases, it’s a matter of how entrenched the disease is, how many antibiotics and other allopathic drugs have been employed, and the general vital force of the person. In these cases, protocols will be more specific to the individual and further investigation is needed. Having had Lyme Disease myself, I am well versed in helping people with Lyme-related issues. Be sure to work with a Lyme-literate health professional.

Related articles:

This article is part of a series on natural summer health for sensitive people and families. 

• Summer Sun & Bug Safety for Sensitive People
• Safe Sunscreen for Sensitive People
• Pool Chemicals: How to Protect Sensitive Kids