Lyme & Chronic Infection Protocol

Cryptolepis
The most potent botanical against Borrelia burgdorferi in the Johns Hopkins 2020 Feng et al.

Artemisinin Emulsion
Artemisia annua (sweet wormwood) artemisinin in Quicksilver's liposomal emulsion form - providing 4-5x higher bioavailability than standard artemisinin capsules.

Cat's Claw V-Max
Uncaria tomentosa in Quicksilver liposomal V-Max format for maximum alkaloid bioavailability.

BPC-157 + KPV
KPV (Lys-Pro-Val) is an anti-inflammatory tripeptide that modulates NF-kB and reduces IL-6 and TNF-alpha production - the same cytokine cascade that drives neuroinflammation in chronic tick-borne illness.

N.A.C
Glutathione depletion is well-documented in chronic Lyme disease as infection-driven oxidative stress overwhelms antioxidant defense.

✓ Who this is for

Adults with confirmed or clinically suspected Lyme disease or tick-borne co-infections (Babesia, Bartonella) who are working with a Lyme-literate MD, naturopath, or integrative medicine practitioner. People experiencing post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS) or persistent symptoms attributed to Lyme disease who want the most clinically informed botanical support available.

✗ Who this is not for

This is strictly a practitioner-supervised protocol. Do not use without the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider familiar with tick-borne diseases.

This protocol is designed for practitioner supervision. General guidance: start with Cryptolepis and NAC in week 1 only (ramp-up phase), add Cat's Claw V-Max in week 2, add Artemisinin Emulsion in week 3 on the cycling schedule, add BPC-157 + KPV in week 4.

Herxheimer-type reactions (temporary increase in fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, sweating) are common in weeks 1-4 as the antimicrobial herbs begin supporting clearance. This is expected and should be managed with pace - back off to a lower dose if reactions are severe, and discuss with your practitioner.

What are the most evidence-based supplements for Lyme disease?

The most directly researched botanicals come from the Feng et al. (2020) Johns Hopkins in vitro study, which screened 78 botanical products against Borrelia burgdorferi in both actively dividing and stationary (persister) phase.

Why do standard antibiotics sometimes not fully resolve Lyme disease symptoms?

Borrelia burgdorferi can form dormant 'persister' cells - stationary phase bacteria that are metabolically inactive and not actively dividing. Most antibiotics, including doxycycline and cefuroxime, work by targeting actively dividing bacteria and have significantly reduced activity against these stationary phase forms.

What is Cryptolepis and why is it used for Lyme disease?

Cryptolepis sanguinolenta is a medicinal plant indigenous to West Africa, traditionally used as an antimalarial. Its primary active constituent, cryptolepine, is an alkaloid that intercalates into bacterial DNA and disrupts cell membrane integrity.

Can I take these herbal supplements alongside my antibiotic prescription for Lyme?

Cryptolepis, Cat's Claw, and Artemisinin are not known to have direct pharmacokinetic interactions with doxycycline - the most common Lyme antibiotic. However, herbal alkaloids (particularly cryptolepine) do modulate CYP enzymes and can affect the metabolism of other medications.

What is a Herxheimer reaction and what should I do if I have one?

A Herxheimer reaction (or 'herx') is a temporary increase in symptoms - fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, night sweats, nausea - thought to occur when dying bacteria release endotoxins faster than the body can clear them. In Lyme protocols, herx reactions are common and often interpreted as a sign that the protocol is active.

How is this different from taking Cat's Claw or Cryptolepis individually?

Individual herbs address single biological targets. This protocol covers five distinct mechanisms simultaneously: two antimicrobial herbs targeting different phases of Borrelia (log phase and stationary phase), Artemisinin for co-infection coverage, BPC-157 + KPV for the neuroinflammatory and gut-immune damage that chronic infection creates, and NAC for glutathione restoration.

STRICTLY practitioner-supervised. Do not use without guidance from a qualified healthcare provider.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.