Lyme Disease? Why This Natural Supplement Is Exactly What You Need
5 minute read
Lyme disease is a highly infectious disease that is caused by bacteria transmitted by ticks. These ticks are most commonly found in woodland and grassy areas, but the disease can spread easily and end up anywhere.
The typical symptoms of Lyme disease are similar to those of the flu, and the usual course of treatment is antibiotics. However, there is also a more natural option for you to relieve symptoms hiding in your spice rack.
The Perfect Spice for Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is treatable, but it is best to start treatment sooner rather than later. It can be hard to identify because the symptoms are similar to that of the flu. You may also notice a rash which can distinguish the disease from other illnesses.
If left untreated, your symptoms can become worse, and you may develop new ones, including joint pain, facial paralysis, meningitis, and cognitive impairment.
Antibiotics help treat Lyme disease, but you may have more natural options available. Turmeric is a spice commonly used in cooking but has long been used in traditional medicines thanks to its healing properties. There is no evidence yet that turmeric can treat Lyme disease, but it can definitely alleviate the symptoms.
Highly bioavailable turmeric is a popular supplement these days. Once only considered to be a spice, turmeric now is used in the same medicinal ways that ancient Chinese and Indian cultures used it.
Curcumin is the main compound in the spice, and it possesses strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties allow turmeric to heal, cure and treat a variety of common diseases.
How Turmeric Helps With Lyme Disease
Turmeric has not been proven to effectively cure Lyme disease, so medications will still be needed. What turmeric can do is efficiently relieve you of the uncomfortable symptoms associated with Lyme disease. These include a variety of issues.
Reduce Rashes
The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric have allowed it to be used for centuries to treat skin conditions. Rashes, like those with Lyme disease, are almost always caused by inflammation or at least made worse by it. Curcumin has been shown to successfully inhibit inflammatory chemicals, thereby reducing skin irritation.
The antioxidant properties of turmeric also allow it to speed up skin healing, providing a well-rounded approach to reducing Lyme disease rashes.
Relieve Flu-Like Symptoms
Turmeric has been used in studies involving the flu because of its antiviral characteristics. The spice, as well as turmeric milk, have been successfully used to treat flu symptoms. With several symptoms of Lyme disease being similar to the flu, turmeric can help alleviate them in this case too.
Turmeric can reduce coughing, the production of mucus, reduce inflammation, and alleviate fever. In addition to this, turmeric has been shown to boost immune responses because of its immuno-modulating abilities.
Treat Joint Pain
In many cases of Lyme disease, the inflammation causes swelling and pain in the joints. Turmeric has the ability to reduce inflammation in a few different ways. It works to inhibit the activity of several inflammatory chemicals and also inhibits certain proteins that regulate inflammation. This allows turmeric to reduce inflammation and relieve joint pain associated with Lyme disease.
Although research has only shown its effectiveness with arthritis, the joint inflammation with Lyme disease is similar, and can, therefore, be helped too.
Reduce Fatigue and Aches
Because Lyme disease can be challenging to diagnose, it can get left untreated in many cases. When this happens, fatigue and body aches are common problems. In many cases the body aches get so bad, individuals are unable to get out of bed.
Turmeric reduces inflammation and reduces the pain that causes fatigue, but it also helps to alleviate fatigue in another way. The antioxidant properties of turmeric stimulate your body’s natural antioxidant defenses, which increases stamina.
Help With Cognitive Problems
Undiagnosed Lyme disease can lead to neurological and cognitive problems. The inflammation associated with the disease can spread to the brain and nerve roots, causing neurological damage. The results can be meningitis, facial paralysis, depression, sleep disturbances, and memory impairment.
| Related: How Much Turmeric You Need to Enjoy Its Benefits |
Turmeric is both a neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory agent allowing it to help with these symptoms effectively. Neuropathic pain (tingling) is common with Lyme disease, and turmeric has the ability to attenuate these pains.
The Bottom Line
Turmeric may add flavor and beautiful colors to your meals, but there is more to this spice than taste alone. Long used for its medicinal properties, turmeric (and curcumin) is a valuable resource to have on hand.
Besides fighting inflammation and promoting health every day, you can use turmeric to treat the many symptoms of Lyme disease. Even if you are not living in woody and grassy areas, it is always better to be prepared. Turmeric can help you do this.
