Summertime Has Hit… Let’s Keep Away Those Treacherous Ticks!

Whenever summertime rolls around, the necessity to keep away pests that can harm our health increases. Some of the most concerning ones are the tiny ticks that harbor various pathogens. These blood-sucking, spitting vectors can attach to our bodies and transmit their scary microbes. Borrelia burgdorferi, which can lead to Lyme disease, and its various co-infections are some of the most well-known.

So, to spare you the misery of having these creepy crawlers ruin your summer and your health, I want to provide you with some information to arm yourself against Lyme disease. First, I will give you an overview of Lyme disease. I will then discuss factors that are often missed as contributors to chronic Lyme disease symptoms. Finally, I will highlight key concepts for healing from chronic Lyme disease from three of my most popular, previously-aired interviews on the Essential Oil Revolution podcast. These shows featured renowned, internationally recognized, Lyme-literate practitioners.

We will cover:

  • Why Lyme disease is so scary
  • How modern medicine is missing persistent Lyme symptoms
  • Overlooked contributors to chronic Lyme disease in conventional care
  • Integrative approaches to treating chronic Lyme disease. These include:
    • considering vagal tone and safety
    • assessing the connection between Lyme disease, autoimmunity, and other chronic conditions
    • merging holistic, naturopathic treatments for Lyme disease with preventative strategies

As always, all the additional references, links to studies, and resources will be available in this accompanying article.

So, let’s get started.

 

Why is Lyme Disease So Scary?

Lyme disease results from an active infection of any of the several pathogenic members of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex (Bbsl) species. It is reported to be the most common vector-borne illness in the United States and Europe.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that approximately 476,000 people will contract Lyme disease annually. Furthermore, 10-20% of the population in the U.S. and Europe are chronically impacted by it.

Though this is changing, many conventional doctors and individuals still are not aware that Lyme disease, and its co-infections, can be a contributing factor to various underlying and ongoing illnesses and symptoms. This is due to the impact of the bacteria on multiple organ systems, as evidence by its stages of clinical manifestations. The first phase involves flu-like symptoms and may manifest into localized growing rash, referred to as erythema migrans. The second stage is the early disseminated stage. It can present with more severe symptoms affecting the heart, blood vessels, nervous system, and more.

Unfortunately, many healthcare providers only address the acute infection of Lyme disease. They do not monitor for persistent symptoms or systemic effects. In fact, most physicians stop following up with their patients after they provide the standard of care treatments of antibiotics.

According to a recent article in Frontiers in Medicine that analyzed 253 Lyme Disease patients:

  • Only one-third of people (35%) with ongoing early-stage Lyme disease symptoms returned to their doctor. This is concerning because without intervention this could progress to chronic Lyme disease.
  • Less than 25% (23%) of Lyme patients with early signs or symptoms tested positive under CDC guidelines. This highlights the prominent issue of accurate diagnostics and testing for Lyme disease.*
  • 21% (1 in 5 people) reported ongoing Lyme symptoms after three months, such as joint and muscle pain and fatigue.

Along with inadequate follow-up, patients are also not offered a holistic approach. By only “killing the bug,” and not addressing the underlying lifestyle, bioecological, and socioeconomic factors, their issues may not fully resolve.

*Note: Just recently the FDA cleared the IGeneX ImmunoBlot, a more accurate and sensitive test for Lyme. This is a major breakthrough for better diagnostics. Read more about it here from one of our featured experts, Dr. Moorcroft.

 

Overlooked Contributors to Chronic Lyme Disease Symptoms

As mentioned, I have had the pleasure of interviewing several Lyme disease experts on the Essential Oil Revolution podcast. They shared with me several often-missed aspects of what can contribute to persistent symptoms of Lyme disease.

These factors should be considered in anyone who has a history of a Lyme infection and still experiences chronic symptoms. By alleviating some of these additional strains on the physical body and immune system, sufferers can enhance resiliency and revive their inner terrain to heal at deeper levels.

1. Mold

Mold has an intricate connection to Lyme disease and exposure to it, as well as other biotoxins from the environment, can lead to chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS). I have seen many clients get a tick bite and then get exposed to mold. The resultant havoc on their body caused from this is intense and often complicates healing from Chronic Lyme disease. Therefore, the environment must be addressed to fully eradicate symptoms.

2. Toxic Teeth

There is a link between the microbiome in your mouth and disease processes. Poor oral health can cause inflammation as pathogens takeover of the mouth. These detrimental bugs can disseminate systemically and weaken the immune system. This can make it more challenging to recover from chronic Lyme and its co-infections.

Furthermore, although it may seem controversial, there is some evidence that spirochetes and various other critters can hide in crevices of our teeth. For instance, there was mention of a case in the literature of molecular detection of Bartonella quintana DNA in the dental pulp of a homeless patient.

It is believed that our canines are like hiding places for the bugs to escape the surveillance of our immune system. When the “coast is clear,” these spirochetes can then spread systemically.

3. Addressing Parasites and Co-Infections

Borrelia is often accompanied by co-infections, including Babesia, Bartonella, and more. Many have different treatments than Borrelia alone and symptoms can continue if all aren’t addressed.

4. Supporting Detoxification

Toxins in our environment can compromise immunity and make healing from any chronic issue more of a challenge. Mold on top of Lyme disease is a good example of reaching the threshold of Total Toxic Load (the accumulation of toxins vs. the body’s ability to excrete and metabolize them).

There are several ways to support detoxification in the body. Essential oils are one modality that enhances removing chemicals from our bodies as they shield us from some of the dangers of mold.

5. Addressing the Neurological Impact of Lyme Disease

According to Medical News Today:

Neurologic Lyme disease — also called neuroborreliosis or Lyme neuroborreliosis — occurs in up to 15%  of people with Lyme disease. In every 100 cases of Lyme disease, there are approximately nine with facial palsy, four with radiculoneuropathy, and two with meningitis or encephalitis.

One way to address the neurological impact of chronic Lyme, besides clearing the infectious cause, is addressing nervous system (vagal) tone. This can help one heal the chronic nervous system stimulation that leads to shut down and compromises a state of rejuvenation.

6. The Right Mindset

The interconnection between the mind and body has become much more accepted by mainstream medicine. The effects of emotional stress on psychology and biology has made it evident that what we think about and our perceptions of a situation literally can modulate our physiology. Furthermore, scientific research has long validated how the power of belief impacts treatment results through the placebo effect. (This includes believing one can heal.) These are just a few examples that have proven that one’s mindset, thoughts, and expectations can affect physical health and emotional balance. Therefore, one must have hope that they can recover from Lyme disease.

7. Building a Community of Support

Relationships have a powerful impact on the risk for heart disease and other health conditions. In fact, isolation is now known as a major predictor of heart disease mortality and various other disease processes. On the flip side, healthy relationships are linked to better emotional and physical health. Having a supportive community can make a huge difference in achieving lasting recovery.

 

Integrative Approaches to Lyme Disease

Now that we have a background on Lyme disease and its chronicity, I want to highlight the three experts I had on the Essential Oil Revolution and provide you with links to their interviews and show notes. In this way, you will have more empowering information on how to handle Lyme disease in a comprehensive way.

Each of these guests offer a rich and beautiful tapestry of whole person, individualized, mind-body-spirit care. I hope you enjoy these conversations and share them with those who need them.

 

1. The Polyvagal Theory, Essential Oils, and Hope in Healing Chronic, Complex Illnesses with Dr. Thomas Moorcroft, DO (Ep. 386)

Dr. Moorcroft’s extensive training in treating mysterious illnesses has made him a sought-after global leader and presenter on the topics of tick-born infections, mold illness, mast cell activation syndrome, and children with infection-induced autoimmune encephalitis (PANS/PANDAS). He has a unique way of blending natural approaches with conventional ones while holding with reverence the healing journey of his patients and honoring their innate capacity to heal.

This is why when I heard Dr. Moorcroft speak, I was determined to have him on the Essential Oil Revolution podcast to share his inspiring message of transformation.

During the show, Dr. Moorcroft and I discuss why he feels it is so important to have a mindset of hope in order to heal, why feeling safe is necessary for a positive shift to occur, and important ways one can nurture their vagus nerve to revitalize their health. Dr. Moorcroft also provides us with some important tips to consider when one has tick-born infections and other chronic diagnoses.

Importantly, we also weave in how essential oils are vagal nerve modulators that support the vagus nerve’s influence on our physiology, psychology, and biochemistry. Through various mechanisms, these plant secondary metabolites can enhance our brain health, mood, and calm our reactive nervous system down.

The feeling of safety that emerges from aromatherapy allows for more rational response patterns to life and in relationships. It complements the polyvagal theory in that essential oil applications also modulate one’s ability to heal, grow, and release trauma.

Dr. Moorcroft, AKA “Dr. Tom”, was very generous in his time, and it was such an honor to have him on the Essential Oil Revolution. He really dives into a mind-body-spirit connection and the importance of taking tiny steps for lasting change.

You will want to gift yourself the pleasure of listening to the full episode, so you don’t miss anything!

 

2. Autoimmunity, Lyme Disease, and Essential Oils with Dr. Jaquel Patterson, ND, MBA, IFMCP (Ep. 385)

Dr. Patterson, a trail-blazing pioneer and passionate physician, joined us on the show to share her expertise in Lyme disease and autoimmunity. It is based on her first-hand experience of being diagnosed with both and how she successfully treated them for herself and her patients using naturopathic and functional medicine.

Her mission, since her own successful resolution, is to make integrative care accessible to everyone. As you listen-in, you will witness her gentle, authentic, yet fierce drive and determination that she displays in her multiple roles as a doctor, business coach, and entrepreneur.

I was honored to have Dr. Patterson as our guest and I’m excited for you to get to know her, as I was fortunate enough to. We both have the same alma mater, the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine.

Dr. Patterson has earned her prominent place as an international leader in integrative medicine and an expert in healing many chronic and hard-to treat conditions. She is an author, lecturer, presenter, educator, and sought-after physician.

This show is jam-packed with a lot of information on autoimmunity and Lyme disease and how hormones affect both. We also weave in how essential oils fit into these conditions and how impactful they can be.

Be sure to listen to the full episode here so you don’t miss anything.

 

3. An Integrative Approach to the Treatment and Prevention of Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases with Dr. Alexis Chesney, MS, ND, LAc (Ep. 421)

In this episode of the Essential Oil Revolution, I was honored to be joined by yet another prestigious and exalted guest, Dr. Alexis Chesney. She is an internationally esteemed naturopathic physician, acupuncturist, author, researcher, lecturer, educator, patient advocate, and specialist in treating Lyme and tick-borne diseases.

During the show, Dr. Chesney and I discussed how to approach and holistically address Lyme disease and tick-borne illnesses. Most importantly, we reviewed how to prevent a tick from using you as its next blood meal, including through the use of essential oils. Although we touched upon the complexity and chronicity of tick-borne diseases with the previous two interviews, this podcast fully highlights prevention and an integrated, holistic approach to treatment.

As a renowned naturopathic doctor, Dr. Chesney is the perfect person to shed light on this topic, as she is the master of all things related to vector-borne diseases and prevention. In fact, as the leading expert on this topic, she literally wrote the book and course on it! Dr. Chesney published Preventing Lyme & Other Tick-Borne Diseases in 2020 and she just recently released her premier course, Preventing Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease.

Dr. Chesney is also the creator of the Tick Preparedness Kit, a one-stop first-aid kit for a tick bite that provides prophylactic support. It includes her herbal remedies that are masterfully formulated for each specific tick. This is an imperative tool that Dr. Chesney filled the need for, because immediate intervention is paramount.

You will want to tune into the full episode where we discuss:

  • Why we should care about prevention of Lyme disease and tick-borne illnesses and who is most at risk (9 min)
  • How to know if you are in a tick endemic area and what ticks may cause tick-borne illnesses (10 min)
  • The myth of tick season and if ticks can really live in the cold (14 min)
  • Does size matter with ticks? (15 min)
  • The best way to identify a tick (16 min)
  • How long does a tick need to be on you to transmit a tick-borne disease? (16 min 30 sec)
  • The caveats of Lyme testing and the accuracy of different methods (18 min)
  • The many ways Lyme disease hides in the body and why doxycycline may not completely eradicate it (24 min)
  • How to effectively treat a tick bite by combining pharmaceuticals, herbals, and essential oils (27 min)
  • How herbals and essential oils treat more than the infection (30 min)
  • The power of Andrographis for several aspects of Lyme disease, including a really disgusting one (31 min)
  • The components of Dr. Chesney’s Tick Preparedness Kit (35 min)
  • Can you use essential oils with homeopathic remedies? (39 min)
  • How to prevent ticks in the environment based on the life stage of the tick and white-footed mice (41 min)
  • The confusion around studies with essential oils as tick repellents (44 min)
  • A non-toxic essential oil blend that can be used on the yard to repel ticks for 2 weeks (46 min)
  • Specific essential oils and oil-based formulation shown to be good tick repellents, when combined with other measures (49 min)
  • Six for ticks: Why you may not want to wash your clothes after you’ve been in an area with ticks (52 min)
  • How diligent we need to be about tick awareness and taking precautions (53 min)
  • An overview of Dr. Chesney’s course (55 min)

Listen to the full episode.

 

Summary of An Integrative Approach to Lyme Disease

Chronic Lyme disease is an often overlooked and underappreciated contributor to many unexplained lingering symptoms and disease processes. Understanding the factors that can contribute to its virulence can assist with restoring resiliency and reviving the immune system. These aspects include mold and toxin exposure, co-infections, neurological and vagal tone, the right mindset, social support systems, and dental health.

Integrative health providers in Lyme Disease offer comprehensive and integrative care for those with chronic Lyme disease. Focusing on the link between vagal tone and safety, autoimmunity and chronic conditions, and prevention and holistic treatment offer hope and healing to many patients who have suffered for far too long.

I’d love to hear from you about your experience with Lyme disease and if you tried essential oils and holistic treatments for treatment and prevention. Feel free to comment below.

Sending many blessings.

 

Interested in Learning More About Essential Oils?

 

Resources:

What is Ylang Ylang Essential Oil and Why You Should Care?

In this video blog, I will highlight one of my all-time favorite essential oils, Ylang ylang. This sweet-smelling aromatic essence from the flower of the Cananga odorata tree is a beloved for its enticing scent and harmonizing mind-body-heart benefits.

I’ve compiled all the details you would want to know about this cherished essential oil. Based on its impressive properities, I think you’ll come to discover why ylang ylang oil has earned such a prominent place within my naturopathic medicine articles and my essential oils database.

Topics include:

  • Ylang ylang’s origins and background
  • The allure of ylang ylang oil in the perfume industry
  • Active compounds in ylang ylang oil
  • Traditional and aromatic uses of ylang ylang oil
  • Clinical trials with ylang ylang oil
  • Ylang ylang oil’s potential impact on memory

As always, all the links to the studies, references, and resources can be found within this accompanying blog.

So, let’s get started.

 

The Origins of Ylang Ylang Oil

Ylang-Ylang (Cananga odorata) is a tall evergreen tree from the Annonaceae family, reaching up to 100 ft. It features drooping branches and fragrant yellow flowers that can be smelled from 30 ft. away. Native to Indonesia, it is common in Southeast Asia, the Philippines, and Polynesia.

The flowers are used for the distillation process and are picked at sunrise, when their aroma is the most intense. This fact that the plant’s odor is strongest from dusk to dawn suggests a certain magnetism.

The essential oils extracted are extensively utilized across various industries. In the cosmetic industry, they serve as key constituents of perfumes and fragrances. In the food industry, they are employed as ingredients for aromas and flavors. Additionally, in the pharmaceutical sector, these essential oils are incorporated as active components in antibacterial products and they are also used in aromatherapy.

There are two species of ylang ylang oil (C. odorata and C. latifolia). They have different chemical makeups and their chemotypes (constituents within a species) can vary. For example, C. odorata var. fruticosa, or dwarf ylang ylang, is a variety that is popularly grown in Southeast Asia. Its essential oils come from a small shrub with highly scented flowers that are often used in the perfume industry.

 

The Famous Allure of Ylang Ylang’s Scent and Marylin Monroe

Ylang ylang oil’s odor has made it a popular alluring, feminine signature scent. The perfume industry has capitalized on this. In fact, it classifies ylang ylang into four grades based on its fragrant quality: Extra, First, Second, and Third. The Extra quality oil is higher in strongly odoriferous molecules such as linalool, and this is considered the elite grade in perfumery.

It appears I am in good company with many women who have found ylang ylang’s scent appealing. In fact, this essential oil was deemed to be one of the three ingredients in Chanel #5. This is the well-known perfume of Marilyn Monroe and preferred perfume of other famous celebrities.

However, ylang ylang is much more than a beautiful aroma. It has many therapeutic properties based on its biochemical makeup.

 

Active Compounds in Ylang Ylang Oil

According to an article in the Journal of Experimental Biology, ylang ylang’s most dominant constituent is the monoterpene, linalool. Other major compounds within it belong to the category of sesquiterpenes. Together, these synergistic compounds are calming, neuroprotective, and have immune supportive effects.

According to the above-mentioned research paper, the following predominant compounds make up ylang ylang oil found in Madagascar:

  • the volatile terpenes benzenoid and phenylpropanoid
  • the monoterpene linalool (19%)
  • two sesquiterpenes, B-caryophyllene (10.7%) and germacrene D (10.3%)
  • more than 20% of other aromatic compounds such as p-methylanisole, benzyl benzoate, methyl benzoate, and benzyl salicylate.

A 2015 article in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine reported in more detail the complexity of the compounds that make up ylang ylang oil. The authors categorized its composition based on oxygenated and hydrocarbon factions of the oil. These consisted of the following groups:

  • monoterpenes (organic compounds made up of two isoprene units, molecular formula C10H16, can by cyclic)
  • sesquiterpenes (organic compounds of three isoprene units, often have the molecular formula C15H24, can by cylic)
  • aliphatic (organic hydrocarbons with no ring structure)
  • phenylproponids (organic compounds that are biosynthesized from the amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine)
  • nitrogen bearing compounds

The specific compounds found within each class are listed in this chart.

It’s important to note that as with all oils, distillation technique, plant location, environmental factors, manufacturing, and the species, chemotype, quality, and purity of the ylang ylang oil will impact the percentage of its compounds and the effects of the final product.

 

Traditional and Aromatic Uses of Ylang Ylang OIl

According to an article in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, C. odorata has traditionally been used to address malaria, stomach ailments, asthma, gout, and rheumatism.

The essential oil utilized in aromatherapy has been intended to alleviate depression, high blood pressure, and anxiety. It has also been shown to be supportive for skin issues.

Emotionally, ylang ylang oil is often included in blends to promote happiness, gratitude, and self-worth. Additionally, Ylang Ylang is regarded as an aphrodisiac.

I have used ylang ylang oil in my practice to support my clients’ mood, calm their brains and bodies, and enhance their self-esteem.

 

How Does Ylang Ylang Oil Calm the Mind-Body

Mechanistically, ylang ylang oil has been shown to interact with both the anti-inflammatory and proinflammatory responses of the central nervous system (CNS) to stress. Specifically, it affects the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis by decreasing glucocorticoid levels. It also impacts serotonin levels in the brain. These biochemical properties likely account for its calming effect on the nervous system.

 

Clinical Trials with Ylang Ylang Oil

In human studies, ylang ylang oil is most studied to have a relaxing effect on the heart, lowering elevated blood pressure.

One small study with ten volunteers compared the physiological impact of sniffing three different essential oils, a form of tea tree, patchouli, and ylang ylang. The researchers measured effects on various biological markers. The results indicated that ylang ylang (C. odorata):

  • decreased pulse rate
  • lowered blood pressure
  • had a relaxing effect
  • reduced the stress index
  • lowered the stress response in the brain (as measured by increased alpha brain activity)

In another clinical trial with 40 subjects, transdermal application of ylang ylang oil was also reported to lower blood pressure and increase skin temperature (a sign of enhanced circulation). The subjective measures of relaxation and calmness also improved.

One interesting human study with 29 men also demonstrated that the inhalation of ylang ylang oil in a fragranced room for 20 minutes decreased heart rate and lowered blood pressure. The researchers reported on the constituents and their intriguing methods:

We used the Ylang-Ylang oil containing linalool (13.6%), geranyl acetate (5.3%), caryophyllene (1.7%), p-cresyl ether (16.5%), methyl benzoate (8.7%), benzyl acetate (25.1%), benzyl benzoate (2.2%), and other sesquiterpenes (7.4%). In this study, we put 3 drops (0.15 cc) of Ylang-Ylang oil by using a pipette into a warm water (90°C) lamp and created incense. All of the subjects in YYG smelt a fragrance emerging from the lamp for 20 min.

This study caught my attention because of the heating of ylang ylang essential oil. This could cause damage to its constituents. Yet, the presence of the “active constituents” linalool and sesquiterpenes were preserved in their analysis. This likely accounted for the maintained positive benefits.

In another ylang ylang inhalation study, the results further supported its soothing properties. The authors reported the effect to be “harmonization and subjective,” lowering blood pressure while subjects reported remaining alert.

For all these reasons, ylang ylang is one of my go-to oils for supporting the vagal nerve’s parasympathetic activity of “rest and digest.”

 

Can Ylang Ylang Oil Negatively Impact Memory?

It’s clear from its biochemistry and clinical trials that ylang ylang can calm our hearts and heads and modulate stress patterns.

However, an often-reported study warns that it can negatively impact memory. This study consisted of 144 volunteers assigned to a control condition, peppermint oil, or ylang ylang oil. Compared to peppermint, ylang ylang had a calming effect but also demonstrated a decrease in memory.

This could be due to a variety of factors, but likely is related to perception and nervous system responses. For this reason, I either combine ylang ylang in a blend when cognitive power needs a boost or use it separately during down times.

 

Summary of Ylang Ylang Oil

Ylang ylang essential oil is not just a lovely aromatic ingredient for high-profile perfumes. As an essential oil, it is also be an amazing and non-toxic scent that is calming to the heart, head, and whole body. It has been shown to support mood, blood pressure, nervous system tone, and certain skin issues. Its aroma can also promote happiness and self-esteem.

For those wishing to relax their minds, support their physical and environmental health, and enhance their allure, I suggest inhaling, applying, and/or diffusing this pleasant aroma daily. (Note safety and proper usage.)

I’d love to hear from you on how you use ylang ylang oil and the benefits you receive from it.

Thank you so much for taking the time to learn how to nurture your mind, body, heart, and soul.

Sending you many blessings.

 

Interested in Learning More About Essential Oils?

 

Resources:

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Disclaimer: This material is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prescribe for any illness. You should check with your doctor regarding implementing any new strategies into your wellness regime. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. (Affiliation link.)

This information is applicable ONLY for therapeutic quality essential oils. This information DOES NOT apply to essential oils that have not been tested for purity and standardized constituents. There is no quality control in the United States, and oils labeled as “100% pure” need only to contain 5% of the actual oil. The rest of the bottle can be filled with fillers and sometimes toxic ingredients that can irritate the skin. The studies are not based solely on a specific brand of an essential oil, unless stated. Please read the full study for more information.

Thanks Pixabay and Canva.