Artemisia (Artemisia annua)

Artemisinin, the primary chemical compound found in artemisia, is a potent anti-parasitic (it kills parasites) that is commonly used for treatment of malaria. Activity is primarily limited to blood parasites; general antibacterial activity is limited. Artemisia is primarily indicated when Babesia is suspected as a coinfection in Lyme disease.

Suggested dosage: Depends on the preparation used. Artemisia should not be taken for longer than 7 days. Potency quickly declines with extended use. The dose can be repeated after 3 weeks.

Side effects: Significant risk of neurotoxicity (damage to nervous tissue) with extended use. Never use more than 1-2 months.

Artemisinin is a supplement that is being used as a naturopathic treatment of lyme disease.

Lyme is caused by the spirochaetes bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans by an infected deer tick.

Only about 50-80 percent of people with Lyme Disease develop a skin infection rash called erythema migrans that looks like a bull’s-eye.

The standard treatment is with antibiotics.

The disease is named after Old Lyme, Connecticut in the USA where several cases occurred in 1975. Any forest, garden or park where ticks may be is a potential place of infection.

Co-infections are also possible. These include: Babesia, Ehrlichia, Bartonella, mycoplasma, and the viruses of Epstein-Barr and HHV-6 (human herpes-6).

Artemisinin is a natural plant extract from Artemisia Annua that has several immune boosting properties. It is used to treat malaria and has shown promising anti-cancer effects. When using Artemisinin for lyme disease, it is typical to combine this supplement with other herbs and drugs