BUHNER PROTOCOL
Updated: Oct 24
The Buhner protocol comes up all the time, since it's one of the most mentioned herbal protocols for Lyme and co-infections. I wanted to gather the key information in one place for you, so it's easy to find when it comes up.
Short on time or energy? A quick-view graphic with the key points is at the bottom of this post.
WHO WAS STEPHEN BUHNER?
-Stephen Harrod Buhner was a well-known herbalist and author, best known for his book Healing Lyme.
-LymeDisease.org shared that he passed away on December 8, 2022.
HIS BOOKS
-Healing Lyme, second edition (2015): the place to start for his core Lyme protocol.
-Healing Lyme Disease Coinfections: Complementary and Holistic Treatments for Bartonella and Mycoplasma (2013).
-Natural Treatments for Lyme Coinfections: Anaplasma, Babesia, and Ehrlichia (2015).
HIS APPROACH
-Buhner's books focus on supporting the body, such as protecting the tissues the infection targets, supporting the immune system and calming inflammation, along with herbs that work against the infection.
-He was not against antibiotics, and his books say his herbs can be taken along with them.
HIS CORE LYME HERBS
-Japanese knotweed
-Cat's claw
-Andrographis
-His book also adds other herbs depending on a person's needs. Please see Healing Lyme, second edition, for the full protocol.
HIS BABESIA AND BARTONELLA HERBS
-Babesia: His book Natural Treatments for Lyme Coinfections builds his Babesia protocol around Cryptolepis, Bidens pilosa, artemisinin and Sida acuta, along with supporting herbs. His CSA formula, made with Woodland Essence, combines Cryptolepis, Sida acuta and Alchornea.
-Bartonella: His Bartonella protocol includes Japanese knotweed and Sida acuta, with an optional Isatis, Houttuynia and Alchornea tincture, plus supporting herbs. See the full list in my Bartonella - Possible Solutions post.
WHAT THE RESEARCH SHOWS
-In a 2020 Johns Hopkins lab study, Cryptolepis was the strongest herb tested against Lyme bacteria, and Japanese knotweed was also strong against both the active and resting forms. Cat's claw was active against the resting form, while andrographis showed little or no activity.
-In 2021 lab studies from the same group, Cryptolepis stood out against Babesia, and Japanese knotweed was also active. Against Bartonella, black walnut, Cryptolepis and Japanese knotweed were the most active.
-ILADEF, a sister organization of ILADS, shares an article by Dr. Bill Rawls on herbs studied for Bartonella and Babesia, including several of the same herbs.
-These were lab studies, so human studies are still needed, and the researchers caution against treating yourself with these herbs.
-A 2023 review notes that andrographis and cat's claw may add to the effects of blood thinners and blood pressure medicines, so check with your doctor if you take these.
WHERE TO GET THE HERBS
-Woodland Essence makes formulas created with Stephen Buhner and herbalist Kate Gilday. Check my Ways to Save page for current discounts.
-Wildcraft Herbs offers blends inspired by the Buhner protocol, and their herbs are tested by an unaffiliated third-party lab. Save 10% with code RISEABOVE (minimum order applies).
-Single herbs: product suggestions are included in each of my herb posts above, if interested.
-Every Lyme doctor has their own approach, and that's okay. Talk with your doctor before starting any herbal protocol.
RELATED POSTS
Wildcraft Herbs
Lyme Protocols
Books About Lyme Protocols
Cowden Protocol
SOURCES
ILADEF (ILADS's sister organization) - Dr. Bill Rawls, Herbs for Bartonella and Babesia
LymeDisease.org - Herbalist and Healing Lyme author Stephen Buhner has died (December 2022)
Integrative Medicine: A Clinician's Journal - A comprehensive review of herbal supplements used for persistent symptoms attributed to Lyme disease (March 2023)
Bay Area Lyme Foundation - Herbal medicines demonstrate potency against Bartonella, Johns Hopkins lab study (August 2021, older source, still worth reading)
Bay Area Lyme Foundation - Five herbal medicines potent against babesiosis in lab (March 2021, older source, still worth reading)
NCBI/PubMed - Feng et al., Evaluation of natural and botanical medicines for activity against growing and non-growing forms of B. burgdorferi, Frontiers in Medicine (February 2020, older source, still worth reading)
Bay Area Lyme Foundation - Seven herbal medicines are capable of killing Lyme disease bacteria, Johns Hopkins lab study (February 2020, older source, still worth reading)
Stephen Buhner - Healing Lyme, second edition, book (2015, older source, still worth reading)
Stephen Buhner - Natural Treatments for Lyme Coinfections: Anaplasma, Babesia, and Ehrlichia, book (2015, older source, still worth reading)
Stephen Buhner - Healing Lyme Disease Coinfections: Complementary and Holistic Treatments for Bartonella and Mycoplasma, book (2013, older source, still worth reading)
Disclaimer: Rise Above Lyme makes no claims about any possible benefit of using any product mentioned within this site. Always consult with your doctor before adding anything. The information shared is based on personal experience, years of accumulated researched resources from Lyme Literate doctors and polls conducted within Lyme groups from actual patient experience using these solution ideas.
Comments