The Buhner Protocol for Lyme Disease: A Holistic, Herbal Approach to Healing
How Functional Medicine and Botanicals Can Help Restore Balance from Chronic Lyme and Co-Infections
Understanding the Challenge of Chronic Lyme Disease
Lyme disease, caused primarily by Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted through tick bites, is one of the most complex chronic illnesses in modern medicine. While antibiotics can be effective in acute infections, many patients continue to experience symptoms long after treatment—fatigue, joint pain, brain fog, insomnia, and neurological disturbances. (1)
This condition, often called Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS) or chronic Lyme, involves not only persistent bacterial forms but also immune dysregulation, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and toxin accumulation.(2)
At Denver Sports & Holistic Medicine, we approach Lyme as a multi-system illness—one that demands detoxification, immune support, mitochondrial repair, and microbial balancing. One of the most well-known integrative frameworks for doing this naturally is the Buhner Protocol, developed by herbalist and researcher Stephen Harrod Buhner. (3)
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What Is the Buhner Protocol?
The Buhner Protocol is a plant-based, multi-phase treatment strategy designed to:
Inhibit the growth of Borrelia and its coinfections
Support immune function and inflammation control
Protect collagen and nerve tissue from bacterial damage
Enhance detoxification and tissue repair
Unlike short-term antibiotic therapies, the Buhner approach uses botanicals with antimicrobial, immune-modulating, and anti-inflammatory properties that can be safely taken over months, supporting the body’s natural resilience. (4)
Core Herbal Components
Buhner’s core formula targets Borrelia burgdorferi directly while protecting tissues and modulating inflammation. Each herb serves a specific function:
These herbs work synergistically to weaken bacterial biofilms, reduce oxidative stress, and restore immune balance—key for those who have struggled for years with persistent Lyme symptoms. (5)
Coinfection Support
Lyme rarely travels alone. Common coinfections like Babesia and Bartonella add layers of complexity, often explaining lingering symptoms despite prior treatment. (6,7)
Cryptolepis sanguinolenta – antimicrobial against Borrelia, Babesia, and Bartonella.
Artemisia annua (Sweet Wormwood) – effective against Babesia microti and other protozoa.
Houttuynia cordata – used for Bartonella henselae infections, vascular and neurological symptoms.
Isatis tinctoria – antiviral and anti-inflammatory, helpful in viral co-factors.
At DSHM, we tailor these additions based on each patient’s infection profile, immune markers, and detox capacity.
Phased Approach to Healing
We often adapt the Buhner framework into four clinical phases, ensuring safe progression and minimal Herxheimer (die-off) reactions:
Phase 1: Detox and Terrain Support (Weeks 1–4)
Before addressing pathogens, we prepare the body:
Milk Thistle to protect the liver
Red Root to clear lymphatic stagnation
Mitochondrial support: CoQ10, Acetyl-L-Carnitine, PQQ
Binders and gentle detox support
Nervous system regulation: acupuncture, breathwork, and sleep optimization
Phase 2: Core Antimicrobial Herbs (Months 1–6+)
Introduce Japanese Knotweed, Cat’s Claw, Chinese Skullcap, and Andrographis.
Start low, increase gradually.
Continue foundational detox and mitochondrial support.
Monitor labs, energy levels, and symptom trends.
Phase 3: Coinfection Targeting (Months 3–12)
Add Cryptolepis and Artemisia for Babesia, or Houttuynia and Isatis for Bartonella.
Cycle herbs if necessary.
Maintain liver and gut support to prevent overload.
Phase 4: Maintenance and Long-Term Restoration
After improvement, herbs can be tapered to maintenance levels while continuing immune and mitochondrial support.
Focus shifts to rebuilding tissue integrity, gut health, hormone balance, and stress resilience.
Scientific Support and Limitations
Recent reviews have shown that several herbs used in the Buhner Protocol—Japanese Knotweed, Cat’s Claw, Skullcap, Cryptolepis, Artemisia, and Thyme—demonstrate in-vitro antimicrobial activity against Borrelia burgdorferi and related pathogens.
However, large-scale human trials are limited. Clinical outcomes rely on personalized use, careful titration, and practitioner oversight. For chronic Lyme, where immune dysregulation and inflammation persist, this protocol’s strength lies in its multisystem support, not a single “kill strategy.”
Integrating the Buhner Protocol with Functional Medicine
At Denver Sports & Holistic Medicine, we rarely use any protocol in isolation. The most successful Lyme recovery plans include:
Mycotoxin and heavy-metal detox (to reduce body burden)
Adrenal and thyroid optimization
Mitochondrial support for fatigue and muscle weakness
Infrared sauna, red-light therapy, and acupuncture
Nutrient repletion: magnesium, zinc, B-vitamins, omega-3s
Lifestyle: clean nutrient-dense diet, toxin-free environment, reduce EMF and blue light exposure, sleep hygiene, stress reduction, and gentle movement
This whole-systems approach supports the body’s innate ability to restore balance, not just suppress infection.
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Safety and Cautions
While botanical medicine is powerful, it’s not benign. Potential cautions include:
Herb-drug interactions (anticoagulants, antihypertensives, hypoglycemics)
Allergic reactions (less common)
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Herxheimer reactions (temporary symptom worsening from die-off from toxin mobilization)
Start low, go slow, and partner with a qualified practitioner experienced in both Lyme disease and detoxification pathways.
Functional Medicine Approach at DSHM
Healing Lyme disease isn’t just about killing microbes—it’s about restoring the body’s ability to self-regulate.
At Denver Sports & Holistic Medicine, we combine herbal medicine, advanced functional testing, and evidence-based detox strategies to help patients reclaim their energy, clarity, and vitality.
Whether you’re struggling with chronic fatigue, neurological symptoms, or persistent infections after antibiotic treatment, we create personalized, integrative protocols rooted in your body’s unique biochemistry.
You can replace everything from “Ready to Take Back Your Health?” downward with this.
Next Step
Chronic Lyme disease and post-treatment Lyme symptoms reflect complex immune dysregulation, inflammatory signaling, mitochondrial stress, and toxic burden—often requiring a multi-system, integrative strategy rather than a single intervention.
At Denver Sports & Holistic Medicine, care focuses on restoring immune balance, supporting detoxification pathways, rebuilding mitochondrial function, and addressing persistent infections using personalized botanical and functional medicine approaches.
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A free 15-minute consultation with Dr. Martina Sturm is available to explain this approach, answer questions, and outline next steps for addressing chronic Lyme and co-infections.
FAQs: The Buhner Protocol for Lyme Disease
How long does the Buhner Protocol take to work?
Healing timelines vary based on infection burden, immune resilience, detox capacity, and overall health. Many individuals remain on core herbs for 6–12+ months, with detoxification, immune, and mitochondrial support continuing as needed throughout recovery.
Can the Buhner Protocol be combined with antibiotics?
At Denver Sports & Holistic Medicine, we do not routinely combine the Buhner Protocol with antibiotics. In chronic Lyme and post-treatment cases, botanical protocols are typically used as part of a broader, systems-based approach focused on immune regulation, detoxification, mitochondrial support, and tissue repair rather than continued antimicrobial escalation.
Any use of pharmaceuticals is evaluated on an individual basis, with careful consideration of gut integrity, immune resilience, and overall toxic burden.
Which herbs are most important for Lyme disease?
Core herbs typically include Japanese Knotweed, Cat’s Claw, Andrographis, and Chinese Skullcap. Additional herbs such as Cryptolepis or Artemisia may be introduced when coinfections like Babesia or Bartonella are present.
Is the Buhner Protocol safe?
Botanical medicine is powerful and must be personalized. Some herbs can interact with medications, affect blood pressure or blood sugar, or be inappropriate during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Protocols should be guided by a practitioner experienced in Lyme disease and detoxification pathways, with dosing introduced slowly to minimize Herxheimer reactions.
Does the Buhner Protocol work for chronic Lyme disease?
The Buhner Protocol is most commonly used for chronic or persistent Lyme disease, including cases with ongoing symptoms after antibiotic treatment. Its strength lies in addressing immune dysregulation, inflammation, mitochondrial stress, and tissue damage alongside antimicrobial support, rather than focusing on bacterial eradication alone.
Can the Buhner Protocol help with Lyme coinfections like Babesia and Bartonella?
Yes. The protocol includes specific botanical strategies for common coinfections such as Babesia and Bartonella. Herbs like Cryptolepis, Artemisia, Houttuynia, and Isatis are often selected based on symptom patterns, lab findings, and individual tolerance.
What are common Herxheimer reactions with the Buhner Protocol?
Herxheimer reactions may include temporary fatigue, body aches, headaches, brain fog, flu-like symptoms, or symptom flares as microbial die-off and toxin mobilization occur. Gradual dosing, detox support, hydration, and nervous system regulation help minimize these reactions.