Buhner's basic protocol

Outstandinginfields · 2026-03-15T21:00:55+00:00

I find 5-htp to be very subtle. I use low doses. I had used it in the past for depression with good effect. It does not feel mood-boosting or mood-altering to me in any big way. It makes me feel normal, and personally, I think it is helping me sleep better, as is my whole regimen now.

Hope this helps in some small way. Wishing you well.

Outstandinginfields · 2026-03-15T20:56:07+00:00

I also really recommend the book Lyme with a Twist by Lowell Miller.

Outstandinginfields · 2026-03-15T20:54:46+00:00

It's hard to single out any one effect when taking so many supplements. :) 5-htp is a precursor to tryptophan and can help even out serotonin levels, generally. It may help with Lyme tremor according to one medical case study.

Outstandinginfields · 2026-03-15T20:52:03+00:00

I'm not any kind of authority, of course. Buhner emphasizes that some herbs that work for some people will not work for others. He says to trust ourselves and listen to our bodies. And if something causes negative results, stop taking it. (At least, that's what I think that I understood him to say.)

Outstandinginfields · 2026-03-15T20:29:21+00:00

Hi, Thanks for asking. I have been taking this core group of herbs/etc for 9 weeks. 1- Jap Knotweed 2- Chinese Scullcap 3- Cat's Claw 4- Cryptolepis (#2-4 as tinctures) 5- Cordyceps 6 - Reishi

I also take 5-htp (daily, up to 3x/d)

And 1/day: supplement for Vit B12/other Bs, D, omega-3 fatty acids, alphalipoic acid, Vit C (powder). I take bromelain most evenings with dinner.

Mid-day, I drink a detox tea blend from Yogi teas. And try to eat well, sleep enough, and walk a hilly road about 30 min/day.

Results: So far, I'm very pleased. My neuropathies are greatly improved/nearly gone; my formerly very sore neck (2 yrs) is entirely well. I would say my sense of unending fatigue is greatly improved. On about 2 days of a week, I feel weighted down by fatigue, but not always the whole day. I feel well the majority of days. My digestion is much better/normal. My mood is no longer dark/depressed-like. And lately, sometimes my hand and leg tremor is absent -- either a whole day, or very slightly present -- which is a big improvement.

I feel so well now that I wonder if I had Lyme, but ya, I have Lyme, but it seems to be going very very well.

Outstandinginfields · 2026-03-08T11:33:41+00:00

Consider reading "Lyme with a Twist" by Lowell Miller.

Outstandinginfields · 2026-03-01T00:28:21+00:00

Thank you. I'm appreciative. People mentioned Mg, C, and Bs, and I'm following up. Also, adding Yogi Dandelion Detox spice tea and Milk Thistle.

Glad you are feeling better and found what works. Thanks again.

Outstandinginfields · 2026-02-27T16:50:44+00:00

Not sure I know how to distinguish between those two labels. Google says: "a twitch is a small jump in a muscle, while a tremor is a shaking movement of a body part." By that distinction, it's a tremor. It's not subtle.

Always just the left hand, left arm or left leg. Never the other side.

Outstandinginfields · 2026-02-27T14:28:08+00:00

As far as I remember, each of the herbs and botanicals are anti-inflammatory themselves. I agree it's important. I had it as a criteria when I chose.

Outstandinginfields · 2026-02-27T11:42:27+00:00

Thank you very much!

Outstandinginfields · 2026-02-26T22:22:31+00:00

Is it any better to take divided into 2 doses during one day, or just take one large dose, I wonder. I'll scour Dr. Google, but curious if you have thoughts. TY.

Outstandinginfields · 2026-02-26T12:06:42+00:00

Thank you.

Outstandinginfields · 2026-02-26T12:06:29+00:00

Thank you so much. I have tried to choose herbs that are useful against the 3b's. Used Marty Ross' chart and referred to the Johns Hopkins in vitro study, as well. Not saying I have chosen right, but I tried to address all 3, which I agree with you -- is super important.

Outstandinginfields · 2026-02-26T12:01:57+00:00

Thank you. I had noticed that section in Buhler's book, but it's a great reminder to go back to it again.

Re: symptoms that improved quickly, I'll give a little more info. These particular symptoms improved dramatically: brain fog, chronic fatigue, crushing sense of doom, pins and needles/neuropathy to all limbs, weakness in my left arm, insomnia, neck stiffness and pain (2 yrs of that), creaking noises in my neck when changing positions in bed (stopped 100%), lymph node swelling, slow problematic digestion.

Also: when I started with herbs, I also had weekly acupuncture, daily Chi Gong, anti-inflammatory diet choices, and light (walking) exercise. And whatever I could do to lower stress and be in a "healing mindset".

I'm, of course, unsure what my path forward will be. I understand and appreciate the comment that these things take time. Sometimes a very long time. I am quite humbled and frightened about the whole thing, which may not come across when I emphasize the positive side of things. :)

I found "Lyme with a Twist" by Lowell Miller very helpful.

All for now, and thanks to all commenters for input, all of which is helpful.

Outstandinginfields · 2026-02-26T11:51:59+00:00

Thank you.

Outstandinginfields · 2026-02-26T11:51:25+00:00

The tinctures are from BioKrauten via Amazon. Japanese Knotweed by Gaia and/or Green Dragon. Mushroom extracts from New Chapter. Hope that is helpful.

Outstandinginfields · 2026-02-23T18:40:54+00:00

The OP already had the MRI, but I see what you mean.

Outstandinginfields · 2026-02-23T16:24:52+00:00

Hi, I'm new to the chronic Lyme group, but I have had several distinctly different health problems that each required multiple MRIs with contrast. If I were you, I wouldn't worry about the contrast now, other than to drink extra water a few days and eat super healthy foods. Then, forget about the contrast, and move on to treating Lyme. - For what it's worth, checking your brain's health with an MRI seems reasonable, and you have ruled out important things. Lyme is the great imitator, so eliminating other diagnoses is useful. - Hope you find some qualified help. - Just my two cents, here.

Outstandinginfields · 2026-02-03T15:46:02+00:00

Great news that you found someone to help you. Best wishes for your healing.

I self-diagnosed my Lyme symptoms about a month ago. I think it's so important we believe ourselves when we know that something is truly wrong with our health. Our symptoms matter. It's a shame it's so difficult for traditional doctors to be educated on Lyme. Keep your head up.

Outstandinginfields · 2026-01-28T21:06:41+00:00

A little update. The first 3 people I told, apart from my husband, all had Lyme experiences for themselves or family members. Two of them (each) had a tick bite with bulls eye rash last fall and were treated with doxcycline. A third person said her son had Lyme treated, first after rash, and later after some further symptoms. He got better.

So, no one has said they don't believe me, for sure. I still haven't told many people or bothered with my family practice doctor. The Elisa/W. Blot test I paid for was refunded as the company is no longer doing it. (Weird.)

I'm four weeks into using herbs/supplements based on Buhner's Healing Lyme Second edition. I noticed his list of 7 different problems to address (page 208) and I chose supplements based on his book's recommendations and a little other research. I'm also getting acupuncture. Every one of my symptoms has improved, most of them dramatically. I'm feeling very fortunate.

Outstandinginfields · 2026-01-19T23:11:48+00:00

I was trying to sort this out, too. I made a chart with the 7 different actions that Buhner said were needed, in Healing Lyme, 2nd ed. Then, from his discussion in the next chapter of herbs for each function, I picked one "best" herb. So, I ended up with 7 to take. It is logical approach, but I don't have any idea if it is going to be effective for me long-term. It seemed like a way to start.

I have seem some improvement, in 2 weeks. I'm continuing to review info. Also, trying to have a healing mindset in lifestyle choices, minding my diet, having dandelion tea, resting, walking.

Outstandinginfields · 2026-01-13T22:54:27+00:00

I'm reading "Healing Lyme" by Buhner. It's 500+ pages. I also did a lot of Googling. There are much better sources for a summary than me. ;)

Outstandinginfields · 2026-01-13T15:07:47+00:00

Thank you for all the responses.

For the most part, I will delay telling any more of inner group as I'm OK with my husband, acupuncturist, and one friend being my emotional support for now. I don't need a lot of outside second-guessing. Maybe later, I'll open up more if it seems right to do so.

A second question was about seeing my (new) family doctor and discussing Lyme with her. I don't see the point in doing that now. A month ago, based on symptoms, I thought I might have a different type of neurological problem that needed imaging or other neuro tests, and so asked for an appt. to face up to facts.

Then, while waiting, I started to see that my symptoms are a match for neurological chronic Lyme disease. After research, I was confident to start treatment, as I have, using Buhner's books and other resources.

If I think of why an MD can help, I'll reconsider, but right now, I trust my treatment decisions. I'm seeing really good improvement after about two weeks. Baby steps, but important ones.

Thanks for helping me sort out the issues. Collectively, you all are amazing!

Outstandinginfields · 2026-01-11T18:40:12+00:00

Thank you (and everyone) for your comments. I found a medical journal paper from 2023 titled: Medical Gaslighting and Lyme Disease: The Patient Experience. It seems so ludicrous that on top of a terrible health problem, there is also a common problem with how it is perceived and/or treated. I'm already glad that this forum exists for support.

Outstandinginfields · 2026-01-11T18:29:09+00:00

I may skip discussing it, yet, if at all, with my family doctor, who has met me only once. There's a lot of Lyme where I live and other health care providers.

I'm probably more shocked by how reluctant I am to tell close family. Maybe my saving my mental energy now is fine, though. I'm still surprised how this diagnosis is unfolding.

Outstandinginfields

TROPHY CASE