We interviewed Teresa Holler MS PA-C about Lyme on a budget, or how to address Lyme disease without breaking the bank. You can watch the replay below. Please note that you will be asked to provide your email address at the 30-minute mark to continue viewing the replay.
Addressing Lyme Disease
Lyme disease can be devastating to health and to the bank account. It is hard to test for accurately, and the standard Western blot test is often not enough to confirm a diagnosis, meaning that additional tests that are typically not covered by insurance may need to be run. Like PANS/PANDAS (of which Lyme disease is a subset), Lyme disease is a clinical diagnosis. In addition, there are almost always co-infections such as bartonella, babesia and mycoplasma for which tests will likely need to be run.
Treatment for Lyme disease and its co-infections are usually not covered by insurance companies, and this can drive the cost of treatment into the thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars, especially if treatments such as IVIG or plasmapharesis are prescribed. In addition, many of the more-knowledgeable Lyme-disease practitioners don’t typically take insurance, which leaves patients to pay for treatment out of pocket.
In This Webinar
This webinar underscores the complexity of treating Lyme disease effectively and affordably. Teresa Holler discussed combinations of traditional and functional-medical approaches using herbal remedies, supplements and medications. She helped us to answer the following questions:
- What are the six items that can be used to head off a Lyme and/or PANS/PANDAS flare?
- What are Teresa’s top four products for treating Lyme disease and its co-infections?
- Why does taking doxycycline after a tick bite potentially lead to chronic Lyme disease and what can be done instead?
- What are the most economical ways to test for Lyme disease and its co-infections?
- What are economical ways to address symptoms of Lyme disease and co-infections?
- Where are the best places to find Lyme-literate doctors?
Key Discussions
Understanding Bacterial Growth Phases
- Log Phase: Active bacterial growth phase during which antibiotics and herbals are typically effective.
- Stationary Phase: When bacterial growth plateaus, leading to the formation of persister cells that are resistant to conventional treatments. Special strategies are necessary to target these cells, and certain herbal remedies have been proven to help.
Role of Stevia A in Lyme Treatment
A specific brand, Nutramedix Stevia A, has shown promising results in vitro for targeting the stationary phase of borrelia bacteria. Stevia A combined with other antimicrobial treatments can reduce biofilm and enhance recovery, making it a cost-effective option.
Other Herbal Remedies
Herbs like samento, bandarol, cumanda, and houttuynia (Nutramedix products) have demonstrated benefits in reducing both spirochetes and biofilm, as well as symptoms.
Diagnosis and Testing
Lyme disease and co-infections are primarily clinical diagnoses; laboratory tests may not always detect all cases. Diagnostic approaches can include trial treatments with natural products and over-the-counter medications such as Aleve or Motrin. Patient reactions should be monitored to adjust doses accordingly.
Dosage Adjustments
Teresa stressed the importance of starting with lower doses and increasing gradually as the patient’s body recovers. She emphasized allowing time for the body to heal before making significant dosage changes.
Nutritional and Supplemental Insights
Alternatives to NAC (N-acetyl cysteine) include taurine or inositol for those who may be intolerant or who have a CBS mutation. Teresa discussed the importance of turmeric, fish oil, magnesium, and other anti-inflammatory agents in managing chronic inflammation as well as flares.
Specific Treatment Protocols
Teresa provided etailed protocols for specific conditions such as bartonella and babesia, including using herbal, supplement and medication combinations for effective long-term management. She also discussed mitochondrial dysfunction.
Timestamped Overview
00:00 Documenting Hope: Nonprofit educates on childhood health.
08:24 Treated child successfully.
14:16 SPMs helpful in diagnosing and treating conditions.
18:55 Discussion of highly effective products.
21:53 Magnesium overdose rare, monitor kidney function carefully.
31:16 Tick bite can lead to chronic Lyme.
34:53 Alternatives to IVIG.
39:54 Samento is an immune modulator, antimicrobial against Lyme.
47:33 Stevia A reduces microbe biofilm by 99%.
51:53 Using baikal skullcap, burbur pinella, GlucoMedix, Nutra-BRT for tick-related diseases.
54:44 Standard protocol, budget approach for various treatments.
01:03:29 Genetic testing and SPMs enhance fish oil.
01:06:35 Using herbs treated woman with reactivated Epstein Barr.
01:09:23 Babesia treatment for four months, with alternatives.
01:17:47 Herbs support microbiome, improve probiotics and acids.
01:33:22 Presentation on herb properties and products summary.
Resources Mentioned in This Webinar
Teresa provided a presentation that gives her standard protocol for Lyme and coinfections. This presentation also goes over medical research about some of her favorite products. See Sources & References below for links to the research.
About Teresa Holler MS PA-C
Teresa Holler is a Family Practice Physician Assistant in Wilmington, NC, a former Assistant Professor of Medicine, and Author of Cardiology Essentials, Holler for Your Health, and On Medicine and Miracles. Teresa was founder and owner of CME Opportunities, LLC, and Victory Health, PLLC.
She is a member of the International Society of Environmentally Acquired Illness who has been featured on NPR, FOX TV, Good Morning Arizona, Advance for Physician Assistants, and more.
She has been a keynote speaker for both professional and consumer audiences. She has presented at the American Academy of Physician Assistants, Virginia Academy of Physician Assistants, Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs, North Carolina Integrative Medicine Society, Holistic Moms Network, and more.

But what sets Teresa apart is her heart. Teresa truly cares about helping practitioners help patients and her concern has provided health and hope to many patients who have lost both despite seeking many different treatment approaches in the past.
Teresa is available for speaking engagements or for medical consultations, and you can learn more about her at her website teresaholler.com
Disclaimer
This webinar is not a substitute for medical advice, treatment, diagnosis, or consultation with a medical professional. It is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be relied on to make determinations related to treatment of a medical condition. Documenting Hope has not verified and does not guaranty the accuracy of the information provided in this webinar.
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Sources & References
Bransfield, R.C., et al. The association between tick-borne infections, Lyme borreliosis and autism spectrum disorders. Medical Hypotheses. 2008;70(5):967-74.
Brorson, O., et al. Grapefruit seed extract is a powerful in vitro agent against motile and cystic forms of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. Infection. 2007 Jun;35(3):206-8.
Cantorna, M.T., et al. 1,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol inhibits the progression of arthritis in murine models of human arthritis. J Nutr. 1998 Jan;128(1):68-72.
Cantorna, M.T., et al. Vitamin A deficiency exacerbates murine Lyme arthritis. J Infect Dis. 1996 Oct;174(4):747-51.
Feng, J., et al. Evaluation of Natural and Botanical Medicines for Activity Against Growing and Non-growing Forms of B. burgdorferi. Front. Med., 21 Feb 2020.
Feng, J., et al. Identification of Essential Oils with Strong Activity against Stationary Phase Borrelia burgdorferi. Antibiotics (Basel). 2018 Oct 16;7(4):89.
Feng, J., et al. Selective Essential Oils from Spice or Culinary Herbs Have High Activity against Stationary Phase and Biofilm Borrelia burgdorferi. Front Med (Lausanne). 2017 Oct 11;4:169.
Ferreira Maya, M., et al. Plant-based insect repellents: a review of their efficacy, development and testing. Malar J. 2011; 10(Suppl 1): S11. Published online 2011 Mar 15.
Hutschenreuther, A., et al. Growth inhibiting activity of volatile oil from Cistus creticus L. against Borrelia burgdorferi s.s. in vitro. Pharmazie. 2010 Apr;65(4):290-5.
Javid, A., et al. Hyperglycemia Impairs Neutrophil-Mediated Bacterial Clearance in Mice Infected with the Lyme Disease Pathogen. PLoS One. 2016 Jun 24;11(6):e0158019.
Kepka, A., et al. Serum carnitine concentration is decreased in patients with Lyme borreliosis. Postepy Hig Med Dosw (Online). 2016 Mar 4;70:180-5.
Lovegrove, M.C., et al. US Emergency Department Visits for Adverse Drug Events From Antibiotics in Children, 2011–2015. Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, piy066. 2018 Aug 23.
Lubke, L.L., et al. The antimicrobial agent melittin exhibits powerful in vitro inhibitory effects on the Lyme disease spirochete. Clin Infect Dis. 1997 Jul;25 Suppl 1:S48-51.
Offut, A., et al. Case report: Substantial improvement of autism spectrum disorder in a child with learning disabilities in conjunction with treatment for poly-microbial vector borne infections. Front Psychiatry. 2023 Aug 18:14:1205545.
Socarra, K.M., et al. Antimicrobial Activity of Bee Venom and Melittin against Borrelia burgdorferi. Antibiotics (Basel). 2017 Nov 29;6(4). pii: E31.
Theophilus, P.A., et al. Effectiveness of Stevia Rebaudiana Whole Leaf Extract Against the Various Morphological Forms of Borrelia Burgdorferi in Vitro. Eur J Microbiol Immunol (Bp). 2015 Nov 12;5(4):268-80.
Troxell, B., et al. Manganese and zinc regulate virulence determinants in Borrelia burgdorferi. Infect Immun. 2013 Aug;81(8):2743-52.
Resources
Books
Buhner, Stephen Harrod. Healing Lyme Disease Coinfections: Complementary and Holistic Treatments for Bartonella and Mycoplasma. Healing Arts Press, 2013.
Buhner, Stephen Harrod. Healing Lyme: Natural Healing of Lyme Borreliosis and the Coinfections Chlamydia and Spotted Fever Rickettsiosis, 2nd Edition. Raven Press, 2015.
Buhner, Stephen Harrod. Herbal Antivirals: Natural Remedies for Emerging & Resistant Viral Infections. Storey Publishing, 2013.
Buhner, Stephen Harrod. Herbal Antibiotics, 2nd Edition: Natural Alternatives for Treating Drug-resistant Bacteria. Storey Publishing, 2012.
Buhner, Stephen Harrod. Natural Treatments for Lyme Coinfections: Anaplasma, Babesia, and Ehrlichia. Healing Arts Press, 2015.
Chutkin, Robin. The Microbiome Solution: A Radical New Way to Heal Your Body from the Inside Out. Avery, 2016
Ingels, Darin. The Lyme Solution: A 5-Part Plan to Fight the Inflammatory Auto-Immune Response and Beat Lyme Disease. Avery, 2019.
Zhang, QingCai, et al. Lyme Disease and Modern Chinese Medicine. Sino-Med Research Institute, 2006.
Websites
Bill Rawls MD: How I Recovered from Fibromyalgia and Lyme
Center for Homeopathy: Treating Lyme Disease with Homeopathy
Children’s Lyme Disease Network
Dr. Cindee Gardner: Treating Lyme Disease Naturally & Effectively
Dr. Jay Davidson: What’s the Connection Between Toxic Mold and Lyme Disease?
Dr. Jay Davidson: Removing Parasites to Fix Lyme and Chronic Illnesses
Gordon Crozier DO: How This Doctor Finally Diagnosed His Lyme Disease
Homeopathy Plus: Homeopathy for Late-Stage Lyme Disease
Joette Calabrese: Protocol for Lyme Disease Using Homeopathy
Kent Holtorf MD: Innovative “Alternative” Therapies for Chronic Lyme Disease
Klinghardt Academy: The Treatment of Lyme Disease with Bee Venom
New England PANS/PANDAS Association
Videos
Bose Ravenel, MD: UnderLyming Factors in Autism – A Functional Medicine Approach