🌿 25 Years with Lyme Disease: My Journey toward Healing Through Herbal Medicine, Lifestyle Changes & Immune Support Teas

Hi Friends!

I am Alyssa Kristine - 200hr Registered Yoga Instructor, Founder & CEO of Rooted in Zen Yoga & Wellness, and Nutrition Coach.

25 years ago, I contracted Lyme disease. I wanted to share some of my story with you because this journey ultimately led me to discover the profound impact of lifestyle changes, herbal medicine, and immune-supporting teas in managing chronic Lyme disease and led me to where I am today - coaching others through their health conditions and providing herbal knowledge and lifestyle support when hope seems like a far-fetched idea of the past.

So here is a little of my story. I hope it inspires you. I hope we can connect and that you can experience the power and beauty of herbal wellness, yoga practices, and mindset shifts that have completely transformed my life.

🧘‍♀️ The Early Struggles: Understanding My Body

Before diagnosis, my body was constantly signaling that something was wrong—fatigue, joint pain, digestive issues, and cognitive fog. I knew that antibiotics weren't the whole answer, but I didn't know where to start. I realized I needed to take full responsibility for my healing and began learning everything I could about how the body heals naturally.

The first two years were the hardest. I focused on restoring my gut, reducing inflammation, and rebuilding my nutritional foundation. Chronic Lyme often comes with leaky gut from long-term antibiotic use, which in my case led to food sensitivities, mineral deficiencies, and malabsorption. I also had Rheumatoid arthritis, which meant inflammation was already a daily battle.

🌱 Lifestyle Changes That Laid the Foundation

Here’s what helped me stop my flare-ups and start rebuilding my health:

• Plant-based, whole foods diet: Emphasizing fresh vegetables, fruits, and minimally processed foods.

• Elimination of inflammatory foods: Removed gluten, dairy, sugar, and alcohol to reduce systemic inflammation.

  • Why gluten & dairy are especially problematic: When your immune system is already overwhelmed, these foods can trigger inflammation, worsen digestive issues, and make symptoms flare.

• Prioritized gut health: Addressed leaky gut and nutrient malabsorption caused by years of antibiotic use.

• Anti-inflammatory and collagen-supporting foods:

  • Lemongrass and moringa – reduce inflammation and support the body’s natural ability to produce collagen

  • Beef bone broth – if tolerated, also greatly helps rebuild collagen for joints and connective tissue

These changes weren’t easy—they required patience, persistence, and trial and error—but they set the stage for introducing herbs safely over the next six years. I cannot stress enough how important it is to listen to your body through this process!

🌿 Herbal Protocols: Gradual, Intentional Healing

Through careful guidance and trial-and-error, I discovered that herbs could be life-changing—but they must be introduced slowly. The body can overreact at first, and Lyme bacteria fight back, causing symptoms to temporarily worsen. Start small, observe your body, and increase gradually over months and years.

Immediate Steps After a Tick Bite

For those who may need it I wanted to include this brief section here as well. Being from Western NY, my family still encounters ticks quite often! So, if I were bitten by a tick today, I would:

• Apply Andrographis tincture or paste directly to the bite

• Cover with bentonite clay, reapplying multiple times daily for 1–2 weeks

This is based on Stephen Buhner’s protocol (found in his book “Healing Lyme disease”) which emphasizes early intervention to reduce infection severity.

Long-Term Herbal Support

These four herbs, recommended in Stephen Buhner’s Healing Lyme Disease, became central to my ongoing healing:

Cat’s Claw - Anti-inflammatory, supports immune system and nerves

Japanese Knotweed - Anti-viral, detoxifying, nervous system support

Kudzu Root - Reduces inflammation, improves circulation

Chinese Skullcap - Calms nervous system, supports immune response, antihistamine

Important tip: I couldn’t tolerate full doses for the first three years. Gradually building up is crucial to avoid overreaction.

🍄 Medicinal Mushrooms: Supporting Nervous System & Immunity

Adding medicinal mushrooms significantly enhanced my healing process:

• Lion’s Mane – nerve regeneration and cognitive support (addressing brain fog & more)

• Cordyceps – boosts energy and respiratory health

• Turkey Tail, Reishi, Shiitake, Maitake, Chaga, Royal Sun – immune-modulating, anti-inflammatory

Pairing these mushrooms with teas containing tannins, such as Zen Restore: Nervous System Support or Rooted Relief: Anti-inflammatory Blend, enhances their medicinal benefits. Drinking these teas daily became a simple, consistent ritual that supported my healing journey.

🥬 Gut Health: The Foundation of Healing

Healing Lyme disease begins with healing the gut. Chronic Lyme often leads to leaky gut, which can exacerbate symptoms. Here's how I worked to improve my gut health:

• Purple cabbage: Rich in fiber and antioxidants, supports gut health and reduces inflammation

• Probiotics: Introduced gradually to restore healthy gut flora

• Fermented foods: Started with very small amounts of kimchi, sauerkraut, and kefir

• Slippery elm bark and marshmallow root: Soothing mucilage herbs to assist in repairing the gut lining through healthy mucosal lining production

Note: Start slowly with fermented foods to avoid digestive discomfort, and gradually increase as tolerated.

🧘‍♀️ Daily Routine That Helped Me Heal

Here’s a template I’ve used for years, incorporating lifestyle, herbs, and teas:

1. Morning: Zen Restore: Nervous System Support tea to calm the nervous system and support immunity

2. Meals: Whole, plant-based foods; avoid gluten, dairy, sugar, and alcohol

3. Herbal integration: Gradually introduce medicinal herbs and mushrooms

4. Evening: Rooted Relief: Anti-inflammatory Blend tea to reduce inflammation and support collagen production

Drinking these teas daily became a ritual of healing, grounding me, and helping me feel hope even on tough days.

🌟 A Message of Hope

Healing from chronic Lyme disease is a marathon, not a sprint. Patience, self-awareness, and consistency are just as important as any herb or supplement. Every small step—every mindful meal, every cup of tea, every herbal tincture—is a victory.

I share my story to remind you: you can take control of your health, restore hope, and rebuild your body. Start small, listen to your body, and know that healing is a gradual, beautiful journey. Most importantly: Speak life over your story and begin to believe you can be healed!

✅ Shop My Healing Teas
I specifically curated two tea blends that address the main issues of chronic Lyme disease. Check them out and start incorporating both Zen Restore and Rooted Relief into your daily routine to support your nervous system, reduce inflammation, and promote collagen production: Buy Zen Restore Here