The Truth About Lyme Treatments (Ranked!)

Not all Lyme treatments are created equally...

Some of them are a complete waste of time and money. They should be ignored.

Others can absolutely transform your life. They should be the cornerstone of a healing protocol.

After battling Lyme myself, I've spent a decade studying Lyme disease and helping others who have Lyme.

I've come to study and learn what works well and what doesn't really work at all.

Now I'm giving you this list, so you can make the best decision for your health, and take back your body!

With the goal to help 1,000,000 people stop Lyme disease, this will help you know what to take more of, and what to avoid all together. So you can save time and money on your healing journey!

Here's the list of what we ranked so far (click to jump to each section)

NEW! Ivermectin

NEW! Methylene Blue

Long-term steroids

Stem-cell Therapy

IV Vitamin C

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

Rife Machines

Antibiotics

Ozone Therapy

Peptides

Disulfiram

SOT Therapy

Herbal Medicine

F. Long-term Steroids (prednisone, cortisone)

Steroids are used to fight inflammation. Inflammation is a symptom, not the root cause.

They can be helpful for symptoms, and that's why people get tricked into thinking they are working.

Here's 3 reasons why you are better off without steroids for Lyme disease:

1️⃣ They suppress the immune system.

A weaker immune system makes it easier for the Lyme bacteria to thrive.

2️⃣ Steroids can drive Lyme microbes deeper into the body.

Many Lyme experts write that using steroids can cause Lyme bacteria to go into a treatment resistant state.

This can lead to worse long-term problems including neurological problems and deeper tissue infections.

3️⃣ Steroids increase the risk of co-infections and flare-ups

Lyme disease often comes with co-infections, almost certainly in every case. If you don't believe you have co-infections, you probably do. That's just the nature of this beast.

Co-infections can flare up aggressively when treated with steroids

Many Lyme patients report feeling worse after taking steroids.

While the cost to get steroids is likely low if you have insurance, they just don't have the best possible outcome for people with Lyme disease and chronic Lyme disease.

Final Verdict: 🚫 Too Risky for Lyme

While steroids may help in the short term for symptom relief, they can make the disease much harder to treat long-term, pushing Lyme into a deeper, more stubborn state. That's why they belong in F-tier—not worth the risk!

D. Stem-Cell Therapy

In the (nerdy) circles that I like to hang out in, stem cell therapy is all the rage.

It's new, sexy, and taking the health industry by storm.

...But when taking into account the cost, ease of access, and targeted treatment - it doesn't quite stack up.

This one is definitely not worth your time and money for Lyme disease specifically.

Now, if you have an injury that's taking forever to heal, this might be the way to go. But Lyme disease is different.

1️⃣ Extremely Expensive with No Guaranteed Results

• Stem cell therapy can cost between $20,000–$50,000+, making it one of the most expensive Lyme treatments.
• Many patients report little to no improvement, while others see temporary relief that doesn’t last.

2️⃣ Does Not Directly Kill Lyme Bacteria

• Unlike antibiotics, herbs, or other antimicrobial therapies, stem cells do not eliminate Borrelia or co-infections.
• At best, they may help repair tissue damage, but if the infection is still active, symptoms often return.

3️⃣ Can Actually Fuel Infections & Make Symptoms Worse

• Some Lyme patients experience worsening symptoms after stem cell therapy.
• This happens because stem cells modulate the immune system, and in some cases, this can allow infections to grow unchecked.

Final Verdict: 🛑 Too Costly, Too Risky, Too Unproven

While stem cells are promising for autoimmune diseases and tissue repair, they aren't a reliable standalone Lyme treatment. For the price and risk, there are far better options, which is why this lands in D-tier.

C. IV Vitamin C

1️⃣ Supportive, But Not a Standalone Treatment

• IV Vitamin C does not kill Lyme bacteria or co-infections directly.
• It can support the immune system, but it won’t fully eradicate the infection, making it a secondary therapy rather than a core treatment.

2️⃣ Temporary Benefits, Not a Long-Term Solution

• Many Lyme patients report feeling short-term symptom relief (less fatigue, less inflammation), but the effects are not lasting.
• Since Lyme is persistent, continuous IV therapy would be required, which isn't practical for most people.

3️⃣ Costly and Time-Consuming

• IV Vitamin C treatments often require frequent infusions (1-3x per week), which can cost $100–$300 per session.
• Over time, this adds up to thousands of dollars, making it an expensive therapy with limited long-term effectiveness.

Final Verdict: 🤷🏻♂️ Helpful, But Not a Core Treatment

IV Vitamin C is best used as a supportive therapy to reduce inflammation and strengthen the immune system. However, it’s not enough on its own to eliminate Lyme, which is why it lands in C-tier.

C. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

1️⃣ Can Help, But Doesn’t Fully Eliminate Lyme

• HBOT increases oxygen levels in the body, which may help kill anaerobic (low-oxygen-loving) bacteria like Borrelia.
• However, Lyme bacteria can survive in biofilms and tissues where oxygen exposure is limited, making HBOT incomplete as a standalone treatment.

2️⃣ Expensive & Requires Many Sessions

• A full HBOT protocol for Lyme can require 40+ sessions, each costing $100–$250.
• Even mild hyperbaric chambers (used at home) cost thousands of dollars, making it a costly long-term commitment.

3️⃣ Benefits Are Temporary for Many

• Some people experience reduced symptoms (fatigue, brain fog) after HBOT, but symptoms often return once treatment stops.
• It doesn’t address co-infections or deeper Lyme-related issues like immune dysfunction.

Final Verdict: ⚖️ Supportive, But Not a Core Treatment

HBOT is a solid supportive therapy—it can help with healing, but it’s not strong enough to be a primary Lyme treatment. That’s why it lands in C-Tier.

C. Rife Machines

1️⃣ Lack of Strong Scientific Evidence

• Rife machines use electromagnetic frequencies to target pathogens, but there’s little clinical research proving they effectively kill Lyme bacteria.
• While some Lyme patients report improvement, it’s mostly anecdotal, making it hard to confirm effectiveness.

2️⃣ Results Vary & Require Long-Term Use

• Some users see symptom relief, while others feel no difference or experience strong Herxheimer reactions.
• Treatments can take months or years of consistent use, with no guarantee of success.

3️⃣ Can Be Expensive & Complicated

• High-quality Rife machines cost $2,000+, making them a financial risk if they don’t work for an individual.
• Understanding frequencies, settings, and protocols can be complex, requiring a steep learning curve.

Final Verdict: ⚖️ Supportive, But Not a Core Treatment

Rife machines may help some Lyme patients but lack strong evidence and require time, money, and trial-and-error. That’s why they’re in C-Tier—potentially useful, but not a primary treatment.

B. Antibiotics (Oral & IV)

1️⃣ Can Be Effective, But Not Always a Cure

• Antibiotics are the first-line treatment for acute Lyme disease and can be highly effective if taken early (within days of infection).
• However, for chronic Lyme (persistent symptoms after treatment), antibiotics often fail to fully eradicate the infection, leading to lingering symptoms.
• Some Lyme bacteria (Borrelia) can go dormant or form biofilms, making them resistant to antibiotics.

2️⃣ Higher Risk of Side Effects & Gut Damage

• Long-term antibiotic use (especially IV antibiotics) can cause severe gut dysbiosis, wiping out beneficial bacteria and leading to Candida overgrowth or leaky gut.
• IV antibiotics come with risks like sepsis, allergic reactions, and vein damage, making them a higher-risk option than herbal therapies.
• Many Lyme patients experience Herxheimer reactions, where bacteria die off too quickly, worsening symptoms.

3️⃣ Limited Success for Late-Stage Lyme

• Many chronic Lyme patients relapse after stopping antibiotics, suggesting the bacteria were never fully eradicated.
• Some studies suggest prolonged antibiotic treatment doesn’t improve long-term outcomes for chronic Lyme.
• Lyme bacteria can hide in tissues, joints, and the nervous system, making them hard to reach with antibiotics alone.

Final Verdict: ⚖️ Useful, But With Limitations

Antibiotics can be lifesaving for early Lyme but are less effective for chronic Lyme due to bacterial resistance, side effects, and incomplete eradication. That’s why they rank in B-Tier—helpful, but with significant downsides.

B. Ozone Therapy

1️⃣ Can Kill Lyme Bacteria, But Hard to Reach All Infections

• Ozone therapy is known for its antimicrobial properties, meaning it can kill Lyme bacteria in the blood.
• However, Borrelia hides in tissues, joints, and the nervous system, making it hard for ozone to reach all infection sites effectively.
• This means some people improve, but others relapse once the therapy stops since not all bacteria are eliminated.

2️⃣ Expensive & Requires Ongoing Treatments

• Many ozone therapy methods, like Major Autohemotherapy (MAH) or 10-Pass Ozone, require multiple sessions to see results.
• Treatments can cost thousands of dollars over time, making it a financial burden for many Lyme patients.
• Unlike herbs (S-Tier), which can be used long-term at a lower cost, ozone therapy often needs consistent, high-cost maintenance.

3️⃣ Can Cause Strong Herx Reactions & Side Effects

• Because ozone kills bacteria rapidly, it can trigger severe Herxheimer reactions (toxic die-off symptoms), causing worsening fatigue, headaches, and inflammation.
• Some people experience oxidative stress, which may harm cells rather than heal them, especially if they lack strong detox pathways.
• Not all Lyme patients tolerate ozone well, and improper administration can lead to negative reactions like lung irritation if inhaled.

Final Verdict: ⚖️ Effective for Some, But Not a Standalone Cure

Ozone therapy has strong antimicrobial properties and can improve symptoms, but it doesn’t fully eliminate Lyme in deeper tissues, is expensive, and can cause severe detox reactions. That’s why it lands in B-Tier—helpful but not without risks or limitations.

B. Peptides

1️⃣ Can Support Immune Function, But Don't Kill Lyme

• Certain peptides, like Thymosin Alpha-1 (TA1) and BPC-157, help regulate the immune system, reduce inflammation, and promote tissue repair.
• However, they do not directly kill Borrelia or co-infections, meaning they must be combined with other treatments for Lyme disease.
• While peptides help the body fight infection, they aren’t a standalone cure for Lyme.

2️⃣ High Cost & Limited Access

• Peptides are often expensive and require a prescription from a knowledgeable provider.
• Many peptides are not FDA-approved for Lyme treatment, making it harder to access legally in some countries.
• Since peptides require ongoing use, costs can add up quickly, making them unsustainable for some patients.

3️⃣ Limited Research & Effectiveness Varies

• While peptides show promise in healing the immune system, inflammation, and gut health, scientific research on their effectiveness for Lyme is still limited.
• Some people report dramatic improvements, while others see little to no change.
• Because Lyme is a complex, multi-system disease, peptides alone won’t fully resolve symptoms.

Final Verdict: ⚖️ Helpful, But Not a Primary Treatment

Peptides can be a powerful tool for immune modulation and healing, but they do not kill Lyme bacteria, are expensive, and lack strong research for Lyme-specific benefits. That’s why they land in B-Tier—useful, but not the most essential treatment.

B. Ivermectin – B-Tier

(Helpful but with Limitations/Risks)

✅ Three Reasons Why Ivermectin is B-Tier:

1. Some Effectiveness Against Lyme & Co-Infections – Ivermectin is an antiparasitic drug that has shown some potential in treating Bartonella and Babesia (common Lyme co-infections), but it’s not a direct Lyme-killer. Its effectiveness varies from person to person.
2. Moderate Cost & Availability Issues – It’s relatively inexpensive compared to other Lyme treatments, but access can be tricky due to medical restrictions and controversy surrounding its off-label use.
3. Potential Side Effects & Herxing – Many Lyme patients experience strong Herxheimer reactions (die-off symptoms) when taking Ivermectin, and long-term safety data for Lyme treatment is limited.

📌 Verdict:
Ivermectin has promise, but it’s not a core Lyme treatment—more of a supportive therapy for specific cases.

A. Methylene Blue – A-Tier

(Highly Effective but Higher Cost or Risk)

✅ Three Reasons Why Methylene Blue is A-Tier:

1. Antimicrobial & Neuroprotective – Methylene Blue has strong anti-bacterial properties, especially against Bartonella and Babesia. It also protects mitochondria and helps brain fog, making it a potent Lyme recovery tool.
2. Moderate Cost but Requires Careful Dosing – It’s not the most expensive treatment, but medical-grade Methylene Blue can be costly. Overdosing can be dangerous, so precision in use is essential.
3. Can Cause Strong Reactions & Contraindications – Methylene Blue interacts with certain medications (like SSRIs) and can cause significant Herx reactions, making it tricky for some patients to tolerate.

📌 Verdict:
Methylene Blue is a powerful tool for co-infections and neurological recovery, but due to potential risks and interactions, it’s not for everyone.

A. Disulfiram

1️⃣ High Effectiveness Against Borrelia

• Disulfiram (Antabuse) has been shown to directly kill Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.
• Unlike antibiotics, which can lead to resistance or require long-term use, Disulfiram has been reported to cause deep, lasting remission in some patients after a few months of treatment.
• It is one of the few treatments that target Lyme in all its forms, including cysts and persister cells.

2️⃣ Risk of Strong Side Effects & Herx Reactions

• While powerful, Disulfiram can cause severe die-off (Herxheimer) reactions, leading to neurological symptoms, fatigue, and inflammation.
• Some people experience toxic side effects, such as neuropathy, liver issues, or psychiatric symptoms, requiring them to stop treatment early.
• Not everyone can tolerate it, and finding the right dose can be difficult.

3️⃣ Moderate Cost, But Requires Careful Supervision

• Disulfiram is relatively affordable compared to some Lyme treatments, but requires medical supervision due to potential risks.
• Some doctors hesitate to prescribe it for Lyme, making access more difficult.
• Because of the need for close monitoring and individualized dosing, it is not as widely used as herbal protocols.

Final Verdict: 🔥 Highly Effective but Requires Caution

Disulfiram earns A-Tier status because of its strong ability to kill Lyme bacteria, but its risks, side effects, and difficulty in dosing prevent it from reaching S-Tier. It can be life-changing for some but intolerable for others.

A. SOT Therapy

1️⃣ Targets Lyme at the Genetic Level

• SOT (Supportive Oligonucleotide Therapy) is a cutting-edge treatment that disrupts Lyme bacteria at the DNA/RNA level, preventing them from replicating.
• Unlike antibiotics, which attack the bacteria directly, SOT silences the genes that allow Lyme to survive, making it a unique and promising approach.
• This precision-targeting means SOT can be highly effective against persistent Lyme infections.

2️⃣ High Cost & Limited Accessibility

• SOT is one of the most expensive Lyme treatments, often costing $3,000–$6,000 per session, and multiple sessions may be needed.
• Not widely available—only certain specialized clinics offer it, making access difficult.
• The lack of large-scale studies and regulatory approval in many countries means it’s still considered experimental.

3️⃣ Can Cause Strong Herx Reactions

• Because SOT disables Lyme bacteria over time, the immune system attacks the dying pathogens, which can lead to intense Herxheimer reactions (fatigue, inflammation, neurological symptoms).
• Some people respond exceptionally well, while others struggle with prolonged die-off symptoms.
• It’s not a guaranteed cure—some patients need additional treatments alongside SOT.

Final Verdict: ⚡ Powerful but Costly & Experimental

SOT earns A-Tier status because of its high potential effectiveness and innovative approach, but its high cost, accessibility issues, and unpredictable reactions keep it from being S-Tier. It’s a great option for those who can afford it and tolerate it well.

S. Herbal Medicine

1️⃣ Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Action

Many herbs, like Japanese Knotweed, Cat’s Claw, and Andrographis, have potent antimicrobial properties that can target Borrelia burgdorferi (the bacteria behind Lyme) and co-infections like Bartonella and Babesia. Unlike antibiotics, which mainly target Borrelia, these herbs work on multiple pathogens simultaneously while reducing the risk of resistance.

2️⃣ Immune System Modulation

Herbs like Astragalus, Reishi, and Cat’s Claw don’t just kill bacteria—they also balance and strengthen the immune system, helping it fight infections more effectively without overstimulation (which can lead to autoimmune flare-ups).

3️⃣ Reducing Inflammation & Supporting Detox

Lyme disease causes widespread inflammation and toxin buildup from bacterial die-off. Japanese Knotweed (rich in resveratrol), Curcumin (from turmeric), and Milk Thistle help lower inflammation, protect the brain, and support the liver in clearing out toxins, easing symptoms like joint pain, brain fog, and fatigue.

Herbs are:

Holistic & Comprehensive – Targets multiple aspects of Lyme (bacteria, biofilms, inflammation, immune support).
Low Risk & Accessible – Fewer side effects than pharmaceuticals; can be self-administered.
Affordable & Long-Term Use – Cost is reasonable compared to many high-tech treatments.

What do herbs help with?

Supports the Immune System: Many herbs are known to boost the immune system, which is crucial when fighting off Lyme disease. Herbs like Echinacea and Astragalus help strengthen the body's natural defenses, aiding in the body’s ability to fight the bacterial infection and reduce inflammation. This immune support is vital when dealing with chronic infections like Lyme, which can suppress immune function.

Antibacterial Properties: Certain herbs have natural antibacterial properties that can target Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium responsible for Lyme disease. For example, Andrographis, Cat’s Claw, and Japanese Knotweed have shown promise in studies for their ability to help combat the infection. These herbs can act as natural alternatives or adjuncts to antibiotics, which is particularly important for people who are seeking alternatives to conventional treatment.

Detoxification and Healing Support: Lyme disease often comes with a range of symptoms that affect the body’s ability to detoxify and heal. Herbs like Milk Thistle help cleanse the liver, supporting the body’s ability to detoxify toxins released during the infection. Other herbs, such as Turmeric and Ginger, are known for their anti-inflammatory effects, promoting healing and reducing the chronic pain and fatigue that often accompany Lyme disease.

✅ Final, Final Verdict:

Herbs are the GOAT (greatest of all time) when it comes to Lyme disease treatments. That is why I chose to use herbs when I was fighting Lyme disease. I was able to take back my body and feel like myself again. Now I help people get the same herbal protocol in less time, money, and frustration.

Sit back, relax, and take your herbs! LymeWars.com has the highest quality protocol available to humankind.

From the desk of:
Ryan Kearns
Charlotte, North Carolina
Holistic Nutritionist
Founder, LymeWars.com

“Thank you for reading! Back in 2016, my Lyme disease case put me through hell. I swore that I would do whatever I could to make it easier for people to heal. After using an all natural and holistic approach to get better, I got certified as a nutritionist and then started helping others. That’s when I created LymeWars.com to provide the best content, tools, and products to the Lyme community. We have a lot of free resources as well as paid programs you can use to start taking back your body right now! I can’t wait to hear your success story just like the 172 success stories we have so far. You CAN do this!”

Disclaimer: The content in this post is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. I am not a doctor, and this post does not provide medical advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have seen or heard in this video. Reliance on any information provided in this post is solely at your own risk.