The list below is curated from the in-vitro screens published by Ying Zhang's group at Johns Hopkins (Feng et al., 2014–2020), the Theophilus stevia paper, and the herbal monographs in Buhner's coinfection volumes. Activity reported is mostly in vitro — translate to clinical use with a qualified practitioner.
Index of herbs
- CryptolepisCryptolepis sanguinolentaBorrelia · Babesia
Strongest in vitro activity against stationary-phase Borrelia in Feng/Zhang 2020.
- Black WalnutJuglans nigraBorrelia
Active against stationary persister forms.
- Sweet WormwoodArtemisia annuaBorrelia · Babesia
Source of artemisinin; active against persister forms and Babesia.
- Mediterranean RockroseCistus incanusBorrelia biofilm
Essential oil disrupts spirochete biofilm.
- Japanese KnotweedPolygonum cuspidatumBorrelia · Cytokine modulation
Resveratrol-rich; crosses BBB.
- Cat's Claw (TOA-free)Uncaria tomentosaBorrelia
TOA-free preparations show antispirochetal activity.
- AndrographisAndrographis paniculataBorrelia · Immune
CNS-penetrant; classical Buhner core herb.
- HouttuyniaHouttuynia cordataBartonella · Mycoplasma
Buhner's primary Bartonella herb.
- Sida acutaSida acutaBartonella · Ehrlichia · RBC protection
Erythrocyte-protective; central to Buhner coinfection work.
- AlchorneaAlchornea cordifoliaBabesia
African ethnobotanical with documented antiprotozoal action.
- Stevia (whole leaf)Stevia rebaudianaBorrelia biofilm
Outperformed tested antibiotics on Borrelia biofilm in Theophilus 2015.
- Garlic (allicin)Allium sativumBorrelia · Bartonella
Garlic essential oil active against persisters.
- Oregano oil (carvacrol)Origanum vulgareBorrelia
Most active essential oil in Feng 2018 screen.
- Cinnamon bark oilCinnamomum verumBorrelia
Strong activity vs stationary persisters.
- Clove bud oilSyzygium aromaticumBorrelia
Eugenol active vs persisters.
- Thyme (thymol)Thymus vulgarisBorrelia biofilm
Disrupts biofilm matrix.
- Cumin seed oilCuminum cyminumBorrelia
Among top 5 in Feng 2018 essential-oil screen.
- AllspicePimenta dioicaBorrelia
Active persister-form killer.
- BerberineBerberis spp.Borrelia · Biofilm
Alkaloid with broad anti-biofilm action.
- EGCG / Green teaCamellia sinensisBartonella
Buhner Bartonella adjunct.
- Olive leafOlea europaeaMycoplasma · Viral
Oleuropein with broad antimicrobial action.
- CordycepsCordyceps sinensisImmune · Mycoplasma · Ehrlichia
Buhner adjunct in coinfection volumes.
- StephaniaStephania tetrandraNeuroinflammation
Reduces NMDA-mediated neuro-Lyme symptoms.
- AstragalusAstragalus membranaceusImmune (Th1)
Early-stage only; avoid in autoimmune/chronic stages.
- Samento (TOA-free)Uncaria tomentosaBorrelia
Core of the Cowden Protocol.
- BanderolOtoba sp.Borrelia
Cowden Protocol partner to Samento.
- Propolis—Viral · Biofilm
Anti-biofilm and antiviral; Klinghardt retrovirus layer.