One reason Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections are so difficult to resolve is that the bacteria can retreat into a biofilm, a protective layer that shields it from both the immune system and many antibiotics. Emerging laboratory research, including work out of Johns Hopkins, has found that certain essential oils (oregano, cinnamon bark, and clove bud among them) show strong activity against Borrelia burgdorferi even in this protected, dormant state. My approach combines this research with the longer clinical tradition of Chinese herbal medicine: custom herbal formulas built for your specific pattern of symptoms, paired with targeted essential oil protocols, to support your immune system and address the fatigue, joint pain, and brain fog that often come with chronic tick-borne illness. This is complementary care meant to work alongside your physician or Lyme-literate MD, not a replacement for medical diagnosis or antibiotic treatment when that's indicated, and not a guaranteed cure. Erika trained in this approach under Hillary Thing, MS, L.Ac., founder of Uprooting Lyme, and incorporates Bloom + Reveal Botanicals into her herbal and essential oil protocols.