Cryptolepis Benefits: Possibly the Best Natural Support for Lyme Disease and Malaria

Cryptolepis benefits include support for a wide range of diseases, including malaria, Lyme disease, and bacterial infections.

Ticks and insects can affect our peace and tranquillity when we’re spending time in the great outdoors. More than that, they can infect us with serious diseases that can be debilitating or even life-threatening if not treated early. Lyme disease is an example of such an insect-transmitted disease. Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, and it has become increasingly common in the U.S. and Europe.

If you love to spend time in wooded areas with your friends and family, then you’re at a higher risk of getting infected. Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, an all-natural herb, is used as a herbal support for the treatment of tick-borne infections such as Lyme Borrelia burgdorferi and Bartonella henselae.

In fact, Cryptolepis may support treatment for a wide range of illnesses and diseases, including malaria and bacterial infections.

But first, what is Cryptolepis? I’ll dive into some of the details below.

Cryptolepis Benefits: Antibacterial Activity, Lyme Disease Support, and Bartonella henselae support

In addition to its antimalarial and anti-inflammatory properties, Cryptolepis sanguinolenta has shown promising antibacterial activity, particularly against bacteria that are notoriously difficult to treat with conventional antibiotics. One of the most noteworthy applications of this botanical is in the fight against tick-borne infections like Lyme disease, which is primarily caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi.

Lyme disease can be challenging to manage, especially in patients who continue to experience symptoms even after completing standard antibiotic treatment. These lingering symptoms, often referred to as Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS), may be due to persistent forms of the bacteria that traditional antibiotics fail to eliminate. These persistent forms, also known as “persister cells,” are metabolically inactive or slow-growing and can form protective microcolonies that resist eradication.

Recent research has identified Cryptolepis sanguinolenta as one of the most potent natural substances tested against Borrelia burgdorferi, including these difficult-to-kill stationary phase and persister forms. A 2020 study published in Frontiers in Medicine tested a panel of herbal and botanical extracts commonly used by Lyme disease patients. Of all the botanicals evaluated, Cryptolepis was among the most effective—showing strong activity against both the active, growing bacteria and the dormant, stationary phase forms.

Cryptolepis benefits come from a collection of bioactive compounds, with cryptolepine being the most prominent alkaloid. Cryptolepine has demonstrated the ability to act against a wide range of bacteria, including both Gram-positive and Gram-negative species, which differ in their cell wall structure and response to antibiotics.

Studies suggest that cryptolepine may interfere with bacterial DNA replication and structure—one of the mechanisms that helps explain its effectiveness against Borrelia burgdorferi and possibly other pathogens as well.

Cryptolepis sanguinolenta also shows potential activity against Bartonella henselae, another tick-associated pathogen that can co-infect Lyme disease patients and complicate diagnosis and treatment. Because co-infections are common in chronic tick-borne illnesses, the ability of Cryptolepis to target multiple pathogens makes it an attractive candidate for integrative and herbal Lyme protocols.

Given the growing need for alternative and adjunctive therapies in treating complex, chronic infections, Cryptolepis sanguinolenta stands out as a promising botanical ally. The current body of research supports its use as part of a broader herbal support strategy for people dealing with Lyme disease and other persistent bacterial infections.

Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Cryptolepis Benefits

In addition to its well-documented antimalarial effects, Cryptolepis sanguinolenta offers a broader range of therapeutic benefits, including powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. These additional effects make Cryptolepis a valuable botanical not only for addressing parasitic infections but also for supporting general health and wellness—particularly in conditions involving inflammation and pain.

Research has shown that extracts of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta can significantly reduce inflammation. The plant’s key alkaloid, cryptolepine, appears to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)—both of which play major roles in the body’s inflammatory response.

This modulation of inflammatory pathways suggests potential for use in managing inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, gastrointestinal irritation, or post-infection recovery.

Cryptolepis has also shown analgesic (pain-relieving) effects in preclinical studies. Animal models have shown a significant reduction in pain perception following administration of Cryptolepis extracts, comparable to mild conventional analgesics. These pain-relieving effects are believed to be linked to both central and peripheral mechanisms of action. Cryptolepis benefits can include support for people dealing with both infection-related discomfort and inflammatory pain.

For people seeking a botanical that offers immune support, infection control, and inflammation modulation all in one, Cryptolepis sanguinolenta stands out as a unique and effective herbal ally. Its ability to address pain and inflammation, along with its antimicrobial and antiparasitic activity, makes it particularly attractive for those looking to support systemic balance in a natural way.

Antimalarial Activity

For years, malaria has remained one of the most persistent global health challenges, affecting millions and putting an estimated 3.3 billion people at risk across more than 100 countries. Despite significant advances in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, the disease continues to claim more than 600,000 lives annually, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa.

While modern antimalarial drugs have helped achieve major milestones—such as a 90% eradication rate in some regions—drug resistance and limited access to care continue to hinder global elimination efforts.

In the search for new and effective therapies, researchers are turning to traditional medicinal plants with proven histories of use. One of the most promising is Cryptolepis. This West African shrub has long been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of fever, infections, and particularly malaria.

Recent studies have validated these Cryptolepis benefits and traditional uses, highlighting the herb’s potent anti-parasitic properties.

The plant’s primary bioactive compound, cryptolepine, is an indoloquinoline alkaloid with strong gametocytocidal effects, meaning it targets the sexual forms of Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite responsible for the most lethal form of malaria. These gametocytes play a key role in human-to-mosquito transmission, and their destruction is essential to halting the spread of the disease.

Cryptolepine also disrupts both the asexual blood stages and sexual stages of the parasite’s lifecycle, which enhances its broad-spectrum efficacy.

Perhaps most exciting is the suggestion that Cryptolepis could be used as part of a combination therapy. Research indicates that pairing cryptolepine with amodiaquine, an established antimalarial, may offer synergistic benefits—boosting overall treatment effectiveness while lowering the risk of drug resistance. This kind of therapeutic partnership could be a powerful step toward reaching 100% malaria eradication, particularly in drug-resistant regions.

Beyond its antimalarial applications, Cryptolepis sanguinolenta also possesses antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties, making it a valuable addition to the broader field of herbal medicine. As science continues to explore the potential of phytomedicines in modern healthcare, Cryptolepis remains at the forefront as a plant with the power to transform how we treat infectious diseases.

Cryptolepis Plant

Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, also known by several traditional names such as gangamau, nibima, and kadze, is revered in many West African communities for its powerful healing properties. At Linden Botanicals, we affectionately refer to it as the Flowering Healer—a nod to both its botanical beauty and its wide-ranging therapeutic potential.

Traditionally, Cryptolepis has been prepared as an herbal tea due to Cryptolepis benefits in helping to manage malaria and fever-related illnesses. This tea, made from the roots, leaves, or stems of the plant, has been consumed for generations as a gentle, natural remedy. Unlike many modern herbal blends, Cryptolepis tea is free from caffeine, preservatives, and artificial additives, making it a clean, botanical choice for those seeking plant-based wellness solutions.

What gives Cryptolepis sanguinolenta its potency is a suite of bioactive compounds—naturally occurring plant chemicals that work synergistically to support the body. These compounds are found throughout the plant, but especially concentrated in its roots and leaves. Among the most important are indoloquinoline alkaloids, a group of phytochemicals with powerful anti-plasmodial effects.

These alkaloids are responsible for disrupting the lifecycle of the Plasmodium parasite, which causes malaria, and are the main reason why this plant has such a strong traditional and scientific reputation in antimalarial therapy.

In addition to indoloquinoline alkaloids like cryptolepine, Cryptolepis contains several other beneficial compounds:

• Tannins – Known for their astringent and antimicrobial properties, tannins help protect cells and support immune health.

• Flavones – A type of flavonoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that may help neutralize free radicals and support cardiovascular and cellular health.

• Polyuronides – These complex polysaccharides are thought to support immune function and digestive balance.

• Anthocyanosides – Pigments with antioxidant properties that are also known to support eye and vascular health.

• Chloroform-soluble compounds – These represent a broad category of bioactive substances often extracted for scientific study, several of which have shown antimicrobial effects.

Together, these compounds give Cryptolepis sanguinolenta its wide-ranging potential not only as a natural antimalarial, but also as a botanical support for inflammation, infection, and overall immune system function. Whether used as a traditional tea or as part of a modern herbal wellness routine, Cryptolepis offers a time-tested, plant-based approach to supporting health naturally.

Learn More About Cryptolepis Benefits

As mentioned above, all-natural Cryptolepis herbal tea is prepared from naturally extracted leaves, stems, and roots of the Cryptolepis sanguinolenta. We sell it as an individual herbal extract and as one of three herbal extracts in our Persister Desister Lyme Disease Support Kits.

Learn more by reading the Cryptolepis FAQ, and our Lyme disease resources.