A groundbreaking 2021 study suggests Cryptolepis sanguinolenta provides highly promising all-natural support for conventional Lyme disease treatment. Cryptolepis is traditionally sanguinolenta used in African herbal medicine.
The Johns Hopkins University study, published in Frontiers in Medicine, found that Cryptolepis extract completely eradicated Borrelia burgdorferi (B. burgdorferi), the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. This exciting finding has major implications for people struggling with persistent or chronic Lyme disease.
The study compared the effects of seven herbal medicines to two standard antibiotics—doxycycline and cefuroxime—commonly used to treat Lyme disease. The goal was to evaluate how well these herbs and antibiotics could eliminate stationary-phase B. burgdorferi cells, which are thought to contribute to chronic symptoms and antibiotic resistance.
Of the seven herbs tested, only Cryptolepis sanguinolenta extract was able to completely eradicate B. burgdorferi in vitro. In contrast, the two antibiotics, along with the other herbal extracts, showed activity but failed to eliminate the stationary phase cells entirely.
The seven plant extracts studied included:
All these herbs are known in traditional medicine for their antimicrobial and immune-supportive properties. However, Cryptolepis stood out as the only herbal extract that fully eradicated B. burgdorferi stationary phase cells, which are known to evade standard antibiotic treatment and contribute to recurring symptoms.
The Johns Hopkins study investigated the use of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta and other herbal extracts as potential support for treatments for Lyme disease, with a focus on the difficult-to-treat “persister” forms of Borrelia burgdorferi—the bacteria responsible for Lyme.
Unlike the actively growing forms of Lyme bacteria, persister cells enter a dormant state that allows them to survive antibiotic treatment, contributing to chronic symptoms in many patients. Remarkably, Cryptolepis extract at just 1% concentration completely eradicated B. burgdorferi in a subculture study. By comparison, standard antibiotics like doxycycline and cefuroxime were unable to fully eliminate these dormant cells.
The study also revealed broad-spectrum activity from Cryptolepis, showing effectiveness not only against Lyme bacteria but also against common coinfections such as Babesia microti and Bartonella henselae. This is particularly meaningful, as many people with Lyme also suffer from these additional tick-borne pathogens.
These findings suggest that Cryptolepis sanguinolenta may offer significant support for patients with persistent or treatment-resistant Lyme disease, either as a stand-alone botanical or in conjunction with conventional therapies.
While these early results are promising, the researchers emphasized the importance of conducting further clinical trials to better understand its safety, dosing, and real-world efficacy.
A traditional African medicinal plant, Cryptolepis sanguinolenta has long been used to support treatment of malaria, fevers, and bacterial infections. Its active compounds, including cryptolepine, are believed to be responsible for its antimicrobial effects.
As interest in plant-based medicine grows, this study positions Cryptolepis as a valuable natural alternative or adjunct in the Lyme treatment toolbox—especially for those dealing with chronic symptoms that don’t fully respond to antibiotics.
Cryptolepis Lyme disease support is not a new concept in traditional herbal medicine. The herb has long been used in Africa to support treatment of malaria, bacterial infections, and the tick-borne illness Babesia, which often co-occurs with Lyme disease.
Its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity makes it a versatile botanical for those exploring integrative approaches to all-natural support for Lyme disease treatment.
The study’s findings support what many herbalists and Lyme-literate practitioners have long suspected: that Cryptolepis may provide critical support in managing persistent Lyme disease.
The extract’s ability to penetrate biofilms and target stationary phase bacteria makes it particularly useful for addressing the forms of B. burgdorferi that can persist long after initial infection.
Linden Botanicals founder Michael Van der Linden knows firsthand how devastating chronic Lyme disease can be. After four years of battling the illness, Michael experienced impacts on every aspect of his life—his physical and emotional health, finances, relationships, and sense of self.
His personal healing journey led him to explore herbal therapies, including Cryptolepis, which played a meaningful role in his recovery.
Michael founded Linden Botanicals to help others find the same hope and healing. Today, we offer high-quality Cryptolepis herbal extract as part of our carefully curated collection of herbal products designed to support those facing chronic health conditions like Lyme disease.
While Cryptolepis Lyme disease support is gaining new attention, Cistus incanus also showed promise in the Frontiers in Medicine study. Although it didn’t eradicate B. burgdorferi in the same way Cryptolepis did, its active compound carvacrol demonstrated activity against both growing and stationary phase Lyme bacteria.
Other studies suggest Cistus incanus may offer broad-spectrum antimicrobial benefits and help improve immune response, respiratory function, and inflammation markers. It remains one of our most popular botanicals and plays a key role in our proprietary ShieldsUp Immune Support Kits, alongside other powerful herbal extracts.
The Frontiers in Medicine study was a collaboration between researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, California Center for Functional Medicine, and FOCUS Health Group, Naturopathic, and it was funded by the Bay Area Lyme Foundation.
The findings call for further research into Cryptolepis—especially in clinical settings—to better understand its active constituents, optimal dosing, safety profile, and effectiveness in real-world Lyme disease cases.
While the study was conducted in vitro (in test tubes), the results are promising and merit more rigorous clinical trials to validate Cryptolepis’s role in eradicating B. burgdorferi in vivo (in the human body).
Linden Botanicals’ Persister Desister Kits feature a powerful trio of herbal extracts: Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, Cistus incanus, and Phyllanthus niruri. Each of these botanicals is known for its ability to support the body in addressing persistent bacterial infections and biofilm-related challenges.
Cryptolepis, in particular, has gained attention for its activity against both active and dormant Borrelia burgdorferi (the Lyme disease bacterium), with studies showing it may outperform standard antibiotics in targeting “persister” cells. It also shows promise against coinfections like Babesia and Bartonella, making it a strong foundational herb in chronic Lyme protocols.
Cistus incanus adds broad-spectrum antimicrobial and biofilm-disrupting benefits, while also supporting immune function and helping to regulate inflammatory responses. Phyllanthus niruri, known for its liver-protective and detoxifying effects, plays a crucial role in maintaining gut and immune system balance during times of microbial stress.
Together, these three all-natural extracts form a strategic, science-informed herbal blend designed to help your body address lingering bacterial invaders and reclaim resilience from within.
If you’re exploring Cryptolepis sanguinolenta for Lyme disease support, you may have noticed a wide range of pricing and product quality across the market. So why choose Linden Botanicals?
It comes down to purity, potency, and trust.
At Linden Botanicals, we use a dual-stream extraction process to create a full-spectrum extract of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta. This method preserves a wider range of beneficial plant compounds than standard extractions. You’ll notice the difference immediately—our extract has a rich yellowish-brown color, not the overly bright yellow you may see in less authentic products.
We’re proud to be at the forefront of using Cryptolepis to support Lyme protocols, offering a science-backed, all-natural herbal extract that delivers consistent results.
What Sets Our Cryptolepis Apart?
We know there are cheaper and more expensive options out there. But when it comes to Cryptolepis sanguinolenta Lyme support, we believe you deserve authenticity, integrity, and results you can count on.
Our extract is the real deal—offered at a fair price, backed by science, and supported by our unwavering commitment to your health.
At Linden Botanicals, we offer all-natural Cryptolepis herbal extract sourced with integrity and care. Our products are formulated to help support people dealing with Lyme disease, Babesia, and other chronic infections that may be resistant to conventional treatment alone.
Linden Botanicals sells Cryptolepis as an individual herbal supplement. We also sell Persister Desister Kits, which feature a powerful trio of herbal extracts: Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, Cistus incanus, and Phyllanthus niruri.
In addition to Cryptolepis, we also offer Cistus incanus as a looseleaf herbal tea and as a potent herbal extract. For those seeking comprehensive support, Cistus incanus is also featured in our ShieldsUp Immune Support Kits, which combine six powerful herbs designed to promote immune resilience and microbial balance.
To learn more, visit our Cryptolepis FAQ page and Cistus incanus FAQ page.
The bottom line: If you or someone you love is navigating the challenges of Lyme disease, Cryptolepis may be a natural, science-supported tool worth exploring.
We’re here to help you explore herbal wellness with confidence and clarity. As always, consult your healthcare provider before adding new herbs to your regimen—especially if you’re on medications or under medical care.
Buy CryptolepisLinden Botanicals sells the world’s healthiest teas and extracts, including Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, Cistus incanus, Phyllanthus niruri, and Cistanche tubulosa. These teas and extracts provide support for immune health, stress relief, energy, memory, mood, kidney health, joint health, digestive health, inflammation, hormonal balance, and detox/cleanse. Our website, www.LindenBotanicals.com, includes hundreds of valuable health tips and resources and the free Lessons from the Darkness e-book, which chronicles Michael Van der Linden’s four-year battle with Lyme disease.
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