Lyme Disease Awareness Month: What You Need to Know

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. Here’s what you need to know about Lyme, plus next steps.

Each May, Lyme Disease Awareness Month shines a spotlight on one of the most misunderstood and often misdiagnosed diseases in the modern world. Lyme disease is a growing public health concern, with hundreds of thousands of cases reported annually—and many more likely going undiagnosed.

At Linden Botanicals, we’re committed to educating and empowering our community with science-based knowledge and natural wellness tools. Let’s take a closer look at the seriousness of Lyme disease, its symptoms, how it’s treated, and how herbal support can be part of a holistic approach to recovery.

The Growing Prevalence of Lyme Disease

In 2023, more than 89,000 cases of Lyme disease were officially reported to the CDC by state health departments and Washington, DC. While this number reflects confirmed cases through standard surveillance, it only tells part of the story.

Recent estimates suggest that as many as 476,000 people in the U.S. may be diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease each year. This larger number includes people treated based on clinical symptoms—even in cases where lab confirmation may be inconclusive or the diagnosis is made out of caution.

This wide gap between reported and estimated cases highlights just how challenging Lyme disease can be to identify and track. It also underscores the importance of awareness, early intervention, and informed treatment choices—especially for those in high-risk areas or dealing with persistent, unexplained symptoms.

Lyme Disease Awareness Month, observed each May, plays a vital role in educating the public, healthcare providers, and policymakers about the growing threat of Lyme disease. By shining a spotlight on the realities of this complex and often misunderstood illness, the campaign helps promote greater awareness of early symptoms, the importance of prompt treatment, and the challenges of chronic or persistent Lyme. With tick populations expanding and cases on the rise, widespread understanding is more important than ever.

This month-long initiative also helps raise visibility around less commonly known facts, such as the vast gap between reported cases and estimated diagnoses, the existence of persister bacteria, and the long-term impact some people face even after antibiotic treatment.

Lyme Disease Awareness Month encourages prevention, early detection, and exploration of complementary support strategies. By fostering open conversations and sharing real stories, the campaign helps empower individuals to take Lyme disease seriously—and take control of their health

Signs and Symptoms: What to Watch For

Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected black-legged tick, often called a deer tick.

As climate conditions shift and tick populations expand, Lyme disease has become more common in many parts of the United States, Canada, and Europe. While early diagnosis and treatment can lead to full recovery, many people experience persistent symptoms—sometimes lasting months or years.

Lyme disease can be tricky to identify. Early symptoms may appear days to weeks after a tick bite and include fatigue, fever, headache, joint pain, and a hallmark bull’s-eye rash (though not everyone gets this rash). If left untreated, the infection can spread to the joints, heart, and nervous system.

Chronic or late-stage Lyme symptoms may include:

• Brain fog and memory issues

• Muscle aches and joint pain

• Sleep disturbances

• Mood changes, including anxiety or depression

• Persistent fatigue

Because Lyme disease can mimic other conditions and the symptoms can vary widely, many people go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed—a major reason why increased awareness is so critical.

Standard Treatment Protocols—and Their Limitations

The standard treatment for Lyme disease is a course of antibiotics, typically doxycycline or amoxicillin. While this approach is effective for many people, some continue to experience symptoms long after treatment ends. This condition is sometimes called Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS) or chronic Lyme disease.

Recent research suggests that a subset of Borrelia bacteria known as persisters may be to blame. These persister cells enter a dormant state that allows them to evade antibiotic treatment and potentially reawaken later, causing renewed symptoms. Traditional antibiotics often fail to eliminate these forms completely, which has led to increased interest in integrative treatment strategies that include both pharmaceutical and natural remedies.

We want to do our part to increase the understanding of the causes and effects of this disease — during Lyme Disease Awareness Month and all year long.

Persister Desister Kits: All-Natural Herbal Support

At Linden Botanicals, we’ve developed the Persister Desister Kit as a targeted, all-natural way to support the body’s recovery from Lyme disease and persistent infections. The kit includes three powerful, research-backed herbal extracts:

• Cistus incanus – Known for its biofilm-busting and antimicrobial properties, Cistus incanus may help disrupt protective communities of bacteria and support immune function.

• Cryptolepis sanguinolenta – A traditional West African herb with potent antibacterial and antiparasitic properties, Cryptolepis shows promising activity against Borrelia and other pathogens.

• Phyllanthus niruri – Often called “Stone Breaker” and “Chanca Piedra,” Phyllanthus niruri supports liver health, immune modulation, and inflammation control—key factors in Lyme disease recovery.

These all-natural botanical kits are designed with intention to complement Lyme treatment protocols by supporting the immune system, helping the body eliminate bacterial remnants, and restoring balance to organs affected by the infection. While not a substitute for antibiotics or medical care, they offer valuable support for those navigating the long road to recovery.

Each Persister Desister Kit contains one packet of Cistus incanus herbal extract, one packet of Phyllanthus niruri herbal extract, and one packet of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta herbal extract. Kits come in 60g sizes (approximately 40 servings) and 150 gram sizes (approximately 100 servings).

These all-natural herbal extracts are in separate packs within the kit so you can choose how best to support your immune system health. If you have a known allergy, a previous adverse reaction, or a health condition that suggests you should not use one or more of these extracts, customize your usage accordingly.

Lyme Disease Awareness Month and Holistic Approaches to Healing

Michael Van der Linden, founder of Linden Botanicals, is deeply passionate about Lyme disease awareness and natural health solutions because of his own personal journey.

Like many who have faced chronic illness, Michael struggled with persistent Lyme disease symptoms that conventional treatments failed to fully resolve. His search for lasting relief led him beyond traditional medicine and into the world of plant-based wellness, where he discovered the transformative power of herbal remedies.

Through years of research, travel, and collaboration with global experts in botanical medicine, Michael developed a profound respect for the healing potential of nature. His experience inspired him to launch Linden Botanicals—not just as a source of high-quality herbal extracts, but as a hub for education, empowerment, and health optimization.

Michael’s mission is to help others reclaim their vitality through science-backed herbal solutions and to share strategies that promote resilience, balance, and long-term wellness.

For Michael, Lyme disease awareness isn’t just a cause—it’s a calling.

Every May during Lyme Disease Awareness Month, Linden Botanicals focuses its energy on spreading the word about Lyme disease and viable, scientifically based strategies for all-natural support.

Learn More About Lyme Disease and Persister Desister Kits

Lyme disease is complex, and healing from it often requires a multi-faceted approach that includes medical care, lifestyle changes, and targeted natural support. If you or someone you love is dealing with Lyme or persistent symptoms, know that you’re not alone—and there are resources to help. Our our Lyme Disease Resources page is a good place to start.

In addition, you may find it useful to learn more about herbal wellness tools like Linden Botanicals’ Persister Desister Kits. Explore the Persister Desister Kit and other herbal wellness solutions, and take this month as an opportunity to raise awareness, seek answers, and support those impacted by Lyme disease.

To learn more, it may be helpful to review the Persister Desister FAQ. You can buy Persister Desister Lyme support kits here.