These resources cover tick bullseye rashes, Lyme disease diagnosis challenges, Lyme disease treatment protocols, and all-natural herbal support.
We See You. We’ve Been There. And We Want to Help.
If you’re reading this, chances are you or someone you love is dealing with Lyme disease. Maybe it’s been months. Maybe years. Maybe you’ve been through dozens of tests, seen countless doctors, spent thousands of dollars, and still don’t have the answers—or the relief—you desperately need.
We’ve heard hundreds of stories from people fighting this battle. And we’ve lived those stories ourselves.
We know what it’s like for doctors to see a tick bullseye rash and not know what to do. We know what it’s like to feel exhausted all the time, to watch life move on while you’re stuck in bed or struggling just to function.
We know the frustration of hearing, “But you don’t look sick.” Or worse—being told to just “get over it” or that “Lyme isn’t real.” We understand how isolating it can feel when even the people closest to you don’t understand what you’re going through.
That’s why we’ve created this collection of Lyme disease resources—for the fighters, the caregivers, the newly diagnosed, and the ones who’ve tried everything.
You’re not alone. This community was built by people who’ve walked the same path and who genuinely want to help you feel better. The resources we share here come from years of lived experience, scientific research, and a deep commitment to wellness using nature-based, supportive solutions.
We hope you’ll find guidance, hope, and maybe even a little relief here. Healing isn’t always a straight line—but you don’t have to walk it alone.
What Is a Tick Bullseye Rash, and What Is Lyme Disease?
Let’s start with the basics, because understanding Lyme disease is the first step to facing it head-on.
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that’s usually transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected black-legged tick (often called a deer tick). This tick bullseye rash is caused by a spiral-shaped bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi—and once it’s in your system, it can be stubborn, sneaky, and incredibly hard to shake.
Early symptoms can feel like the flu: fever, fatigue, headaches, and body aches. Some people notice the telltale “bullseye” rash (called erythema migrans), but many never do. And if Lyme isn’t caught early—or if it resists treatment—it can spread deeper into the body, affecting joints, the nervous system, even the heart.
According to the CDC, roughly 476,000 Americans are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease every year. That’s nearly half a million people annually—and those are just the cases we know about. Many others go misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or brushed off for years.
Even if you’ve never experienced Lyme personally, chances are someone in your circle has. This disease doesn’t just affect the body—it can shake your entire life. It drains your energy, empties your wallet, challenges your relationships, and takes a real toll on your mental health.
That’s why education, empathy, and community matter so much. Lyme is real. And so are the people fighting it.
Whether or Not You Have a Tick Bullseye Rash, Lyme Disease Is Hard to Diagnose
If you’ve been struggling with strange, persistent symptoms and still don’t have answers, you’re not alone. Lyme disease is notoriously difficult to diagnose—and that’s part of what makes it so frustrating and, for many, devastating.
Here’s why it’s so tricky:
- The Symptoms Are All Over the Map
Lyme doesn’t come with one clear set of symptoms. It might show up as fatigue, fever, joint pain, headaches, or brain fog—symptoms that could just as easily point to a cold, fibromyalgia, or chronic fatigue syndrome. That makes it easy for doctors to misdiagnose it as something else entirely.
- Some People Get a Tick Bullseye Rash, and Some Don’t
We’ve all heard about the tick bullseye rash (erythema migrans). But not everyone gets it. And even if you do, it might be in a spot you can’t see. Or it might not look like a textbook bullseye. No rash = no early red flag for many.
- Symptoms Can Be Delayed
Lyme is sneaky. You could be bitten in June and not feel sick until late August. That delay makes it hard to connect the dots—especially if you never saw a tick, never got a tick bullseye rash, or didn’t know one bit you. Many ticks are tiny (like a poppy seed), and their bites are painless.
- Some Doctors Just Don’t Look for It
If you live in an area where Lyme isn’t as common, your healthcare provider might not even consider it as a possibility. Some might not even be able to identify a tick bullseye rash when they see it. That means no tests are ordered, no treatment is started—and you’re stuck searching for answers.
- The Tests Aren’t Always Reliable
Standard Lyme tests like ELISA and Western blot can produce false negatives, especially early on. That means you could test “negative” for Lyme but still have it—leaving you with no diagnosis and no explanation for your symptoms.
- Tick Bites Can Come With Bonus Pathogens
Lyme isn’t the only thing ticks carry. Babesia, Bartonella, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma … a single tick bite can expose you to multiple infections at once. These coinfections can cause overlapping symptoms and confuse test results, making diagnosis even more complex.
- The Criteria for Diagnosis Are Debated
Even among experts, there’s no universal agreement on how to diagnose Lyme. Some doctors follow very strict CDC guidelines. Others (like Lyme-literate medical doctors or LLMDs) use broader clinical judgment. This disconnect can mean different doctors give different answers—and patients are left in limbo.
All of this adds up to a lot of people walking around undiagnosed. They feel exhausted, foggy, inflamed, achy—but they don’t know why. They’re told they’re “just stressed” or “getting older” or “need more sleep.” And they start to doubt themselves.
At Linden Botanicals, we’ve heard hundreds of these stories. They’re real. They’re painful. And we believe you.
In fact, our founder, Michael Van der Linden, went through it too. He was lucky—he saw the tick, had a tick bullseye rash, and acted fast. He researched tirelessly, understood the risk, and started a 21-day antibiotic protocol right away. That early intervention likely saved him from years of suffering.
But not everyone gets that chance.
That’s why we’re so passionate about sharing what we’ve learned. Whether you’re just starting your journey or you’ve been battling chronic Lyme for years, we’re here to offer support, insight, and hope.
Whether or Not You Have a Tick Bullseye Rash, Lyme Disease Is Also Incredibly Hard to Treat
Getting a Lyme diagnosis is hard. But treating it? That’s often an entirely new battle.
For many people, a standard 21-day course of antibiotics is enough—if they see the tick, get a tick bullseye rash, and catch the disease early and start treatment right away. And to be clear, antibiotics should be the first step for most people. Lyme is a bacterial infection, and antibiotics are designed to fight bacteria. They work well for many, especially when given promptly.
But for others, antibiotics alone aren’t enough. And here’s why:
- Too Little, Too Late
If Lyme disease isn’t diagnosed and treated quickly, the bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi) can dig in deep. It spreads through the body—into joints, tissues, even the nervous system. Once that happens, it becomes much harder to eliminate. A short round of antibiotics might simply not be strong enough or long enough.
- The Bacteria Are Sneaky
Borrelia has a few nasty tricks up its sleeve. It can morph into different forms—some that are resistant to antibiotics—and it can create protective shields called biofilms to hide inside. It can even turn into what scientists call persister cells—bacteria that go dormant and wait until the coast is clear before flaring up again. This can lead to relapses, even after treatment.
- Multiple Infections at Once
Many ticks carry more than just Borrelia. A single bite can infect you with Babesia, Bartonella, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, or Mycoplasma—or any combination of them. These coinfections often require different treatments, and they can cause symptoms that overlap with Lyme but don’t respond to the same antibiotics. If doctors miss these, patients often stay sick.
- Antibiotic Resistance Isn’t Common—but It’s Possible
While full-on resistance isn’t widespread, some studies suggest certain Borrelia strains may be less responsive to specific antibiotics. That’s why rotating or combining antibiotics is often recommended, especially in complex or late-stage cases.
- Everyone’s Immune System Is Different
Some people’s immune systems bounce back quickly. Others are already compromised or genetically predisposed to struggle with infections. Autoimmune disorders, chronic stress, mold exposure, or poor gut health can all weaken your ability to heal. That’s why what works for one person may not work for the next.
- “Chronic Lyme” Is Real—Even If It’s Controversial
There’s a lot of debate in the medical community about the term chronic Lyme disease, but here’s what matters: real people are suffering real, ongoing symptoms, even after treatment. Fatigue, joint pain, insomnia, brain fog, neurological issues—many patients feel like they never fully recover.
Whether you call it Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS), chronic Lyme, or something else, the symptoms are real—and they’re not “all in your head.”
Michael Van der Linden, founder of Linden Botanicals, knows this struggle firsthand.
Despite identifying the tick bullseye rash immediately and starting antibiotics the same day, his symptoms didn’t go away. He did everything “right,” and still, Lyme dug in. Within two months, he found a Lyme Literate Medical Doctor (LLMD) and began a long and difficult healing journey—one that would take nearly four years.
He tried everything: oral antibiotics, rotating protocols, intramuscular penicillin, and even a PICC line to deliver IV antibiotics directly into his bloodstream. He consulted conventional doctors, naturopaths, herbalists, and fellow Lyme warriors. He experimented, adjusted, and kept going, even when it felt like progress was inching along.
Eventually, Michael fully healed. That experience changed everything for him—and it’s what inspired him to create Linden Botanicals.
We understand the complexity of Lyme—not just medically, but emotionally, financially, and socially. We’ve lived it. That’s why our mission isn’t just to sell herbal tea—it’s to support and empower people on their healing path, whether they’re just getting started or still fighting years later.
If you’re one of them, we’re here for you.
Additional Resources on Lyme Disease and Tick Bullseye Rash
Our team has put together a number of science-based Lyme disease resources. These resources are valuable for those looking to share information during Lyme Disease Awareness Month (May) or anytime of of year. Regardless whether you’re suffering from Lyme disease or you have friends and family who are suffering, we hope you find them helpful.
Lyme Signs, Symptoms, and Next Steps
Lyme Disease Resources: What You Need to Know
Warm Weather Means More Tick Bites
Borrelia burgdorferi and Lyme Disease
All-Natural Tick Repellant: Cistus incanus
Michael Van der Linden’s Lyme Disease Success Story
Persister Desister Kits: All-Natural Support for Those Still Fighting Lyme
At Linden Botanicals, we’ve spoken with hundreds of people battling Lyme disease—some in the early stages, others who’ve struggled for years. Over time, we began to notice the same patterns. Some people got a tick bullseye rash; others didn’t. Some people would start antibiotics, sometimes even a whole series of them, only to find that the symptoms returned or never fully went away.
That’s where our Persister Desister Lyme Disease Support Kits come in. These kits were born out of our own experience with Lyme—and designed for people just like us. People who’ve tried everything. People who are still looking for real, all-natural support in the face of persistent symptoms and elusive healing.
These proprietary kits combine three of the most powerful herbs in the world—Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, Cistus incanus, and Phyllanthus niruri—and are designed to offer targeted support for those dealing with the complex, resistant forms of Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.
Read the Persister Desister FAQ.
Let’s break it down.
Cryptolepis sanguinolenta
Target: All forms of Borrelia – including persisters and biofilms
Cryptolepis has become a cornerstone in Lyme support protocols for a simple reason: it works on the forms of Borrelia that most other treatments struggle to reach.
Research—including a groundbreaking Johns Hopkins study—has shown that Cryptolepis is the only known herbal extract with activity against all morphological forms of Borrelia burgdorferi, including the persister cells and biofilm communities that often survive antibiotic treatment. That’s a big deal.
Cryptolepis is also antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial, and anti-inflammatory. It works deeply but gently, helping to clear persistent pathogens without overwhelming the system. People dealing with chronic Lyme have enough to manage—support like this needs to be powerful and sustainable.
We source our Cryptolepis extract with care to ensure maximum potency and purity—because we know firsthand what a difference that makes.
Phyllanthus niruri
Target: Inflammation, liver and kidney support, immune modulation
This one’s special. Phyllanthus niruri, also known as “Stone Breaker,” is our flagship product—and for good reason. It contains over 100 bioactive compounds, and we genuinely believe no other plant offers a broader range of benefits.
Phyllanthus niruri is the herbal tea that our owner, Michael Van der Linden, drank to support his traditional Lyme disease treatment protocols. He noticed a tick bullseye rash, went to a doctor, and began with antibiotics. Four years and some months later, he discovered Phyllanthus niruri. He considers it lifechanging.
Lyme disease doesn’t just affect the joints or the nervous system—it can put a heavy burden on the liver, kidneys, and immune system too. That’s where Phyllanthus shines.
- It supports the liver and kidneys, helping your body process and eliminate toxins—including the byproducts of bacterial die-off (Herxheimer reactions).
- It offers potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which can help with swelling, fatigue, and mental fog.
- It gently modulates the immune system, encouraging balance without overstimulation.
Many of us at Linden Botanicals drink Phyllanthus tea daily—not just for Lyme support, but for overall health and resilience.
Read the Phyllanthus niruri FAQ.
Cistus incanus
Target: Biofilms, viruses, and immune system support
Cistus incanus rounds out the Persister Desister Kit with a wide spectrum of benefits that are particularly helpful for those managing chronic or complex Lyme disease cases.
Cistus works in three major ways:
- Biofilm Disruption – Borrelia burgdorferi hides in biofilms—slimy shields that make it harder for your immune system (and antibiotics) to find and kill it. Cistus helps break down these barriers, leaving bacteria more exposed and vulnerable.
- Antibacterial and Antiviral – Beyond Lyme, many people with chronic Lyme also deal with co-infections, viruses, and weakened immunity. Cistus helps fight pathogens and bolster the immune system naturally.
- Tick and Mosquito Repellent – As a bonus, Cistus acts as a gentle, natural insect repellent, helping prevent future bites that could reintroduce or exacerbate infections.
Its polyphenol-rich profile also supports mitochondrial health—critical for energy production and healing.
Why These Herbs? Why This Kit?
We carefully chose Cryptolepis, Phyllanthus niruri, and Cistus incanus because of their complementary actions. Michael Van der Linden drank Phyllanthus niruri herbal tea daily in the fourth year of his Lyme disease battle after he discovered a tick bullseye rash. Cistus incanus quickly came on his radar as a globally revered Mediterranean biofilm buster. And Cryptolepis is quite possibly the star of the show – the herb that’s gaining the most attention as exceptional support for conventional Lyme treatment.
Each of these herbs supports a different aspect of Lyme recovery—whether you’re still fighting the bacteria, dealing with coinfections, struggling with inflammation, or just trying to rebuild your strength.
We’ve also heard from many Lyme warriors that they want herbal support that isn’t just theoretical or unproven. These herbs are backed by science, clinical experience, extensive research, and real-world results from people who’ve walked this path.
BONUS HERB: Andrographis paniculata
While it’s not included in the standard Persister Desister Kit, we often recommend Andrographis—also known as the “King of Bitters”—for additional support.
The book Healing Lyme by Stephen Buhner suggests that Andrographis may help inhibit early-stage Lyme bacteria in the blood and reduce joint and lymph node inflammation. It can be an excellent companion to the kit for those still navigating acute symptoms or struggling with coinfections.
Finding Light in the Darkness: A Key to Reclaiming Your Health
If you or someone you love has faced a long battle with chronic illness—whether it’s Lyme disease or another invisible, persistent condition—you know just how deeply it can affect every part of your life. It’s not just about the symptoms. It’s about the isolation, the doubt, the financial strain, and the overwhelming feeling that no one fully understands what you’re going through.
We understand. We’ve been there.
That’s why we created our free e-book, Lessons from the Darkness, a deeply personal and practical guide that chronicles Linden Botanicals owner Michael Van der Linden’s four-year journey with Lyme disease. It’s a story of pain, frustration, trial, error—and ultimately, healing.
Michael doesn’t hold back. He shares the difficult truths, the countless dead ends, and the moments when hope felt out of reach. More importantly, he shares the steps he took to finally shift his focus from managing sickness to actively rebuilding health.
The High Cost of Chronic Illness
When Michael was bitten by a tick and saw that he had a tick bullseye rash, he had no idea how far-reaching the consequences would be. Like so many others, he followed the standard advice—took a 21-day course of antibiotics, assumed that would be the end of it. But the symptoms didn’t stop. In fact, they grew worse.
And so began the chase.
- Doctor after doctor, each offering a new theory and a new prescription.
- Expensive treatments that drained his savings and energy.
- Online rabbit holes, filled with conflicting advice and predatory “miracle cures.”
- Isolation from friends and family who didn’t fully understand what he was going through.
- Self-doubt that crept in during the darkest days.
The illness didn’t just attack his body—it eroded his confidence, stole his time, and nearly broke his spirit.
Stop Chasing Sickness
Michael realized that Lyme disease had taken over more than just his health—it had taken over his identity. Many decisions, many dollars, almost every ounce of his energy was spent chasing one elusive answer after another. He calls this cycle chasing sickness—and it’s something far too many people with chronic illness know all too well.
In Lessons from the Darkness, Michael describes this painful loop: the constant testing, the endless list of medications (each with side effects more confusing than the last), and the obsession with every new symptom.
It was only when he took a step back—and made the radical decision to stop chasing sickness—that true healing began.
Start Pursuing Health
Michael’s turning point came when he started focusing on building a foundation for wellness. Through research, trial and error, and support from trusted practitioners, he discovered eight powerful, intentional steps that helped him reclaim his health.
These steps are the heart of the e-book. They’re not magic pills or quick fixes—they’re grounded, actionable strategies that helped Michael move from surviving to truly living again.
You’ll learn how he:
- Fought Lyme for nearly four years after discovering a tick bullseye rash
- Created a sustainable, holistic wellness plan
- Shifted his mindset from fear to empowerment
- Found the right combination of herbal and nutritional support
- Restored balance to his gut, immune system, and emotional health
- Learned to listen to his body without letting illness define him
And you’ll discover how his journey through Lyme ultimately inspired him to found Linden Botanicals—to help others find hope, healing, and real support.
A Free Gift for Anyone Who Needs a Little Light
If you’re in the dark right now—tired, confused, overwhelmed—Lessons from the Darkness is for you. It’s not just a story. It’s a roadmap. It’s hope, delivered with honesty and compassion. It’s a reminder that healing is possible, even when the path is unclear.
💚 The e-book is completely free. No strings. No gimmicks. Just support from people who understand what you’re going through and want to help.
Download your copy today and take the first step toward a brighter, healthier future.
