When should we use the nosodes for treating Lyme and co-infections?
Firstly let’s look at what a nosode is. A nosode is a homeopathic remedy prepared from the diseased process of a named disease. It is made either from diseased tissue or from the organism that “causes” the disease.
In the case of the Lyme and Borrelia nosodes they are made from Ixodes scapularis, the deer tick.
Nosodes are homeopathic remedies just like all the others, prepared, dynamised, succussed in the same way. The main difference is that there are no provings of nosodes. We take the indications for the Lyme nosodes from the symptoms themselves (for more information see “Spectrum Materia Medica Volume 1 – Monera, Kingdom Bacteria & Viruses” by Frans Vermeulen).
In chronic illnesses the nosodes are really useful tools. In Lyme, we can use them in the acute stage of a Lyme case, and they are especially effective if the client presents with an erythema migrans (bull’s eye rash). The appearance of the EM rash can indicate a strong immune response. However, less than 30% of people with Lyme have had an initial presentation of EM rash.
We can also use the nosodes in old cases, where clients had Lyme for many years and are “stuck”. The nosodes can re-awaken the vital force back to its potential.
If there are many symptoms but a well indicated constitutional remedy is not clear, we can also consider using the nosodes. This will be the case with many Lyme clients as they tend to present with a multi-faceted symptom burden.
If, however, there is a well indicated remedy but this fails to act, then we would consider the nosodes, possibly as an intercurrent remedy. Again this will help to awaken the vital force of the client.
This is also the case if there is a lack of symptoms. In this case the client will just have this ongoing feeling of not being well but without anything concrete to go on – another case where we would think of the nosodes.
In the case of a hereditary Lyme presentation, ie if the mother has Lyme and this is passed onto the foetus in utero, again we can consider the nosodes.
A constantly changing symptomology would also indicate the use of the nosodes. We see this often in Lyme clients, especially in the first few years when the bacteria is getting settled in but hasn’t quite made itself at home!
NBWS (never been well since) is another consideration for using the nosodes. For instance for a client who has had Lyme but has never managed to reach their full capacity again.
Another use for the nosodes is prophylactically. This means that we would take the remedy to prevent getting Lyme, for instance in a Lyme endemic area eg the New Forest or the Highlands of Scotland. If we were living there or visiting during tick season we might take the nosode beforehand to awaken the vital force and prepare in advance.
Another thing that can be considered, is to make a remedy from the tick (or whatever it is) that bites us. If seen, the tick can be saved and part can be sent for testing, the remainder can be sent to a homeopathic pharmacy where they will make a remedy from that particular tick – I’ve never done this so can’t share any insights, but please do get in touch if you have tried this.
What we must remember, I believe, when prescribing the nosodes is that when a nosode is prepared from a disease process, nothing of the original materially is left. What we have is something which is a dynamic energetic. I’ve been thinking about this a lot: where can parallels be drawn between the energy of the bacteria itself and the presentation of the disease – the symptoms?
What similarities can we see? I’ll leave this with you to ponder!
Working with a homeopath is strongly advised when using the nosodes.