What are some unproven treatments for chronic Lyme disease?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Unproven treatments for chronic Lyme disease include long-term antibiotic therapy, herbal supplements, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. These approaches lack scientific evidence, are not endorsed by major medical organizations, and may pose serious health risks such as antibiotic resistance, liver damage, or dangerous drug interactions.

If you're experiencing lingering symptoms like fatigue, joint pain, or brain fog, don't rely on guesswork or unverified remedies. Understanding the root cause is the critical first step toward safe, effective care. Take a free, instant, online symptom check to better understand what may be driving your symptoms and get clear guidance on the right next steps to discuss with a qualified provider.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

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Explanation

Chronic Lyme disease is a condition that some people believe persists even after standard treatment. However, many treatments marketed for it are unproven and not backed by science.

Here are some unproven treatments:

Long-term Antibiotics: Some clinics offer long-term antibiotic therapy, but this is not supported by scientific evidence and can be harmful.
Herbal Supplements: Various herbal products are marketed for Lyme disease, but their effectiveness and safety are not proven.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: This involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized room, but it is not shown to be effective for Lyme disease.

These treatments can be risky and may lead to side effects or other health issues. If you're experiencing persistent symptoms and want to understand what might be causing them, try our free AI symptom checker to get personalized insights before your next doctor's visit.

(References)

Lantos PM, Shapiro ED, Auwaerter PG, Baker PJ, Halperin JJ, McSweegan E, & Wormser GP. (2015). Unorthodox alternative therapies marketed to treat Lyme .... Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, 25852124.
Auwaerter PG, Bakken JS, Dattwyler RJ, Dumler JS, Halperin JJ, McSweegan E, et al. (2011). Antiscience and ethical concerns associated with advocacy .... The Lancet. Infectious diseases, 21867956.
Sakizadeh JR, Rothenberger MK, & Alpern JD. (2025). Characteristics of Clinics Offering Nontraditional Lyme .... Open forum infectious diseases, 40103734.

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