Can Herbal Tea Repel Ticks AND Treat Lyme? Part 1

Health
Written By Terral

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As I meet people here in Southern Missouri, they often ask me how we like it out here. The truth is, I like it very much! Of course, there are things I miss about Utah, and I look forward to going back to visit, but so far, I love it here in the Ozarks! There is so much life here!

However, there is one thing that I hate about this place! I hate the ticks! I hate that they carry serious disease. I hate that they have painful bites that irritate you for so long. I hate that they crawl up you’re clothes and latch on in the most awkward places! I hate that they are parasites and suck your blood! I hate that they are difficult to kill! I hate how they discourage us from enjoying the outdoors! I could go on… They are just awful creatures! I know some people just say to avoid them by not going into the woods. Sorry, but that’s not happening! We are outdoor people! So, we are looking into any way we can kill them, repel them, and combat the negative effects of ticks. One of these methods I’ve learned about is drinking a type of herbal tea called Cistus Incanus. We have recently started to drink it to see how it works so I read up on it and it has blown my mind!

how to repel ticks naturally with herbal cistus tea!

After researching this more, I have found that it is actually a pretty deep subject and I have a lot of thoughts, so I’ve decided to break this into two parts. For this post, I’ll talk about the tea and the benefits it offers. I’ll come back with a part two that is more about how to use it.

We first learned about it last summer after my son and I had been on our property working. It was too late for us to get it and start using it but Mary bought it so that we would have it on hand for when the need came. That time has now come! With the warmer weather, ticks are coming out so we are now brewing Cistus Incanus, or Rock Rose tea!

Cistus is a shrub that is native to the Mediterranean. The leaves contain polyphenols and bioflavinoids that emit odors that repel ticks and mosquitoes. These compounds are likely part of the plant’s natural defense mechanisms since it naturally grows in harsh areas. It can be used as a repellent internally and can also be used externally as a spray. We have been drinking it but I plan to make some double extracted spray as well using water and alcohol to test as a spray on repellent. From what I’ve read, you really need to drink the tea regularly for about two weeks before it can really begin to work well. Our challenge is remembering to brew it regularly. Since we have a biggish family, we just bought it as loose leaf tea on Amazon and make it in a half gallon glass pitcher. Since we’ve been making it more regularly, I decided I wanted to learn more about it.

Natural tick repelling herb loose leaf tea

While it has been shown to repel ticks, the majority of the clinical research done on it is more centered on its health benefits. As mentioned above, it contains polyphenols and other compounds that support the immune system and is high in antioxidants. What I found really interesting about Cistus Incanus tea, is that it is not only very good for immune support, but that the unique blend of polyphenols, biovlavinoids, and other compounds actually help to break down biofilms. The reason this is important is that the bacteria that causes Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) creates a biofilm that protects it from antibodies in the immune system and antibiotics. That is what makes Lyme disease so difficult to treat! Because Cistus tea helps break down these biofilms, it is effective in the treatment of lyme disease! Because it strengthens the immune system, breaks down the biofilms that protect the bacteria, and helps prevent tick bites in the first place, it is like a super weapon against one of the most notorious diseases that ticks are known to spread!

Many people say there are no natural tick repellents that actually work. I can’t say one way or the other, but even if you choose to use chemical deterrents, Cistus Incanus is a powerhouse herb that can easily be added to whatever tick prevention methods you prefer. Cistus can give you the added protection of strengthening your immune system and it helps break down the biofilm that protects the Lyme causing bacteria. As an added benefit, that same mechanism also whitens teeth! I’m excited to continue testing this tea and use it both internally and externally. The only reason I can see why you wouldn’t add Cistus tea to your arsenal against ticks, is that brewing it can be a little bit more complex, but I’ll touch more on that next week and show you some methods for brewing.

If you’re interested in reading more, I’ll include some additional links below with information and studies on this interesting herb.

This post is is for informational purposes only and is not to be taken as medical advice. It is recommended that you consult with a medical professional before using any herbal remedies.

Terral
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Unraveling the mystery of Cistus Tea
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