Ticks are potential parasites of humans and may act as vectors for bacteria transmitted through their saliva during a bite. One of these bacteria, Borrelia, can lead to an infection that is increasingly diagnosed and may have serious long-term consequences if not properly managed. Essential oils are sometimes used in aromatherapy as supportive tools alongside conventional medical care. It is important to note that not all ticks carry Borrelia, regardless of their size or developmental stage, and a bite may go unnoticed while still being potentially infectious.
Given these uncertainties and the variability of symptoms, how should one respond following a tick bite?
Immediate action after a tick bite
Current recommendations emphasize mechanical removal of the tick using a tick remover, without applying anesthetic, chemical, or aromatic substances beforehand. This precaution helps prevent the release of saliva into the bloodstream. Tweezers or sharp objects are not recommended, as they may leave parts of the tick embedded in the skin.
Once the tick has been safely removed, aromatherapy traditionally refers to the topical application of certain essential oils to support local skin hygiene and limit potential microbial spread.
Suggested use: Prepare an equal-parts blend of the following essential oils:
- Mountain savory (Satureja montana)
- Rosemary ct. camphor (Rosmarinus officinalis ct. camphor or Salvia rosmarinus ct. camphor)
- Tea trea (Melaleuca alternifolia)
- Cinnamon Ceylon bark (Cinnamonum zeylanicum)
- Niaouli (Melaleuca quinquenervia) and
- Spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia)
For example, combine 30 drops of each essential oil in a 10 ml dark glass bottle with a dropper. Apply one drop to the bite area as soon as possible,up to four times per day for two to three days. Suitable from the age of six.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This tip is only suitable for use on intact skin and not on sensitive skin areas: essential oils should never be applied undiluted to sensitive skin areas (e.g., genital area or face) or to inflamed skin (e.g., neurodermatitis).
Common symptoms associated with Lyme disease
Bacteria involved in Lyme disease are known for their ability to adapt rapidly and evade immune defenses. This may result in acute symptoms followed by a wide variety of chronic manifestations, which differ greatly from one individual to another.
Once in the bloodstream, Borrelia bacteria may release toxins in cyclical phases, sometimes affecting the nervous system and other tissues. Symptoms during the acute phase may resemble flu-like conditions, potentially evolving into chronic inflammatory patterns affecting joints, skin, eyes, liver, kidneys, or the cardiovascular system. Clinical presentations can therefore take on completely different forms. However, a common denominator is persistent fatigue, reflecting ongoing immune activity.
Essential oils traditionally used for internal support
Following a tick bite or the onset of symptoms, it is advisable to react with an antibiotic protocol as quickly as possible before the Borrelia bacteria can encyst in a tissue, combined with a protocol based on essential oils. In aromatherapy, certain essential oils are traditionally used as complementary support alongside medical treatment, particularly before bacteria may become embedded in tissues.
When selected, these essential oils are used exclusively in capsule form (size 0 for adults and size 2 for children over 7 years old) due to their potency and potential skin or mucosal irritation. The synergy described below combines aromatic compounds traditionally recognized for their broad-spectrum activity against bacteria, while respecting digestive and hepatic tolerance.
This blend also takes into account the need to support detoxification pathways, particularly hepatic and renal elimination, due to the cyclical release of bacterial toxins. Lovage root essential oil is traditionally cited for this purpose.
Essential oils in long-term Lyme support
Over the long term, this synergy may be used in short cycles, typically two to three weeks per month, as part of a broader support strategy. It may contribute to improved comfort, energy levels, and inflammatory balance. It must be emphasized that, to date, no essential oil protocol replaces medical treatment for Lyme disease.
MY FORMULA – Immune and aromatic support
Properties: traditionally used for immune modulation, broad-spectrum aromatic support, hepatic and intestinal support, and general vitality.
Indications: immune weakness, prevention or complementary support during acute or chronic bacterial or parasitic infections.
| Ceylon cinnamon bark essential oil Cinnamomum zeylanicum | 2 ml |
| Clove essential oil Syzygium aromaticum | 1 ml |
| Thyme ct. linalool essential oil Thymus vulgaris CT linalool | 1 ml |
| Lovage root essential oil Levisticum officinalis root | 1 ml |
| Palmarosa essential oil Cymbopogon martinii | 1 ml |
| Peppermint essential oil Mentha x piperita | 0.66 ml (approx. 13 - 20 drops) *) |
| Kaliteri oregano essential oil Origanum vulgaris kaliteri | 1 ml |
| Thyme ct. thujanol essential oil Thymus vulgaris ct. Thujanol | 1 ml |
| Rapeseed or olive vegetable oil | qs to (fill up to) 30 ml |
*) Unfortunately, there is no internationally standardized drop size. If the drop size of the essential oil you use is specified as 1 ml = 30 drops, use 20 drops of peppermint essential oil. If the drop size is 1 ml = 20 drops, use only 13 drops.
Oral use:
A measuring cylinder (size: 10 ml) is best suited for measuring essential oils.
Take a 30 ml dark-coloured glass bottle fitted with a dropper, pour in the essential oils in the quantities indicated, top up to the brim with food-grade vegetable oil, close the bottle securely and shake well.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE:
Purchase empty size 0 capsules (for adults) or size 2 capsules (for children over 7 years old) from a pharmacy or online.
Do not fill the capsules in advance, but fill them shortly before taking them. This is how you do it: Open the capsule, fill it to the brim with the oil blend using the dropper, close the capsule. Then take it with some liquid. Do not take it on an empty stomach.
PREVENTION (immune support in cases of weakened immunity or planned walks in the forest)
Take one size 0 (adult) or size 2 (children over 7 years old) capsule filled with this blend, twice a day, after meals, as a 10-day course once a month.
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TREATMENT (in the event of a bite and/or confirmed symptoms)
For the first 3 days:
Take one size 0 capsule (for adults) or size 2 capsule (for children over 7 years old) filled with this blend six times a day, preferably with a small snack at the time of taking, for 3 days. Leave sufficient time between each capsule.
For the following 7 days:
Then take one capsule just four times a day for a further 7 days.
Thereafter, and/or in cases of chronic Lyme disease:
Take 1 capsule three times a day for 10 to 15 days each month. These courses of treatment should be timed to coincide with periods of fatigue and toxin release.
If symptoms persist beyond 3 months, it is advisable to seek advice from a doctor and/or a qualified aromatherapist to adjust the blend.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
- Contraindicated in pregnant or breastfeeding women and children under 6 years of age.
- Not recommended if you are taking anticoagulants.
CAUTION:
- Caution is needed in case of high blood pressure; blood pressure should be monitored.
- Consult your doctor if you are taking medication to avoid any interaction.
Studies and articles on this topic
Goc A, et al. Anti-borreliae efficacy of selected organic oils and fatty acids. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2019 Feb 4;19(1):40. doi: 10.1186/s12906-019-2450-7. PMID: 30717726; PMCID: PMC6360722.
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: Laboratory study hints that plant compounds may be better than current antibiotics at treating persistent Lyme bacteria and associated symptoms, Published December 03, 2018
Feng, J.; et al. Identification of Essential Oils with Strong Activity against Stationary Phase Borrelia burgdorferi. Antibiotics 2018, 7, 89. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics7040089
Feng J, et al., Selective Essential Oils from Spice or Culinary Herbs Have High Activity against Stationary Phase and Biofilm Borrelia burgdorferi. Front. Med. 4:169. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2017.00169
Shor, S.M.; et al. The Use of Natural Bioactive Nutraceuticals in the Management of Tick-Borne Illnesses. Microorganisms. 2023, 11, 1759. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11071759
Dolan K, et al. The Therapeutic Potential of Topically Applied Essential Oils in Preventing or Treating Early Borrelia burgdorferi Infection: A Review. Planta Med. 2025 Dec;91(15):866-879. doi: 10.1055/a-2640-4274. Epub 2025 Jun 20. PMID: 40541248.
Axelle Ghestin. La maladie de Lyme : les traitements recommandés par la Haute Autorité de Santé. (Lyme disease: treatments recommended by the French National Authority for Health.) Sciences pharmaceutiques. 2022. ⟨hal-04042787⟩
Important Information
Whenever we use the term ‘essential oils’ (EO), we always refer to essential oils that are 100% natural, 100% pure, 100% unadultary, and preferably organic or wildcrafted. Only 100% genuine essential oils, obtained either by distillation or cold expression, are suitable for French aromatherapy. Proper storage and packaging, as well as adherence to the shelf life, are equally important in order to prevent the oxidation of aromatic molecules.
The information provided on this website is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, prescription or treatment. Essential oils are excellent complementary tools, but are not a replacement for medication. Aromatherapy is not recommended without medical advice for anyone in a fragile state (children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, people with allergies, asthma or epilepsy), or for anyone taking medication.
French aromatherapy requires strict compliance with contraindications, dosages and duration of use, and requires the use of essential oils of the best quality that meet standard criteria (method of cultivation, extraction, packaging, analysis and traceability). It is important to strictly adhere to the botanical and biochemical identifaction of the essential oils mentionned.
Individual tolerance to essential oils varies significantly, and it is important that each individual respects their own tolerance. For people with a low tolerance threshold, it is advisable to further dilute the essential oils listed in this recipe and the proposed synergies. Long-term use of essential oils requires medical advice.
