Posted 7/30/2021 4:47 PM (GMT 0)
The benefit of an herbal approach is that herbs have multiple purposes, so antimicrobial herbs will have other effects, such as immune system modulation, nervous system relaxation, digestive support, anti-inflammatory, etc. For this reason, a lot of people use the Buhner protocol for children, adjusted for their body weight. The herbs in his core protocols don't impact hormones or development, according to his website, and therefore are safe for children. Even if she doesn't have Lyme or tick-borne disease, then the herbs might provide some benefit, and are unlikely to harm her. Herbal protocols are also easy for kids because they are easily available in liquid tinctures.
buhnerhealinglyme.com
It's relatively common for kids to have weird sensations, growing pains, canker sores, outbursts, and digestive issues. I'm not saying that parents should ignore these issues, just that they happen often and are not necessarily from tick-borne infections. For example, a food intolerance (causing digestive upset) could lead to poor absorption of iron (causing anemia, which causes crawling sensations, leg aches, and mouth sores). Would you consider taking her to see an integrative medicine specialist, preferably a Lyme-literate one that also knows about PANDAS/PANS, for some testing? A comprehensive stool test, nutrition panel, food intolerance test, and other tests might offer some insight, in addition to (or before?) testing for tick-borne disease. Even a regular PCP can test for some nutrient deficiencies and inflammatory markers.
I do understand your worry, though! It's hard to live in our chaotic bodies and not be concerned when our children show some of the same symptoms. Since you are a Rawls person, you've probably read his awesome Boiling Point article, but it explains more or less why I have not treated my child for tick-borne disease specifically and am prioritizing keeping her as healthy as possible - gut flora, nutrients, stress management, immune system, nervous system, low toxicity, etc. - so she can keep in check any opportunistic infections she might encounter (or have already). If her most Lyme-ish symptoms become consistent or get in the way of her normal activities, then I'll opt for Buhner.
https://rawlsmd.com/health-articles/chronic-immune-dysfunction-lyme-disease?utm_source=master%20rawlsmd%20segment%20-%20%5Blive%20-%202-26-17%5D&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=06.12.21_RMD%20newsletter%3A%20Boiling%20Point%20Update%20%5BWebinar%20%2370%2C%20consults%5D%20%28XE3KUn%29&_ke=eyJrbF9jb21wYW55X2lkIjogImtBdkRyUCIsICJrbF9lbWFpbCI6ICJzYXJhbWVyYW5kQGdtYWlsLmNvbSJ9