CBD & Lyme Disease

The CDC estimates that appx. 300,000 people in the US are diagnosed with Lyme Disease making it the most commonly diagnosed tick borne illness. In this article we will take a look at Lyme Disease, how you can protect yourself, and how CBD can help ease the symptoms.


What is Lyme Disease?

Lyme Disease is transmitted by ticks infected with a bacteria called Borrelia. It progresses in 3 distinct stages:


  1. Early localized stage : This stage typically produces symptoms within hours or days following the initial bite. Many times the site where the tick attached looks similar to a bulls eye, but not always. This is the best stage to catch it because many times it can be cured if caught early enough because at this stage the bacterial infection is localized and has not spread throughout the body. Symptoms at this stage can include:
  2. Bulls eye shaped rash (rash is not always shaped like a bulls eye)
  3. Pain, itching, and/or swelling at the site of the bite
  4. Swollen lymph nodes and/or sore throat
  5. Stiff neck and headache
  6. Inflammation, joint pain, deep muscle soreness, etc.
  7. Fatigue
  8. Flu like symptoms (fever, chills, restlessness)
  9. Early disseminated stage : This stage may present weeks or even months following the initial bite. At this point, the bacteria have spread throughout the body which makes it harder to treat. Flu symptoms at this stage are typically more intense, and other symptoms accompany it such as:
  10. Headache
  11. Spreading rash that can be painful
  12. Chronic or worsening fatigue
  13. Weakness, numbness, and worsening pain in the extremities
  14. Changes in vision
  15. Bell's Palsy (facial paralysis)
  16. Heart problems including tachycardia, palpitations, chest pain, etc.
  17. Late disseminated stage : If Lyme is not treated effectively in the early stages, the bacteria can do some real damage throughout the body. Symptoms are very hard to treat at this stage and can include:
  18. Chronic arthritis, especially near the initial bite site
  19. Neurological symptoms including general fogginess, concentration issues, trouble following conversations, depression, etc.
  20. Worsening cardiac issues
  21. Severe vertigo (dizziness)
  22. Joint pain that migrates throughout the body (Some people are diagnosed with Fibromyalgia at this stage)
  23. Severe fatigue that can make it hard to get out of bed
  24. Severe headaches and/or migraine symptoms
  25. Severe insomnia
  26. Numbness and neuropathy in hands and feet


How is Lyme Disease diagnosed?
You would think that the best way to diagnose would be to test for the bacteria in the early stages, but diagnoses can be much more complex than that. The CDC recommends a test that looks at the immune response to the bacteria and, since it can take weeks for your body to mount an immune response, the test can be negative in the early stages. With the expense and danger that long term antibiotics can pose, my opinion will always be to take a holistic approach including lifestyle changes to help your body be healthier and able to fight the infection more efficiently. But that's just this girls opinion... ;-)


How can CBD help with Lyme Disease symptoms?
Well, first of all CBD and other cannabinoids have natural antibacterial properties that will begin to help you fight the infection. Second, CBD can help so much with the other symptoms of Lyme. The natural antibiotic, anti-nausea, anti-anxiety, anti-epileptic properties (Just to name a few) of CBD can help you with the symptoms while you are fighting the infection. With all that said, prevention is the best place to start.


What are the risk factors for Lyme Disease?

  • Spending time in the woods or grassy areas : Being outdoors is so good for your mental and physical health, but if you do not take proper precautions it increases your risk of Lyme Disease. Ticks are found in abundance in these type of areas in the Midwest and Northeast regions of the US.
  • Failing to cover and protect exposed skin : Ticks love our bare skin and covering up (long sleeves, pants, etc.) at least makes it more difficult for the little buggers to find purchase.
  • Failing to remove ticks properly & promptly : Checking for and removing ticks soon after they bite greatly decreases the chance of infection. Bacteria can enter your bloodstream in as little as 12 hours, so check your body thoroughly every time you have been outdoors in tick prone areas.


How can I prevent Lyme Disease?
Just like any other disease, prevention is key!



  1. Cover up & use insect repellents: If you are going to be in tick prone areas protect your skin. Wear shoes, long pants, long sleeves and hats whenever possible. If you must have exposed skin, protect it with an insect repellent. There is some debate over what sorts of things to use as insect repellent. Some people say that you must use a repellent containing DEET (not to be confused with DDT that was banned in 1972), and others value a more holistic approach using essential oils and other plants. No matter which you choose, just make sure you choose something to put a layeWellr of protection between you and these little infected blood suckers.
  2. Try to discourage ticks from your yard: Keep that lawn mowed & keep debris (that tick carrying critters love) out of your yard.
  3. Check bodies (including those fur babies) often and ongoing when outdoors in tick prone areas: Deer ticks can be super tiny, sometimes as small as the head of a pin, so they can be very easy to miss if you do not check every nook and cranny thoroughly. Ticks LOVE warm, moist areas so do not forget to check the bathing suit bits, & scalp very well.
  4. Shower as soon as you are able to after coming in from tick prone areas: Ticks will sometimes search for hours before they find the spot they decide to call home, so many times showering can wash them off of your skin before they bite.
  5. Remove ticks very carefully with tweezers: I always take an alcohol soaked cotton ball and push it on the tick right before I remove it, but whatever method you decide to use just be very careful and make sure you don't leave part of it's little nasty body attached to your skin.


Rustic Oils CBD Of Lee's Summit LLC Blog

By Rachel Crawford January 28, 2026
We’ve all had that moment.... . During a belly rub, you feel it—a new "lump or bump" that wasn't there last week. Your heart sinks, and suddenly, nothing else matters than the health of your fur baby This is where the ancient wisdom of mushrooms like Turkey Tail and Reishi steps in. Think of them as nature’s quiet protectors. I have given them to Abbey for a couple of years but I so wish I would have started from the beginning. Turkey Tail is the "Immune Architect." It’s packed with beta-glucans that help the body’s natural defenses recognize and respond to cellular changes. It’s like giving your dog’s immune system a pair of glasses so it can see exactly where it needs to go to work. Reishi is often called the "Mushroom of Immortality," but for our pups, it’s the "Mushroom of Zen." It supports longevity, helps manage the body’s response to occasional stress, and provides much-needed relief for those pesky seasonal allergies. When we combine these in our homemade treats or as a food topper, we aren't just feeding them; we’re fighting for more "zoomies," more tail wags, and more years of companionship. Why We Trust Verdant Leaf When it comes to our pets, "good enough" isn't an option. That’s why I’ve always been uncompromising about the brands I bring into the shop. Verdant Leaf is the gold standard for clean, reliable supplements for a few very specific reasons: Purity First: Their powders are free from the fillers, grains, and "fluff" that often plague commercial pet supplements. You are getting 100% functional mushroom power. Transparent Sourcing: They prioritize high-quality extraction methods, ensuring the beneficial compounds (like those vital beta-glucans) are actually bioavailable for your dog to absorb. Tested & Trusted: Every batch is held to rigorous standards, so you can feel confident that what’s on the label is exactly what’s in the bowl. Using a clean brand like Verdant Leaf ensures that your "fur baby" is getting the support they deserve without any of the junk they don't. Here are links to Verdant Leaf Turkey Tail & Verdant Leaf Reishi Recipes you can make at home! I actually use these powders as a topper for Abbey's food or I make a mushroom broth for her to drink, but you can also create these yummy treats at home for pups that are a little pickier "Immune-Boost" No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls Best for: Quick prep and masking the earthy mushroom taste. Ingredients : 1 cup Oat flour (or blended rolled oats) 1/2 cup Natural peanut butter (ensure it is Xylitol-free) 1/4 cup Unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana. Verdant Leaf Powder: 1/4 {1/8 tsp each species, or 1/4 tsp if you are using only one species} tsp per 10 lbs of dog weight (totaled for the batch size) Instructions : Mix the mushroom powder into the peanut butter and applesauce until well-blended. Stir in the oat flour until a dough forms. Roll into bite-sized balls based on the dog's daily dosage needs. Store in the fridge for up to a week or freeze for longer. Sweet Potato & Reishi "Cookies" Best for: Dogs with sensitive stomachs or allergies. Ingredients: 1 cup Mashed cooked sweet potato 1 1/2 cups Brown rice flour (or whole wheat flour if tolerated) 1 Egg Verdant Leaf Powder: Calculate total dosage for the number of cookies (e.g., if making 20 cookies and the dog needs 1/2 tsp daily {1/4 tsp each species, or 1/2 tsp of any single species}, add 10 tsp to the batch). Instructions : Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F).Mix all ingredients into a dough. Roll out and cut into shapes. Bake for 20–25 minutes until firm. Golden Mushroom Bone Broth (Liquid Topper) Best for: Older dogs who might enjoy a warm topper on their meals. Ingredients : 2 cups Low-sodium beef or chicken bone broth (onion/garlic-free) 1/2 tsp Turmeric (for extra anti-inflammatory benefits) Dash of black pepper (needed to activate anti-inflammatory benefits of turmeric) 1 tsp coconut oil, beef tallow, or fish oil Verdant Leaf Powder: Whisk in 1/4 {1/8 tsp each species, or 1/4 tsp if you are using only one species} tsp per serving. Instructions : Warm the broth slightly (not boiling).Whisk in the mushroom powder and turmeric until dissolved. Pour over kibble or freeze in ice cube trays for "pupsicles." MUSHROOM DOSING GUIDELINE * Daily Maintenance Dosage (Give once daily for general health) Under 20 lbs: 1/4 teaspoon 20 to 50 lbs: 1/2 teaspoon 50 to 90 lbs: 3/4 teaspoon Over 90 lbs: 1 teaspoon Therapeutic/ Loading Dosage (Give for "lumps and bumps" or the first 2 weeks of use) Under 20 lbs: 1/2 teaspoon 20 to 50 lbs: 1 teaspoon 50 to 90 lbs: 1 & 1/2 teaspoons Over 90 lbs: 2 teaspoons *The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. Please consult your health care professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act require this notice.
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