How one mother began her recovery from Lyme disease using the traditional technique known as The Milk Cure used by the forerunner of the Mayo Clinic.
This amazing story was sent to me by Melanie, a Mom who, for over 100 days, fasted on nothing but raw milk to heal Lyme Disease.
No other Lyme Disease treatments, conventional or otherwise, had worked for her over the past 4 years.
Her healing journey is based on the use of raw, pastured milk for reversal of serious illness as practiced in the early 1900’s by the Mayo Foundation, a forerunner of the famed Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota.
If this story is of interest to you, read more about how to do a Raw Milk Fast yourself.
Here is Melanie’s story in her own words ….
From Normal Mom to Near Invalid
Four years ago I was an active wife and mother: cooking, cleaning, running errands, volunteering at my daughter’s school — the usual “stay at home” mother activities. Without warning, I suddenly became very ill after being exposed to loud noise for several hours.
I developed excruciating pain in both ears and was subsequently diagnosed with “hyperacusis”, painful sensitivity to sound. I could not bear any noise louder than normal conversation without intense pain and became confined to my home. At about the same time, I began suffering from severe insomnia and night sweats, and I began to rapidly lose weight.
I developed muscle and joint pain over my entire body, and my muscles became so weak that I could not turn on the shower or lift a glass of water to my lips. Eating was painful because my stomach hurt, and my muscles twitched so badly it made the bed shake. For months my face was swollen and I developed spontaneous bleeding underneath my toenails causing them to turn black.
Inexplicably, my body seemed to be “falling apart”!
Lyme Disease Diagnosis
After having numerous diagnostic tests I was told my blood was too thin, my blood sugar was too high, I had no detectable good bacteria in my intestines, and my body had an extremely high level of an enzyme with a long name we’d never heard of before.
My immune system was so dysfunctional that I tested allergic to nearly 80 foods.
After seeing many specialists to determine what was wrong, I was finally diagnosed with Lyme disease, a chronic debilitating infection caused by a tick bite.
During those months while we awaited a diagnosis, different doctors had prescribed various medications and synthetic vitamin supplements to treat my symptoms. Although we did not understand why at the time, all of them made me terribly ill and I was forced to discontinue taking anything (in hindsight that was a great blessing, as we would later learn those unnatural substances were only adding to the toxic burden on my body.)
We were grateful to have a diagnosis of Lyme Disease but knew that, in my weakened condition, I could not tolerate any medical treatment. With no good options and my physical state rapidly worsening, we did the only thing we knew to do: called the elders of our church to come anoint me with oil and pray for my healing. Knowing that Jesus had said, “The truth will set you free”, I set out to discover his truth for my physical body. What was the underlying cause of my illness? Why was my immune system so weak? How could my health be restored? What did he want me to eat? In my search for the truth, the answers to those questions would change the course of my life.
Determined Quest to Detoxify
One of the first things I learned was that, whatever the diagnosis, there really is only one chronic disease — toxicity and nutritional deficiency. Basically, my body had become overloaded with toxins and was unable to function properly. Just as there was only one disease, there was only one cure. I needed to eliminate (as much as possible) the toxins coming into my body, cleanse my body of stored toxins, and provide it with the nutrients it needed to repair and rebuild.
Since I would not be taking medication or supplements, food would be my “medicine”.
After much research, I cut out many things from my diet in a quest to quell my Lyme Disease symptoms : additives, preservatives, artificial flavorings and colorings — basically all processed food. I also eliminated soy, gluten, yeast and sugar. I ate only what was organic so as not to ingest pesticides.
Over a period of two years I experimented with eating different foods that were supposed to have healing qualities: goji juice, acai powder, coconut oil, raw garlic, cultured vegetables, freshly made vegetable juice, raw apple cider vinegar, manuka honey, non-gluten grains soaked overnight, sea vegetables, grass-fed beef, sea salt.
For months I ate six raw egg yolks a day from a local farm. I consumed gallons of raw coconut kefir and homemade bone broth. I ate dozens of jars of raw nut butter and grass-fed ghee and drank only spring water.
After more research I learned that, even with my new eating plan, I had still been unknowingly pouring harmful chemicals into my body on a daily basis through toxic personal care items. I threw out all my health and beauty supplies and used only a bit of pure castile soap on my skin and hair. I discarded my household cleaning and laundry products and instead used vinegar, baking soda, and a dried fruit called “soapnuts”.
I replaced our teflon pans with non-toxic ceramic, and our plastic containers with glass bowls. I had a water filter installed in the shower and opened windows to air out our home. I bounced on a rebounder for half an hour each day to flush out my lymph system, and twice a day took a walk in the sun until my legs became too weak to continue.
With the elimination of many toxins and a complete change in diet and lifestyle, I did see some improvement. I could finally sleep, my pain lessened somewhat, and a number of my symptoms disappeared. I was able to start taking a plant-based digestive enzyme, hoping it would help my stomach.
Cure Lyme Disease with Raw Milk?
Still, I continued losing weight and was unable to regain my strength. My hair started falling out and I continued to have serious digestive problems. Despite eating large quantities of food, by last summer I had lost more than one-third of my starting weight.
Through my research, I had repeatedly seen how drinking raw milk had helped many people, but since I had such trouble digesting fats I had avoided it.
Then I read about a protocol from the early 1900s describing how doctors had used an exclusive raw milk diet to successfully treat every sort of disease. It was described as “a combination of a detoxifying fast and nutrient-dense feeding” — just what I needed.
I also read that fasting gives the digestive system a break so that all the body’s energy can be devoted to healing. Based on my research, and since it was becoming increasingly difficult to digest solid food, I decided to try the raw milk fast for 90 days or as long as I could tolerate.
I located a farm with raw milk about 20 minutes from our home. It is not certified organic although they claim to use many organic practices. The cows are grass-fed much of the year and eat hay in the winter. Although their diet is supplemented with a small amount of non-gmo corn and the milk is sold in plastic containers, it was the best we could find locally. Having little to lose, I decided to proceed with my plan.
The Milk Cure Begins
I began my fast on November 18, 2011, and from the beginning have been drinking about three quarts of milk per day.
Some of it I make into whole milk kefir. The rest I let sit out on the counter for 12-24 hours to come to room temperature (cold foods are bad for my digestion) and begin a natural souring process that increases the beneficial bacteria. I drink about six ounces every hour, sipping it slowly and mixing well with saliva.
I take part of a digestive enzyme capsule with it – this is probably not necessary, but I was reluctant to stop using the enzymes since they seemed to help me digest fats. I usually drink my last cup of milk around 8 p.m. and then go to bed since I know the body repairs during sleep.
Since beginning the fast, I have experienced many common healing “crisis” reactions: skin eruptions, itching, runny nose, headache, increased muscle and joint pains, sweating, body odor, gas and bloating, constipation, dry mouth. For two days the glands in my neck were so swollen that is was hard to swallow, and for several weeks I coughed up green mucus every morning. Some days I have had a strong chemical taste in my mouth. The past couple of weeks my legs have ached badly on several occasions making it difficult to stand and walk. None of these symptoms has concerned me, for I know that my body is flushing out toxins and ”cleaning house”.
Now for the good news: after four years of my body wasting away, I have gained 25 pounds and am back to a normal weight for my petite frame.
My hair has stopped falling out, my pain is gradually lessening, and I am slowly regaining my strength.
My sickly yellowish complexion has been replaced with a healthy pink glow!
How long will I continue my fast? I do not know. I am thankful every day for the healing power of raw milk and that I am on the road to recovery at last!
This is Len Orth two years later. ‘Still on raw goat milk and living life, though still doing so with pretty awful short term memory! (I have no memory of my first post!). If there are numerous posts from me, I apologize. This website keeps kicking me out and I start over again x4!
I yearn to encourage you dear folks that are struggling with this awful disease that you CAN recover! I must have had 5 or 6 MRIs during my illness, and they all revealed severe swelling in my meninges (sack around the brain). My most recent MRI showed no swelling. Again, the only change was introduction of a gallon of raw goat milk a week. That’s been my experience/answer.
Discount it if you wish. I’m here again!!
This article seems to have part of the story missing. I’m wondering if it was inadvertently cut out when it was uploaded to the site. Would you look back at her note and fill in what was mistakenly omitted? She wrote an otherwise perfect article, so I don’t think the new paragraph under “The Milk Cure Begins” starts with “take part of a digestive enzyme capsule with it – this is probably not necessary….” What is the enzyme she was taking and what is the name of the enzyme that she had a high amount of?
I’m a huge fan of raw milk, but recently heard that Lyme spirochetes (parasites that define Lyme) have been found in raw milk, as animals are often bit by ticks and can pass through Lyme pathogens. I just learned that I have Lyme and now am cautious about continuing to drink raw milk. Do you have any information on this that might help? Thank you.
The Milk Cure Begins
I began my fast on November 18, 2011, and from the beginning have been drinking about three quarts of milk per day.
Some of it I make into whole milk kefir. The rest I let sit out on the counter for 12-24 hours to come to room temperature (cold foods are bad for my digestion) and begin a natural souring process that increases the beneficial bacteria. I drink about six ounces every hour, sipping it slowly and mixing well with saliva.
take part of a digestive enzyme capsule with it – this is probably not necessary, but I was reluctant to stop using the enzymes since they had seemed to help me digest fats. I usually drink my last cup of milk around 8 p.m. and then go to bed since I know the body repairs during sleep.
There appears to be a typo at the start of that paragraph. The word “I” seems to be missing.
sorry. my cognitive functioning isn’t great. I hadn’t read carefully enough and this isn’t your story…it’s Melanie’s. I’ve read the other information you’ve linked to now. Anyway. I’m doing it. and thank you.
I’ve been a drinker of raw milk for some years though never done anything like this. I drink goat milk as it agrees with me better than cow’s. Do you know of anyone who has done this sort of thing with goats milk?
did you mean to say “raw, UNpasteurized” ?
I had to read that part twice also. Note that it says “raw, PASTURED” as in cows eating on green grass pastures (not pasteurized meaning cooked)
I seem to have contracted Lyme disease while packing an elk out of the mountains. It’s my understanding that the ticks are nearly microscopic, so I can’t say as I’ve seen them. I did have two bulls eye rashes on my legs. I’ve heard that is pretty much a sure sign of Lyme. (?). it’s difficult to describe my journey, as I’ve been in a nearly catatonic state for 3 years. I see pictures to myself from these past three years, and I have to say I LOOK normal but I remember NOTHING. My short term memory is quite impaired and I sleep nearly all the time. (I was a director of special education for 30 years, but had to retire, as I’d go to meetings and not remember a thing within a couple hours.)
My wife has been so faithful / carting me around the country from one doctor to the next trying to get a diagnosis and treatment. She has taken over nearly all duties, and keeps a VERY tidy checkbook. Unfortunately, I did not share some of our health insurance requirements and we have been charged tens of thousands of dollars for failure to get preauthorization for a hospital stay. I’m hoping I can reason with the hospital, but not holding out much hope. Anyway, during one of my most recent hospital stays, my wife encountered an older woman on the elevator. In that short ride, they shared pleasantries and my wife related we were on day14 in the hospital searching for a diagnosis and a possible treatment for Lyme. Julie says the ladies eyes got big and as the elevator stopped and she got off, the lady said, “Raw goats milk, honey. Raw goats milk.” And with that, she departed from our lives as quickly as she had appeared. My wife did some research and read (I believe) your article. I started drinking raw goats milk soon thereafter… and I have improved enormously! The fact that I’m writing this is a testimony to that! I still struggle with my short term memory, but I am out of my nightmarish brain fog and even working around the house (which I built).
I ask the Lord, on a regular basis, to heal me completely, but I still struggle with “reality” and whether I’m really experiencing what I am perceiving as reality. I often look for detail (e.g., gravel on the road or details of a shirt or picture) to assure myself I’m awake and alert. For those of you who are believers, I covet your prayers for full healing as we navigate this path. Bless you people who have shared and helped us along this awful journey!
I utterly cannot believe your post! I have unknowingly had lyme for many years. I remember being bite by ticks at least twice in my life… one in the 5th grade and once in adulthood and thought nothing of it, although becoming ill both times. I am 34 years old now. I was always healthy and unusually strong and energetic all the way up until about 24! However, I always had anxiety and thought it was just a part of me. Regardless, it was such a low blow when I became ill. Long story short, I had raw milk for the first time in my life yesterday! I already feel better, this is only my second day drinking it, and I am scared to believe that I am LOL! I LOVED your post and most certainly relate to it!!! I am so glad you wrote this! I hope your are doing even better! 🙂
please! are you in the US? I have something very simple to share with you on Lymes
It’s likely cutting out sugar is what helped her feel better, not the milk. Dairy doesn’t create mucus, it makes mucus thicker. What really works, and I can tell you from experience, is the carnivore diet. Look up Mikhaila Peterson. Two months in and I feel like I’m starting to have my life back. Not perfect, but I’m up and about. Mood is better, pain is less. Like everyone with Lyme, I tried everything. Carnivore is the only thing that’s helped, Sugar and carbs feed Lyme bacteria. Look up Mikhaila Peterson.
Milk is loaded with sugar …. lactose! It’s not that for sure.
We moved to Amish country after me and my 2 children have been sick for years with Lyme. Both my kids developed the autoimmune disease PANDAS and it was the worst thing that has ever happened. After moving here, I immediately started my kids on drinking raw milk because our neighbors down the road have a dairy. I have had success with raw milk in the past. At 9 months, I took my son off formula and gave him raw milk instead. It was immeasurable the difference with him. I remembered this. I have read all the books; markowitz, buchner… And have incorporated their protocols and one point or another. But we never hit healthy status. To make a very long story short, this has had more success for us than anything I’ve tried. My son has a dairy allergy, and has no dairy besides this and is able to tolerate 2 cups a milk/day. No side effects. You don’t have to fast to get the benefit, however, keep in mind, Lyme dieoff is hard. And yes, we all dealt with the dieoff for weeks, however, it slowly subsides and we are all feeling and doing better. It’s been years for me! I’m still dealing with die off but I believe I was the unhealthiest. It is not nearly as bad as it was in the beginning. Try it. It works!
@cured, Hi, can you please elaborate, do u have any sources on this, do u have a facebook page, I would like to chat about this with u if you have time… im very sick myself at 29 years old, was an elite athlete 4 months ago, now semi vegetable, out of nowhere
Raw milk is alkaline
Milk is very acidic to the body. That will not cure Lyme disease. This farmer can take her raw milk and give it to the calf that died so she could have it.
Keeping the body alkaline is the way to heal diseases. No disease can thrive in an alkaline body. Dr Otoo Warburg discovered this long ago.