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A New Free Report - What Is Lupus?
This fascinating new report from UK-based publishing house Health Research Today answers some of the most-asked questions about this baffling disease :
- What is the medical definition of lupus?
- What are the symptoms of lupus?
- What tests are there for lupus? How do you get a diagnosis?
Fill in this form and we will send you the report immediately, which you are welcome to send on to friends or family!
Alternative Therapies For Lupus
This article is an extract from the ebook Freedom From Lupus!
Herbal Remedies
Herbal remedies are made from flowers, leaves, roots, berries, seeks, bark, and other parts of plants. The herbs contain vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and other medicinal chemicals used in treating various ailments. Herbal remedies have been around for millennia, but they are recently making a resurgence as a valid form of treatment for certain conditions.
There are many ways to use herbs in treating lupus symptoms. You can take them as tinctures, in tea, as a decoction, in a bath, as tablets, creams, compresses, and poultices. Here are some common ailments and the herbs that provide relief:
- Arthritis Symptoms: Aloe juice, Borage, Cat’s Claw, Cowslip, Evening, Frankincense, Primrose, Heartsease, Meadowsweet, Rosemary, Sweet Violet, Thyme, Turmeric, Willow, Yucca.
- Muscle Ache/Pain: Black Cohosh, Cramp Bark, Frankincense, Meadowsweet, Thyme, Turmeric, Willow.
- Fatigue: Borage, Ginseng, Gotu Kola, Licorice, Vervain.
- Headache: Black Cohosh, Feverfew, Lavender, Passiflora, Peppermint, Valerian, Vervain, White Willow, Wild Lettuce.
- Circulation Issues: Angelica, Cayenne, Garlic, Ginkgo Biloba, Hawthorn, Mustard, Walnut, Yarrow.
- Mouth Ulcers: Licorice, Myrrh.
- Depression: Avena Sativa, Cayenne, Cowslip, Ginseng, Kava Kava, Rose, Thyme, Vervain.
- Insomnia/Anti-Anxiety: Ashwagandha, Catnip, Chamomile, Cowslip, Hops, Kava Kava, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Linden, Marjoram, Passiflora, Valerian, Vervain.
- Migraine: Cayenne, Feverfew, Lavender, Rosemary, Valerian, Vervain.
- Bruising: Arnica, Calendula, Lavender, Witch Hazel, Yarrow.
- Hypertension: Dandelion, Hawthorn Berry, Garlic, Lime Blossom.
There are also Bach homeopathic flower remedies that are supposed to help well-being by focusing the patient’s state of mind. The theory behind flower remedies is that by easing the state of mind and providing a better outlook, the body will not be hindered in recovering from chronic disease.
However, herbs need to be taken safely. It is important to take only the dosage of herbal medications that you need. Also, only take herbs that you can identify and never self-prescribe herbs. Some of the herbs listed above can interfere with your current medication regimen, and you may find them in the “herbs to avoid” list. Therefore, it is important to follow directions and discuss the herbs with your physician alongside an herbalist. Make sure that they are in communication with one another to make sure everyone is on the same page.
Herbs to Avoid
Many lupus patients find benefits in taking herbal remedies, however there are a number of herbs that interact with NSAIDs, blood thinning drugs, and other prescriptions. Just because a drug is labeled “natural” does not necessarily mean it is safe. You should always check with your physician before taking any herbal supplement. Here are some herbs you should reconsider or discuss with your physician:
- Alfalfa: Contains an immune system stimulating compound called L-canavanine, so lupus patients should avoid it.
- Bromelain (Pineapple enzyme): Can increase the effects of blood thinning drugs
- Cat’s Claw: Can increase bleeding risks of blood thinning drugs
- Cayenne Pepper: May interfere with MAOI and antihypertensive therapy. If taken in large amounts it can cause liver and kidney damage.
- Chamomile: Due to its content of coumarin, it should be taken under the watchful eye of a physician for potential interference with anticoagulants.
- Devil’s Claw: May increase stomach acids, so it can interfere with antacids, diabetic, or cardiac medication. It can also cause further stomach irritation associated with NSAIDs.
- Dong Quai: Can interfere with blood-thinning medications and cause photosensitivity.
- Echinacea: If taken for more than 8 weeks, Echinacea can be toxic to the liver. Therefore, it should be avoided if a patient is taking steroids, amiodarone, methotrexate, and ketoconazole. It also stimulates the immune system, so it should not be taken alongside immunosuppressants.
- Evening Primrose Oil and Borage: Can lower the seizure threshold, so it should not be taken if you are taking anticonvulsants. It should be avoided if you have schizophrenia or are taking anticoagulants and NSAIDs.
- Feverfew: Can compromise treatment of migraine headaches and increase effects of blood-thinning drugs. It can also cause miscarriage.
- Fish Oil (Omega-3 Fatty Acid): Can increase the effect of blood thinners.
- Garlic: Interferes with anticoagulants and interacts with hypoglycemic and anti-inflammatory medications.,
- Ginger: Affects clotting, so avoid this herb if you are taking warfarin. Also, large quantities interfere with diabetic, cardiac, or anticoagulant therapy. It should be avoided if you have gallstones, too.
- Gingko: Can inhibit clotting, so it should be avoided if you are taking anti-inflammatory or anticoagulant medications. It can also interfere with epileptic medications and tricyclic antidepressants.
- Ginseng: Should be avoided if you are taking NSAIDs or anticoagulant medications. Can cause headaches or manic episodes in patients taking phenelzine sulfate. It can also increase the side effects of estrogens or corticosteroids. People taking digoxin or being treated for diabetes should avoid this herb.
- Goldenseal: Can interfere with anticoagulant medications and should also be avoided by people with high blood pressure.
- Karela: Can affect blood glucose levels, so you should avoid this herb if you have diabetes.
- Kava: If you are taking sleeping medications or tranquilizers, it can increase the effects. It has been known to result in coma if combined with alprazolam.
- Kelp: Can interfere with thyroid replacement therapies.
- Licorice: Can interfere with the diuretic effect of spironalactone along with the cardiac effects of digoxin. It can also increase potassium loss associated with other diuretics.
- Melatonin: Since melatonin increases immune system activity, it should be avoided by anyone with lupus.
- St. John’s Wort: Can increase photosensitivity in fair skinned individuals. It also interferes with MAOIs and SRIs. It can prevent the absorption of iron and prevent oral contraceptive, tricyclic antidepressants, cyclosporine, and some cardiac drugs from working correctly.
- Stinging Nettle: Can increase the effects of sedative medications. It can also prevent some cardiac and diabetic medications from working fully.
- Valerian Root: Can cause over-sedation if taking alongside barbiturates or sleeping medications.
- White Willow Bark: Contains salaicin, which is also included in aspirin and other NSAIDs, so it will increase their effects. It can also interfere with anticoagulant medications.
Nutritional Supplements
Nutritional, or dietary, supplements can be beneficial for lupus patients dealing with inflammation and other symptoms. While these supplements will not cure lupus, they can be helpful in finding relief from painful or troublesome symptoms. Like any complementary treatment, they should be regarded with care and discussed closely with a physician. Also, you should ask several questions before buying a nutritional supplement:
- Who sponsors the advertisement? Is it backed by a specific company? Is the company reliable? Is the company backed by the government, reputable health organization, or university?
- What is the purpose of the website? Is it informative or purely designed to sell you something?
- Where is the company getting the information? Is it coming from scientific evidence or opinion?
- Is the site up-to-date?
There are some vitamins and minerals that lupus patients should consider, though some of the anti-inflammatory effects of certain vitamins have not been proven. While the FDA offers daily intake recommendations, the amount you should take of each vitamin should be discussed with your physician.
- Vitamin C: May help decrease inflammation.
- Vitamin D: Helps to improve the absorption of calcium to prevent damage from osteoporosis.
- Vitamin E: May help decrease inflammation.
- Beta-carotene: May help decrease inflammation.
- Calcium: Helps to prevent osteoporosis.
- Fish Oils: May help decrease inflammation and lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
- Flaxseed Oil: May help to decrease inflammation, especially in the kidneys.
- Gamma-Linoleic Acid: May help in reducing arthritis symptoms and kidney inflammation.
While some nutritional supplements are helpful to lupus patients, some vitamins should be avoided due to their interference with other lupus medications or increase in side effects. Discuss these vitamins with your physician before taking them:
- Vitamin A: Exceeding the RDA recommendations could further osteoporosis damage.
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin): Can interfere with diabetic medications.
- Calcium: Can increase kidney stone development.
- Vitamin E: Can increase chance of bleeding in patients taking anticoagulants.
- Magnesium: Can interact with medications for blood pressure.
- Zinc Sulfate: Can interfere with glucocorticoids and other immunosuppressive medications.
Also, you should avoid taking any nutritional supplements that do not have the ingredients listed or have the following substances included in the ingredients:
Alfalfa: Since it stimulates the immune system this ingredient should always be avoided.
L-tryptophan: This ingredient stimulated scleroderma in patients when it was offered as an OTC drug and is no longer on the market in the U.S.
Phenylbutazone: No longer available in the U.S., this ingredient is often added to supplements from Mexico. It can cause leukemia and bone marrow shutdown.
Echinacea: It also stimulates the immune system and should be avoided.
Sulfa Derivatives: Lupus patients tend to be more prone to allergies, especially sulfa allergies. Many Chinese herbal supplements contain sulfa derivatives that can trigger reactions in lupus patients.
Read the rest of this article in Freedom From Lupus!
© Health Research Today
