The Complete Herbal Guide: A Natural Approach to Healing the Body - Heal Your Body Naturally and Maintain Optimal Health Using Alternative Medicine, Herbals, Vitamins, Fruits and Vegetables (20 page)

Diet
Research has found that switching to a vegetarian diet can improve symptoms of pain, joint stiffness, and sleep disturbances in people with fibromyalgia. Sugar should be avoided. An elimination and challenge diet can help to identify the foods that may be worsening the symptoms.

Nutritional Supplements, Vitamins, and Herbs

SAMe

Short for S-adenosylmethionine, SAMe is a chemical derived from a combination of the amino acid methionine and the main molecule for energy in the body, adenosine triphosphate (ATP). In one preliminary study, people took 800 mg of SAMe or placebo for 6 weeks. Compared to the group-taking placebo, those taking SAMe improved in disease activity, pain at rest, fatigue, and morning stiffness. The amount of tender points was the same as placebo. People with bipolar disease (manic depression), who are taking anti-depressants, or who are using the drug levidopa (commonly prescribed for Parkinson’s disease) should not use SAMe.

5-HTP

Short for 5-hydroxytryptophan, 5-HTP is commonly used for depression because it is believed to increase serotonin in the brain. People with fibromyalgia have been found to have lower levels of tryptophan. Tryptophan is a precursor to serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps with sleep and prevents depression. A typical dosage of 5-HTP is 100 to 200 mg three times a day. Once 5-HTP begins to work, the dosage can be reduced significantly while still maintaining the results. People taking prescription antidepressants, the Parkinson’s medication carbidopa, or medications that raise serotonin levels, such as tramadol (Ultram), sumatriptan, and zolipidem (Ambien) should not take 5-HTP unless under the supervision of a qualified health practitioner.

Magnesium

People with fibromyalgia have been found to be deficient in magnesium. Although the conventional test for serum magnesium may be normal, magnesium levels are often low when the red blood cell magnesium is checked.

Increase magnesium rich foods such as legumes, tofu, seeds, nuts, whole foods, and green leafy vegetables. Magnesium supplements can be used to improve energy levels and emotional states, while decreasing pain. A typical dose of magnesium is 150 to 250 mg three times per day of magnesium citrate or magnesium malate.

Malic acid

Malic acid is an important substance for producing energy at the cellular level. Apples are one source of malic acid. Clinically, malic acid has been found to reduce the fatigue and pain of fibromyalgia. A typical dosage for fibromyalgia is 1200 to 2000 mg per day, taken in divided doses.

Herbs and nutrients for adrenal support
– People with fibromyalgia have low levels of cortisol, a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands. When there is chronic stress, high amounts of cortisol are released. Prolonged stress can “exhaust” the adrenal glands, a functional condition commonly referred to as adrenal fatigue.

Low cortisol secretion is linked to low energy, muscle weakness and pain, thyroid dysfunction, immune system depression, sleep disorders, poor skin regeneration, and decreased growth hormone uptake. Adrenal glandulars, pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), vitamin C, licorice, rhodiola rosea, and oatstraw are just some of the supplements that can tonify the adrenals.

Antioxidants

Vitamin C and E, selenium, CoQ10, cysteine, and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) are antioxidant nutrients that may benefit people with fibromyalgia.

Herbs

Herbal formulas should be customized for a person’s unique symptoms and condition. A typical formula to treat the symptoms, ease pain, and strengthen the immune system uses equal parts of the following herbs:

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Echinacea
– an immune tonic

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Devils claw (Harpagophytum procumbens)
– an anti-inflammatory

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Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)
– an anti-inflammatory

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Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
– an adrenal tonic and anti-inflammatory

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Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
– a liver cleanser

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Burdock (Arctium lappa)
– blood cleanser

Dosage:

A typical dose is 1 teaspoon taken three times per day.

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Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which the tissue that normally lines the uterus (called the endometrium) starts growing outside the uterus. Most commonly, the growth is in the fallopian tubes, ovaries, or the pelvic lining, but in some cases, it can also spread outside the pelvic area.

According to the Endometriosis Association, endometriosis affects 5 1/2 million women in the USA and Canada, and millions worldwide.

Symptoms

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Painful periods, pelvic pain and cramping during menstruation. It may begin before and continue for several days after the onset of the monthly period. The pain can also occur in the lower abdomen or low back. It has even been known to cause shooting nerve pain in the legs, called sciatica.

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Sharp, deep pain during ovulation, sexual intercourse, bowel movements, and/or urination

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Heavy menstrual periods or bleeding in between periods

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Fatigue

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Indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, and nausea

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Infertility

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Endometriosis can cause adhesions that trap the egg.

Normal endometrial tissue sheds each month and leaves the body as menstrual blood. Endometrial tissue outside the uterus also grows, sloughs off, and bleeds each month, but it has nowhere to go so it becomes trapped in the body. It can lead to the formation of cysts, scar tissue, and adhesions.

Progesterone Cream

Progesterone is believed to slow the growth of abnormal endometrial tissue. Although it's not considered a cure, it may improve symptoms such as pain during menstrual periods and pelvic pain.

Natural progesterone cream is derived from either soy or Mexican wild yam. A molecule called diosgenin is extracted in a lab and converted to a molecule that is exactly like human progesterone and added to back to the cream. Some companies sell wild yam cream, but unless it has been converted in a lab it is useless, because the body cannot convert wild yam to progesterone on its own.

Natural progesterone cream is applied to the wrists, inner arms, inner thighs, or upper chest at a dose and schedule that should be recommended by a professional. It is important to be supervised and to have progesterone levels monitored on lab tests, because too much progesterone can cause such side effects as mood changes, depression, water retention, weight gain, and absent or abnormal menstrual bleeding.

Diet

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Flavones
- Celery, parsley, and chili peppers are good sources of a class of plant chemicals called flavones. Flavones have been found to inhibit aromatase, an enzyme that can produce excess estrogen in the endometrial tissue of women with endometriosis.

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Cruciferous vegetables
- Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, and bok choy, contain hormone-balancing compound that activates liver enzymes and may help the body to break down and eliminate excess estrogen.

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Fresh fruit and green vegetables
- An Italian study that looked at data from 504 women with endometriosis found that fresh fruit and green vegetables were associated with a reduction in risk. There was an increased risk with high intake of red meat and ham.

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Flaxseeds
- Flaxseeds are high in lignans, a form of fiber found to be beneficial for estrogen-related conditions.

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Detox Diet
- Pesticides and other environmental chemicals have been found to increase aromatase activity and increase estrogen levels. That's why many of them are called endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

A
detox diet
limits intake of these chemicals and emphasizes organic foods. Foods that can increase inflammation, such as excess sugar, are also limited. A detox diet emphasizes organic vegetables and fruit, foods that are high in fiber, and plenty of water.

Supplements

Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, and anchovies. They are also available in fish oil capsules.

Several studies have found that omega-3 fatty acids may be beneficial for people with endometriosis. For example, an animal study by the University of Western Ontario found that fish oil containing two specific compounds, EPA and DHA, can relieve pain by decreasing levels of an inflammatory chemical called prostaglandin E2. Researchers also found that fish oil could slow the growth of endometrial tissue.

Adaptogen herbs and supplements

The adrenal glands are glands that sit on top of the kidneys. They secrete cortisol, a hormone involved in the stress response but also converted to other hormones such as progesterone. Prolonged stress can increase the release of cortisol. As a result, less of the raw material is available to make progesterone, which can lead to a deficiency of progesterone relative to estrogen.

Herbs that are believed to improve adrenal function

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Ashwagandha

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Suma

Nutrients important to adrenal health

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B5 (Pantothenic Acid)

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Vitamin C

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Vitamin B6

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Zinc

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Magnesium

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Did you know…?

Gum Disease affects 1 in 3 people over 30 years old.

Gum disease, known medically as periodontal disease, is a condition in which the gums, deeper supporting tissue, and potentially the bone surrounding teeth become infected and inflamed.

Gum disease starts with plaque on the teeth, a sticky white substance that coats teeth. It is formed when bacteria in the mouth mixes with saliva and residues from starchy foods and sugar in your diet.

If plaque is not properly removed from teeth by brushing and flossing, it accumulates and hardens underneath the gum line into tartar. Once tartar builds up, it is much more difficult to remove than plaque and usually requires a cleaning at the dentist.

Overtime, it can lead to inflamed gums, or gingivitis. This is a mild form of gum disease. One of the most common symptoms is darker red gums that bleed with brushing or flossing.

Professional cleaning can reverse gingivitis.

If there is bleeding with pain, it is a symptom that the infection and inflammation has spread to the deeper tissues and bone, called periodontitis. After the age of 30, periodontitis is responsible for tooth loss, more so than cavities.

Symptoms

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Red, swollen gums

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Bleeding while brushing or flossing

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Receding gums

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Chronic bad breath

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Loose teeth or widening space between gums and teeth

Vitamin C

The link between vitamin C deficiency and gum disease is well known. Back in the 18th century, sailors ate limes during long trips at sea to keep their gums from bleeding.

A study in the Journal of Periodontology found that people with low intakes of vitamin C had higher rates of periodontal disease. Researchers looked at 12,419 adults in the United States. People who consumed less than the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of 60 mg per day were 1.5 the risk of developing severe gingivitis as people who consumed more than 180 mg. Vitamin C is believed to help gum disease because vitamin C is an antioxidant and is needed to repair connective tissue and accelerate bone regeneration.