We would suggest the following herbal remedies:
Sarsaparilla: Smilax spp: Purifies the blood and reduces joint and muscle inflammation. Used worldwide for gout, arthritis, fevers, digestive disorders, psoriasis and other skin disorders.
Yarrow: Purifies the blood and reduces joint and muscle inflammation. Also has antiviral properties.
Yucca plant extract: Decreases pain and stiffness in muscles. Good for skin-related autoimmune diseases as well. Can be consumed by supplement and is also found in soaps and shampoos.
Chlorella & Spirulina: Packed with vitamins, amino acids and chlorophyll. Commonly used for lupus.
Hops: Humulus lupus: Used in herbal medicine as a nervine and sedative. Anti-inflammatory properties.
Artemisia: Artemisia annua: Used widely for autoimmune disease in TCM.
Indian Sarsaparilla vine: Hemidesmus indicus: Used a lot for RA. Acts as an oxygen radical scavenger and immune modulator while protecting kidney and liver function.
Green tea: Camellia sinensis: Affordable anti-inflammatory properties.
Vitamin D: Plays a huge role in the prevention and treatment of chronic autoimmune diseases.
Reishi Mushroom: Ganoderma spp.: An immune regulator with calming, pain-relieving actions. Tonifies the blood.
Ashwagandha: Withania somnifera: A general adaptogen use to increase energy, improve overall health and balance pathological states. Good anti-inflammatory properties.
Rehmannia: Rehmannia glutinosa: brings balance to aggressive autoimmune states. In Chinese Medicine, it is a blood and kidney tonic.
Chinese Skullcap: Scutellaria baicalensis: used extensively in TCM. It has an expansive range of therapeutic effects, (anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-viral, anti-bacterial) on the immune response.
Boswellia: Boswellia serrata: works directly with inflammation.
– Listed by Sharon Olivier, February 2021
Turmeric
USES/BENEFITS
Can assist with the following:
- Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
- Assists with high cholesterol, diabetes, rheumatism, osteoarthritis
- Relieves hay fever
- Assists with depression
- Antiviral, antibacterial and antiparasitic properties
- Heal’s skin conditions like eczema
APPLICATION/DOSAGE:
1-2 Capsules per day or as recommended by your health care practitioner
CONTRAINDICATIONS:
Turmeric usually does not cause significant side effects; however, some people can experience stomach upset, nausea, dizziness or diarrhoea
Essential Oils
We would suggest the following:
- Lavender Essential Oil
- Eucalyptus Essential Oil
- Ginger Essential Oil
Massage – Buy a base oil: coconut, sweet almond, grape seed for example. If you have 20ml of base oil, add half the amount of Essential Oil drops. In this case, you will add 5 drops of Lavender, 2 drops of Ginger and 3 drops of Eucalyptus. Apply the blend over the affected area, as required. Especially effective after a bath.
Bath – Your skin is the most absorbent part of the body. The heat of the bath assists in the absorption. There are 2 ways to do this:
- Diffusing 5 drops (maximum) of Essential Oils into a teaspoon of milk. Or a cup, if you would like more of a Cleopatra style bath. Use 2 drops of Lavender, 2 drops of Eucalyptus and 1 drop of Ginger. Add Epsom salts.
- Or simply add 5ml of your massage blend.
Close all windows. Soak for 15-20 minutes minimum. Avoid splashing in the eyes.
** A patch test is required – 1 drop of aromatherapy oil to 4 drops of base oil. Apply a coin size amount to a patch of skin on the inner arm **
If sensitivity occurs, apply more base oil to soothe the area. Possibly avoid use for a further 10 days. If you wish to continue, dilute to ¼ of the original amount and test on a small area of skin. If there is no further reaction, continue with that dosage.
** Lavender is the safest of oils, if on a rare occasion you react, apply more base oil to the skin to soothe it and dilute the massage blend with more base oil **
** Eucalyptus – Avoid during pregnancy/lactation, epilepsy, on homoeopathic remedies. Avoid use for children under 1 and with caution up to the age of 8 **
** Ginger – Use low doses, a strong, warming oil. Avoid during pregnancy, HBP, Heart conditions, Cancer, Diabetes, Liver damage, Skin disorders/sensitivity. No sun direct sun exposure to any skin applications for 24hours **
