Fibromyalgia
http://www.frontiernet.net/~ruthb/Fibromyalgia.html
Treating Fibromyalgia With Herbs
Marguerite Dunne, Clinical Herbalist
What the experts tell us is that fibromyalgia is an amorphous blob of sickly symptoms which include aches and pains; twitching fits; fatigue, mild to incapacitating to brain fog; sleeping disorders; irritable bowel syndrome; chronic headaches; joint dysfunction syndrome; multiple chemical sensitivity; dysmenorrhoea, and an exceedingly stressed immune system. (I¹m going to throw in "the blues" based on the anecdotal histories from my clients.)
Because there is such a high proportion of women who have this syndrome, it seems that a female hormonal imbalance contributes to the disorder too. (It is estimated that close to 80% of the three to six million fibromyalgia patients in America are women with most of
them in their 30¹s to their 50¹s.)
Moreover, these symptoms seem to worsen with age.
Contrary to popular allopathic medicinal rhetoric, there are hundreds of double-blind scientific studies exemplifying the inherent value of herbal therapies. China and Germany are world leaders in this research with the German E-Commission Monographs touted as the single best source on the efficacy of Western herbs. While you will not find these studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association,
there are other highly respected scientific venues where these
are presented.**
All of the following have helped my clients with fibromyalgia: oat bran can lower cholesterol, soothe nerves, provide bulk, and gently encourage elimination. When going through a major cleansing, oat bran keeps everything "moving along." milk thistle (Silybum marianum)
the angel protector of the liver, cleansing and amending it. So favorable to regenerating damaged liver cells, milk thistle is a must for recovering from drug or alcohol abuse.
As the body is revivifying, include this wonderful seed and for a time thereafter too.
burdock (Arctium lappa) a superior blood cleanser. An anti-microbial, it soothes the kidneys during detoxification. Burdock benefits skin problems, especially ones related to the discharge of wastes.
pau d'arco (Tabebuia avellanedae) a powerful antibiotic, pau d'arco contains iron which assists the body in the easy assimilation of nutrients and the easy elimination of wastes.
stillingia (Stillingia ligustina) a potent alterative, stillingia stimulates the glands, especially the liver, and helps rid the
body of pollutants and toxic drugs.
Oregon grape root (Berberis aquifolium) named by none other than Lewis & Clark, this herb rejuvenates the liver and the thyroid. Loaded with minerals, it aids the elimination process while strengthening the immune defenses.
Poke root (Phytolacca americana) an anti-rheumatic, this herb aids in cleansing the lymphatic glands while stimulating the immune system. It can activate metabolism while reducing inflammation. This is a very powerful herb and should only be taken in small quantities for a short period of time.
black cohosh (Cimifuga racemosa) with an estrogen like performance, this herb normalizes female hormones as well as being an anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxant.
A menopause must!
wild yam (Dioscorea villosa) contains the plant steroids which are needed for progesterone, a partner of estrogen, which can ease raging hormones back into equilibrium. Both black cohosh and wild yam are indispensable for stabilizing female hormones.
white willow bark (Salix) a safe, natural anti-inflammatory, it quiets pains in the connective tissue because it is a source of salicylates. Mild on the stomach, this one is good for headaches too.
calcium and magnesium Calcium helps with bones, teeth, and gums, and aids in neuromuscular activity. Magnesium must be present for calcium to be absorbed. A deficiency will not only impede calcium uptake, but can interfere with nerve transmission and muscle impulses.
Magnesium deficiency has also been related to depression.
References:
Hoffman, David, The Herbal Handbook, 1988, Healing Arts Press, Rochester,
Vermont.
Tenney, Louise, Today's Herbal Health, 1997, Woodland Publishing, Pleasant
Grove, Utah.
Balch, Phyllis, and James F. Balch, Prescription for Nutritional Healing,
2000, Avery, New York, New York.
**For choice information, check into the website of the American Botanical
Council: www.herbalgram.org. A nonprofit education and research
organization, ABC has the most current news and data on the medicinal use
of herbs.
=========================================
http://www.frontiernet.net/~ruthb/Fibromyalgia.html
Treating Fibromyalgia With Herbs
Marguerite Dunne, Clinical Herbalist
What the experts tell us is that fibromyalgia is an amorphous blob of sickly symptoms which include aches and pains; twitching fits; fatigue, mild to incapacitating to brain fog; sleeping disorders; irritable bowel syndrome; chronic headaches; joint dysfunction syndrome; multiple chemical sensitivity; dysmenorrhoea, and an exceedingly stressed immune system. (I¹m going to throw in "the blues" based on the anecdotal histories from my clients.)
Because there is such a high proportion of women who have this syndrome, it seems that a female hormonal imbalance contributes to the disorder too. (It is estimated that close to 80% of the three to six million fibromyalgia patients in America are women with most of
them in their 30¹s to their 50¹s.)
Moreover, these symptoms seem to worsen with age.
Contrary to popular allopathic medicinal rhetoric, there are hundreds of double-blind scientific studies exemplifying the inherent value of herbal therapies. China and Germany are world leaders in this research with the German E-Commission Monographs touted as the single best source on the efficacy of Western herbs. While you will not find these studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association,
there are other highly respected scientific venues where these
are presented.**
All of the following have helped my clients with fibromyalgia: oat bran can lower cholesterol, soothe nerves, provide bulk, and gently encourage elimination. When going through a major cleansing, oat bran keeps everything "moving along." milk thistle (Silybum marianum)
the angel protector of the liver, cleansing and amending it. So favorable to regenerating damaged liver cells, milk thistle is a must for recovering from drug or alcohol abuse.
As the body is revivifying, include this wonderful seed and for a time thereafter too.
burdock (Arctium lappa) a superior blood cleanser. An anti-microbial, it soothes the kidneys during detoxification. Burdock benefits skin problems, especially ones related to the discharge of wastes.
pau d'arco (Tabebuia avellanedae) a powerful antibiotic, pau d'arco contains iron which assists the body in the easy assimilation of nutrients and the easy elimination of wastes.
stillingia (Stillingia ligustina) a potent alterative, stillingia stimulates the glands, especially the liver, and helps rid the
body of pollutants and toxic drugs.
Oregon grape root (Berberis aquifolium) named by none other than Lewis & Clark, this herb rejuvenates the liver and the thyroid. Loaded with minerals, it aids the elimination process while strengthening the immune defenses.
Poke root (Phytolacca americana) an anti-rheumatic, this herb aids in cleansing the lymphatic glands while stimulating the immune system. It can activate metabolism while reducing inflammation. This is a very powerful herb and should only be taken in small quantities for a short period of time.
black cohosh (Cimifuga racemosa) with an estrogen like performance, this herb normalizes female hormones as well as being an anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxant.
A menopause must!
wild yam (Dioscorea villosa) contains the plant steroids which are needed for progesterone, a partner of estrogen, which can ease raging hormones back into equilibrium. Both black cohosh and wild yam are indispensable for stabilizing female hormones.
white willow bark (Salix) a safe, natural anti-inflammatory, it quiets pains in the connective tissue because it is a source of salicylates. Mild on the stomach, this one is good for headaches too.
calcium and magnesium Calcium helps with bones, teeth, and gums, and aids in neuromuscular activity. Magnesium must be present for calcium to be absorbed. A deficiency will not only impede calcium uptake, but can interfere with nerve transmission and muscle impulses.
Magnesium deficiency has also been related to depression.
References:
Hoffman, David, The Herbal Handbook, 1988, Healing Arts Press, Rochester,
Vermont.
Tenney, Louise, Today's Herbal Health, 1997, Woodland Publishing, Pleasant
Grove, Utah.
Balch, Phyllis, and James F. Balch, Prescription for Nutritional Healing,
2000, Avery, New York, New York.
**For choice information, check into the website of the American Botanical
Council: www.herbalgram.org. A nonprofit education and research
organization, ABC has the most current news and data on the medicinal use
of herbs.
=========================================
