Natural Help for Lupus

Natural Help for Lupus

Lupus, or Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is one of the most serious autoimmune diseases. Unlike other autoimmune conditions, SLE attacks a wide variety of tissues, and lupus-induced kidney damage can cause death.

Take oleander, blackseed oil and curcumin.  Oleander appears to be good for just about any immune disorder.  Curcumin and black seed oil (Nigella Sativa) are excellent immuno-modulators an blackseed oil has been used with success against Lupus.  Though there is no literature about curcumin being used for lupus, it is effective against rheumatoid arthritis which shares many characteristics with Lupus.

Other other good immune modulators such as the reishi, maitake and shitake mushrooms. 

Consider the possibility of leaky gut syndrome, which frequently accompanies Lupus.  Leaky gut often leads to or exascerbates autoimmune conditions.  If such is suspected or known to be the case,  a gut-healing strategy might include demulcent, antiinflammatory, and carminative herbs. One possible basic formula might include equal parts of chamomile (Matricaria recutita, M. chamomila), peppermint (Mentha piperita), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), and licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra). The herbs may be given in decoction or powdered. If powdered, they should be given in warm water. Amounts might be modified and other herbs added to the formula, depending on the presenting picture. Demulcents might best be given separately in order to provide more of the herb than would be available in  dose. Slippery elm powder (Ulmus fulva) can be given with applesauce or added to oatmeal. Marshmallow (Althea off), can be given as a simple.

Heat clearing herbs may be quite useful in Lupus.  In general, bitter herbs are viewed as “cooling,” and mild bitters may be useful in lupus. During remissions, gentle bitters such as dandelion (taraxacum off.), burdock (Arctium lappa), or agrimony (A. eupatoria, A. pilosa) might be included in formulas. During exacerbations, the stronger artemisia species might be used following the same “heat-clearing” strategy that conventional medicine applies with antimalarial drugs. Sweet Annie (Artemisia annua) is used in China as an antimalarial, and also used for exacerbations of SLE. A dose of 12-24 grams of the dry herb, decocted in a quart of water, and drunk in three doses throughout the day, may be appropriate. American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) also has cooling properties, as do the leaves of Asian ginseng  (Panax ginseng).

Aloe vera juice can also help soothe and repair the lining of the gut.

Take care to cleanse, protect and regenerate the liver.  A possible complication of “leaky gut” is an overload  of gut pathogens on the liver. Nutrients and herbs that support liver detoxification may be appropriate as addition either to a leaky gut formula or to tonic soups. The gentler cleansing herbs, such as dandelion, burdock, or agrimony might be preferred, along with the hepatoprotectant milk thistle seed (Silybum marianum). Nutrients such as magnesium and vitamin B6, essential to the process of liver detoxification, may be helpful, and may also reduce elevated estrogen levels which promote hyperactivity of the immune system.

Abandon the modern diet of sugar, bleached flour, refined oil and margarine in favor of a whole foods diet that included plenty of omega 3's.  Make sure one does not have dairy or wheat allergies and if so eliminate those foods.  Avoid soy products.

Because the gut may not be able to absorb and utilize nutrients as well when one has Lupus, it is essential to choose easily assimilable forms of supplements, including ALL the invaluable minerals.  Magnesium is essential.  Even more essential, in my opinion, is plant derived trace minerals .  Many people report tremendous improvements in immune disorders after taking trace minerals - and we are ALL deficient in minerals (and 90% or more of us are deficient in magnesium).

During fever or severe inflammation, fasting on water and lemon juice and resting during can reduce the load on the gut and help eliminate toxins and immune complexes.  Mild heat-clearing herbs might also be appropriate, while all tonics should be discontinued during such a period. For milder outbreaks, a light diet or modified fast, especially from potentially allergenic foods, might be useful.

Address stress and resolve past traumatic episodes.  It has been observed that an inordinate number of people who suffer from lupus have  suffered from mild to severe post-traumatic stress disorder, following major childhood traumas, sexual or physical abuse, war, etc., and continut to have unusual stress in their current situation, such as professional lives characterized by deadline pressures or pressure to overwork, abusive marital situations, or poverty. Chronic stress may lead to exhaustion of cortisol secretion by the adrenal glands (which might be measured by a simple salivary cortisol test). The loss of the antiinflammatory effects of the cortisol can exacerbate the autoimmunity. Dihydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) production by the adrenal glands may also be depleted, further contributing to immune imbalances and reduced tissue repair. DHEA supplementation may help relieve symptoms of lupus, but it should be pointed out that it does not address the cause of the disease, and will not heal the  leaky gut or remove food allergens.

And last, but not least, remove medications such as NSAIDs and steriods.  Tdrugs commonly used to treat lupus, including NSAID and steroids, may themselves cause leaky gut syndrome. While they may have their place in treatment, healing is unlikely without their removal. Birth control pills may also induce leaky gut syndrome.

Sources included:

Immune: Systemic lupus erythematosus
by Paul Bergner
Medical Herbalism Journal for the Clinical Practitioner 9(4): 1, 3-13