Lots of glowing reviews from Lupus experts and patients. ---> http://www.amazon.com/Despite-Lupus-Live-Chronic-Illness-ebook/dp/B003H05ML2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411005382&sr=8-1&keywords=despite+lupus
Book Review ---> http://www.prweb.com/releases/lupus-cure/review/prweb10092746.htm
The following supplements are the ones that from my research seem to be the most highly agreed upon as far as safety and effectiveness. I will likely be adding to this page.
Pycnogenol AKA Pine Bark Extract
Pycnogenol efficacy in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus patients:
Abstract
"Pycnogenol also has about as many "side benefits" as aspirin has side effects. You can view them on our pycnogenol research page."
"Pycnogenol is a trademarked name for pine bark extract, and there is little to no difference between the two in terms of composition or effects."
http://www.livestrong.com/article/291067-pycnogenol-vs-pine-bark-extract/
Boswellia AKA Frankincense
Pycnogenol AKA Pine Bark Extract
Pycnogenol efficacy in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus patients:
Abstract
A pilot study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of Pycnogenol treatment in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Eleven SLE patients were treated with first line medication according to disease activity and in addition, six of them received Pycnogenol and five a placebo. The SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI), serum anti-dsDNA antibodies, fibrinogen, C-reactive protein levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by neutrophils, spontaneous apoptosis and p56(lck) specific activity in peripheral blood lymphocytes were evaluated. Pycnogenol treatment determined a significant reduction of ROS production, apoptosis, p56(lck) specific activity and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. In addition, the decrease of SLEDAI was significant in the Pycnogenol treated group compared with the placebo group (p = 0.018). The results obtained suggest that Pycnogenol could be useful for second line therapy to reduce the inflammatory feature of SLE.
Copyright 2001 John WIley & Sons, Ltd.
"Pycnogenol is a trademarked name for pine bark extract, and there is little to no difference between the two in terms of composition or effects."
http://www.livestrong.com/article/291067-pycnogenol-vs-pine-bark-extract/
Boswellia AKA Frankincense
Frankincense cured my Lupus
12 years ago I was living in enourmous pain and taking prednisone (a steroid that causes osteoporosis and can dissolve your joints) and anti-malarial drugs (can cause gloucoma) to control my pain and the disabling effects of Systemic Lupus Erithmatosis, SLE. They caused violent mood swings and impaired my liver and kidney function. I was a mess!
Now I am symptom free and my Internist MD has confirmed by blood tests that there is no evidence of any Lupus...and my C-reactive protein blood test showed NO inflammation in my body!
You probably know that inflammation is a suspected cause of heart disease and stroke.
For the last 10 years I have taken an herb called Boswellia. It is made from the bark of the Boswellia tree that grows in India and Somalia; but it actually is Frankincense...like the Three Kings took to the baby Jesus 2000 years ago.
Boswellia is a very effective anti-inflammatory that a holistic D.O. encouraged all his patients, including me, to take for their autoimmune system diseases.
I told an MD that I went to for 2 years about how Boswellia had saved me from excruciating joint pain and he researched it. He told me it was very highly rated for Rheumatoid Arthritis as well as almost any disease that causes pain and inflammation in joints and soft tissue in the human body...without any reported negative side effects.
I am posting this about my medical turn around in the hope that others with inflammatory forms of arthritic diseases and other inflammation based diseases may find hope and health as I did.
Boswellia gave me a life without pain...a new start ... the opportunity to live and laugh and love again. I wish that to you all.
Curcumin May Help Lupus
A new study has demonstrated a powerful regulatory mechanism by which curcumin returns the malfunctioning immune system of lupus to normal. The study likely has widespread implications for many autoimmune problems which share the common mechanism of immune system inefficiency causing health problems.
Lupus is a problem wherein the immune system attacks red blood cells when their nucleus is exposed during recycling processes in the spleen. This causes red blood cells to stick together with immune components, forming a sticky mess that behaves like Velcro floating around in the circulation. This sticky complex clogs and damages the kidneys, one of the major side effects of lupus.
The animal study showed that curcumin calmed down excessive immune activity and promoted better kidney health (protein levels inappropriately leaking into the urine, reflected of kidney damage, declined). It reduced the number of sticky complexes and prevented inflammation in the kidneys. Of specific interest is that the researchers were able to prove that curcumin was exerting its benefits by restoring the healthy function of T regulatory cells. In others words, curcumin was commanding the immune system to behave in a normal manner.
Since T regulatory cells are misbehaving as a common feature of most autoimmune problems, this finding likely has significant implications for a variety of health problems. Western medicine relies on strategies to poison immune cells in the hopes of calming down excess activity. A far superior strategy is to try to return the immune system to normal function. This study supports the idea that curcumin could be used as nutritional support to help promote immune system efficiency.
http://www.wellnessresources.com/health/articles/curcumin_may_help_lupus/
Now I am symptom free and my Internist MD has confirmed by blood tests that there is no evidence of any Lupus...and my C-reactive protein blood test showed NO inflammation in my body!
You probably know that inflammation is a suspected cause of heart disease and stroke.
For the last 10 years I have taken an herb called Boswellia. It is made from the bark of the Boswellia tree that grows in India and Somalia; but it actually is Frankincense...like the Three Kings took to the baby Jesus 2000 years ago.
Boswellia is a very effective anti-inflammatory that a holistic D.O. encouraged all his patients, including me, to take for their autoimmune system diseases.
I told an MD that I went to for 2 years about how Boswellia had saved me from excruciating joint pain and he researched it. He told me it was very highly rated for Rheumatoid Arthritis as well as almost any disease that causes pain and inflammation in joints and soft tissue in the human body...without any reported negative side effects.
I am posting this about my medical turn around in the hope that others with inflammatory forms of arthritic diseases and other inflammation based diseases may find hope and health as I did.
Boswellia gave me a life without pain...a new start ... the opportunity to live and laugh and love again. I wish that to you all.
Curcumin May Help Lupus
A new study has demonstrated a powerful regulatory mechanism by which curcumin returns the malfunctioning immune system of lupus to normal. The study likely has widespread implications for many autoimmune problems which share the common mechanism of immune system inefficiency causing health problems.
Lupus is a problem wherein the immune system attacks red blood cells when their nucleus is exposed during recycling processes in the spleen. This causes red blood cells to stick together with immune components, forming a sticky mess that behaves like Velcro floating around in the circulation. This sticky complex clogs and damages the kidneys, one of the major side effects of lupus.
The animal study showed that curcumin calmed down excessive immune activity and promoted better kidney health (protein levels inappropriately leaking into the urine, reflected of kidney damage, declined). It reduced the number of sticky complexes and prevented inflammation in the kidneys. Of specific interest is that the researchers were able to prove that curcumin was exerting its benefits by restoring the healthy function of T regulatory cells. In others words, curcumin was commanding the immune system to behave in a normal manner.
Since T regulatory cells are misbehaving as a common feature of most autoimmune problems, this finding likely has significant implications for a variety of health problems. Western medicine relies on strategies to poison immune cells in the hopes of calming down excess activity. A far superior strategy is to try to return the immune system to normal function. This study supports the idea that curcumin could be used as nutritional support to help promote immune system efficiency.
http://www.wellnessresources.com/health/articles/curcumin_may_help_lupus/
Optimal vitamin D3 levels should be between 70-100 ng/ml even though the medical acceptable level of 32 ng/ml is still used by most healthcare providers. Levels under 40 ng/ml are a major health risk factor for chronic inflammatory disease development. This is unknown by many mainstream medical doctors.
Although direct sunlight between the peak sun hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. is the best way to optimize vitamin D levels, many individuals with SLE get inflamed when exposed to direct sunlight. They can supplement with 10,000 IU of a high quality emulsified vitamin D3 for a period of time to reach and stay at the desired level.
Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/
Burdock root or red clover: Consumption of red clover or burdock root tea twice daily. Both Burdock root and red clover tea help to detoxify the patients having lupus.
Gingko biloba: This herb is helpful if reducing swelling and also helps to improve circulation in the kidneys thereby treating lupus. Gingko biloba should be taken between 50gm to 100 mg, twice daily for treating lupus disease.
Devil’s claw: Devil’s claw is a medicinal herb that is made from the dried roots of the plant. This herb has an anti-inflammatory and pain relieving effect that is useful for the patients with lupus. 2gm to 5 gm of Devil’s claw twice daily can help to treat the disease efficiently. - See more at: http://www.natural-homeremedies.com/blog/curing-lupus-with-natural-remedies/#sthash.sAMQoKam.dpuf
Devil’s claw: Devil’s claw is a medicinal herb that is made from the dried roots of the plant. This herb has an anti-inflammatory and pain relieving effect that is useful for the patients with lupus. 2gm to 5 gm of Devil’s claw twice daily can help to treat the disease efficiently. - See more at: http://www.natural-homeremedies.com/blog/curing-lupus-with-natural-remedies/#sthash.sAMQoKam.dpuf
Devil’s claw: Devil’s claw is a medicinal herb that is made from the dried roots of the plant. This herb has an anti-inflammatory and pain relieving effect that is useful for the patients with lupus. 2gm to 5 gm of Devil’s claw twice daily can help to treat the disease efficiently. - See more at: http://www.natural-homeremedies.com/blog/curing-lupus-with-natural-remedies/#sthash.sAMQoKam.dpuf
Devil’s claw: Devil’s claw is a medicinal herb that is made from the dried roots of the plant. This herb has an anti-inflammatory and pain relieving effect that is useful for the patients with lupus. 2gm to 5 gm of Devil’s claw twice daily can help to treat the disease efficiently. - See more at: http://www.natural-homeremedies.com/blog/curing-lupus-with-natural-remedies/#sthash.sAMQoKam.dpuf
Devil’s claw: Devil’s claw is a medicinal herb that is made from the dried roots of the plant. This herb has an anti-inflammatory and pain relieving effect that is useful for the patients with lupus. 2gm to 5 gm of Devil’s claw twice daily can help to treat the disease efficiently. - See more at: http://www.natural-homeremedies.com/blog/curing-lupus-with-natural-remedies/#sthash.sAMQoKam.dpuf
Willow: The bark of willow helps in easing muscles and joint pain associated with lupus. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory against the affected joints. Willow is associated with curing of lupus that is linked with arthritis symptoms, muscle ache and pain as well as associated with headache. One can intake 50 gm of white willow bark twice per day. The consumption of white willow bark can help to replace the harsh prescription painkillers in order to control pain and discomfort.
Gingko biloba: This herb is helpful if reducing swelling and also helps to improve circulation in the kidneys thereby treating lupus. Gingko biloba should be taken between 50gm to 100 mg, twice daily for treating lupus disease.
- See more at: http://www.natural-homeremedies.com/blog/curing-lupus-with-natural-remedies/#sthash.SDji7DQU.dpuf
Gingko biloba: This herb is helpful if reducing swelling and also helps to improve circulation in the kidneys thereby treating lupus. Gingko biloba should be taken between 50gm to 100 mg, twice daily for treating lupus disease.
- See more at: http://www.natural-homeremedies.com/blog/curing-lupus-with-natural-remedies/#sthash.SDji7DQU.dpuf
Willow: The bark of willow helps in easing muscles and joint pain associated with lupus. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory against the affected joints. Willow is associated with curing of lupus that is linked with arthritis symptoms, muscle ache and pain as well as associated with headache. One can intake 50 gm of white willow bark twice per day. The consumption of white willow bark can help to replace the harsh prescription painkillers in order to control pain and discomfort.
Gingko biloba: This herb is helpful if reducing swelling and also helps to improve circulation in the kidneys thereby treating lupus. Gingko biloba should be taken between 50gm to 100 mg, twice daily for treating lupus disease.
Gingko biloba: This herb is helpful if reducing swelling and also helps to improve circulation in the kidneys thereby treating lupus. Gingko biloba should be taken between 50gm to 100 mg, twice daily for treating lupus disease.
See more at: http://www.natural-homeremedies.com/blog/curing-lupus-with-natural-remedies/#sthash.sAMQoKam.dpuf
By increasing stomach acid, devil's claw might decrease the effectiveness of medications that are used to decrease stomach acid, called proton pump inhibitors. - Source.
Pau d'Arco
Benefits
Pau d'Arco bark has active principles, mainly lapachol, quercetin and other flavonoids. The dried inner bark of Pau d'Arco can be used as a tea which has a taste that is just a little bit harsh, and a color that may remind you of sepia-toned photographs. Some claim that it is useful in managing diabetes. It is also suggested that this plant is useful in treating other medical conditions, amongst which are fibromyalgia (FMS) and lupus (SLE). This herbal tea is used by many during the cold and flu season, and is a remedy for smoker's cough. Another medicinal use of Pau d'Arco is as an expectorant: to promote "coughing up" by the lungs in order to free mucus and contaminants that had been lodged there.
Pau d'Arco tea or tincture concoctions have reportedly had beneficial effects for cancer patients, anywhere from alleviation of chemotherapy symptoms to complete remission of tumors. According to Dr. Daniel Mowrey, who has become somewhat famous in the area of Pau d'Arco supporters, anti-cancer benefits can be had from Lapacho (the active compound), without any side effects being noticed (but see cautions page for potential side effects). Taheebo, another name that is used for this tea, is suggested to have been helpful to many.
Candida Albicans, a fungus which causes yeast infections, has also been treated by the Pau d'Arco herb. Aside from patients dealing with candida problems, those with other issues involving fungi or yeasts -- such as Aspergillus -- may also be helped due to the antifungal nature of lapachol. Moreover, it is claimed that certain bacteria are affected by this compound, so help may also be available for people with issues of that nature, including: C. diff, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus, Helicobacter pylori (common cause of stomach ulcers), Brucella, tuberculosis, pneumonia, and dysentery.
http://paudarco.org/
Gotu Kola (Centella Asiatica)
Gotu Kola does many things. Its a valuable herb for the Lupus sufferer because of its many and varied virtues.
Its actions include - Adaptogen, alterative, de-toxifier, powerful blood tonic and a relaxant to the central nervous system.
These actions are not all-inclusive of its actions but I chose to list these in particular as these are all vital to the healing of a person with auto immune disorders.
Espeically so with Lupus DILE it is important to detox, it is also extremely important to keep the nervous system healthy.
The adaptogen properties of the herb help the Lupus sufferer as they cope with stress. Anyone suffering with Lupus or indeed anyone caring for a sufferer will know how vital it is to keep stress to a minimum.
Natural substances in the form of plant medicines offer a gentle alternative to fast-acting synthetic chemical medicine in releasing the body's own source of energy to sustain the immune system.
Adaptogens are concerned with the therapeutic action of the whole plant which is considered to be greater than the sum of its parts. They may affect many different kinds of cels, whereas a chemical drug has a direct action upon a particular tissue or system.
Aaptogens are extremely powerful supportive agents against stress and its effects, initiating processes of regeneration of tissues and fluids.
Actually, the bit that I find so lovely about Gotu Kola is that it really does have a marvellous effect on the mature skin. It helps eliminate fine lines and wrinkles by boosting the production of collagen. Extra bonus!!
http://www.lupus-naturalhealing.com/herbal_medicine_chest.html
