Home Remedies For Fibromyalgia
There are 5 to 6 million people known to be suffering from FMS in the United States. However, the real number of cases is probably much higher, as this condition is often misdiagnosed. Fibromyalgia manifests itself in similar ways to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), chemical sensitivities, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic myofascial pain (shortened muscle fiber syndrome). As a result, it often takes a long time for a proper diagnosis to be made. In the past, FMS was known as fibrositis or fibromyositis, but both of these terms are now considered inappropriate because they imply inflammation of some sort (the suffix -itis is medical terminology for “inflammation”) and inflammation does not exist in fibromyalgia.
Most people with fibromyalgia also have an associated sleep disorder known as alpha-EEG anomaly. In this disorder, the individual’s deep sleep periods are interrupted by bouts of waking-type brain activity, resulting in poor sleep. Some people with fibromyalgia are plagued by other sleep disorders as well, such as sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, bruxism, and sleep myoclonus (a sudden rapid contraction of a muscle or a group of muscles during sleep or as one is falling asleep). Not surprisingly, given all these sleep difficulties, people with fibromyalgia often suffer from chronic fatigue that can range from mild to incapacitating. Other disorders common in people with fibromyalgia include the following:
- Chemical and/or food allergies.
- Dizziness and loss of balance.
- Extreme fatigue.
- Headaches.
- Irritable bowel syndrome (diarrhea and/or constipation, often alternating).
- Jaw pain.
- Memory loss and difficulty in concentrating.
- Menstrual pain.
- Sensitivity to bright lights or loud noises.
- Sensitivity to dairy products.
- Skin sensitivities.
- Stiffness in the morning and, often, when walking
Home Remedies For Fibromyalgia
- Astragalus and echinacea enhance immune function.
- Black walnut and garlic aid in removing parasites.
- Boswellia is excellent for morning stiffness and joint pain.
- Teas brewed from burdock root, dandelion, and red clover promote healing by cleansing the bloodstream and enhancing immune function. Combine or alternate these herbal teas, and drink 4 to 6 cups daily.
- Calendula or rosemary oil (or a combination of the two), diluted with an equal amount of water or vegetable oil and massaged into the skin, helps to relieve pain.
- Topical applications of cayenne (capsicum) powder mixed with wintergreen oil can help relieve muscle pain. Cayenne contains capsaicin, a substance that appears to inhibit the release of neurotransmitters responsible for communicating pain sensations. Use 1 part cayenne powder to 3 parts wintergreen oil. Cayenne can also be taken orally, in capsule form.
- Put 4 to 6 ounces of ginger powder into a moderately hot bath. This will induce sweating and help remove toxins from the body. Drinking hot ginger tea will have the same effect.
- Ginkgo biloba improves circulation and brain function.
- Kava kava decreases anxiety and elevates mood.
- Licorice root supports the glandular system, especially the adrenal glands. Caution: If overused, licorice can elevate blood pressure. Do not use this herb on a daily basis for more than seven days in a row. Avoid it if you have high blood pressure.
- Milk thistle protects the liver.
- Pau d’arco, taken in tea or tablet form, is good for treating candida infection.
- Skullcap and valerian root improves sleep.
- White willow bark is good for relieving pain.
Author: Dr Izharul Hasan
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