The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke states that multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable disease of your central nervous system that is associated with dysfunctional communication between your brain and your other body parts. Multiple sclerosis ranges from mild to debilitating. There is no cure for multiple sclerosis. Herbal remedies may help treat your multiple sclerosis, but you should always check with your doctor before using herbal medicine to reduce your symptoms.
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is a disease that attacks your brain, spinal cord and optic nerves, or the nerves that allow you to see. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, it is an autoimmune disease, or a disease in which your body's immune system attacks its own tissue. If you have multiple sclerosis, the fatty substance that surrounds and insulates your nerves is destroyed, disrupting communication along the path of your nerves.
Helpful Herbal Remedies
Although there is no known cure for multiple sclerosis, certain herbal remedies may help slow the progression of this disease, especially among younger individuals. According to Phyllis A. Balch, a certified nutritional consultant and author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," commonly used herbs to help treat multiple sclerosis include alfalfa, burdock, dandelion, echinacea, goldenseal, pau d'arco, red clover, St. John's wort, sarsaparilla, ginkgo, yarrow, cordyceps, lobelia, skullcap and valerian root. Some of these herbs relax your nervous system while others are effective detoxifiers.
Featured Herb
The leaves of the ginkgo tree are often used in herbal preparations to help treat multiple sclerosis. Dr. Joseph E. Pizzorno, Jr., a naturopathic physician and author of "The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine," states that ginkgo acts as an antioxidant, scavenging free radicals that cause damage to the central nervous system in people with multiple sclerosis. Pizzorno notes that ginkgo also improves platelet function and enhances nerve cell function. It may take several weeks of supplementation with this herb before you notice results.
Additional Information
Herbal remedies are a relatively safe and effective way to help treat your multiple sclerosis, although you should understand all possible risks and side effects before taking herbs. A multi-pronged approach to treatment may lead to the greatest health benefits if you are suffering from multiple sclerosis. Building a strong immune system can help prevent multiple sclerosis by helping you avoid infection, which commonly precedes the development of this condition. In some people, avoiding gluten may decrease your susceptibility to multiple sclerosis.
References
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Multiple Sclerosis Information Page
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society: What is Multiple Sclerosis?
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; 2010
- "The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine"; Joseph E. Pizzorno, Jr., N.D.; 2002
