Hydrangea is an herb used in folk medicine as a diuretic. It also has the potential to facilitate the elimination of bladder or kidney stones. Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease with unclear causes; its treatment only involves the management of symptoms. Hydrangea consumption is not connected with multiple sclerosis in any therapeutic way.
Hydrangea
Hydrangea is the common name for the plant Hydrangea arborescens. The root and rhizome are powdered and subsequently used to make herbal tea, tinctures, syrup or liquid extract. Mayo Clinic reports traditional use of the herb as a diuretic. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this use. Herbalist Simon Mills recommends using 2 grams of dried hydrangea root to make tea or consume the powder with food; this amount can be used three times per day. RealFoodco.com reports that you can also use 2 to 10 milliliters of the tincture or 1 teaspoon of hydrangea syrup as frequently as the tea and powder.
Multiple Sclerosis
The immune system of multiple sclerosis patients produces antibodies that attack the myelin sheath of nerve cells and gradually destroy it. The brain and spinal cord are affected. Electrical signals between the brain and different parts of the body of someone with MS are transmitted significantly more slowly than in a healthy individual. Typical symptoms of MS include poor coordination and balance, visual impairments, muscle weakness and fatigue.
Although there is no clear cause of this disease, FamilyDoctor.org states that a combination of viral, genetic and environmental factors control the development of the disease.
Nutrition and MS
Many multiple sclerosis patients suffer from various malnutritions and this may influence the course of the disease. Malnutrition has been associated with impairment of the immune system; it affects mental function and respiratory muscle strength. Although nutrition is widely accepted as an environmental factor contributing to the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis, its potential role in alleviating or preventing this condition is not yet considered seriously. With the exception of vitamin D, the impact of vitamins or minerals on MS has not been properly evaluated. However, a study published in August 2011 in the “Journal of Neurology” shows that most patients suffering from multiple sclerosis start taking dietary multivitamin and vitamin D supplements after the onset of their disease, hoping this will contribute to their recovery.
Vitamin D Function
Vitamin D plays a key role in the regulation of the immune system and activation of pathways that lead to the production of antibodies. Given the immune-mediated basis of multiple sclerosis, this suggests the nutrient may play a protective role against the disease. A study published in the journal “Multiple Sclerosis” in February 2005 found that intake of vitamin D is associated with a lower incidence of MS. A comprehensive review published in the journal “The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society” reports that vitamin D deficiency is linked with many autoimmune diseases, including MS. The same review highlights the ability of vitamin D to interact directly with cells of the immune system and the regulatory role in the production of antibodies.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Bladder Stones: Alternative Medicine; Jan. 15, 2011
- “The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society”; Vitamin D and Immune Function: An Overview; M. Hewison; August 2011
- “Multiple Sclerosis”; Multiple Sclerosis and Nutrition; S. Schwarz et al.; February 2005
- “Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery”; Nutrition in Multiple Sclerosis; M. Habek et al.; September 2010
- "The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism"; Simon Y. Mills, M.A., MNIMH;1988
- RealFoodco.com: Hydrangea
- “Journal of Neurology”; Patterns of Dietary and Herbal Supplement Used By Multiple Sclerosis Patients; K. O’Connor et al.; September 2011
