Guest guest Posted October 3, 2007 Report Share Posted October 3, 2007 Hello Stephanie, I'm replying to the list in the hopes that it will also help others. One of the best organizations for researching natural therapies is the Life Extension Foundation. They DO sell products, however, their integrity and research is superb. Rob and I have belonged to their organization for about 4 years and we gain a great deal from their contemporary research and advice. You can read excerpts from their many articles covering arthritis here http://search.lef.org/search/default.aspx?s=1 & QUERY=arthritis Do you know if your arthritis is Osteoarthritis or Rheumatoid arthritis or perhaps Gout? Or another more rare form like Spondylcarfhopathies (Ankylosing Spondylitis), Systemic Lupus, Infectious arthritis or Kawasaki syndrome? Diet changes and supplements can be very beneficial, as well as exercise. There is no magic bullet (either synthetic or natural) and some changes may take a while to gain improvement. A thorough diagnosis and assessment, along with the help of a good Naturopath/Nutritionist can guide you. An excellent book is " Prescription for Nutritional Healing " by James F. Balch, M.D. and Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C., organized as a practical A-Z reference for myriad health problems and nutritional suggestions. Alfalfa contains all the minerals necessary for bone formation and may be helpful - available in capsules or whole, natural herb form. Cat's Claw (not to be used during pregnancy), Ginger and Feverfew address pain and soreness and Cayenne pepper contains the compound Capsaicin which addresses pain by inhibiting the release of substance P (a neurotransmitter responsible for communicating pain sensation). There are several Capsaicin based topical products at health food and vitamin stores, however, you can make a paste or poultice from the peppers, but be careful as it is strongly irritating especially to sensitive skin. Capsaicin can be absorbed through the skin or Cayenne herb or tincture can be taken internally. Dietary recommendations might include eating more sulfur containing foods (asparagus, eggs, garlic and onions) - sulfur is needed for the repair and rebuilding of bone, cartilage and connective tissue and aids in the absorption of calcium. Green, leafy veggies that supply vitamin K, non-acidic fresh fruits, whole grains (especially oatmeal), brown rice and fish are also helpful. Eat fresh pineapple frequently; it contains the enzyme Bromelain which is excellent for reducing inflammation and also eat fiber daily in the form of flaxseed, oat bran or rice bran. Reduce the amount of fat in your diet and avoid milk, dairy products and red meat. Also avoid caffeine, citrus fruits, paprika, salt, tobacco and all sugar. These are suggestions, however, I emphasize to work with an alternative health professional and/or nutritionist for a total program for optimum results. Marcia Elston/Samara Botane/Nature Intelligence http://www.wingedseed.com http://www.aromaconnection.org " Historically, the most terrible things - war, genocide and slavery - have resulted from obedience, not disobedience. " Howard Zinn > > > On Behalf Of spiritualsylph > Wednesday, October 03, 2007 11:35 AM > > A little help.... > > Good Afternoon! > > I just found this group and after spending most of this > morning perusing the numerous threads, I am ready to admit > I'm probably in over my head. ;-) > > This field is very new to me and I'm hoping I can reach out > to some of you for help and/or resources. I am not looking > to start a business or treat others through the use of > Essential Oils or Aromatherapy, but I am simply looking for > relief for my own condition. I have had extremely severe > arthritis for nearly 20 years now and I am reaching the point > where the medications are doing more harm than good. > > After spending weeks and weeks on the internet looking for > information, I have come to the conclusion that there are so > many conflicting opinions on what works vs. what is just > internet commercialism, I may never find my way out! > > Basically, I just need some reliable advice, or someone to > point me in the right direction. I would love to find a > reference book or site (this one, if applicable?), but I > don't consider myself knowledgeable enough in this field to > be able to sort through what is correct information and what is not. > > Any advice or recommendations you have are absolutely > welcome. If you prefer direct email contact, that is also > fine with me. > > Thank you so much for your time, > Stephanie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 3, 2007 Report Share Posted October 3, 2007 Marcia, Thank you for this interesting and informative post. I wanted to point out one thing. Alfalfa sprouts are proven to cause lupus flares, therefore those with lupus arthritis should kind of edge around that alfalfa. I was really aggravated too, because I loved those things. Thanks. JS - Marcia Elston Wednesday, October 03, 2007 5:48 PM RE: A little help....Arthritis Hello Stephanie, I'm replying to the list in the hopes that it will also help others. One of the best organizations for researching natural therapies is the Life Extension Foundation. They DO sell products, however, their integrity and research is superb. Rob and I have belonged to their organization for about 4 years and we gain a great deal from their contemporary research and advice. You can read excerpts from their many articles covering arthritis here http://search.lef.org/search/default.aspx?s=1 & QUERY=arthritis Do you know if your arthritis is Osteoarthritis or Rheumatoid arthritis or perhaps Gout? Or another more rare form like Spondylcarfhopathies (Ankylosing Spondylitis), Systemic Lupus, Infectious arthritis or Kawasaki syndrome? Diet changes and supplements can be very beneficial, as well as exercise. There is no magic bullet (either synthetic or natural) and some changes may take a while to gain improvement. A thorough diagnosis and assessment, along with the help of a good Naturopath/Nutritionist can guide you. An excellent book is " Prescription for Nutritional Healing " by James F. Balch, M.D. and Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C., organized as a practical A-Z reference for myriad health problems and nutritional suggestions. Alfalfa contains all the minerals necessary for bone formation and may be helpful - available in capsules or whole, natural herb form. Cat's Claw (not to be used during pregnancy), Ginger and Feverfew address pain and soreness and Cayenne pepper contains the compound Capsaicin which addresses pain by inhibiting the release of substance P (a neurotransmitter responsible for communicating pain sensation). There are several Capsaicin based topical products at health food and vitamin stores, however, you can make a paste or poultice from the peppers, but be careful as it is strongly irritating especially to sensitive skin. Capsaicin can be absorbed through the skin or Cayenne herb or tincture can be taken internally. Dietary recommendations might include eating more sulfur containing foods (asparagus, eggs, garlic and onions) - sulfur is needed for the repair and rebuilding of bone, cartilage and connective tissue and aids in the absorption of calcium. Green, leafy veggies that supply vitamin K, non-acidic fresh fruits, whole grains (especially oatmeal), brown rice and fish are also helpful. Eat fresh pineapple frequently; it contains the enzyme Bromelain which is excellent for reducing inflammation and also eat fiber daily in the form of flaxseed, oat bran or rice bran. Reduce the amount of fat in your diet and avoid milk, dairy products and red meat. Also avoid caffeine, citrus fruits, paprika, salt, tobacco and all sugar. These are suggestions, however, I emphasize to work with an alternative health professional and/or nutritionist for a total program for optimum results. Marcia Elston/Samara Botane/Nature Intelligence http://www.wingedseed.com http://www.aromaconnection.org " Historically, the most terrible things - war, genocide and slavery - have resulted from obedience, not disobedience. " Howard Zinn > > > On Behalf Of spiritualsylph > Wednesday, October 03, 2007 11:35 AM > > A little help.... > > Good Afternoon! > > I just found this group and after spending most of this > morning perusing the numerous threads, I am ready to admit > I'm probably in over my head. ;-) > > This field is very new to me and I'm hoping I can reach out > to some of you for help and/or resources. I am not looking > to start a business or treat others through the use of > Essential Oils or Aromatherapy, but I am simply looking for > relief for my own condition. I have had extremely severe > arthritis for nearly 20 years now and I am reaching the point > where the medications are doing more harm than good. > > After spending weeks and weeks on the internet looking for > information, I have come to the conclusion that there are so > many conflicting opinions on what works vs. what is just > internet commercialism, I may never find my way out! > > Basically, I just need some reliable advice, or someone to > point me in the right direction. I would love to find a > reference book or site (this one, if applicable?), but I > don't consider myself knowledgeable enough in this field to > be able to sort through what is correct information and what is not. > > Any advice or recommendations you have are absolutely > welcome. If you prefer direct email contact, that is also > fine with me. > > Thank you so much for your time, > Stephanie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2007 Report Share Posted October 4, 2007 Thank you very much for the information, it gives me a great place to start. In response to your inquiry, my arthritis is of the Rheumatoid variety, Juvenile Rheumatoid to be more specific. I was diagnosed at a very early age and have been battling with it ever sense. Many of the dietary suggestions you made I am already doing, which I'm very pleased to know. About finding a Naturopath/Nutritionist in my area, I'm not sure that's going to happen as I currently live in an extremely rural farming community. I'm going to try to look into it further, though. Is there such a thing as some sort of online registry for such professionals, to make it easier to find one in a specific area? Thank you so much! Stephanie , " Marcia Elston " <samara wrote: > > Hello Stephanie, > > I'm replying to the list in the hopes that it will also help others. > > One of the best organizations for researching natural therapies is the Life > Extension Foundation. They DO sell products, however, their integrity and > research is superb. Rob and I have belonged to their organization for about > 4 years and we gain a great deal from their contemporary research and > advice. You can read excerpts from their many articles covering arthritis > here > http://search.lef.org/search/default.aspx?s=1 & QUERY=arthritis <Snip> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 5, 2007 Report Share Posted October 5, 2007 Stephanie to see if you can find a ND in your area here is a link that may help you. I used this when I was looking for a ND a few years ago :-) Hope it helps! HYPERLINK " http://www.naturopathic.org/findannd.php " http://www.naturopathic.org/findan nd.php Be well, Jen Version: 7.5.488 / Virus Database: 269.14.1/1050 - Release 10/4/2007 5:03 PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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