Complementary Therapy for Lupus (Part II)

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Jul 7, 2000

Once your body develops a chronic illness or disease, adjusting to the changes in your life takes time. Over this period of time, you may create a cycle that keeps you in the pain. At first, when you hurt you don't know what to do. You may become worried and depressed. This extra anxiety makes it really hard to sleep at night. When you get out of bed in the morning, you're still tired. Being tired all day makes your pain even worse today than it was yesterday. Very easily, this whole routine just became a cycle.

So this week, we're going to finish the Lupus series by discussing natural remedies for depression, anxiety, sleep, and fatigue. Again, Reiki and hypnosis are great for these areas. I'll link some scripts at the end of this article for your use.

Depression: The symptoms of depression can include poor concentration, confusion, irritability, self-accusation, loss of self-esteem, insomnia, feelings of emptiness and despair, loss of appetite, and loss of sexual drive.

First of all, depression is very serious, especially when accompanied by a chronic illness. Take what your doctor has prescribed for you, and let him know what natural methods you are interested in using. Do not replace your antidepressants with St. John's Wort, for example. Don't even add St. John's Wort to your health care regimen without discussing it with your doctor. This remedy can interfere with your medication and your health.

What are some of the things that help naturally? Some of the best herbal remedies, easily taken as a tea, are balm, borage, limeflower, oats, rosemary, and vervain. Aromatherapy is also effective for depression with scents including neroli, jasmine, geranium, melissa, rose, ylang ylang, lavender, clary sage, and chamomile. The last four of these also act as a sedative. Diet and nutrition are also important. Vitamin B6, B12, folic acid, vitamin C, and an amino acid called tryptophan can all help with depression. Oats are an excellent source of B vitamins and work well as an antidepressant.

Also, if you haven't visited John McManamy's site on depression, please do. This is an excellent site to learn how to cope with depression.

Anxieties: Anxiety accompanies depression and illness. The symptoms of anxiety include dry mouth, sweaty palms, rapid pulse, palpitations, breathlessness, headaches, general weakness, fatigue, tightness of the chest, high blood pressure, abdominal pain, diarrhea, insomnia, and loss of appetite.

Some of the herbs that can be used to help anxiety are ginseng, angelica, skullcap, valerian, lady's slipper, and lime blossom. These ease tension and anxiety and can also be taken as a tea. Aromatherapy scents include lavender, geranium, bergamot, sweet almond oil, and peach. Again, B vitamins and oats can help with the symptoms of anxiety. Also be sure to avoid caffeine when you are experiencing anxiety.

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The copyright of the article Complementary Therapy for Lupus (Part II) in Holistic Therapy is owned by T. Darlene Cheek. Permission to republish Complementary Therapy for Lupus (Part II) in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.