Sedating Herbs
Many herbs may produce sedation Table 23.3 . Some of the more common herbs on this list are Asian ginseng, chamomile, goldenseal, kava kava, St. John's wort, Siberian ginseng, and valerian. The sedating effects of these herbs may occur when they are taken alone or in combination with sedating medication or alcohol. This is important because fatigue is common in MS. In addition, medications with possible sedating effects are used commonly in MS, including lioresal Baclofen , tizanidine Zanaflex...
Potentially Dangerous Herbs or Herbs with Unstudied Toxicity
Some herbs have been associated with significant toxic effects or have not been subjected to toxicity evaluations Table 23.6 . These herbs should be avoided. In spite of reports of toxicity, it is possible to purchase many of these herbs in the United States. Potentially dangerous herbs that are sometimes specifically recommended for MS include borage seed oil, chaparral, comfrey, lobelia, and TABLE 23.6. Herbs with Potential Toxicity or Uninvestigated Toxicity TABLE 23.6. Herbs with Potential...
Valerian
Valerian has been used as a sedating and calming herb for over 1,000 years. It is sometimes referred to as the Valium of the nineteenth century. Valerian has a characteristic odor, which is similar to that of dirty socks. A stink rating is sometimes used to evaluate different valerian products. Valerian may produce its effects by an action similar to that of Valium diazepam and related prescription drugs benzodiazepines . However, the active chemicals and their exact biological activities have...
Pycnogenol
Pycnogenol has been used as a dietary supplement for approximately 15 years. It is made from the bark of the French maritime pine tree. Pycnogenol is a mixture of chemicals known as oligomeric proanthocyani-dins OPCs . These chemicals, which are similar to those in grape seed extract and green tea leaves, appear to act as antioxidants. Pycnogenol has been touted as a treatment for many diseases, including MS. At this time, however, no formal clinical studies have evaluated its effects on MS. A...
Echinacea
Echinacea is one of the most popular and well-studied herbs. A long history of echinacea use exists for the treatment of medical conditions, especially infections. North American Indians used echinacea medicinally, and it was the primary herbal therapy for infections in the early 1900s. Echinacea poses a theoretical risk for people with MS, yet, surprisingly, it is sometimes recommended for MS and appears to be used by a relatively large number of people with the disease. Echinacea is of...
Garlic
Over the past 25 years, more than 1,000 studies have evaluated the possible therapeutic effects of garlic. Suggestive, but not conclusive, results have been obtained in studies of the effectiveness of garlic in treating high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and cancer. On the basis of limited scientific studies, garlic sometimes is recommended as a treatment for the common cold. With regard to MS, some research has shown that garlic may stimulate two types of immune cells, macrophages...
Padma 28
Padma 28, also known as Badmaev 28 and Gabyr-Nirynga, is a complex mixture of herbs sometimes recommended for MS. This herbal combination was developed in the late nineteenth century in the Buryat region of the Russian Empire by two physicians, Sul-Tim-Badma and Zham-Saram-Badma, also known as Dr. Alexander Badmaev and Dr. Peter Badmaev. The practices of these physicians were influenced by traditions of Ayurvedic and Tibetan medicine. Padma 28 is taken by mouth and contains more than 20...
Supplements of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids
In addition to modifying the diet, the intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids may be increased by taking supplements. Some of these supplements actually have been studied in clinical trials of people with MS. Omega-Six Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Studies of Linoleic Acid. Supplementation with linoleic acid, the first chemical in the omega-six fatty-acid pathway see Figure 18.1 , has been extensively studied. In EAE, an animal model of MS, supplements of linole-ic acid are beneficial, whereas...
Additional Readings Books Knd
Fetrow CW, Avila JR. Complementary and Alternative Medicines. Philadelphia Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins, 2004, pp. 58-60. Jellin JM, Batz F, Hitchens K. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Stockton, CA Therapeutic Research Faculty, 2005, pp. 82-83. Kaplan GP. Ayurvedic medicine. In Oken BS, ed. Complementary Therapies in Neurology. London Parthenon Publishing, 2004, pp. 145-158. Manyam BV Ayurvedic approach to neurologic illness. In Weintraub MI, Micozzi MS, eds. Alternative and...
How Does MS Affect the Nervous System
In contrast to many diseases that affect a single part of the human body, MS affects two different body systems the immune system and the nervous system. The immune system is not a distinct organ like the brain or liver. Instead, it is composed of many different types of molecules and cells known as white blood cells that travel through the bloodstream. The immune cells use chemical messages to protect the body from attack by bacteria, viruses, and cancers. MS is believed to be an autoimmune...