Drill Down on Herbs
- Pine bark: Reduces inflammation and can help with circulation.
- Milk thistle: Supports the liver and aids in its regeneration, thus improving the immune system and hormone production.
- Passionflower: Helps with insomnia, stress and anxiety.
- Dong quai: Can be effective in regulating female problems related to the menstrual cycle. Do not use if you are or may become pregnant; it can cause the uterus to contract, triggering a miscarriage.
- Saw palmetto: Can help men with urinary flow problems.
- St. John's wort: Can be as effective for some as Prozac for treating mild depression without as many side effects. It is not recommended for major depression, but can help lift your mood effectively if mild depression is your problem. There is increased risk of skin damage when exposed to the sun, so use lots of sunscreen when taking this. Do not combine St. John's Wort with any antidepressant medications.
Herbal Combinations
Fibromyalgia herbs can sometimes be combined with other herbs and key nutrients to be very effective in treating various conditions:
- Ginkgo, bilberry hawthorn and B-vitamins can improve memory and the ability to make decisions.
- Black cohosh, flaxseed, and soy isoflavones can help with menopausal symptoms if low estrogen is your problem. May help balance all hormones.
- Saw Palmetto combined with pumpkin seed oil and phytosterols can be more effective in supporting prostate health than saw palmetto by itself.
- Milk thistle, turmeric, dandelion with reishi mushroom can support liver health more than milk thistle alone.
- Boswellia with safflower extract can help with pain relief without the adverse side effects of other pain relievers.
- Echinacea, black elderberry, larch tree and zinc combined all support a healthy immune response when you feel cold symptoms coming on.
- Ginger and licorice together can better help calm an upset stomach.
- Lavender combined with vanilla can promote a deeper sleep through their aromas.
- Valerian, chamomile, and passionflower in combination can be more effective than valerian alone for improved sleep.
Taking Control
Each person must find the best regime for their individual fibromyalgia symptoms. The best medicine is what you put into your body before trying any medications at all: food.
Consider food a medicine. Don’t live to eat, but eat to live! Proper diet goes a long way towards improved health. The old cliché is quite true: you are what you eat.
Before trying any of the recommended herbs and natural remedies and supplements, take control of your diet and eating habits. Certain foods are natural toxins to the body and even more so to those dealing with chronic pain and fatigue.
Treat your body with care and respect. If you eat well, develop discipline in sleep habits and do all that is possible to avoid stress, then you should receive optimal results from natural herbal alternatives.
