Autoimmune Diseases

[Michelle KochStudent]

I have been voluntold to start a thread devoted to autoimmune diseases and other inflammatory conditions. This is a huge topic that may need it’s own section, rather than a single thread. In the meanwhile, a good place to begin might be in defining autoimmune diseases, how they operate, and what triggers a flare up. Then, in doing so, we can all brainstorm together on plant medicines and other lifestyle habits that can help mitigate the body’s attack on itself, and help the body repair the damage it has caused. Who knows? Maybe through this thread we can help Patrick get a module started! :big grin:

So what is an autoimmune disease? In a nutshell, it’s when the the immune system goes rogue and creates antibodies which are programmed to attack and destroy the body’s own healthy tissues. There are over 80 (yes, eighty!) autoimmune diseases, and people can develop multiple diseases concurrently. If that’s not discouraging enough, just having one AD increases the probability of developing another one!

The specific reason autoimmune diseases occur are still unknown, but we do know the hallmark of AD is inflammation. LOTS of it. That’s why your television is inundated with advertisements for prescription steroid medications which come with their own host of side effects, nasty enough to rival the disease itself.

That’s all I have time for right now. I’ll be back with baited breath to see what others have contributed! The ball’s in your court. :poke:

[Michelle KochStudentTopic Author]

I guess all of you have a life and are busy in your herb beds…

I just had an epiphany this morning: celiac disease and a good vulnerary, like comfrey or calendula. In celiac disease, the body makes antibodies that are programmed to destroy the villi of the small intestine. It’s the villi that absorb nutrients from good and send them to the blood stream. Without them, malabsorption issues happen and one becomes very sick. All this is triggered by a sensitivity to gluten, a specific protein present in wheat, barley, and rye. It is gluten that gives dough it’s elasticity, and bread it chewy texture. The good news is, following a very strict gluten free diet, being careful to avoid cross contamination, will allow those antibodies to disappear and the villi will grow back in anywhere from six months to two years. Meanwhile, it is wise to avoid lactose, since we cannot digest it without the villi.

Anyway, long story short, I’m thinking that drinking comfrey or calendula would be a great way to help those villi grow back sooner. I would not advise mellow or slippery elm, as malabsorption is already an issue. A highly nutritious diet, rich in whole foods will also aid in healing. In the geginning, avoid the gluten free substitutes, and stick with foods that are naturally gluten free. This can help a lot while you learn about what you can and cannot eat. To learn more about celiac disease from the people who actually suffer from it, go to celiac.com. Another thing worth noting on this thread is people with CD and other autoimmune diseases are very likely to develop intolerances, or sensitivities to other foods, such as corn, soy, potatoes, fructose, etc.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

I think comfrey would be a good idea as well. I wouldn’t be afraid of marshmallow/slippery elm either. The mucilage binding of nutrients isn’t enough to cause serious nutritional issues. If you take the mucilage-rich herb at a different time than you take other herbs/foods, it’s no issue at all. BTW, comfrey has as much or more mucilage than any other herb.

Look at the Lower Digestive II module and read about leaky gut. That protocol is the foundation for all of my autoimmune cases and works well.

Doc

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[IdahoHerbalist]

Fundog wrote: I guess all of you have a life and are busy in your herb beds….

That would usually be my wife. Patrick is chained to his desk to write modules and blogs and to also edit videos.

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