Alternative Therapies: Herbal Treatments

Herbal treatments can unfortunately get a bad rap sometimes. In the conventional medicine world they are seen as “woo woo”or not actual treatments because they sometimes lack the scientific evidence to back them up. However, if used correctly they can be very beneficial for a number of ailments. Here is my list of the top five herbal treatments that can be used to help alleviate MS symptoms.

Ginko Biloba

Ginko Biloba has been a widely accepted herbal supplement to improve focus and memory for years. Along with improving cognition, ginkgo biloba has been shown to decrease leg pain, overactive nerves responses and possibly reduce dizziness and vertigo. Many things that MSers need! Usually it takes 4-6 weeks before individuals notice improvements while taking Ginko Biloba. Most individuals can safely try Ginko, but there is a risk of it interacting with some medications, especially blood thinners. It is also not advised for children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and individuals with epilepsy, bleeding or seizure disorders.

Please check with your doctor before trying this one!

HOW TO USE: There is no standard dosage for Ginko, but usually people take between 120-600 milligrams when boosting cognition. Starting with 120mg is advised, then gradually increasing dosages.

You can also have it as an herbal tea that is mildly sweet.

Valerian Root

Valerian has been used for medicinal purposes for over 1000 years. It is most widely known for its use in treating insomnia and sleep issues, unfortunately common occurrences with MS. However it is also known to treat anxiety, depression. When used for insomnia and sleep disturbances, you need to take it nightly to start noticing benefits as it takes some time to begin working. It’s not necessarily an immediate solution. Valerian is usually safe and well tolerated by most people. Since it is used for sleep issues, it can cause sedation, so be careful when taking it.

HOW TO USE:

For Sleep: Valerian Root is best taken 30 minutes to 2 hours prior to bed time. If taking capsules, 300-600mg works well. You can also make a tea by steeping 2-3 grams of dried valerian root in 1 cup of hot water for 10-15 minutes. As previously mentioned, this works best when used consistently for at least two weeks.

For Anxiety: A smaller dose works for anxiety, 120-200mg 3 times a day, with your last dose before bed.

Dandelion Root

Dandelion root and leaf boasts numerous health benefits. Research indicates that dandelion has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. Other studies show that dandelion could improve immune system health and decrease fatigue. There are also uses of dandelion for digestive and liver health. No studies have been done that link dandelion directly to MS, but the benefits are clearly overlapping. Dandelion is generally safe, but if you’re allergic to ragweed, marigold, chamomile, daisies or iodine you may have trouble with dandelion. Also, if you gather it from the wild, make sure it is in an area that wouldn’t be sprayed with chemicals!

HOW TO USE:

One of the ways that I use dandelion in my life is dandelion root tea. It can be a great coffee substitute during the AIP elimination phase.

Dandelion leaves can also be used in salads in place of traditional greens.

Ginger

Ginger is the powerhouse of an herb. It has been used for centuries for culinary and medicinal properties. On top of the wonderful digestive health benefits and anti-nausea effects, ginger has been shown to be anti-inflammatory and have neuroprotective effects. Ginger can also either reduce or inhibit generation of free radicals, prevent cell death and it is a strong anti-oxidant. Ginger also can help with muscle pain, lower blood pressure and lower cancer risk. Told you it was a powerhouse!

HOW TO USE:

The best ways I integrate ginger into my daily life are through cooking and drinking ginger tea. It can also be used in many home remedies for the common cough and cold, sore throats and fevers.

Burdock Root

Burdock Root has been used for centuries as a healing tool in Chinese Medicine. The roots, seeds and leaves of the plant all boast healing benefits, and all different ones as well. The roots have been shown to help detoxify the blood and aid in circulation to the skin surface. The leaf has been shown to prevent the grown of oral microorganisms. The seeds have anti-inflammatory effects as well. It is also being studied for it’s potential to positively impact the GI system, skin issues, diabetes and cancer. Burdock root is a diuretic, so make sure to hydrate properly when taking it too.

NOTE: Burdock can create severe allergic reactions in some people, so please use with caution. It also looks very similar to belladonna, a toxic nightshade. Only buy from a reputable seller (don’t go hunting for it in the wild).

HOW TO USE: Burdock root should be consumed in moderation. Burdock root can be cooked like a veggie would in cooking. In Japan it is commonly found in meals and a few in particular. It should be soaked in cold water for 20 minutes, then it can be prepared the same way carrots would be and can also be eaten raw.

Burdock leaves are rather bitter and should be soaked before used in cooking,.

Burdock root can also be found in tea form, and only one cup should be consumed in a day.

Bonus: Ashwaganda

Although Ashwaganda is widely used and very popular in Ayurvedic medicine, I was hesitant to add it to my list for several reasons. 1. It does have immune stimulating properties, which can be troublesome for some individuals with MS. 2. It is a nightshade, so if you are following AIP, then this one is a no go. However, it does have many benefits as well. Ashwaganda is considered an adaptogen, which means it is a substance that helps your body modulate it’s response to stress or environment. It has many cognitive benefits including improving memory, executive functioning focus and anxiety. It also can reduce brain cell degeneration, can promote new nerve growth and have anti-inflammatory properties. Ashwaganda has also been shown to have positive benefits for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s patients and help treat dyskinesia or involuntary movements. It also has properties that protect against environmental toxins and oxidative stress as well. There is some preliminary research that shows clinical use as promising.

HOW TO USE:

Aswaganda is usually taken in powder form and mixed with another drink or taken in capsule form.

There you go! My favorite herbal treatments for MS symptoms. Many of which I currently use, or have used in the past. As always, use your judgement. These herbs can have many benefits, but they are also very powerful. If you start experiencing side effects or start to feel unwell, stop taking the herb and contact your doctor.

All information, content, and material of this blog is for informational purposes only and are not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider.

I’M ALISSA!

I help women who have also been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis make specific and personalized diet, lifestyle & subconscious changes so that they can begin to heal their body, reduce disease symptoms, and return to a life they love.hey there,

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Being aware and consciously working on nervous system regulation has SO MANY benefits..
✨Waking up with less anxiety
✨Feeling less all/nothing thinking
✨Being able to physically breathe better
✨Reduction of your MS/autoimmune disease symptoms

I could go on and on.

We aren’t gonna be able to fully manage MS symptoms until we acknowledge our very disregulated nervous system.

Embodied Resilience starts you on that path.
And- you’re in luck- it’s on sale till Monday night.

Comment STABLE and I’ll send you the link!!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #healingmultiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #thisisms #becausems

10 4

Open

Being aware and consciously working on nervous system regulation has SO MANY benefits..
✨Waking up with less anxiety
✨Feeling less all/nothing thinking
✨Being able to physically breathe better
✨Reduction of your MS/autoimmune disease symptoms

I could go on and on.

We aren’t gonna be able to fully manage MS symptoms until we acknowledge our very disregulated nervous system.

Embodied Resilience starts you on that path.
And- you’re in luck- it’s on sale till Monday night.

Comment STABLE and I’ll send you the link!!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #healingmultiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #thisisms #becausems

10 4

I get it..

It seems like it would be good.

Because others around you are taken care of..
Because others around you feel good..
Because others around you are happy..

But what about you??

In reality, that’s just making it harder for you to help yourself heal and probs making your MS symptoms worse.

I’ve worked with so many people with MS and autoimmune disease… 1 thing (among many) that they all have in common is a habit of putting others before themselves, saying yes way too much and forgetting about what they want themselves.

Feel a little called out?
Then my course Embodied Resilience is for you.

This is a course all about managing + improving your stress tolerance- since stress is the number 1 trigger of symptom flares and relapses

And- it’s on sale for Black Friday!!
Comment SALE below and I’ll send you the link!!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #healingmultiplesclerosis #thisisms #becausems

21 5

Open

I get it..

It seems like it would be good.

Because others around you are taken care of..
Because others around you feel good..
Because others around you are happy..

But what about you??

In reality, that’s just making it harder for you to help yourself heal and probs making your MS symptoms worse.

I’ve worked with so many people with MS and autoimmune disease… 1 thing (among many) that they all have in common is a habit of putting others before themselves, saying yes way too much and forgetting about what they want themselves.

Feel a little called out?
Then my course Embodied Resilience is for you.

This is a course all about managing + improving your stress tolerance- since stress is the number 1 trigger of symptom flares and relapses

And- it’s on sale for Black Friday!!
Comment SALE below and I’ll send you the link!!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #healingmultiplesclerosis #thisisms #becausems

21 5

✨How to do this✨

First! Like + save this post so you can come back to it for reference

Now, set a few alarms on your phone- ideally in the morning, afternoon and bedtime.

These will serve as your reminders.

Then, when the alarm goes off:
✨Pause, take a few deep breaths
✨Check in with your mind and body- how are you in this moment?
✨What are you thinking?
✨How are you feeling emotionally?
✨Is there a thought that needs to be challenged/reframed?
✨Are you being present in the moment?
✨How are you feeing in my body?
✨How are you breathing?

Some of these questions might not apply to your current situation and that’s fine

This is the first step to interrupting the very unhelpful patterns we often live in that can increase symptoms via heightened stress

This is one of the big things we work on in Holistically Healing MS, which will be on sale this weekend for Black Friday!!

Comment SALE below and I’ll send you the link when it’s ready!!

14 1

Open

✨How to do this✨

First! Like + save this post so you can come back to it for reference

Now, set a few alarms on your phone- ideally in the morning, afternoon and bedtime.

These will serve as your reminders.

Then, when the alarm goes off:
✨Pause, take a few deep breaths
✨Check in with your mind and body- how are you in this moment?
✨What are you thinking?
✨How are you feeling emotionally?
✨Is there a thought that needs to be challenged/reframed?
✨Are you being present in the moment?
✨How are you feeing in my body?
✨How are you breathing?

Some of these questions might not apply to your current situation and that’s fine

This is the first step to interrupting the very unhelpful patterns we often live in that can increase symptoms via heightened stress

This is one of the big things we work on in Holistically Healing MS, which will be on sale this weekend for Black Friday!!

Comment SALE below and I’ll send you the link when it’s ready!!

14 1

✨Moving your body✨

Notice I didn’t say exercise, although yes that also helps.

Stress hormones can get stuck in our bodies, our cells, our muscle tissue for various reasons.

Making it super easy for us to carry stress around with us- which shows up often as:

Pain
Tension
Trouble breathing
Difficulty with balance

It’s no coincidence that these are often prominent MS symptoms too. Sometimes it’s hard to tell where effects of MS end and effects of stress begin.

Being able to offload accumulated stress is key to being able to improve MS symptoms.

My course Embodied Resilience shows you exactly how to do this, and it’s gonna be on sale for Black Friday.

Comment ME below and I’ll send you the sale link when it’s ready!!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemhealing #nervoussystemregulation #stressmanagement #thisisms #becausems

8 2

Open

✨Moving your body✨

Notice I didn’t say exercise, although yes that also helps.

Stress hormones can get stuck in our bodies, our cells, our muscle tissue for various reasons.

Making it super easy for us to carry stress around with us- which shows up often as:

Pain
Tension
Trouble breathing
Difficulty with balance

It’s no coincidence that these are often prominent MS symptoms too. Sometimes it’s hard to tell where effects of MS end and effects of stress begin.

Being able to offload accumulated stress is key to being able to improve MS symptoms.

My course Embodied Resilience shows you exactly how to do this, and it’s gonna be on sale for Black Friday.

Comment ME below and I’ll send you the sale link when it’s ready!!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemhealing #nervoussystemregulation #stressmanagement #thisisms #becausems

8 2

I’ve seen myself and tons of clients through behavior change to help improve their MS + autoimmune disease symptoms.

There are SO MANY things that can help us.

But the one I’ve seen move the needle the most?

Working on your mindset and stress management tools.

We can change our diet
Change how we move
Change the products we’re using
Change the supplements we take..

But if we’re still in the high stress state that most of us are in.. all those will only go so far.

Stress is my biggest symptom trigger, and 99% of my clients feel the same.

My biggest course sale is coming Black Friday, included is my course Embodied Resilience, all about learning how to actually manage stress- so you’re not constantly battling MS flares too.

My email list is gonna get first dibs..
Comment LIST below and I’ll add you so you’re notified first!!

18 8

Open

I’ve seen myself and tons of clients through behavior change to help improve their MS + autoimmune disease symptoms.

There are SO MANY things that can help us.

But the one I’ve seen move the needle the most?

Working on your mindset and stress management tools.

We can change our diet
Change how we move
Change the products we’re using
Change the supplements we take..

But if we’re still in the high stress state that most of us are in.. all those will only go so far.

Stress is my biggest symptom trigger, and 99% of my clients feel the same.

My biggest course sale is coming Black Friday, included is my course Embodied Resilience, all about learning how to actually manage stress- so you’re not constantly battling MS flares too.

My email list is gonna get first dibs..
Comment LIST below and I’ll add you so you’re notified first!!

18 8

Changing my diet changed the course of my life.

I want that for you too.
It feels hard, but doesn’t have to be.

PS- keep your eye out for Black Friday.. all my courses will be on sale, your healing journey awaits!

16 4

Open

Changing my diet changed the course of my life.

I want that for you too.
It feels hard, but doesn’t have to be.

PS- keep your eye out for Black Friday.. all my courses will be on sale, your healing journey awaits!

16 4

And my period started to add to the joy 🙃🙃

We can do hard things y’all,
breathe in, breathe out,
all will be well.

#Electionstress #seasonaldepression #anxiety #multiplesclerosis

19 4

Open

And my period started to add to the joy 🙃🙃

We can do hard things y’all,
breathe in, breathe out,
all will be well.

#Electionstress #seasonaldepression #anxiety #multiplesclerosis ...

19 4

Home stretch!!

Do what you need to do today to take care of yourself friends.

#Electionday #Govote #Vote

9 1

Open

Home stretch!!

Do what you need to do today to take care of yourself friends.

#Electionday #Govote #Vote ...

9 1

Do you do any form of meal planning?

15 2

Open

Do you do any form of meal planning? ...

15 2

I think 90% of my clients have talked about already feeling the shift to Fall and Winter hardddd.

They are worried about seasonal depression coming back with a vengeance, feeling sad summer is gone and so many other things.

I know when so many feel the same way, you might too.
I know I feel this way too.

I’m working with them to put habits in place NOW that will support them through the winter months.

Here are 2 small shifts we talked about this week:

1. Get sunlight into your eyeballs as soon as you can in the morning.☀️☀️

Ideally this is outside, there will be many science bro’s out there telling you that anything else “doesn’t count” but I say that’s BS.
Yes, the sunlight will have a greater impact if you’re viewing outside, but even if you’re behind a window it will do something.

2. Move your body!! 💃🏃‍♀️

The change in seasons to colder weather makes it super easy to hibernate and move wayyy less than we were in the summer.
I know I’ve been guilty of that this week and it’s showing in my sleep.
But moving our bodies can be so helpful for regulating so many things in our bodies.
Ideally you’re moving in the morning, but again- any time of day will do.

These are 2 small shifts that can make it easier for your body to transition to, and live with the Winter months.

Let’s crowdsource… what else helps you in winter??
I know there are many other things that can!!

10 4

Open

I think 90% of my clients have talked about already feeling the shift to Fall and Winter hardddd.

They are worried about seasonal depression coming back with a vengeance, feeling sad summer is gone and so many other things.

I know when so many feel the same way, you might too.
I know I feel this way too.

I’m working with them to put habits in place NOW that will support them through the winter months.

Here are 2 small shifts we talked about this week:

1. Get sunlight into your eyeballs as soon as you can in the morning.☀️☀️

Ideally this is outside, there will be many science bro’s out there telling you that anything else “doesn’t count” but I say that’s BS.
Yes, the sunlight will have a greater impact if you’re viewing outside, but even if you’re behind a window it will do something.

2. Move your body!! 💃🏃‍♀️

The change in seasons to colder weather makes it super easy to hibernate and move wayyy less than we were in the summer.
I know I’ve been guilty of that this week and it’s showing in my sleep.
But moving our bodies can be so helpful for regulating so many things in our bodies.
Ideally you’re moving in the morning, but again- any time of day will do.

These are 2 small shifts that can make it easier for your body to transition to, and live with the Winter months.

Let’s crowdsource… what else helps you in winter??
I know there are many other things that can!!

10 4

All the tools that are inside Holistically Healing MS I’ve used myself to decrease my MS symptoms and significantly feel better in my body.

Over the next 8 weeks, let me be your guide on how to make this a reality for yourself.

We start tomorrow at 5:30pm eastern, you coming?

11 3

Open

All the tools that are inside Holistically Healing MS I’ve used myself to decrease my MS symptoms and significantly feel better in my body.

Over the next 8 weeks, let me be your guide on how to make this a reality for yourself.

We start tomorrow at 5:30pm eastern, you coming?

11 3

I don’t want you to spend the years I did in pain, feeling numb and tingly, being exhausted- and having to do all the research.

Let me make it easier for you.

Comment HHMS below and I’ll send you details.
We start next week!!

68 40

Open

I don’t want you to spend the years I did in pain, feeling numb and tingly, being exhausted- and having to do all the research.

Let me make it easier for you.

Comment HHMS below and I’ll send you details.
We start next week!!

68 40

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