What is an autoimmune disease?
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When our immune system attacks healthy cells instead of protecting them, we are said to be suffering from an autoimmune disease. In such cases, the immune system cannot differentiate between healthy cells and foreign entities such as bacteria, and therefore, attacks them too. Here are the home remedies for autoimmune diseases to treat the immune system and bring it back on track.
What causes these diseases is still not known, though in most of the cases, the condition is triggered by a microorganism the changes the way the immune cells functions. The alteration in behavior of the cells might also be caused by a drug.
When immune cells produce many cells, they together attack our healthy cells because they cannot differentiate between the healthy cells and the microorganism causing the change in the immune cells’ functions. As a result, an autoimmune disease is caused.
The autoimmune diseases usually attack specific areas more than other organs in the body. For instance, you are more likely to develop these diseases in your thyroid. This is called the Grave’s disease.
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According to Healthline,
There are as many as 80 types of autoimmune diseases. Many of them have similar symptoms, which makes them very difficult to diagnose. It’s also possible to have more than one at the same time. Autoimmune diseases usually fluctuate between periods of remission (few or no symptoms) and flare-ups (worsening symptoms). Currently, treatment for autoimmune diseases focuses on relieving symptoms and preventing complications because there is no curative therapy.
The disease could also develop in your gastrointestinal tract, and is diagnosed as Crohn’s disease. Many also call it ulcerative colitis. If you develop the disease throughout your body, then you are likely to be diagnosed by rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis.
To be sure if you have an autoimmune disease, according to Healthline, you need to get the following tests done,
The following tests are used to diagnose an autoimmune disease:
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Autoantibody tests: These are any of several tests that look for specific antibodies to your own tissues.
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Antinuclear antibody tests: This is a type of autoantibody test that looks for antinuclear antibodies, which attack the nuclei of cells in your body.
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Complete blood count: This test measures the numbers of red and white cells in your blood; when your immune system is actively fighting something, these numbers will vary from the normal.
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C-reactive protein (CRP): Elevated CRP is an indication of inflammation throughout your body.
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Erythrocyte sedimentation rate: This test indirectly measures how much inflammation is in your body.
The usual symptom of autoimmune diseases is inflammation. You are also likely to feel pain and discomfort. To treat these symptoms, try the follow home remedies.
Home remedies for autoimmune diseases
Here are the top 10 natural remedies that you can try to treat autoimmune diseases.
1. Turmeric
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To treat your autoimmune diseases, first remedy you should try is turmeric. The curcumin in turmeric helps reduce inflammation. It also suppresses the enzymes that increase inflammation in diseases such as arthritis, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
According to a study published in Digestive Diseases and Sciences in 2005, patients with autoimmune diseases were given pure curcumin doses, and within a few days, they showed reduced dependence on the medication for the diseases. Especially people suffering for Crohn’s disease showed rapid improvement in their health.
For the remedy, you need to first boil a cup of milk. Now to it add half a teaspoon of pure turmeric powder. Let the turmeric milk simmer for a couple of minutes. You need to take this milk every night before hitting the bed.
You can also take curcumin supplements, but do consult a doctor or your primary health care provider for the correct dosage.
2. Ginger
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The next remedy on our list is ginger. It is anti-inflammatory, which makes it a great natural treatment for autoimmune diseases. It treats inflammation the most common symptom associated with autoimmune diseases.
For the remedy, begin by heating a cup of water. Now add half a tablespoon of grated ginger to it, and allow it to simmer for 5 minutes. Strain the tea. Now add some honey and squeeze in a few drops of lemon juice to this tea, and drink it thrice a day.
3. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a great natural remedy for autoimmune diseases because of its anti-inflammatory nature. It especially works wonders on Crohn’s disease, spondylitis and ulcerative colitis.
According to a study in Pharmaceutical Biology, published in 2010, virgin coconut oil is extremely anti-inflammatory, and also contains analgesic properties. It, therefore, treats the pain and discomfort associated with autoimmune diseases.
The lauric acid in coconut oil helps is effectively fight the bacteria which promotes diseases and causes the changes in the functioning of immune cells. The fatty acids in coconut oil improves metabolism, and treats Hashimoto thyroid in people.
To combat swelling and irritation, you need to consume three to four tablespoons of virgin coconut oil every day.
4. Aloe Vera
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The lupeol and salicylic acid in aloe vera, makes it rich in pain-relieving properties. It is an amazing natural treatment against autoimmune diseases.
Aloe vera also improves metabolism, and thus, can be a great remedy for Grave’s disease or Hasimoto thyroid.
For the remedy, first cut an aloe vera leaf to extract the gel. You need to cut the leaf lengthwise, so that it is easier to scoop out the gel. Now take some water in a glass and add two tablespoons of the gel to this water. Also add some lemon juice. Blend it all together for a minute, and drink the juice.
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5. Pineapple
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According to Dr. Axe,
The benefits of pineapple include the ability to help those suffering from arthritis and joint pain because the bromelain that is present can speed up healing associated with surgical procedures. It is also very useful for treating sporting injuries including sprains and can help counter pain.
Bromelain works on inflammation by blocking metabolites which cause swelling. It also acts to decrease swelling by activating a chemical in the blood that breaks down fibrin, thus leading to reduced swelling. Bromelain is often recommended to be taken before surgeries to speed healing time and decrease inflammation commonly associated with surgical procedures.
To use it as a remedy for autoimmune diseases, you need to first peel and dice a pineapple into small pieces. Now place the bowl into the fridge for about 20 minutes. You need to eat a bowl of this frozen pineapple pieces once every day to treat your condition.
You can also take a glass of pineapple juice every day to derive the same benefits. Pineapple supplements are also available, but we suggest you consult a doctor or your primary health care provider first to know the correct dosage for you.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar
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Apple cider vinegar contains vitamin B5, which is also called pantothenic acid that reduces swelling and treats inflammation, both of which are common symptoms associated with autoimmune diseases.
The vinegar also contains calcium, manganese, phosphorus and potassium, which will help ease your joint pain if you have rheumatoid arthritis. The vinegar will also improve your metabolism, and thus, if you have Grave’s disease than apple cider vinegar will help you treat it effectively.
For the remedy, you need to first boil a glass of water. Once it is warm, mix a tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar in it. Add some grated ginger root to this solution, and let it steep for 5-odd minutes. You can also mix a teaspoon of honey for taste. You need to drink this mix two times a day for best results.
7. Cinnamon
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The next remedy on our list is cinnamon. It is a great treatment for diabetes and hypertension, but did you know, it helps treat autoimmune diseases too? Cinnamon is anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial. It suppresses the activity of the bacteria that alters the behavior of immune cells causing them to destruct healthy cells.
For the remedy, you need to mix half a tablespoon of cinnamon powder with some organic honey. Add the paste to warm water and mix well. Drink this once every day to treat your autoimmune disease.
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8. Oregano Oil
The last remedy on our list is the oil of oregano. It is a great treatment for autoimmune diseases especially, rheumatoid arthritis and spondylitis.
For the remedy, you need to add about 4 to 5 drops of oil of oregano to a glass of water. In place of water you can also try juice. Now take this mix three times every day to treat your condition.
That is all we have on today’s post on home remedies for autoimmune diseases. Was this helpful? Will you be recommending it to others too? If you have some remedies that you would like to share with us, then please do so in the comment section below.
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