There are many natural therapies available to compliment traditional medicine. None of these have proven to be a cure or complete therapy in and of itself. Complimentary means that these therapies can be used in addition to the medications or treatments prescribed by your doctor.
Any practitioner who claims to be able to heal you should be approached with caution. While it is possible that the particular modality they offer may indeed cause complete remission from Pemphigus, it is highly unlikely. At best, there may be some benefit to the client, and at worst, it may cause harm, either physical or emotional.
If a practitioner offers to cure you, ask if the treatment can be done on a pay on delivery basis. If the treatment works, you pay. If it doesn't, you don't pay. Do not accept a 'money back guarantee', as you may be too embarrassed to ask for your money back, or the practitioner will blame you for the failure of the treatment.
For definitions of these terms, or learn about other possibilities, visit the Dogwood Institute.
Few acupuncturists know how to treat a hyper-immune individual. The needles should be left in for very short amounts of time, sometimes quickly in and out. This is to minimize the stimulation of the Qi. Leaving the needles in for long periods of time can be to stimulating to the over-stimulated individual.
Should not be deep tissue or abrasive, as these can rip the skin. Massage oils and lotions should not be applied to open blisters.
There are dozens of styles of massage available, many claiming to be 'based on ancient teachings' and 'able to re-balance and harmonize your energy.'
None of them have shown to be solitary effective healing tools for chronic illness , but many of them certainly help your energy circulation, body fluid circulation, muscle tone and enable you to feel wanted, loved and touched. These needs are often ignored by standard medical practitioners.
Reiki channels one of four energies, namely Earth Energy through the practitioner to the client. Ki is the Japanese word for the vital energy in every living organism, Rei refers to the universal aspect of this energy. The practitioner lays his or her hands on the patient, who may experience a warm feeling during treatment. The practitioner channels the energy through his/her body to you. Be aware that many practitioners of Reiki have been drawn to the practice simply because it is easy to learn, and are not true channels of the energy.
There are many styles of homeopathy, and they all depend on the skill of the practitioner to diagnose and prescribe a remedy. Classical homeopathists base their prescription on not only your illness, but your total constitution and personality.
When it works, it really works , but the probability of the practitioner determining the proper remedy for an illness such as Pemphigus is slight.
Several herbs are listed in various sources as being treatments for Pemphigus and other auto-immune illnesses. I have no comment on them.
Beware of stimulant based herbal products that make you 'feel great.' Gurana and Ma Huang are two such herbs.
Note that immune enhancement herbs such as Echinacea and Golden Seal may be contraindicated for people with auto-immune conditions. Opinions may vary depending on who you talk to.
As Pemphigus blisters are often infected with bacteria, virus, and parasites, herbal disinfectants such as Tea Tree oil, Golden Seal and Echinacea applied topically may be of benefit. They will not stop the auto-immune reaction or heal the blisters.
There are thousands of herbs available, based on many different disciplines
Feel free to explore them. There is no way to determine in advance which herbs will help and which will not.
Curcumin and Bromolain
Curcumin, known as a blood cleanser and liver cleaner, has been useful as a Prednisone replacement, and Bromolain has anti-inflammatory properties.
Curcumin is a concentrated extract of Tumeric, a popular Indian spice, and Bromolain is an enzyme extracted from pineapple.
The herb Capsaicin, an extract of Cayenne Pepper, is also an anti-inflammatory, and may be tried.
Such as Noni, Blue Green Algae, Juice in a Pill, etc are marketed by the testimonial basis. The seller will offer testimonials of people who received benefit from the product. You will never hear about the people who did not receive any benefit, or perhaps got sicker.
Evidence presented about experiments conducted on animals which prove the efficacy of the product may or may not apply to humans.
Very little, if any objective information exists to substantiate the claims made by the
hawkers of these products. Most research claimed to prove the effectiveness of the therapy
is of questionable reputation.
If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is. Ask if you can receive a free sample of
sufficient quantity to test for your self.
Beware of products containing unknown ingredients. These ingredients are often herbal stimulants used to produce that 'I feel great feeling.' Gurana is one such ingredient often used, it contains caffeine. Ma Huang, used to treat asthma, contains ephedra, which stimulates the unsick individual.
There is growing evidence that Blue Green Algae contains toxins called microcystins that may cause permanent liver and neurological damage. I advise avoiding this product. Apparent benefits to allergy illnesses may be derived from a cocaine like substance called anatoxin-a in the algae. Cocaine is a well known allergic symptom suppressor.
Nobody really knows a whole lot about colloidal minerals. They are easily absorbed, but nobody knows if your body actually knows what to do with them. Many of the MLM brands of colloidal minerals may have toxic amounts of lead and aluminum. They were not in the original sediment used by the company, but were added during the electrical process which turns them into colloidal form.
Can be extremely beneficial, especially if you are constipated. Do no more than 1 per week, unless you are injecting very small amounts of water to help with constipation. Be wary of adding herbs and other substances, such as coffee to your enema water. Do not stress your system by injecting large quantities of water. The water should be at 104 Fahrenheit.
Do no more than 1 per week in three week sessions, taking 6 months between sessions. Colonic can be very helpful, but also debilitating for the person living with auto-immune disease. Colonics remove not only toxic material from the colon, but vital nutrients and beneficial bacteria as well. Be sure to take acidophilus afterward.
Follow a low-salt diet and/or a potassium-rich diet.
Watch your calories to prevent weight gain.
Add extra protein to your diet. Make cerain your health care professional knows if you are already on any special diet, such as a low-sodium or low-sugar diet.
Richard Firshein, in 'Reversing Asthma', recommends those on steroids supplementing their diet with high quality proteins such as fish, milk, soy, and powder formulas that replenish protein. He also mentions supplementing potassium, calcium and magnesium.
The optimum diet sounds similar to Barry Sears Zone diet (Entering the Zone, Mastering the Zone). It is low calorie and 30% of calories from fat (monounsaturated predominates), 30% of calories from protein, and 40% of calories from carbohydrates (vegetables predominate, then whole grains).
From web page on Steroids at National Jewish Center
"Diet Recommendations
Make sure you get proper nutrition when taking oral corticosteroids. Oral steroid use can cause you to lose calcium and potassium, important minerals for bone strength and good muscle function. An imbalance of these minerals may cause muscle cramping or heart irregularities. Don't take a potassium supplement unless prescribed by your clinician. To make sure that you are getting enough calcium, increase your intake of dairy products to 4-5 servings per day. If you experience swelling, your clinician may recommend a diet low in sodium. This may include limited use of salt or sodium-rich condiments and processed foods. Eat a well-balanced diet including citrus fruits and fruit juices. Remember that corticosteroids can increase your appetite, so if you are eating more food, be sure you choose low-fat, low sugar items to control calories. Your health care provider or dietitian can help you with a specific diet plan.
Osteoporosis
Long-term oral corticosteroid use depletes the bones of calcium which can lead to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis, or brittle bones, places you at greater risk of fractures. Even low-dose corticosteroid therapy can cause this calcium loss; post-menopausal women are at particular risk. If you have osteoporosis or a family history of it, inform your physician.
Several tests can determine the extent of bone loss. These include laboratory calcium tests to measure the amount of calcium in the blood or urine, CT scans and bone densitometry. Bone densitometry is much more sensitive than routine X-ray of the bone. After a baseline measurement of bone density is determined, your clinician may want to repeat this test every 6-12 months for children and 12-18 months for adults to monitor possible mineral loss.
Regular weight-bearing exercise and supplemental calcium can reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Weight-bearing activities include walking, running and bicycling. Supplements of calcium and vitamin D may be recommended if your diet doesn't supply the required amount. Discuss your particular needs with your health care provider.
Newer treatments to prevent steroid-induced bone loss include the injections
thyrocalcitonin and etidronate. The majority of post-menopausal women on corticosteroid
therapy benefit from estrogen replacement to prevent or lessen osteoporosis.