Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks its own tissues because it cannot distinguish its own tissues from foreign invaders. Lupus happens more often in women than men. SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus) is the most common type of lupus.
The exact cause of lupus is unknown, but experts believe that it is a combination of environmental factors and genetics. Also, stress, chronic infections, certain medications, and even sunlight can trigger lupus. This is an illness with many faces because it can involve all the body’s organs, including skin, joints, brain, blood vessels, kidneys, lungs, and heart.
Also, it can have different symptoms such as headaches, fluid retention, photosensitivity, shortness of breath, a butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and nose, enlarged lymph nodes, low–grade fever, muscle pain, swelling, joint pain, and fatigue. The symptoms of lupus tend to come and go. Also, they can vary from person to person, and they can even change over time.
This disease can also cause life-threatening complications like kidney problems and cardiovascular disease in some people. Diagnosing this condition is difficult because there is not a single test that can definitely diagnose it. There is no cure for lupus.
Treatment aims to control symptoms like fatigue and pain, minimize organ damage, prevent flare-ups and reduce inflammation. Most people who have lupus can live normal life. Prompt treatment and early diagnosis are keys for this condition.
Rheumatologists are specifically trained to treat lupus. You need to talk with your doctor before you start taking some of the mentioned home remedies for lupus. Your doctor will give you the proper diagnosis and treatment. These home remedies you should use just as an adjunct treatment.
8 Home remedies for lupus
Contents
Vitamin D
When someone has low levels of Vitamin D3, then this is associated with autoimmune diseases, which are included lupus, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. There was one study in 2011 that was presented at the American College of Rheumatology which said that Vitamin D supplementation could play an important role in people who have systemic lupus erythematosus because it can help to modulate the immune system [1].
You should eat foods that are rich in Vitamin D, such as tofu, mushrooms, egg yolks, cheese, salmon, and other fatty fish and cereals. Also, you can take Vitamin D3 supplements, but talk with your doctor about the correct dosage. We know that many doctors are recommending soaking in the sun to get sunshine vitamins, but it is not recommended for lupus because almost 2 out of 3 people who suffer from lupus are UV light sensitive.
Exercise
We know that exercise plays an important role in improving health, especially for people who suffer from lupus. Regular moderate exercise can help to prevent joint stiffness and fatigue. There was one small pilot study published in 2000 in the Journal Arthritis Care and Research in which was found that aerobics and gentle range–of–motion exercises can help to improve fatigue, cardiovascular health, and muscle strength in people who suffer from lupus without worsening their condition [2].
Exercise can also help to reduce the negative effects of steroids and other medications which are prescribed to treat lupus. Also, it has a positive impact on their mood, and it can improve the quality of their life. You should do low–impact exercises like cycling, swimming, walking, stretching, gentle range–of–motion exercises, water aerobics, or low-impact aerobics on a daily basis.
These exercises avoid putting pressure on your joints. Also, you can try tai chi. You should start slowly, and you should pay attention to your body’s response to exercise because this will help you not to over–exert yourself. You should plan your exercise routine with your physician or therapist.
Apple cider vinegar
There are some studies in which is said that natural health practitioners suspect that people who suffer from lupus tend to have a deficiency of hydrochloric acid. This natural cure can help to increase hydrochloric acid production in the body. Also, it can improve nutrient absorption and aids in detoxification.
In one glass of warm water, you should add one teaspoon of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar. You should squeeze the juice from ½ lemon and add it. This will increase the effectiveness of this home remedy. You should drink this home remedy two or three times per day for about twenty minutes before you eat your meals.
Probiotics
These are beneficial gut bacteria which are playing an important role in immune system development. They can reduce flare–up frequency and extend the length of lupus remission. There was one study in 2009 which was published in The Journal of Immunology, in which was said that the probiotic lactobacilli can help to control the development and progression of lupus through the induction of regulatory cells and the production of IL–10, which is a cytokine that has anti-inflammatory properties.
You should eat fermented and cultured foods like yogurt with live cultures, sauerkraut, tempeh, miso, kefir, and acidophilus milk because they are rich in probiotics. Also, you can take probiotic supplements after you have talked with your doctor.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil has medium–chain fatty acids, which can help to balance the immune system, and they can reduce the negative immune response. Also, coconut oil has many health benefits like treating candida infection, improving digestion, controlling blood sugar, and lowering cholesterol [3].
You should eat two tablespoons of virgin coconut oil on a daily basis. The best way to incorporate coconut oil into your diet is to add it to your beverages and smoothies. Also, you can use coconut oil in your cooking. But you should take it in moderate amounts.
Omega–3 fatty acids
There are some small studies which are found that EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) in Omega – 3 fatty acids can help to improve lupus symptoms because they have anti-inflammatory effects. There was one study done in 2008 published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases in which was found that participants who took three grams of Omega – 3 fish oil supplements which have 1,200 mg DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and 1,800 mg EPA on a daily basis in a period of 6 months, showed improvement in their lupus symptoms compared to the placebo group [4].
Also, they have noticed improvements in their blood vessel function and blood flow. This means that fish oil can also exhibit potential cardio-protective effects. You should include foods that are rich in Omega – 3 fatty acids. Some foods that are rich in it are walnuts, chia seeds, ground flaxseeds, tuna and herring, mackerel, sardines, and salmon. You can take fish oil supplements after you have consulted with your doctor.
Ginger
This is a very effective home remedy in the treatment of lupus with arthritic symptoms [5]. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can give you relief from joint swelling and pain. You should include ginger in your diet by using it in your cooking. Also, you can juice a 1–inch piece of fresh ginger root and add it to vegetable juices and fresh fruit. Also, there is another option, and that is to take ginger supplements. For suitability and proper dosage, talk with your doctor.
Turmeric
The active ingredient–curcumin in this home remedy is very effective in the prevention as well as the treatment of inflammatory autoimmune diseases in which lupus is also included. There was one study in 2012 which was published in the Journal of Renal Nutrition in which it was said that turmeric could help reduce systolic blood pressure, hematuria, and proteinuria in people who suffer from refractory or relapsing lupus nephritis. You should use turmeric in your daily diet [6].
Drinking turmeric milk is one of the best home remedies for lupus. To prepare this home remedy, you should add one teaspoon of turmeric powder to one cup of milk and boil it. Sweeten it with a little raw honey, and you should drink it once or twice per day.
Also, there is another option, and that is to take turmeric in supplement form after you have talked with your doctor. The general recommendation is 400 – 600 mg of it three times per day. This home remedy may not be suitable for people who suffer from gallbladder problems. Also, it can act like a blood–thinner.
References
[1] Terrier B, Schoindre Y, Geri G, et al. Restoration of regulatory T Cells – Th17 cells balance in systemic lupus erythematosus through Vitamin D supplementation. Abstract Supplement: 2011 Annual Scientific Meeting. Arthritis & Rheumatism. 2011;63(10):S228-S229. Retrieved from https://www.rheumatology.org/Portals/0/Files/2011_abstract.pdf.
[2] Ramsey-Goldman R, Schilling EM, Dunlop D, et al. A pilot study on the effects of exercise in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Care and Research. 2000;13(5):262-269.
[3] Newell-Fugate AE, Lenz K, Skenandore C, et al. Effects of coconut oil on glycemia, inflammation, and urogenital microbial parameters in female Ossabaw mini-pigs. PLoS One. 2017;12(7):e0179542.
[4] Wright SA, O’Prey FM, McHenry MT, et al. A randomised interventional trial of omega-3-polyunsaturated fatty acids on endothelial function and disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 2008;67(6):841-8.
[5] Bartels EM,Folmer VN, Bliddal H, et al. Efficacy and safety of ginger in osteoarthritis patients: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. 2015;23(1):13-21.
[6] Khajehdehi P, Zanjaninejad B, Aflaki E, et al. Oral supplementation of turmeric decreases proteinuria, hematuria, and systolic blood pressure in patients suffering from relapsing or refractory lupus nephritis: a randomized and placebo-controlled study. Journal of Renal Nutrition. 2012;22(1):50-7.
