Effective natural treatments for sarcoidosis

When our immune system detects a threat in the human body, it sends special cells to fight off the infection or the invader. This fight leads to inflammation, which gives some key features representative of inflammation, such as warmth, swelling, redness, or tissue damage [1]. In most cases, when this fight is over, this inflammation goes away, and the tissue returns to normal. But this is not the case with sarcoidosis.

It is not known why the inflammation keeps going in these people, but it was found that their immune cells start to group together into lumps which are called granulomas [2]. These lumps often start in the skin, lungs, and lymph nodes of the chest. However, sarcoidosis can start in any organ. There are also some people who can develop granulomas due to sarcoidosis in the eyes or the liver.

Sarcoidosis can affect more organs as it gets worse. It is very dangerous when these granulomas start to impact organ functions or when they grow in vital organs like the brain or the heart. Sarcoidosis most commonly affects the lungs, where it presents with chest pain, shortness of breath; coughing; or wheezing. Also, there can be other symptoms if it affects other organs, such as eye or vision problems. It can also cause some generalized symptoms because of the disease process itself, which can cause the person to feel uneasy, depressed, fatigued, or even get anemia, joint pain, weight loss, or night sweats [3]. You need to talk with your doctor if you suffer from sarcoidosis before you start using some of the home remedies mentioned below because we do not guarantee their efficiency of them.

18 Home remedies for sarcoidosis

Licorice root

Licorice root can be used as a natural treatment for inflammation [4]. It is also effective in removing the mucus from the lungs. People who suffer from sarcoidosis can consume licorice tablets or capsules to get their benefits. This home remedy is not recommended to be taken by lactating and pregnant women.

St. John’s Wort

It is a known fact that melatonin can help in the treatment of sarcoidosis, and this herb, in particular, can stimulate the natural production of melatonin in the body. However, it is not recommended to be taken by people who are already taking anti-anxiety drugs due to possible interaction with the drugs[5].

Aloe Vera

You can mix dried Aloe Vera powder in one cup of water or juice, and you can consume this mixture to boost the immune system [6] and deal with the associated symptoms of sarcoidosis.

Cat’s claw

Cat’s claw can be used as a natural treatment for sarcoidosis because it has shown positive effects in the treatment of other autoimmune disorders [7]. However, it is not clear the exact mode of action of the cat’s claw. People who suffer from leukemia should not use a cat’s claw as their natural treatment for sarcoidosis. You can take a standardized extract of 20 mg 3 times per day, and it will help you to reduce inflammation [8,9]. Talk with your doctor about the correct dosage of a cat’s claw extract.

Eat foods rich in magnesium and low in calcium

You should maintain adequate levels of nutrients in your diet because, in this way, you will stay healthy and you will prevent unnecessary inflammation. Bananas, potatoes, soy, brown rice, barley, corn, oats, and bran are foods that are rich in magnesium and low in calcium, so you need to incorporate these foods into your diet.

Substitute the red meat for alternatives

You should eat fewer portions of red meat and eat more beans, tofu, cold-water fish, and lean meats to get your protein. Red meat from corn-fed animals increases inflammation in the body, and that’s why it should be avoided.

Fruits and vegetables

Those who suffer from sarcoidosis should consume antioxidant foods, such as bell peppers, tomatoes, cherries, or blueberries. Also, you should consume foods that are rich in magnesium but low in calcium, such as oats, rye, corn, bran, and barley, because they can help you to deal with sarcoidosis. Also, it is very important to drink plenty of water. Doctors recommend drinking six to eight glasses of water since it can help to detoxify your system from heavy meals and other toxins that can aggravate sarcoidosis. It is recommended to talk with your doctor before you make some changes to your diet.

Meditation is a natural treatment for reducing stress and inflammation

When you are stressed out, the symptoms of sarcoidosis can flare up. Meditation is a useful way to combat increased stress. You can use meditation and relaxing techniques to overcome the challenges brought on by your everyday life. It can take some time to perfect the art of meditating, but you need to be alone and in a calm space free of distractions. You should close your eyes, focus on your breathing, and you need to take time for yourself. It can also help to free your mind from unwanted stress and worries.

Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco

You must avoid tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine because they can promote inflammation in the body, and therefore, they can worsen sarcoidosis.

Warm oil/water

You can massage the affected area with warm oil because this can help you to cure the pain. It is very important to use essential oils, such as eucalyptus and pine essential oil, because, in this way, you will get the best results. Also, you can use warm water to attain the desired results.

Goldenseal

The roots of goldenseal can be used for medicinal purposes. You can use goldenseal as your natural treatment for sarcoidosis because its intake can help in nourishing and revitalizing the lymphatic fluid. Also, it can help to remove the toxins from the blood. Before you start using goldenseal as your natural treatment for sarcoidosis, you need to talk with your doctor. Pregnant women should not use goldenseal as their natural treatment for sarcoidosis.

Chamomile

Chamomile has many anti-inflammatory compounds, such as chamazulene and bisabolol. The dried or fresh flowers of chamomile are used in the treatment of many health-related issues in which sarcoidosis is also included. chamomile can also be used as a natural treatment for other types of inflammatory conditions [10].

You should make chamomile tea with three to five fresh or dried flowers chamomile plant, and you should brew it for fifteen minutes in hot water. You should consume this herbal tea two times per day for at least a period of six months.

Do yoga to improve your respiratory system

Yoga can help to clean out the lungs and respiratory system, which means that it can be effective as a pulmonary sarcoidosis remedy. Pranayama is a form of yoga that can help to treat many respiratory conditions because this technique is focused on clearing the lungs and respiratory passages and promoting respiratory health.

Turmeric

This natural cure is also referred to as Curcuma longa. This herb can help in the treatment of sarcoidosis. Turmeric is a member of the ginger family, and it has been used for hundreds of years in both traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine as an anti-inflammatory herb that can help to treat many health problems [11]. It is extracted from a perennial plant that grows in the tropical regions of South Asia, especially in India. It has a bitter, pungent taste and stimulating and cooling tendencies. Turmeric grows to a maximum height of about six feet, and the underground stem of this plant, or rhizome, is used medicinally. You can consume turmeric in many different forms to cure the inflammation associated with sarcoidosis. Talk with your doctor to see if you can take turmeric supplements to get relief from sarcoidosis.

Bromelain

Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapple. It can help in reducing inflammation [12]. You need to talk with a physician first before you start taking bromelain since it can raise your risk of bleeding as well as interact with other drugs.

Omega-3 fatty acids

When you are eating Omega-3-rich foods, such as anchovies, sardines, wild-caught Alaskan salmon, or Menhaden, it can help you to reduce the inflammation in your body [13]. Also, you can take Omega-3 in the form of supplements.

A probiotic supplement containing the strain Lactobacillus acidophilus

There was one study that stated that supplementing patients with sarcoidosis with five to ten billion colony-forming units (CFUs) daily can help these people. When you take a high-quality probiotic supplement, it will increase the number of good bacteria in your gut and maintain good gastrointestinal health, which can potentially lead to improved well-being.

Eat a variety of antioxidant-rich foods

When you consume anti-oxidant foods, they can help reduce inflammation throughout your body. Squash, bell peppers, blueberries, cherries, and tomatoes are anti-oxidant foods. When you eat these foods on a regular basis, they can help to alleviate the symptoms of sarcoidosis.

References:

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[3] Nunes H, Bouvry D, Soler P, Valeyre D. Sarcoidosis. Orphanet journal of rare diseases. 2007;2:46.

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