Scleroderma
Answered by: Susan Eagles
Question from: Cristi
Posted on: January 30, 1999

I have a friend who was just diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called "Scleroderma". I am wondering if you are aware of any herbs that can help ease his pain. This is a disease where your body creates too much collagen. The collagen increases in concentration and makes the skin feel hard. This will also attack his internal organs. He is 30 years old and just found out that he will have 5-10 years to live.

Siegfried Gursche in "Encyclopedia of Natural Healing" (Alive Publishers, Canada, (800) 663-6580 or Natural Life Publishing Inc., U.S. (800) 663-6513) suggests the following for scleroderma:

Nutrition:

* unrefined, cold-pressed nut and seed oils such as flaxseed, sunflower seed, pumpkin seed and walnut oils to help reduce the inflammation of sclerioderma and promote healthy skin

* fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, trout, cod and halibut

* green leafy vegetables for their antioxidant value to fight against tissue degeneration

* fruit and vegetables should make up the major part of the diet, minimizing meat, dairy, eggs and grains. This will avoid overacidity, which is often the precursor to scleroderma

* avoid coffee, bran and tea which interfere with mineral absorption

Supplements:

* Evening Primrose Oil to help reduce inflammation

* Vitamin E to help prevent tissue hardening 400 iu daily unless there is high blood pressure

* Calcium and silica for bone tissue

* Vitamin C with bioflavonoids for inflammation and tissue health

Herbs:

* Devil’s Claw root, comfrey, sassafras and licorice to purify the blood and induce sweating and urination to clear toxins

* To provide adrenal support, take Siberian Ginseng, extract of wild yam and astragalus tea. Combine these herbs and add one cup of boiling water to one teaspoon of herbs, steep, strain and drink three cups a day

* Horsetail is rich in silica which helps retard degeneration of tissue. Take three capsules daily or 20 drops of extract in water twice daily

* Gotu Kola has detoxifying properties helpful in skin related problems. 2 capsules daily.

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