Hashimoto's Disease...
10 years ago
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- 10 years ago
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Herbs for High Blood Pressure
Comments (63)I realize that this is a dated thread. However, the last comment leaves a negative impression about herbal medicines. I have hypertension and an inquisitive and scientific mind and checked out Eric's conclusion that hawthorn is mutagenic. The mutagenic testing in the cited research paper was done with quercetin at 98% minimum purity purchased from Sigma Chemical Co. This study did not look at the many glycosylated forms of quercetin that are very prevalent with hawthorn. There are many publications that explain that hawthorn extract has many medicinal components. One recent summary goes into great detail about hawthorn's 49 distinct flavonoid compounds 5 hydroxycinnamic acids; six sugars; 10 organic or phenolic acids; 26 terpenes; and 56 essential oil constituents. Nature's pharmacy is awe-inspiring! I researched mutagenic testing on the hawthorn extract that is prepared for dosing patients. Sadly, I cannot find published data on the Ames test for hawthorn extract by itself. There is an interesting study where hawthorn is used in combination with valerian and passion flower. This study concludes that there are no harmful effects caused by the herbal mixture. The paper states " this extract does not posess any genotoxic or mutagenicity effect: both the Ames test and the micronuclei test presented negative results". Also, searching Pubmed shows many publications where hawthorn is safe and effective over the long term. I have the impression that Eric _OH dismisses ethnobotanical knowledge is being out of date and primitive. I disagree. I think that many of our ancestors were wise healers and lived long and productive lives with the help of herbal medicines. A 2012 review in Phytochemistry explains that many Indian tribes in numerous First Nations used hawthorn. The Meskwaki, Blackfoot, Ojibwa, Potawatomi, Okanagon, Okanagan-Colville, Iroquois, and Cherokee all used the berries and/or various decoctions of the shoots, roots, and bark of different Crataegus species. The Cherokee and Thompson also used decoctions of the bark as a heart medicine. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), hawthorn fruits are primarily used to improve circulation, remove blood stasis, and treat indigestion, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension. In Europe, the fruits, leaves, and flowers were traditionally used in the treatment of heart problems for their antispasmodic, cardiotonic, hypotensive, and antiatherosclerotic effects. In summary, it appears to me that hawthorn is a great choice for treating hypertension. I hope to share personal experience once I wean myself off of Metoprolol with the help of my physician....See MoreDry mouth and thyroid
Comments (48)Anyway, I had no idea to check adrenal function when (preferably before, actually) going on Thyroid (similar to Armour). The doctors are supposed to do this, but they do not unless the patient has a problem. I had a huge problem as I raised my Armour.. I kept getting more hypothyroid and my doctor kept raising my Armour. I almost ended up agoraphobic, I would get so freaked out in a traffic jam or even driving though a row of trees! It did a number on my mental well-being, I had major brain-fog, swollen legs/feet and terrible constipation. All due to low cortisol and probably a high reverse T3... things my doctor never checked. My blood was FULL of thryoid hormone but it wasn't getting into my cells. I'm doing better now (not great) and it's only due to my own research. I frequent the forums mentioned above and both are very helpful. I also just bought the "Stop The Thyroid Madness" book and am really impressed so far. Lots more info here than on the website....See MoreTell me about your Thyroid problems please! :)
Comments (11)I had Graves' disease in the late 80's. (That's overactive thyroid - I lost weight while eating like a pig, which was nice, but my resting heart rate was 112 and I thought I was going nuts, which wasn't so nice.:) The doctors eventually used radioactive iodine to kill my thyroid, so now I'm in a similar situation to you, with an underactive thyroid. Your symptoms sound like your thyroid is definitely underactive, and you'll need a synthetic thyroid hormone, like Synthroid. Sounds like you needed to keep taking it for the Hashimoto's, with the symptoms you're having. It does take awhile to get the meds and dosage right, and it's never perfect, but it's pretty good. One thing to know about synthetic thyroid hormones is that they're not interchangeable. This is one case where you don't want to go with the generic, unless you started with the generic. (At least that was true 4-5 years ago when I last checked - not sure about now.) I do understand your concern with thyroid cancer, given that it's in your family and that Hashimoto's is associated with a higher risk for the cancer. I guess all you can do is to keep up with your treatment and keep in mind that if the worst happens and you do get thyroid cancer, it's one of the most treatable cancers. Very, very few people die of it, even after 30 years. Not that you want to get it, of course. Good luck. I know how awful it is to feel so tired all the time. Even with treatment, you'll have some of that, but you get used to it....See MoreIf you take meds for thyroid and still have symptoms
Comments (12)Sorry to hear Lily. 2 weeks is probably too soon to see any real difference but there is hope. I find walking helps with stress management. The main thing is your husband is getting treatment now and it sounds like you both have found a physician that can help. Small changes can make a big difference. On the diet, if possible don't change everything at once. He will not be a happy camper. There is a thread on GW from Lynn about healthy eating choices and it is full of wonderful substitutions. For instance, he may love ice cream (like me). There is a coconut milk ice cream, so perhaps he wouldn't feel short changed. He may like cream in his coffee, there are NutPods instead. He may love spaghetti and meatballs, there is Spaghetti squash and meatballs made with oatmeal as the binder. You get the picture. You can't go wrong with protein and veggies. Life is about choices and together you will discover new and healthier options! You let him know it is possible to feel better and get his life back!...See More- 10 years ago
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- 10 years agolast modified: 10 years ago
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