How to Treat Fibromyalgia Syndrome With Alternative Remedies

Fibromyalgia is a disorder primarily characterized by extreme fatigue and pain in the muscles and joints. Signs of this condition include flu-like symptoms, tiredness, numbness in the limbs and extremities, headache, dizziness, sleep difficulties, nausea, irritable bowel syndrome, memory loss, depression, sensitivity to certain chemicals and skin problems. Some of the factors that may trigger fibromylagia are stress, grief, emotional trauma, a sedentary lifestyle and sleep deprivation, but there is no known cause for the condition. The symptoms of fibromyalgia are similar to those of other disorders and/or illnesses. While tests may be given by your doctor to rule out other conditions, there are currently no specific diagnostic tests to determine fibromylagia. The general criteria is that if you have been experiencing tenderness in a minimum of 11 tender point sites on your body and your pain has lasted for 3 months or more, it is likely that you have fibromylagia. While your doctor may recommend pain medications and other prescription drugs to address your symptoms, you may desire to seek alternative remedies that may be helpful.

Things You'll Need

• Barley grass powder
• Boswellia
• St. John's wort
• Dandelion
• Rhux toxicodendron
• Arnica
• Causticum
• Kalmia latifolia
• Bryonia
• Ranunculus bulbosus
• Ruta graveolens
• Calcarea carbonica

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Instructions

• 1

  Give barley grass a try. It contains vitamins, minerals and chlorophyll, has anti-inflammatory properties and helps detoxify your body. Barley grass is derived from the whole leaves of the barley plant. You can usually find barley grass in powdered form. Add a couple of teaspoons to an 8-ounce glass of water and drink it daily. If you are allergic to grasses or have celiac disease, you should not take barley grass. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your doctor before taking it.

• 2

  Use boswellia extract daily to reduce morning joint stiffness and inflammation. Boswellia comes from the gummy resin of a fragrant tree that commonly grows in India and is used by Ayurvedic medicine practitioners for its healing properties. The dosage depends upon the individual product you are taking. There are currently no known drug interactions with boswellia, but you should avoid it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

• 3

  Take St. John's Wort capsules to improve your sleep and reduce depression. This herb is extracted from a perennial plant that is native to the fields of Europe and contains flavonoids and hyperforin, which have been proven to have antidepressant properties. While the typical dosage is between 500 to 1,000 milligrams per day, it may differ from product to product. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should not take St. John's Wort. If you are currently taking any prescription medication, you should speak to your doctor before taking this herb, because it may decrease your medication's effectiveness.

• 4

  Boost your immunity with dandelion. Dandelion comes from the root and leaves of a tree that commonly grows in Europe and the United States. You can generally find it in capsule or tea form. Take the dosage given for the individual product you use. You should avoid dandelion if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have bile duct obstruction, suffer from gallstones, have ulcers, are on prescription diuretics or are allergic to dandelion.

• 5

  Consider the use of homeopathic remedies to help reduce your symptoms. These include Rhux toxicodendron, Arnica, Causticum, Kalmia latifolia, Bryonia, Ranunculus bulbosus, Ruta graveolens and Calcarea carbonica. Ask your homeopathic practitioner to determine which of these remedies is the best one for you to take and to find out about the best strengths and dosages to take. Homeopathic remedies are safe to use and have no drug interactions.