Lupus

Lupus and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): A Natural Approach to Lupus Management

Lupus, also known as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is an autoimmune disorder wherein the body's immune system mistakenly assaults the healthy body tissues and results in inflammation of the body tissue and even causes death of tissues. Lupus can impact over one organ including skin, joint, kidney, heart, and even brain and thus resulting in symptoms that can appear and vanish.

Common Lupus Signs

Since the symptoms of lupus are mainly the same as other diseases, Western diagnosis is mainly difficult. Western therapy mainly consists of immune-suppressant medicine, steroids, and anti-inflammatory medication. They may suppress the symptoms but cause horrific long-term effects. TCM offers a holistic, natural approach to treating lupus aimed at balance in the entire body and relief of lupus symptoms.

Fatigue

Severe fatigue not relieved by resting.

Joint aches and swelling

Similar to arthritis, stiffness, inflamed, sore joints.

Kidney Problems

Serious complications lupus nephritis causes inflammation of the kidneys as well as disrupts the entire process of removing waste.

Sun Sensitivity & Fever

Low-grade fever that worsens when exposed to sunlight.

Hair loss

Swelling from the inflammation weakens some hair follicles, the hair grows thin or bald patches.

Chest Pain & Breathlessness

Chest pain because of inflammation of the heart and breathlessness because of inflammation of the lungs.

How TCM Views Lupus: An Internal Imbalance

TCM views lupus as syndrome of blood heat and yin deficiency with spleen-kidney-liver disharmony as its primary issue. TCM believes that body Qi and Blood have to be in harmony in order for the best and overall optimal health.

Blood Heat and Yin Deficiency

Typically red, inflamed eruptions, fever, and swelling of joints, and overproduction of internal heat will be present.

Qi and Blood Stagnation

Poor circulation via chronic degeneration of the immune system, pain, skin ulcers and cold hands and feet.

Kidney and Spleen deficiency

Organ dysfunctions via chronic fatigue, and fluid retention.

Whereas western medicine focuses on relieving the symptoms, TCM therapies calm internal heat in the blood, rebalance yin, and permit enhanced circulation. TCM therapies also boost the body’s own defense mechanism.

Healing Lupus through TCM: Nature's Balance

Relief Acupuncture for Lupus Symptoms

Acupuncture has a relation with the specific meridian points. The specific points will modulate immunity and reduce the inflammation.

Main advantages are:

✔ Healthy immune response such that healthy cells will not get damaged.

✔ The circulation of blood will be enhanced with the relief of general stiffness and joint aches.

✔ Qi energy levels are boosted, resulting in the elimination of mental weakness and fuzziness.

✔ Overall organ function for digestive as well as kidney health is enhanced.

Balancing the Immune Through Herbology

Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia Root) and Bai Hua She She Cao (Hedyotis Diffusa) – Completely balances your blood, purifies your whole body, and also reduce inflammations.

Huang Qi (Astragalus), and Dang Shen (Codonopsis), both of which help to develop immune energy as well as kidney energy.

Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig) & Bai Shao (White Peony Root) –Eases joint pain.

Diet Treatment: Nourishing & Cooling Foods

TCM encourages diet modification to control the manifestations of lupus in the best possible way. Patients are recommended:

Dissipate the body’s internal heat, do not consume fried, hot food. Do not take oily food as well.

Consume cooling foods such as pears, cucumbers, bitter melon, and mung beans.

Consume Yin-nourishing foods, i.e., black sesame, refined soy and fish.

Detoxification by Cupping & Moxibustion

✔ Cupping Therapy – Removes stagnant blood with toxins to decrease inflammation for some.

✔ Heat Therapy (Moxibustion) – Creates Kidney Yang energy, which boosts immunity greatly, especially.

What to Expect in TCM Lupus Treatment

Personalized Therapy

Each lupus patient is different in his/her looks and symptoms, and TCM therapies are tailored in a way to manage individualized internal imbalances of your body.

Gradual but Successful Recovery

TCM is holistic in nature to gain long-term health and not temporary recovery.

Add-on Therapy

It can be combined with western medicine as a way of trying to lower the use of immunosuppressants.