It has been several months since we left off working our way through this series in which we highlight an assortment of health-related topics, alternating summaries of natural remedies with synopses of various illnesses or conditions that beg our attention. Here is Part 3 of our Healthy Living A to Z series, focusing this time on subjects that start with E and F.
Natural Remedy – Echinacea
Echinacea, a perennial herb native to the midwestern region of North America, is a versatile natural remedy buoyed by a variety of chemical ingredients that help impart therapeutic results – such as polysaccharides, glycoproteins, alkamides, and flavonoids.
Native Americans were among many people who for many years depended on echinacea as a “cure-all” for treating infections, wounds, and illnesses such as scarlet fever, syphilis, malaria, and diphtheria. Its use in America would eventually be tapered because of the emergence of antibiotics, although in recent decades echinacea has bounced back in popularity as an antioxidant, especially helpful in bolstering our immune systems against viral illnesses such as colds.
Antioxidants are molecules that aid in protecting your cells from the negative effects of oxidative stress, a condition often associated with chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. At least one scientific review has shown echinacea capable of diminishing the risk of developing an upper respiratory tract infection by 22%. Other possible benefits of echinacea: reducing elevated blood-sugar levels; mitigating anxiety; alleviating the inflammation, chronic pain, and swelling of osteoarthritis; and treating various skin problems.
Condition – Earwax buildup
Few things are as annoying or aggravating as waking up in the morning with both ears blocked by earwax buildup. Left untreated, earwax buildup can lead to temporary hearing loss of varying degrees (the more wax present, the less you can hear), pain and/or ringing in your ear(s), and dizziness, etc.
Blockage in the ears is found more frequently in children (10% of them) than in adults (5%). Earwax impaction is also more likely to occur in people with excess ear hair; those who use hearing aids, earplugs, or earbuds; people 55 and over (among the adult population, that is); persons with developmental disabilities; and others beset with certain related conditions.
Earwax itself is not a bad thing. It works inside your ears as a natural means to help keep them clean, and it usually eventually drops out on its own. A buildup that blocks your ears and sticks around can typically be alleviated by eardrops available at your local pharmacy. If that doesn’t do the trick, or your symptoms worsen, a visit to your physician should take care of the problem with the use of ear irrigation or microsuction.
If you tend to get earwax buildup fairly often, such as during colds or bouts with seasonal allergies, here are a few natural remedies to consider in preparation:
- Omega-3s: Frequent cases of earwax accumulation are often linked to an omega-3 deficiency. Think krill oil.
- Ear candling: This involves using specially designed candles manufactured for the specific purpose of extracting earwax. This process works best with a second person to light and hold the candle. One end of a hollow, cone-shaped candle is lit and the other (unlit) end placed just inside the ear. The heat from the flame should create a vacuum seal that draws wax up and out of the ear.
Natural Remedy – Fenugreek
Fenugreek is an herb mostly found in the Mediterranean region, western Asia, and Europe. For centuries it has been used in cooking as well as for medicinal and other health purposes. The latter range from boosting muscle strength and endurance for athletic types to utilization in beauty products such as shampoos and conditioners to helping to resolve health-related conditions such as elevated blood sugar in diabetics, menstrual cramps in women, and unhealthy cholesterol levels.
Clinical studies on a small scale revealed fenugreek powder added to hot water or bread recipes can benefit diabetics. In these studies, doctors found that reduced blood-sugar levels were among the improved vital signs based on measurements recorded in the study before participants had fenugreek incorporated into their diet and measured again afterward.
Condition – Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a perplexing chronic affliction, as baffling to the victim as it is to the medical community. Its overriding symptom is widespread pain that can be felt as an ache, a burning sensation, or a sharp stabbing pain – or a combination of all three, simultaneously or alternatively occurring in different parts of the body.
Sufferers can experience a wide range of symptoms that include extreme tiredness; muscle stiffness; problems sleeping; heightened sensitivity to touch, light, and other environmental conditions; headaches; restless leg syndrome; tingling or numbness; so on and so forth.
Little is known about what causes fibromyalgia, although it is believed many factors are probably involved. These could include modified pain messages in the central nervous system; genetics; and/or triggers such as a stressful occurrence like an injury, a tragic event, or the breakup of a relationship. Experts say fibromyalgia apparently is more common among middle-aged women and people with a history of rheumatoid arthritis or another autoimmune disease.
As you might have surmised, fibromyalgia has no known cure, although medication, lifestyle modifications, and natural remedies can help you manage the symptoms. Following are some natural remedies that might help alleviate the severity of fibromyalgia:
- Vitamin D: It is indispensable for the immune system, bones and teeth, brain health, and for regulating inflammation.
- Magnesium: This popular supplement is instrumental in more than 300 enzyme reactions and can help with muscle and nerve function as well as support of the immune system.
- Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and Acetyl-L-carnitine: Both might aid in diminishing oxidative stress and inflammation in those with fibromyalgia.
- St. John’s Wort: It might improve mood and reduce pain.
Keep in mind with these health conditions – earwax buildup and fibromyalgia – as well as the natural remedies presented – echinacea and fenugreek – that a consultation with your physician or healthcare professional is always advisable before new treatment or supplementation.