BENEFICIAL HERBS for Fibromyalgia Syndrome

· Angelica (dong quai), astragalus, garlic, ginger and echinacea have immune enhancing properties

· Ginkgo biloba promotes good blood circulation, especially to the brain. It is also has antidepressant effects.

· Passion flower is an antispasmodic that also aids in sleep

· St. John’s wort and hops are great for insomnia. St. John’s wort is also an effective anti-depressant. Hops is a great pain reliever and aids in digestion.

· Red clover tea improves overall health and relaxes the body

· Burdock soothes pain caused by arthritis, rheumatism, and backache

· Wild yam is useful in that it helps relax muscle fiber

· Seaweeds such as Irish moss, blue-green algae, and brown algae have demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties.

· Crampbark is considered a natural muscle relaxant

· Mustard oil can be applied externally for the relief of minor aches and pains. Caution: Poultices should be carefully attended, as too long an application can result in tissue damage and pain.

· Cayenne (capsicum) pepper relieves muscle pain when applied externally. Try mixing cayenne powder with wintergreen oil.

· Enteric-coated peppermint oil is an effective remedy for indigestion. Peppermint is a great digestive aid, and relieves upset stomach and gas. Caution: Do not take any other form, or esophageal reflux and heartburn may result.

· Blue cohosh is an antispasmodic that contains calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

· Turmeric and white willow bark have anti-inflammatory properties, useful for joint pain and swelling

· Chaparral works to help alleviate leg cramps

· Valerian root, lobelia, skullcap, and myrrh gum may be useful when used in combination.

· Dandelion has been found effective in relieving joint stiffness and inflammation

· Other herbs that may be useful are horsetail, alfalfa, oat straw, slippery elm, papaya, star anise, and Panax ginseng

· Include nettle and fresh chives in your diet, which are rich in iron <http://www.dietsite.com> and vitamin C <http://www.dietsite.com>.

· Increase dietary intake of magnesium <http://www.dietsite.com> search the site

Presented By Shanah Azee Natural Pharmacy

Devils Claw is usually thought of as an herb for arthritis, but it helps the subtle inflammation of the connective and muscle tissue too. It is effective to combine it with oral homeopathic Rhus Tox 30c at 4 pills 3 times a day. Rhus Tox is anti inflammatory as well.

Since FMS is typically a subset of chronic fatigue syndrome or Chi deficiency, it is helpful to support the body with adaptogenic herbs. These are a classification of herbs that increase ones ability to adapt to stress and systemically rebuild vital energy or Chi. When we keep putting out more energy than we put back in, it is inevitable that chronic fatigue type break down will occur. These herbs are vital for so many active and driven people who either have burnt out or fear that if they keep up their current pace, they will also burn out. They function in a number of interesting ways in that they are adrenal and pituitary tonics that can mimic and balance hormonal output and tonify the limbic brain (our emotional brain that is usually over stimulated) and are longevity herbs valued by cultures that have a long history of herbal use. A formula that has proven to be very effective called REISHI MASTER contains:

Reishi Mushroom - ultimate adaptogen and energy builder
Ashwagandha - systemic builder in exhausted states
Licorice Root - specific adrenal tonic
Kava Kava - mood elevating, limbic brain tonic, cognitive enhancer

Dose: 30-60 drops of oral extract in water, 3 times daily.

This kind of formula can also be taken for months and combines well with the FM herbs. Another famous Chi builder is Ginseng extract. Ginseng arguably has the longest historical use for energy building, longevity and increasing vitality. It is indicated here, but for many, Ginseng can be agitating. It best fits with cool, deficient, extremely weak FMS symptoms. It can be found in the formula REISHI-GINSENG MASTER

BIO:
Mitch Coven, Clinical Herbalist, LMT, is president and founder of Vitality Works, Inc. a multi disciplined holistic wellness center and herb company in Albuquerque, NM. His training and 15 years of clinical experience as a Massage Therapist and Clinical Herbalist has helped him to formulate specific herbal remedies and formulas for specific conditions. He is on staff at the New Mexico School of Natural Therapeutics, National College of Phytotherapy and Dr. Scherers Academy in Santa Fe, NM. Mitch teaches seminars on herbal medicine nationally.

Presented By
Shanah Azee Natural Pharmacy

Pain Treatments
11OA. Rhus tox (homeopathic treatment) -dissolve under the tongue as directed on the bottle as needed for muscle pain. (I used this for a few months and it did help, although I think it needs to be used with other anti-vi & anti-bac. Treatments for the best overall results.)

110B. Ginger- dried -1000mg, 1 to 4 times a day or as tea (boil 1 gm or 1/3 oz. chopped up ginger -about ½ inch slice). (This is something I use regularly and find it does help to reduce or even end the "prickleys".)
11OC. Phytodolor (herbal from Phyto Pharmica) -30 drops, 3 times a day. Takes 1 to 2 weeks to work. (I don't know what this is, but I see this reference, so have included it)

Methylcobalamin is a type of Vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 comes in several kinds including hydroxy-, cyano-, and adenosyl-, but only the methyl form is used in the central nervous system. Deficiency states are fairly common and vitamin B12 deficiency mimics many other disease states of a neurological or psychological kind, and it causes anemia. Cyanocobalamin (the kind in vitamin supplements) is converted by the liver into methylcobalamin but not in therapeutically significant amounts. Vitamin B12 deficiency is caused by a wide range of factors including low gastric acidity (common in older people,) use of acid blockers such as Prilosec�?/I> or excessive laxative use, lack of intrinsic factor, poor absorption from the intestines, lack of Calcium, heavy metal toxicity, or excessive Vitamin B12 degradation.