A chronic disease is defined as one that lasts three months or longer according to the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics, in 2022 they found almost 60% of Americans had one chronic disease. The percentage was 51.8% in 2018. Chronic diseases are generally incurable and ongoing.

In the last ten years of my nursing career, I practiced as a home care nurse, I found it rewarding to have time to teach my patients about their medical conditions and medications. Those suffering from chronic illnesses suffered physical pain as well as mental and emotional distress. Long-term illness can be physically, emotionally, mentally, and financially draining. Seeking help immediately after being diagnosed with a chronic illness to find the best treatment is vital.

However, you don’t have to travel down that path. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine published an article by Myers and Vigar, 2018, who conducted seven studies conducted in naturopathic clinics and community health centers. They found natural treatments using nutritional supplements, dietary and lifestyle changes made a significant difference in patients with cardiovascular disease. Patients diagnosed with anxiety and mood disorders showed improvement with diet counseling and herbal medicine.

Long before pharmaceuticals were introduced herbal plants were used to treat chronic conditions due to their anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants. Nutritional supplements and vitamins were also used. Today I will share with you a few of those and other naturopathic treatments for chronic diseases.

Turmeric is well known for treating joint pain related to arthritis, including rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. Ginger, related to turmeric is known to treat gastrointestinal diseases. The perennial herb Andrographis paniculata, also known as Indian echinacea is often used for the treatment of diabetes, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, COPD, and cancer. Gotu kola, widely used in Chinese medicine has been used for the treatment of psoriasis, anxiety, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Herbal remedies are often ingested and dispensed in capsules, pills, or powder. Herbalists may prescribe raw herbs that the patient has to boil or cook before drinking. Personally, for congestion or cold, I use echinacea and ginger root which I boil to make tea. After drinking 3-4 cups a day for a few days, my symptoms are gone.

Next, let us discuss vitamins and nutritional supplements. Fatigue is a common complaint of people with chronic conditions, our bodies require vitamins and minerals to combat it. Eating foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, L-carnitine, and taking B-complex vitamins are necessary to relieve chronic fatigue.

Vitamins B3 and B12 aid our bodies in producing DNA and red blood cells to prevent anemia, which can lead to chronic fatigue. Ginseng supplements help increase energy and improve your brain’s prefrontal cortex, which controls your thinking process.

Many of my patients who had retired, became couch potatoes, binging on TV, eating chips, and other unhealthy snacks gained significant weight. In general, obesity is significant in the United States. Many folk eat a diet of highly processed foods and get little to no exercise. Physical exercise not only is recommended for weight management but also improves blood circulation and heart health. It is key in the treatment of chronic conditions, consult your physician or primary care provider for suggestions regarding the type of exercises to start with. At one time in my life, I weighed 180 lbs, at 5’5″ I was significantly overweight. I started to walk, not fast-paced, working up to 2 miles a day, and changed my eating habits which led to me dropping 40 pounds. It didn’t happen overnight, but I achieved my goal in 8 months.

In life, we all have to face painful situations, mine led to me stress-eating and significant weight gain. However, if your pain is related to a chronic illness, there are boundless natural remedies you can find for depression and anxiety. Lavender, for one, is beneficial for anxiety, depression, insomnia, stress, and fatigue. It produces calming, soothing, and sedative effects when its scent is inhaled. The oil in lavender’s blue-violet flowers gives its scent. The essential oil extracted from the plant is used for medicinal purposes. Try lavender aromatherapy at your bedside for a peaceful sleep.

To be clear, I am not advocating that you stop taking your prescribed medications, however, using some naturopathic treatments may reduce pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and other symptoms of chronic diseases. As well paying attention to your diet and the quality of the food you eat can make a real difference. Consult a registered dietician for diet recommendations.

This Blog just scratches the surface of the naturopathic remedies available, find an herbalist in your community for remedies that may improve your chronic diseases. The last thing I want to leave you with is, please stay out of the drug stores, and Walmart for vitamins and minerals. Find a natural health store and purchase your vitamins, minerals, and herbs there for top-quality products.

Until next time,

Peace, Love, and Blessings❤️