Natural Help for Seizures/Epilepsy
A "Seizure", by definition, refers to a sudden malfunction in the brain that causes someone to collapse, convulse, or have another temporary disturbance of normal brain function, often with a loss or change in consciousness. Simply put, seizures are symptoms of a brain problem.
Seizures happen because of sudden, abnormal electrical activity in the brain or by fainting (fainting decreases blood flow to the brain). When people think of seizures, they often think of convulsions in which a person's body shakes rapidly and uncontrollably. Not all seizures cause convulsions. There are many types of seizures and some have mild symptoms. Seizures fall into two main groups. Focal seizures, also called partial seizures, happen in just one part of the brain. Generalized seizures are a result of abnormal activity on both sides of the brain.
Some seizures may be the result of another medical problem, such as low blood sugar, fever, medicines, infection, a head injury, accidental poisoning, or drug overdose. They also can be due to a brain tumor or other health problem affecting the brain. And anything that results in a sudden lack of oxygen or a reduction in blood flow to the brain can cause a seizure. In some cases, a seizure's cause is never discovered.
Most seizures last from 30 seconds to 2 minutes and do not cause lasting harm. However, it is a medical emergency if seizures last longer than 5 minutes or if a person has many seizures and does not wake up between them. Two thirds of people who experience a seizure never have another. One third go on to have recurring seizures (a condition called epilepsy.)
There are four types of epilepsy: Grand mal epilepsy, characterized by major episodes associated with loss of consciousness; Petit mal epilepsy, characterized by milder episodes, usually without loss of consciousness; Psychomotor epilepsy, characterized by different types of abnormal movements; and Autonomic epilepsy, which is associated with flushing, whiteness of skin, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, abdominal symptoms, and sweating.
Natural Help for Seizures:
- Consider a bowel cleanse to restore healthy bowel function. Proper bowel movements two to three times a day are also important.
- Sleep - Improvement of sleep patterns can help reduce the frequency of seizures.
- Change Diet- Consider the Ketogenic diet.(under doctors care) -A high-fat, low carbohydrate diet can drastically cut seizures in children with severe epilepsy and could reduce the need for medication.
- Do not eat foods with: MSG (monosodium glutamate) , aspartame, maltodextrin, glutamate, glutamic acid, anything autolyzed yeasts, yeast extract, anything hydrolized, sodium caseinate, carrageenan, barley malt, malt extracts, and anything saying natrual flavors.
- Omega-3’s and Fresh Fish- Fish oils may be helpful by their ability to stabilize neuronal excitability in brain and heart tissue.
- Find a source of mediation to reduce stress – Yoga, Walks, Music, Breathing exercises for relaxation and stress control, or biofeedback to slow the brain waves.
- Reduce or eliminate any kind of supplements that have a stimulant effect such as tyrosine, ephedra, guarana, citrus aurantium, ginkgo, sexual herbs such as horny goat weed and tongkat ali, and caffeinated products (cocoa, cola, some teas, etc.)
- Increase Magnesium and B6.- Take this through the foods you eat.
- Be Patient - Most diet and lifestyle changes can have immediate results or take up to 6 weeks for positive results.
Essential Oil Help:
*Anyone who has epilepsy should avoid the following essential oils as a precaution:
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis), Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium or Hedeoma pulegioides), Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Sage (Salvia officinalis), Savin (Juniperus sabina), Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare), Thuja (Thuya occidentalis), Turpentine (Pinus species), and Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)
Frankincense is the Essential Oil of choice for any kind of brain disorder. Frankincense has a molecular makeup that includes sesquiterpenes, that is able to cross the blood/brain barrier. These sesquiterpenes stimulate the limbic system of the brain and other glands within the brain, promoting memory and releasing emotions. Frankincense slows down and deepens the breath. The therapeutic properties of Frankincense oil are antiseptic, astringent, carminative, cicatrisant, cytophylactic, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, sedative, tonic, uterine, vulnerary and expectorant.
To help prevent the onset of seizures:
- Apply 1 drop Frankincense, on the bottom of each Big Toe, or at the base of the neck and temples, each night.
- Can also place 1 drop Frankincense under the tongue, each night.
- Can also try Lemon and Orange, 1 drop each internally or on bottoms of Big Toe- In pseudoseizure, the two brain hemispheres start to fight or don’t communicate. This will help stimulate both sides of the brain.
- Lemon is for Left-brain function.
- Orange is for Right-brain function.
When you feel a seizure coming on, inhale Frankincense, deeply. Basil has known to help too.
Important Note: Many Herbal Remedies can interact with seizure medicines, either diminishing seizure control or worsening side effects. Of course the effect is different depending on what kind of seizures you have and what seizure medicines you take. Always educate yourself. Search this site and other reputable sources for unbiased information about the herb, the disorder you want to treat, and all the other medicines you are taking. (One good source of information about many herbs is the website of the Integrative Medicine Service of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, found at http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/11570.cfm.) After researching, consult your doctor. When you say that you've been investigating an herbal medicine, the doctor should be willing to hear you out. If your doctor says that it's OK for you to use the herbal product alongside your regular seizure medicine, go ahead, but don't take more than the recommended dose. If you experience any new side effects, don't ignore them—call the doctor. And NEVER substitute an herbal medicine for your regular seizure medicine.
Labels: Seizures/Epilepsy
