Home Remedies For Lupus: 10 Ways To Manage It Naturally

What Is Lupus?

Lupus is an autoimmune disorder that causes the body’s immune system to become hyperactive and strike healthy tissues. This condition is characterized by symptoms like swelling, inflammation, and damage to the skin, brain, joints, kidneys, heart, lungs, and blood.

One of the main symptoms of lupus is a facial rash that unfolds across both cheeks and closely resembles the wings of a butterfly. This symptom is quite prevalent in many cases of lupus that have been reported, but not all.

An online survey conducted on 4375 SLE patients from across 35 European countries found that 81.8% of respondents reported that the disease affected their joints while 59.4% said it affected their skin. Furthermore, 85% of the participants reported fatigue and 9.1% reported mental health issues due to Lupus.

Trivia

The term ‘Lupus’ was first used in 850 AD to describe lesions resembling a wolf bite. However, the modern understanding of lupus developed in 1948.

What Causes Lupus? What Are Its Risk Factors?

Lupus is often thought to develop in people with a genetic predisposition to the disease, who come in contact with potential environmental triggers. Such triggers may include:

• Sunlight
• Infections
• Certain medications

Some factors that may increase your risk of developing lupus are:

• Gender – It is more common in women.
• Age – It can affect people of any age but is more common in those between 15 and 45 years.
• Race – It is found to be more common in Asian-Americans, Hispanics, and African-Americans.

The signs and symptoms associated with lupus are quite similar to those of other ailments. They may vary depending on the affected body system.

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Lupus?

The symptoms of lupus can occur gradually or suddenly, may be mild or severe, and may also be temporary or permanent. Most people with lupus develop mild symptoms that may flare-up for a while before improving or even completely disappearing for some time.

The common signs and symptoms that surface with lupus are:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Pain, stiffness, and swelling of joints
• A butterfly-shaped rash across both cheeks and the nose
• Rashes on different body parts
• Appearance of lesions that worsens post-exposure to the sun
• Breathing difficulty or shortness of breath
• Dry eyes
• Pain in the chest
• Memory loss or confusion
• Headaches
• Fingers or toes that turn blue while stressing or when exposed to cold (also termed as Raynaud’s phenomenon)

Michel Janse, a YouTuber, shares her struggle with lupus in one of her vlogs. She recounts when she saw the first signs: “I was sick and woke up the next day with a rash – sometimes, there would be tiny little bumps all over my stomach, back, or chest. My fingernails started to fall off, and my toes turned blue (i).”

Lupus needs immediate medical attention and complementary therapies like homeopathy to prevent any potential complications. The risks and side effects associated with it are discussed below.

Risks And Side Effects

Lupus can lead to severe complications, such as:

• Kidney damage
• Memory problems
• Anemia
• Blood clotting
• Pleurisyⁱ  XA condition when large tissues around the lungs become inflamed and cause immense pain during breathing.
• Pericarditisⁱ  X A condition when saclike tissue around the heart swells up and causes irritation and chest pain when one rubs against the other.
• Heart attack

The other serious side effects of lupus include:

• Infections due to a weak immune system
• Cancer
• Avascular necrosis or bone tissue death
• Pregnancy complications, such as miscarriage

Treating lupus is mainly aimed at managing its signs and symptoms. While there are several anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive medications that can help to manage the symptoms, most of them come with side effects. Therefore, many people are looking at alternative medicine to manage the condition. The following are the best home remedies that can help you manage lupus while also improving your quality of life.

10 Natural Remedies To Manage Lupus

1. Vitamin Supplements

Introduction of vitamins E and D in lupus patients was found to help with the progression of the disease. Vitamin D can ameliorate inflammatory and hemostaticⁱ  XThe body responds to an injury by clotting the blood of an affected area, disrupting the normal blood flow of the body. markers associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (2). Vitamin E can suppress the production of autoantibodies, which are involved in the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (3).

2. Essential Oils

a. Lavender Oil

You Will Need

• 2-3 drops of lavender oil
• 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil

What You Have To Do

1. Add two to three drops of lavender oil to one or two tablespoons of coconut oil.
2. Mix well and apply the mixture to the affected area.
3. You can also breathe in the aroma of lavender oil using a diffuser.

How Often You Should Do This

You may do this once daily.

Why This Works

The analgesicⁱ  XA pain-relieving medication used to treat rashes, swelling, inflammation and other irritants to the body. and anti-inflammatory properties of lavender oil can help in soothing the rashes associated with lupus while also relieving pain (4).

b. Frankincense Oil

You Will Need

• 1 drop of therapeutic-grade certified organic frankincenseⁱ  XA kind of gum-like resin that comes from the Boswellia tree used for skin care and aromatherapy purposes. oil
• 1 glass of drinking water

What You Have To Do

1. Add a drop of therapeutic-grade certified organic frankincense oil to a glass of water.
2. Mix well and consume.

How Often You Should Do This

You may drink this mixture 2-3 times daily for best results.

Why This Works

Frankincense oil possesses strongimmunostimulatingⁱ  XA medication that reduces unwanted overactivation of the immune system triggered by exposure to pathogens. and anti-inflammatory activities (5), (6). These activities can help in preventing the deterioration of lupus symptoms.

3. Coconut Oil

You Will Need

Virgin coconut oil (as required)

What You Have To Do

1. Take a little virgin coconut oil in your palm.
2. Massage the oil gently onto the affected areas of your body.
3. Leave it on until it dries.

How Often You Should Do This

You may do this 1-2 times daily.

Why This Works

Virgin coconut oil exhibits significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that can soothe the inflamed rashes that often accompany lupus (7).

4. Epsom Salt

You Will Need

• 1 cup of Epsom salt
• Water

What You Have To Do

1. Add a cup of Epsom salt to a tub filled with water.
2. Allow the salt to dissolve completely.
3. Soak in the Epsom bath for 15-20 minutes.

How Often You Should Do This

You must do this once daily.

Why This Works

The presence of magnesium in Epsom salt imparts anti-inflammatory properties to it, which can help alleviate the inflammatory symptoms of lupus (8).

5. Tulsi Or Holy Basil

You Will Need

• ¼ cup of holy basil leaves
• 1 cup of hot water

What You Have To Do

1. Wash the holy basil leaves thoroughly with water.
2. Press the leaves against the cup using a spoon.
3. Add a cup of hot water to the leaves and
4. cover it immediately with a saucer.
5. Allow the leaves to steep for at least 5 minutes.
6. Drink the warm tea.

How Often You Should Do This

You may drink this 1-2 times daily.

Why This Works

Theimmunomodulatoryⁱ  XA substance that suppresses the immune system to treat inflammation, infection and even help fight cancer. nature of holy basil can benefit those battling lupus as it can help strengthen their overall immunity (9).

6. Flaxseed

You Will Need

1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed

What You Have To Do

Add a tablespoon of ground flaxseed to your favorite cereal or salad.

How Often You Should Do This

You can consume 1-2 tablespoons of flaxseed daily.

Why This Works

Flaxseed is a rich source of alpha-linolenic acid (alpha-LA) that possess anti-atherogenicⁱ  XA genetic mutation that helps the body protect itself from the formation of plaques in the arteries. properties. It also contains lignans, which prevent the activation of platelet-activating factor receptors, thus preventing inflammation. These properties of flaxseed can help improve renal function associated with lupus nephritis (10).

7. Green Tea

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of green tea
• 1 cup of hot water

What You Have To Do

1. Add a teaspoon of green tea to a cup of hot water.
2. Steep for 5 minutes and strain.
3. Drink the warm tea.

How Often You Should Do This

You may drink green tea 1-2 times daily.

Why This Works

Daily consumption of green tea can help in managing the symptoms of lupus and also improve certain aspects of the patient’s quality of life (11).

8. Turmeric

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
• 1 glass of hot milk

What You Have To Do

1. Add a teaspoon of turmeric powder to a glass of hot milk.
2. Stir well until the turmeric powder dissolves completely.
3. Drink the warm concoction.

How Often You Should Do This

You may drink this once daily.

Why This Works

The active component of turmeric is curcumin. Curcumin reduces the proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in lupus nephritis patients and suppresses the activation of the enzyme that causes inflammation (12).

9. Ginger

You Will Need

• 1 inch of sliced ginger
• 1 cup of hot water

What You Have To Do

1. Add an inch of sliced ginger to a cup of water.
2. Bring it to a boil in a saucepan.
3. Simmer for 5 minutes and strain.
4. Drink the warm tea.

How Often You Should Do This

You may drink ginger tea twice daily.

Why This Works

The immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory nature of ginger can work wonders in managing lupus and its inflammatory symptoms (13).

In addition to trying out these remedies for natural healing, you also need to follow a few tips to prevent flare-ups and boost holistic health.

10. Fish Oil Supplements

Research suggests that the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) may possess anti-inflammatory properties that can benefit individuals with lupus. These healthy fats may help regulate the immune system, reducing the excessive inflammation common in lupus patients (14), (15), (16). Fish oil also demonstrated the potential to reduce triglycerides and VLDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol in people with lupus (17). While fish oil supplements may not replace standard medical treatments, incorporating them into a balanced diet could offer some relief from lupus symptoms. Always consult a doctor before adding supplements to your diet.

Quick Tip

Lupus may affect the joints. Use heat pads or take a warm bath to manage joint pain and inflammation caused by lupus.

How To Prevent Lupus

You can’t prevent lupus, but you can surely avoid the triggers that might result in flare-ups and worsening of your condition. Do the following:

• Limit your exposure to the sun.
• Always wear a sunblock with SPF 70 or more while going out.
• Avoid medications that may trigger further sensitivity to sunlight.
• Manage your stress by practicing yoga or meditation.
• Avoid close contact with people who are ill.
• Get enough sleep and rest.

Infographic: Top 5 Home Remedies To Manage Lupus

Lupus is a common autoimmune disorder that affects millions of people. While this inflammatory disease cannot be treated overnight, there are various ways to reduce its symptoms and alleviate the discomfort it causes to some extent. Check out the infographic below for 5 easy home treatments for managing lupus.

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Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are bananas good for lupus?

Bananas are rich in potassium and hence should be consumed in moderation or after consultation with a healthcare provider by individuals with lupus.

What foods trigger lupus flare ups?

Garlic, foods from the nightshade family like tomatoes and potatoes, processed foods, refined sugars, and alfalfa sprouts are known to cause lupus flareups.

Does drinking water help lupus?

Yes, drinking plenty of water may help with digestive issues associated with lupus and facilitate the elimination of toxins from the body.

Are eggs good for lupus?

Yes, eggs are good for lupus as they are nutrient-rich and safe to consume on a lupus diet.

Does lupus make you sleep a lot?

Fatigue is one of the most common and persistent symptoms of lupus. The fatigue may lead to daytime sleepiness or excessive sleep.

How do you know when lupus is getting worse?

Lupus may be getting worse if symptoms worsen or there are new symptoms such as appetite loss, achy or swollen joints, hair loss, rashes, new sores in the nose or mouth, or increased fatigue. It is advised to contact your healthcare provider in this case.

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

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Learn about the top 12 home remedies for managing lupus rash! In this video, get tips to effectively reduce inflammation and soothe skin irritation caused by it. Watch it now!

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Dr. Zeel GandhiBAMS

Dr. Zeel Gandhi is an Ayurvedic doctor with 7 years of experience and an expert at providing holistic solutions for health problems encompassing Internal medicine, Panchakarma, Yoga, Ayurvedic Nutrition, and formulations. She graduated as a top ranker from Dr. D.Y.Patil College of Ayurveda and Research Centre , Navi Mumbai, and is a specialist in Panchakarma therapies. She believes that Ayurveda...more

Shaheen NaserHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Shaheen holds a postgraduate degree in Human Genetics and Molecular Biology from Bharathiar University. She is a Geneticist with proficiency in Biotechnology, Immunology, Medical Genetics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Genetic Counseling. Her passion for writing and her educational background have assisted her substantially in writing quality content on topics related to health and wellness for over three years. In her free...more

Arshiya SyedaSenior Editor

Arshiya Syeda is a senior editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer and combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She holds a bachelor's degree in literature and psychology from Osmania University, Hyderabad, and a post-graduate diploma in psychological...more

Dipti SharmaBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Dipti is a health and wellness writer specializing in holistic health practices. She graduated from Maharishi Dayanand University, Haryana, and has worked closely with Ayurvedic doctors, which has given her a deep understanding of traditional remedies and their applications. She writes articles that provide guidance on natural remedies for common health concerns, empowering readers to embrace the healing power of...more