Guest guest Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 You don't state the source of your googled info. Unless you have found some clever new herba-Google, designed specially for professional herbalists, any advice is aimed at the general public, self-treating, without your training. Self-prescribed herbs would undoubtedly carry risks in a condition like this, and I would echo anyone else warning against them - but why did you spend those years training if you were going to limit yourself to conditions that could be safely self-treated? If you really don't feel adequate to treat her, then please, please refer her to someone more confident, without putting negative ideas into her head about googled dangers. If you decide to treat her yourself, then do explain that whilst you will do your best to minimise any risks, and as a trained professional you are in the best possible position to protect from these, you can't rule them out completely. But really, what other options does this lady have? If you are still uneasy, and can't help but dwell on the subject with her, you could make a careful (but not scaremongered) assessment of the risks, share them with her, and let her make up her own mind. But be careful how you deal with this: she really doesn't need to take on your anxieties as well as her own. Then take a full case history, as usual, do any further research that seems appropriate, and treat sensibly and cautiously and holistically, as usual. Give low doses of herbs that you feel confident with. Go down to drop-dosage of one herb at a time if that makes you more comfortable - they still work like that. Treat externally - how risky can Calendula infusion in the bath be? Incidentally, I do remember treating someone with a Pemphigoid condition a few years back. Can't remember the patient's name or any of the prescription, so it's not a lot of use to you. I don't think I did any serious damage to her, I expect I'd remember that. There's more than one type, isn't there? Of varying prognosis? Robyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 Hi One problem with internet sources of info is that you don't always know who has put them on. Is it possible that the piece you read may have been sponsored by someone with a vested interest in putting people off using herbs? Or written by a doctor who doesn't believe in herbs? One theory about pemphigoid lesions (sorry, can't remember where I read it) is of an underlying fungal infection; very amenable to herbal treatment. But treating holistically can produce a 'die off' wherein symptoms deteriorate initially; perhaps this could be behind the comment about making the condition worse? Yours Alison Morton > >Reply-To: ukherbal-list >To: ukherbal-list >Subject: Blisters >Date: Mon, 08 May 2006 21:41:28 +0100 > >Hi, a lady rang me today to see if I would be able to improve her condition >with herbs, as the docs have told her theres nothing more they can do. She >said she has Penthagoids (water blisters). I've since done a check on >google >and found Pemphigoid which looks like what she described. Does anyone have >any experience of treating a client with this condition. The information on >google said that it was an autoimmune disease and that herbs have on >occasion made the condition worse, giving the impression that herbal >treatment was not appropiate. I have told the lady that I would investigate >her condition further and get back to her tomorrow, but feel now that it >would be too risky embarking on treatment. Anyone have any experience or >thoughts on this. Thanks > > > _________________________________________________________________ Be the first to hear what's new at MSN - sign up to our free newsletters! http://www.msn.co.uk/newsletters Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 This was in WDDTY: */Pemphigus: This reader's godson has contracted pemphigus, an autoimmune disease that causes the skin to blister. He's had it for about a year and has been treated with steroids, which helped but have had unpleasant side effects. He's trying to do without the medication but the symptoms have increased greatly and he's covered in awful lesions that are painful and itchy. He's embarked on a treatment with herbs but so far with very little improvement. Can readers offer any suggestions? Norene and Dennis recommend blood cleansers -- Blue Flag, Yellow Dock, Myrrh and Echinacea -- along with lots of garlic and topical application of Comfrey cream. Jill came across this condition a few years ago and her nurse friend treated it using gentle reflexology with amazing results: " The child, who had burst into these blisters within minutes of his birth, had never seen his nipples and was overjoyed to 'be like Mummy.' " Reflexology not only stimulates the organs and glands of the body, but also the touching of the feet 'grounds' the patient, explains Jill. Another suggestion is to completely avoid the onion family. /*Liz Lillicrap Alison Morton wrote: > Hi > One problem with internet sources of info is that you don't always know who > has put them on. Is it possible that the piece you read may have been > sponsored by someone with a vested interest in putting people off using > herbs? Or written by a doctor who doesn't believe in herbs? > One theory about pemphigoid lesions (sorry, can't remember where I read it) > is of an underlying fungal infection; very amenable to herbal treatment. But > treating holistically can produce a 'die off' wherein symptoms deteriorate > initially; perhaps this could be behind the comment about making the > condition worse? > Yours > Alison Morton > > > >> >> Reply-To: ukherbal-list >> To: ukherbal-list >> Subject: Blisters >> Date: Mon, 08 May 2006 21:41:28 +0100 >> >> Hi, a lady rang me today to see if I would be able to improve her condition >> with herbs, as the docs have told her theres nothing more they can do. She >> said she has Penthagoids (water blisters). I've since done a check on >> google >> and found Pemphigoid which looks like what she described. Does anyone have >> any experience of treating a client with this condition. The information on >> google said that it was an autoimmune disease and that herbs have on >> occasion made the condition worse, giving the impression that herbal >> treatment was not appropiate. I have told the lady that I would investigate >> her condition further and get back to her tomorrow, but feel now that it >> would be too risky embarking on treatment. Anyone have any experience or >> thoughts on this. Thanks >> >> >> >> > > _________________________________________________________________ > Be the first to hear what's new at MSN - sign up to our free newsletters! > http://www.msn.co.uk/newsletters > > > > > List Owner: Graham White, MNIMH > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 11, 2006 Report Share Posted May 11, 2006 Hi, I think it depends on the specific type of pemphigus we are talking about. There is one sort which is particularly unpleasant as the blisters not only cover the body but also appear internally as well. There was a support group which was run by a lady called Siri Lowe, herself a sufferer who had worked with lots of alternative/complimentary approaches. I don't have her contact details anymore I'm afraid but I'm sure if the support group is still around they would have details. Her approach combined a number of therapies and these varied according to state of the blisters, including use of steroids when they flared particularly badly as they are very painful. I seem to remember she found tinctures hard going, the alcohol effects on micro-circulation, and preferred teas. Sorry can't be more specific. Allshorn. Re: Blisters Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 11, 2006 Report Share Posted May 11, 2006 Just to add to this discussion. About 5 years ago I saw a patient with terrible pemphigoid (he was sat in his underpants literally covered in weeping blisters) - after looking in detail at PMH and current meds I tracked things down to a possible ADR - this was taken on board by the GP who took him off anti hypertensives - he got better, and quickly. I treated him only for about 2 months with V.tric, Galium, Urtica, Crataegus and Althaea. If your patient is on medication check this first. Trudy trudynorris.nimh@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.