Until now there is no known drug or treatment that can cure Parkinson’s disease. Therefore, sufferers of this disease often look for various ways to treat it. One way that is often done is treating Parkinson’s naturally using herbal, traditional, or other alternative treatments. So, is it true that this natural treatment is safe for people with Parkinson’s disease? What are the common natural remedies and remedies?
Are herbal medicines safe for people with Parkinson’s disease?
Herbal medicine is a type of medicine made from plants or plant extracts that are commonly used to treat certain diseases. Usually, this type of medication is available in the form of capsules, powder, tea, or cream to be applied to areas of the body experiencing symptoms.
Herbal remedies can be very effective in some people. However, taking this type of drug may also be harmful to the health of some other people.
The reason is, just like medical drugs, herbal medicines can also cause side effects that may not be the same for everyone. In fact, some herbal remedies can interact with the Parkinson’s medications and medications you’re currently taking.
Although some herbal remedies have been tested in research, most of them need further research to confirm their effectiveness. Therefore, you should always consult with your doctor before taking these herbal medicines. According To MU Health Complementary and Alternative Medical Treatments in Parkinson’s Disease
Various herbal remedies for people with Parkinson’s disease
Taking herbal medicine to help treat Parkinson’s is okay. However, keep in mind, in addition to paying attention to safety, you also need to know that there is no single herbal medicine that can cure Parkinson’s disease.
Just like medical drugs, these types of drugs only help with the symptoms you are experiencing. Here are some herbal remedies that might help with Parkinson’s symptoms:
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Mucuna Pruriens
Mucuna pruriens is a plant whose extracts are often used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine in India. However, this plant can also be found in Indonesia and is often used as a medicine for Parkinson’s disease. In Indonesia, mucuna pruriens is better known as the kara bentuk plant.
The kara benguk plant is known to contain levodopa (L-DOPA), which is a compound that can replace dopamine in the brain. Consuming this plant extract is believed to replace the dopamine substance that is reduced or lost in the brain, which is the cause of Parkinson’s disease. Thus, muscle stiffness and tremors that are often experienced by people with Parkinson’s can be reduced. In fact, several studies have found that the effectiveness of L-DOPA from the mucuna pruriens plant is not inferior to the medical drug levodopa, which is often consumed by Parkinson’s sufferers.
Bacopa Monnieri or Brahmi
Brahmi plants or with the scientific name bacopa monnieri may often be used as one of the ornamental plants for the aquascape in your home. But who would have thought, this plant originating from India can also be used as one of the herbal or traditional medicines to treat Parkinson’s disease naturally?
The evidence suggests that inflammation (inflammation) of the nerves plays a role in the development of Parkinson’s. In addition, an unusual clump of alpha-synuclein protein was also found in the nerve cells of the brains of sufferers of this disease. Based on a study published in the journal Metabolic Brain Disease, bacopa monnieri can suppress levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and lower levels of the protein alpha-synuclein.
Ginger
Ginger is already well-known for its properties to help overcome various symptoms of the disease. Not only that, the benefits of ginger can also be beneficial for people with Parkinson’s disease.
A Japanese study in mice with Parkinson’s disease found that zingerone, a compound in ginger, may have a protective effect on the nerve cells that produce dopamine. In addition, ginger can also overcome nausea and vomiting that may appear as a side effect of medication.
Valerian root
Valerian is an herbal remedy obtained from the roots of various plants in the Valeriana species, including V aleriana Officinalis, Valeriana wallichii, and Valeriana edulis. This herbal remedy has long been used as a remedy for sleep disorders and anxiety.
In addition, studies have also found that valerian can reduce movement during sleep in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Thus, this drug is believed to improve sleep quality in people with Parkinson’s.
In addition to the four herbal remedies above, plants and other natural or traditional ingredients are also said to be beneficial for people with Parkinson’s, such as green tea, fish oil, extracts from the St. John’s Wort ( Hypericum Perforatum ), or even dark chocolate from the cacao plant. Although some of them are safe, you should consult your doctor about their effectiveness and possible risks.
Moreover, plant extracts of St. John’s Wort which is believed to be able to treat depression can actually interact with MAO-B inhibitor drugs consumed by Parkinson’s sufferers. Therefore, you should always be careful in consuming these various traditional medicines.
Natural traditional medicine that can be done by people with Parkinson’s
In addition to herbal medicine, traditional Parkinson’s treatment is also often done in natural ways. However, as with herbal medicines, you should also consult with your doctor before undergoing this treatment, to find out its safety and effectiveness according to your condition. Here are some other natural remedies that you can try.
Acupuncture
A study has found, acupuncture can increase the survival of brain nerve cells that produce dopamine, which plays a role in the development of Parkinson’s. Other evidence also shows that acupuncture leads to the release of endorphins or brain chemicals that can trigger a sense of well-being, reduce inflammation, and increase nerve growth factor.
The existence of these factors is supporting evidence that acupuncture can relieve various Parkinson’s symptoms, both motor and non-motor related. For example, tremors, difficulty walking, muscle rigidity, pain, fatigue, anxiety, and sleep disturbances.
Meditation and relaxation techniques
Meditation and relaxation techniques may also help with your Parkinson’s symptoms. The reason is, this natural way of treating it has been shown to reduce pain, stress, depression, anxiety disorders, and sleep problems or insomnia, which often occur in people with Parkinson’s.
Massage
Some studies show massage can help reduce pain, stress, anxiety, and depression, although there is no convincing evidence. However, reported by Parkinson’s UK, most Parkinson’s sufferers who do massage therapy admit that this traditional treatment is very beneficial for their health and is an effective way to relax.
Yoga
Yoga is a type of therapy that combines movement and thought. Benefits of yoga are claimed to be one of the most beneficial natural remedies for Parkinson’s sufferers.
The reason is, yoga can help improve movement and flexibility, improve posture, relax tense muscles or myalgia, as well as rebuild self-confidence. This therapy can also energize the body and mind, improve concentration, and reduce stress. These things can help improve the quality of life for people with Parkinson’s.
Besides yoga, there is also what is called mindfulness yoga, which is a therapy that combines yoga with meditation and breathing techniques. In a trial in Hong Kong, mindfulness yoga is known to relieve anxiety and depression in Parkinson’s sufferers. Anxiety and depression are often things that worsen motor symptoms.
Tai chi
Tai chi is a traditional Chinese sport that combines slow, gentle movement techniques, deep breathing, and relaxation. This type of exercise has been shown to improve strength, balance, posture, and physical function (including walking ability) of the body. Thus, this traditional treatment can improve motor symptoms and reduce the risk of falls in people with Parkinson’s.
In addition to the methods above, various other alternative treatments are also said to help treat Parkinson’s disease naturally, such as aromatherapy, reflexology, Qigong from China, Reiki from Japan, and so on. Some medically recommended therapies for Parkinson’s also need to be considered. Always consult a doctor to determine the right treatment according to your condition.