Natural Remedy Therapies for Scleroderma
By Philip Clements, M.D., M.P.H., UCLA School of Medicine,
Dept. of Rheumatology (originally published in "Scleroderma
Voice," 2002 #2)
 |
| Philip
Clements , M.D., M.P.H. |
Question: How do you feel about
natural remedy therapies?
Answer: Actually I feel the
same about them as I do any medicine or treatment for which
there is incomplete or little scientific information about
whether the treatment works.
A number of natural remedies have already
been shown scientifically to be of benefit.
For example, omega-3 fatty acids are
found in salmon and halibut (and in capsules in the health
food stores). There is scientific evidence they can help Raynaud's
phenomenon.
Another example is Saint John's Wort,
which may have anti-depressant properties.
The Arthritis Foundation has sponsored a book called The
Arthritis Foundation's Guide to Alternative Therapies,
edited by Judith Horstman, which discusses the scientific
evidence for a number of natural remedies.
The panel that reviewed these remedies was open-minded. Even
though several of the reviewers were physicians, many were
previously on record as feeling that some natural remedies
might be effective.
Based on the evidence, the panel gave its opinion on the
effectiveness for each of the remedies reviewed. I highly
recommend that interested readers obtain and look over a copy
of this reference (written in "layspeak") from the
Arthritis Foundation. |
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