11 Effective Home Remedies for Autoimmune Diseases

by Meenakshi Nagdeve last updated -

Home remedies for autoimmune diseases majorly entail nurturing of the immune defense mechanism of the body with dietary and lifestyle changes. Elimination of food triggers, environmental toxins, and inclusion of natural and healthy products contribute to boosting the defense system of the body. Apart from this, enough natural sunlight, regular exercise, adequate physical and mental rest, lesser stress on the digestive tract, relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation may prove useful in curing autoimmune disorders holistically.

Home Remedies for Autoimmune Diseases

Some of the common home remedies which may prove useful in treating multiple autoimmune diseases have been discussed as under: [1]

Dietary Changes

‘We are what we consume’ is an eternal truth of life. Be it the air we breathe or the food we eat or drink. Enrich your immune system by providing it a natural and healthy diet. Unprocessed, unadulterated food, wholesome food free from preservatives and additives, just as nature intended it supplies the much-needed nutrition to various systems of the body including the immune system.

Opt for a balanced diet rich in all the essential nutrients as far as possible. Inclusion of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, foods rich in complex carbohydrates, basically choosing from each food group help in strengthening the body defense. However, some nutrients may score more than the others in curing specific disorders for instance- vitamin C rich foods and essential fatty acids are recommended for people suffering lupus and diet rich in calcium and magnesium work great for fibromyalgia, folate and vitamin B12 rich diet works for people suffering from vitiligo. In general, considering a low-fat, high protein, the low glycemic diet may contribute beneficially in preventing many autoimmune disorders such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, scleroderma. For detailed disease-specific advice, you may consider a medical expert to better understand the diet requirement. [2] [3] [4]

A 2D illustration of autoimmune disease on an off white background

An autoimmune disease is a condition in which your immune system mistakenly attacks your body. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Relax your Digestive System

Making certain dietary changes and adopting healthy eating practices may assist in preventing and treating autoimmune diseases to a great extent. Going back to basics like chewing food until it is almost liquid, avoiding high-fat and junk items, eating fresh seasonal food such as fruits, leafy greens and maybe organic meat does the groundwork which may avert the occurrence of autoimmune diseases. Apart from this, eating smaller meals, more frequent meals help maintain the levels of sugar in the bloodstream and does not put a strain on the immune system. The basic idea is to put lesser stress on the digestive tract and encourage optimal digestion. These practices also keep a healthy gastrointestinal tract and help prevent diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Soaking the whole grains before cooking aids in deactivating the effects of phytic acid. It also reduces the entire cooking time which might be required to make the grain tender and ease the digestion. [5]

Gluten-Free Diet

Gluten, a protein normally found in wheat is found to be a major contributor in allergic reactions and a trigger in autoimmune diseases. It has been known to cause celiac disease which is characterized by the intolerance to gluten and its sensitivity can further lead to autoimmune disorders. [6]

Food Allergens

Furthermore, individuals should look out for diet triggers and allergens which might create allergic reactions and tax your immune system and finally make way for the occurrence of autoimmune diseases. Foods like corn, wheat, soy, fish, dairy foods, nuts are common allergens. Medical advice and careful monitoring here would help figure out the food items whose consistent elimination may prove useful in controlling the symptoms.

Eliminate Toxins

Accumulated toxins in the various organs of our body such as liver, kidney and central nervous system contribute to the worsening of autoimmune indications. The degree of toxicity in the body generally determines the level of sickness in an individual. These accrued toxins give way to the free radicals and disturb the functioning of enzymes and cell membrane activities. They stick to the cell membranes and interfere with the absorption of essential minerals in the body and results in hormonal imbalances, deficiencies, neurological disorders eventually leading to autoimmune diseases. If you are feeling the symptoms of autoimmune diseases, then you should look out for the harmful environmental toxins that you might be exposed to such as in detergents and other household cleaners, pesticides, cigarettes, caffeine, and alcohol. Choosing natural products to help eliminate exposure to such triggers.

Relax your Mind

Incorporating relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises, meditation and yoga begin with internal healing of the body. These exercises may prove useful in alleviating stress and valuable in treating many physical and mental ailments which may eventually result in autoimmune disorders. Look for activities which help you de-stress, calm your mind and cleanse accumulated mental toxins.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese technique which targets specific healing points using therapeutic needles. It helps in relieving a range of disturbing ailments including autoimmune disorders. Once learned from a trained professional, acupuncture may assist as an effective and holistic remedy towards such conditions.

Enough Physical Rest

Proper rest helps the body in many different ways than we comprehend. Few restful hours including deep night sleep go a long way in recovering from major illnesses and thereafter sustaining the restored system and maintain renewed energy. Regular rest is vital for protecting and maintaining the natural immune defense of the body and preventing the body from entering into the state of exhaustion. Sitting or lying down in a quiet, dark room helps calm the mind and body prevents fatigue and constant enervation.

Soak up the Sun

Getting enough sunlight ensures regular supply of natural vitamin D in the body and may prove valuable in preventing and treating autoimmune disorders. It not only contributes to improving the immune defense mechanism but also brings direct relief in certain autoimmune disorders such as psoriasis, a disease characterized by the inflammation in the joints and skin. Ultraviolet waves from the sun play a significant role in combating such diseases. However, experts recommend the usage of sunscreen to block the UV rays from harming the unaffected area and discuss this option with a doctor to understand the appropriate amount of sun exposure required for curing specific conditions. [7]

Maca

Herbs such as maca, a South American medicinal root is useful in treating autoimmune diseases. Maca seems to have an adaptive reaction towards the immune system which encourages the strengthening of immune defense without stimulating it. Unlike other herbs, plant sterols in maca trigger the production of age and gender-appropriate hormones which play an important role in preventing many autoimmune diseases involving thyroid conditions such as Hashimoto’s diseases and hypothyroidism. It assists in the better functioning of the endocrine system and aids in stimulating the hypothalamus and pituitary glands. [8]

An infographic on the home remedies for autoimmune diseases

Rest is one of the best remedies to help ease the symptoms of autoimmune disease. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy therapy or water treatment has often been proven effective in patients suffering from autoimmune diseases involving inflammation in joints and muscles such as fibromyalgia, arthritis. Warm water treatment helps relieve the stiffness and soothes the pain in joints. 

Autoimmune Diseases: Summary

Autoimmune diseases occur and people learn to cope up with it. So get some encouragement and make sure to discuss your problem with an expert to better understand the effects of natural home remedies and help yourself to accelerate the entire healing process. Maintain a healthy body weight, strike a food, work, and life balance, engage in appropriate regular exercise or consider a regular brisk walk and most importantly feeling positive inside makes a lot of difference in healing autoimmune diseases holistically.

DMCA.com Protection Status
About the Author

Meenakshi Nagdeve, Co-Founder, Organic Facts is a health and wellness enthusiast and is responsible for managing it. She has completed the Nutrition And Healthy Living Cornell Certificate Program, Cornell University, US. She holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from IIM Bangalore and B. Tech in Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science from IIT Bombay. Prior to this, she worked for a few years in IT and Financial services. An ardent follower of naturopathy, she believes in healing with foods. In her free time, she loves to travel and taste different types of teas.

Rate this article
Average rating 4.0 out of 5.0 based on 132 user(s).