health

Question
QUESTION: what is the safest form of sleep aid for hepatitis c sufferer who is presently taking interferon ribavirin and has severe liver damage.



ANSWER: Hi Michelle,



I would rotate two herbs every 30 days to maintain their effectiveness.



Valerian - Improves circulation and acts as a sedative. Reduces mucus from colds. Good for anxiety, fatigue, high blood pressure, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, muscle cramps, nervousness, and stress. A water soluble extract form is best.



Skullcap - Aids sleep, improves circulation, and strengthens the heart muscle. Good for anxiety, fatigue, headache, nervous disorders, and relieves muscle cramps.



I will also take 500 mg of Milk Thistle twice daily to aid in healing the liver. It is also an excellent antioxidant to aid in combating the side-affect of drug usage.



This should help.



Best wishes,

Dennis







---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------



QUESTION: Hi Dennis. For some reason, one of the online hep c nurse specialists has advised against valerian.  I don't know why as it was in response to another persons question.  I have used nighttime kalms, and they seemed to increase my brain fog and my liver felt different, so I changed to the ones for irritability, worry and stress, (slightly different ingredients)and they seem ok so far.  I put a drop of lavender and chamomile on a tissue and insert it inside my pillow case. I have used skullcap before with no apparent ill effects.  Thank you very much Dennis.  It's been helpful.  I have been researching a lot about alternative remedies, and have also found acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine very affective in the management of the many powerful, negative symptoms, but it's expensive due to the amount of herbs needed so I can't go very often. I have great faith in alternative remedies as they seem to really help!!  


Answer
Hi Michelle,



Yes, I did see where someone suggested it may cause memory loss when taken with Interon ribaviron. Sorry. I missed that one. Anytime there is doubt, do not take the herb or supplement.



I hate to recommend any other liver supplements because of the chance of heightening the affects of your Hep C drug.



I couldn't find anything about Catnip tea interfering with Interon. You may try this relaxing tea at bedtime.



Learn relaxation techniques. Biofeedback and meditation can be very helpful.



Get regular exercise.



Soak regularly in a tub before bedtime.



Interon has only been used for seven years, they they are discovering more interactions as time goes by.



Here is a link to a website that may help you understand Interon and what others are doing.



NHCC



I wish that I could be of more help, Michelle. BTW, TCM can be very effective treatment but it is costly.



Best wishes, Michelle



There are many natural treatments for liver damage. The liver is a remarkable organ, in that it regularly takes much abuse, and keeps repairing itself.



Best wishes,

Dennis