Herbal Medicine & Epilepsy

Epilepsy?is a group of non-communicable?neurological disorders?characterized by recurrent?epileptic seizures.?Epileptic seizures can vary from brief and nearly undetectable periods to long periods of vigorous shaking due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain.?These episodes can result in physical injuries, either directly such as?broken bones?or through causing accidents.?In epilepsy, seizures tend to recur and may have no immediate underlying cause.?Isolated seizures that are provoked by a specific cause such as poisoning are not deemed to represent epilepsy.?People with epilepsy may be treated differently in various areas of the world and experience varying degrees of?social stigma?due to the alarming nature of their symptoms.

Epilepsy?is traditionally treated with?antiseizure medications. Although they can be extremely helpful, these medications may not work for everyone, and as with any medication, can come with a risk of side effects.

Some people with epilepsy turn to natural treatments and alternative therapies to help relieve their symptoms or complement their treatments. From herbs and vitamins to biofeedback and acupuncture, there are a number to choose from.

Although some natural treatments are backed by a modest amount of research, many aren’t. There’s far less evidence supporting natural treatments for epilepsy than conventional medicine.

If you’re interested in adding something new to your epilepsy treatment regimen, speak with your doctor. You may find that some natural treatments can complement your current treatment plan. Yet, some herbs are dangerous and can interact with effective medications.

Working with a doctor to discover the right treatments for you can help you assess the potential benefits and risks, as well as let them advise on next steps.

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1.???Herbal treatments

• Holy basil? as medicine epilepsy, commonly known as tulsi (synonym of Ocimum tenuiflorum L.) is widely used in Ayurveda medicine and is having multitude neuromodulatory effect including the anticonvulsant effect in acute seizure models as per previous studies. In Nepal and Indian, it is used for the treatment of epilepsy as traditional medicine

Some of the most commonly used herbs for epilepsy are:

●???????burning bush

●???????groundsel

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●???????hydrocotyle

●???????lily of the valley

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●???????mistletoe

●???????mugwort

●???????peony

●???????scullcap

●???????tree of heaven

●???????valerian

According to a?2003 studyTrusted Source, a handful of herbal remedies used in traditional Chinese, Japanese Kampo, and Indian Ayurveda medicine have shown anticonvulsant effects. Still, there are no randomized, blind, controlled studies to support their benefits.

The safety, side effects, and interactions are not well studied.

Some of the above listed natural herbs can actually cause illness — even death. Currently, there’s not enough scientific proof that most herbal remedies successfully treat epilepsy. Most evidence is anecdotal.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also doesn’t regulate herbal supplements. Herbs sometimes cause unpleasant side effects such as headaches, rashes, and digestive problems.

Although some herbs might help epilepsy, others may worsen your symptoms.

Herbs to avoid

●???????Gingko biloba and St. John’s wort?may interact with antiseizure medications.

●???????Kava, passionflower, and valerian?may increase sedation.

●???????Garlic?may interfere with your medication levels.

●???????Chamomile?may prolong the effects of your medication.

●???????Schizandra?may cause additional seizures.

●???????Herbal supplements containing?ephedra or caffeine?may worsen seizures. These include?guarana and kola.

●???????Mint?tea

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Dietary changes

Certain?dietary changes?may also help decrease seizures. The best-known diet is the?ketogenic diet, which focuses on eating a higher ratio of fats.

The keto diet is considered a low-carb, low-protein diet. This sort of eating pattern is thought to help decrease seizures, although doctors don’t know exactly why.

Children with epilepsy are often put on the ketogenic diet. Many people find the restrictions challenging. Still, this type of diet might complement other treatment measures to help reduce seizures.

In 2002,?Johns Hopkins Medicine?created a modified?Atkins diet?as a low-carb, high-fat alternative to the ketogenic diet for adults with epilepsy.

The organization indicates that recent studies show the diet lowers seizures in almost half of those who try it. No fasting or counting calories is required. A decrease in seizures is often seen in just a few months.

It is draft article working progress with Mr Saroj Baral .