by Dr. Josh Axe
3. Probiotics. Heals gut, reduces flares. Take 50 billion IU daily.
4. Peony. Nourishes blood and decreases heat. Take as directed.
5. Burdock. Reduces skin inflammation. Take as directed.
Other remedies: Apply this skin-soothing salve before bed: ¼ cup aloe vera gel, ¼ cup manuka honey, 40 drops lavender or chamomile oil. Wash off in the morning. Calendula can heal skin too. Other helpful supplements include lonicera, fish oil, peppermint, and zinc. Acupuncture can control itchiness. Reduce stress with fun activities outdoors.
Essential oils: Mix 1 teaspoon coconut oil, 5 drops tea tree oil, and 5 drops lavender oil; apply to rash.
ENDOMETRIOSIS. This condition, in which the endometrium (the tissue lining the uterus) grows on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or pelvic lining, causes pelvic pain and infertility.
Ancient perspective: In TCM, it’s caused by qi stagnation and blood stasis.
Foods That Harm: Processed food, sugar, artificial sweeteners, dairy, refined grains, hydrogenated oils, raw food, ice-cold food, fried food, gluten, alcohol, meat or dairy with hormones or antibiotics, produce with pesticides
Foods That Heal: Organic leafy greens, asparagus, beets, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, pumpkin, squash, berries, goji, figs, kiwi, pineapple, chia seeds, flaxseed, bone broth, wild-caught salmon, grass-fed beef, avocados, olive oil, coconut oil, green tea, turmeric, ginger, rosemary
Top 5 ancient prescriptions:
1. Dong quai. It’s anti-inflammatory and promotes blood movement. Take as directed.
2. Vitex. Reduces pain and bleeding. Take 400 mg daily.
3. Rehmannia. Boosts qi and blood movement. Take up to 350 mg daily. (Avoid if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.)
4. Turmeric and skullcap. Both reduce inflammation. Take as directed.
5. Bupleurum. Encourages movement of qi. Take as directed.
Other remedies: Try acupuncture, take fish oil supplements, exercise, meditate, pray, read spiritual growth books, practice gratitude, and, if your condition is causing emotional issues, talk to a therapist or join a support group.
Essential oils: Mix 3 drops each of clary sage, rose, and lavender oil with 1 teaspoon coconut oil and rub on abdomen twice daily.
ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION. The inability to get or sustain an erection can be caused by low testosterone, poor diet, depression, fatigue, and heavy metal poisoning.
Ancient perspective: In TCM, erectile dysfunction is caused by kidney yang deficiency and liver qi stagnation.
Foods That Harm: Refined vegetable oils, processed food, sugar, artificial sweeteners, caffeine, alcohol, fatty food, fried food
Foods That Heal: High-fiber food, omega-3-rich foods (wild-caught salmon, tuna, walnuts), vitamin E–rich foods (sunflower seeds, almonds, brazil nuts, avocados, spinach), zinc-rich foods (liver, pumpkin seeds, beans, eggs, grass-fed beef), bone broth, coconut oil, gluten-free grains, rice, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, cherries, figs, cinnamon, ginger
Top 5 ancient prescriptions:
1. Fenugreek. Boosts testosterone. Take 500 to 2,000 mg daily.
2. Panax ginseng. Known as herbal Viagra, it can promote healthy erectile function. Take 600 to 1,000 mg daily for 4 to 12 weeks.
3. Saw palmetto extract. Supports testosterone levels. Take the recommended dose.
4. Epimedium (“horny goat weed”). Facilitates blood flow. Take as directed.
5. Rhodiola. Improves sexual function. Take 150 to 200 mg daily for 3 months.
Other remedies: Do strength training and high-intensity interval training; try acupuncture; reduce stress through prayer, meditation, and yoga; get 8 hours of sleep a night; practice gratitude. Zinc, tribulus, cordyceps, and maca can also help.
Essential oils: Add 3 drops of sandalwood oil, a natural aphrodisiac, to 1 teaspoon of coconut oil and rub it on your abdomen, back of neck, and bottoms of feet. Diffuse 5 drops of rose oil, which tames stress and anxiety, or rub 2 drops on your neck before sex.
FIBROMYALGIA. This chronic illness is marked by body-wide muscle pain, fatigue, impaired memory, depression, anxiety, headaches, sleep apnea, and irritable bowel syndrome.
Ancient perspective: In TCM, spleen qi deficiency contributes, and the root cause is past trauma, lack of sympathy, and unhealed emotional pain.
Foods That Harm: Cold or raw foods, refined carbs, sugar, wheat, dairy, egg whites, oils, nut butters, bananas, fruit juices, alcohol, soy, tofu, fried food, pork
Foods That Heal: Magnesium-rich foods, cooked spinach, kale, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, pumpkin, squash, blueberries, apples, pears, rice congee, omega-3-rich foods (salmon, walnuts, flaxseed, coconut oil, avocados), grass-fed beef, poultry, bone broth
Top 5 ancient prescriptions:
1. Magnesium. Relaxes muscles. Take 250 to 600 mg daily.
2. Astragalus. Strengthens organ systems. Take 1,000 mg daily.
3. Ashwagandha. Keeps cortisol balanced and aids sleep. Take 500 to 1,000 mg daily.
4. Turmeric. Relieves inflammation and pain. Take 1,000 mg daily.
5. CBD. Reduces pain and inflammation. Take 20 to 100 mg daily.
Other remedies: Try acupuncture, chiropractic, cupping, and/or massage; pray; meditate; read for spiritual growth; exercise; do yoga; get daily sunshine; walk in nature; practice gratitude and affirmations; seek therapy to work through trauma and difficult emotions.
Essential oils: Diffuse 3 drops of lavender, frankincense, ylang-ylang, or peppermint oil, or add 3 drops of any of those oils to 1 teaspoon coconut oil and rub into painful muscles.
FLU. This contagious respiratory illness is caused by a variety of viruses, and can cause mild to severe illness with fever, chills, cough, and body aches.
Ancient perspective: In TCM, the flu is caused by excess wind. Qi deficiency contributes.
Foods That Harm: Cold or raw foods, refined carbs, sugar, wheat, dairy, egg whites, oils, fried food, spicy food, bananas, dried fruit, cold water, caffeine, alcohol
Foods That Heal: Light and easy-to-digest foods (bone broth soups, cooked vegetables), celery, carrots, rice, parsley, garlic, onions, miso, shiitake mushrooms, herbal teas, licorice tea, ginger tea
Top 5 ancient prescriptions:
1. Elderberry. Stimulates the immune system. Take as directed.
2. Echinacea. Eases upper respiratory symptoms. Take 1,000 mg 2 or 3 times daily.
3. Probiotics. Bacillus bacteria has anti-flu activity. Take 50 billion IU daily.
4. Astragalus. Strengthens the gut and immune system. Take 1,000 mg 2 or 3 times daily.
5. Bone broth. Supports immune health. Drink 3 to 4 cups daily.
Other remedies: Take zinc, vitamin C, vitamin D, and turkey tail mushrooms; get acupuncture and chiropractic care; sleep as much as possible; reduce stress; breathe fresh air; use a humidifier at night; gargle with salt water; drink ginger tea (cut up a 2-inch knob of ginger, steep in 4 cups of hot water, and add 1 tablespoon honey and lemon); cook with wind-expelling herbs (sage, oregano, thyme, galangal, and garlic); drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Essential oils: Take 1 or 2 drops of oregano oil daily for no more than 14 days; rub 3 drops of peppermint or frankincense oil onto your neck and soles of your feet; mix 1 drop of clove oil with ¼ teaspoon coconut oil and take once daily for no more than 14 days.
FOOD SENSITIVITIES. A food sensitivity is an adverse reaction to certain foods that can cause diarrhea, bloating, constipation, gas, eczema, and acne. The most common offenders are lactose and casein (in cow’s milk), gluten (in wheat, barley, and rye), soy, corn, eggs, peanuts, tyramine (in cheese, sour cream, beer, red wine, sausage, avocado, and chocolate), and preservatives and additives. To diagnose, eliminate all items in the “foods that harm” list below for 3 weeks. Then, introduce one food group at a time. Eat it every day for 1 week. If your symptoms return, eliminate the food again. If your symptoms go away, you’ll know that’s the culprit.
Ancient perspective: In TCM, the cause is spleen qi deficiency
and dampness.
Foods That Harm: Gluten, dairy, soy, corn, peanuts, citrus fruits, hydrogenated oils, added sugars, alcohol, caffeine, nightshades (potatoes, tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplant)
Foods That Heal: Fill your plate with 40% organic fresh vegetables, 30% clean protein (bone broth, grass-fed beef, wild-caught fish, pastured chicken), 20% healthy fat (coconut oil, olive oil, ghee, almond butter), and 10% whole food carbs and fruit (rice congee, oatmeal, applesauce, pears, blueberries).
Top 5 ancient prescriptions:
1. Bone broth. Collagen and amino acids heal gut lining. Drink 2 or 3 cups daily.
2. Astragalus. Strengthens the digestive system. Take 500 to 2,000 mg daily.
3. Probiotics. Replenishes beneficial bacteria. Take 50 to 100 billion IU daily.
4. Digestive enzymes. Aids digestion. Take as directed.
5. Digestive bitters. Aids digestion and reduces dampness. Take as directed.
Other remedies: Try acupuncture and supplements of L-glutamine, gentian, thyme, and MSM. Reduce stress with meditation, yoga, and nature walks.
GALLBLADDER DISEASE. Characterized by gallstones (a hardened deposit in the gallbladder) and mild inflammation, this condition causes pain in the upper right abdomen near the rib cage.
Ancient perspective: In TCM, this problem is linked to damp heat in the liver and gallbladder. Anger, frustration, overwork, and overthinking make it worse.
Foods That Harm: Spicy food, garlic, pepper, high-fat food, hydrogenated oils, fast food, fried food, dairy, butter, chocolate, peanuts, shrimp, pork, red meat, vinegar, citrus fruits, coffee, alcohol
Foods That Heal: Organic artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, beets, celery, carrots, radish, zucchini, pumpkin, cilantro, apples, berries, plums, pears, beans, rice, oatmeal, quinoa, lean protein, bone broth, chicken, wild-caught fish, matcha green tea, liver
Top 5 ancient prescriptions:
1. Digestive bitters. Clears liver heat and toxins. Take as directed.
2. Ox bile salts. Helps digest fat and dissolve gallstones. Take 1 or 2 capsules daily with meals.
3. Lipase enzymes. Bolsters fat digestion. Take as directed.
4. Milk thistle. Promotes liver and gallbladder health. Take 150 mg 2 or 3 times daily.
5. Artichoke and turmeric. Both improve bile flow. Take as directed.
Other remedies: For spasms, take wild yam root as directed every hour. To ease gallbladder pain, apply a warm compress to the area for 10 to 15 mins, repeating throughout the day as needed. Also helpful for pain: Stir 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar into warm water and sip. Exercise regularly to reduce cholesterol and prevent gallstones. Reduce stress with meditation, acupuncture, yoga, spiritual triathlon (see here), walks in nature, and daily downtime.
GOUT. A complex form of arthritis, gout is characterized by sudden, severe pain in joints, usually in the big toe, feet, ankles, knees, hands, and wrists. Caused by a buildup and crystallization of uric acid in the joints.
Ancient perspective: Root causes are liver heat and dampness and kidney qi deficiency.
Foods That Harm: High-purine foods (red meat, wild game, tuna, sardines, scallops, trout), nightshades (tomato, eggplant), organ meat, packaged snacks, sodium, alcohol, refined carbs, high-fructose foods (soda, fruit juice)
Foods That Heal: Organic artichokes, celery, cucumber, radish, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, zucchini, pumpkin, parsley, apples, cherries, blueberries, kiwi, watermelon, seeds, rice, coconut, olive, flaxseed oil, coffee, matcha green tea, eggs, chicken, wild-caught salmon, bone broth
Top 5 ancient prescriptions:
1. Celery seed extract. Decreases uric acid buildup. Take as directed.
2. Black cherry juice. Reduces the number of attacks.12 Drink 1 or 2 cups daily.
3. Nettle tea. Clears uric acid. Drink 1 or 2 cups daily.
4. Fish oil. Reduces inflammation. Take 1,000 to 2,000 mg daily.
5. Burdock. Cleanses the liver and uric acid. 1,000 to 2,000 mg daily.
Other remedies: Try acupuncture, exercise, do yoga, walk in nature, and work on stress reduction. Soak your foot in epsom salt bath for 30 minutes 3 times daily. Magnesium, vitamin C, dandelion, milk thistle, chlorella, and bromelain can also help.
Essential oils: Add 3 drops of wintergreen, birch, or peppermint oil to ¼ teaspoon of coconut oil and apply to the painful joints.
HAIR LOSS. This can be caused by hormonal changes, genetics, stress, thyroid conditions, and some medications. Male pattern is usually a receding hairline. Female pattern is balding at the top of the head.
Ancient perspective: In TCM, hair loss is caused by kidney qi and yin deficiency.
Foods That Harm: Hydrogenated fats, sugar, refined grains, processed food, soy, fried food, alcohol
Foods That Heal: Wild-caught salmon, sardines, mackerel, eggs, chicken, bone broth, chia seeds, flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, almonds, walnuts, berries, mulberries, goji, figs, mango, spinach, broccoli, beets, sweet potatoes, coconut, avocados, rice, oats, beans, mushrooms, green tea, spirulina
Top 5 ancient prescriptions:
1. Fo-ti. Historically known for stopping hair loss. Take 1,000 to 2,000 mg daily.
2. Saw palmetto. Good for male pattern loss. Take according to package directions.
3. Bone broth. High in collagen and hair-building amino acids. Drink 2 cups daily.
4. Panax ginseng. Stimulates hair follicles. Take 500 mg twice daily.
5. Ashwagandha. Balances cortisol and promotes hair growth. Take 500 mg daily.
Other remedies: Acupuncture can help, as can supplementing with biotin, rehmannia, and omega-3s. Also, to clear blocked follicles, apply 2 tablespoons aloe vera juice to the scalp twice daily; allow to sit for 1 hour before shampooing.
Essential oils: Add 3 drops of rosemary oil to ¼ teaspoon coconut oil and massage into scalp to promote growth; add 3 drops each of peppermint, rosemary, and sage oil to 1 tablespoon olive oil and massage into scalp to stimulate new hair growth.
HASHIMOTO’S THYROIDITIS. In this autoimmune disorder, the immune system attacks the thyroid. Signs are fatigue, depression, digestive issues, infertility, and low libido.
Ancient perspective: Weak lung qi (metal) causes weakness in the kidney and endocrine system (water). Stress and adrenal fatigue are contributing factors.
Foods That Harm: Sugar, gluten, refined flour, packaged and processed foods, conventional dairy, raw food, hydrogenated oils, alcohol, excess caffeine
Foods That Heal: Wild-caught salmon, bone broth, chicken, grass-fed meat, coconut oil, fermented foods, cooked asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, pumpkin, squash, sweet potatoes, berries, pears, goji, rice, oats, beans, miso, seaweed, chia seeds, flaxseed
Top 5 ancient prescriptions:
1. Ashwagandha. Balances stress and thyroid hormones. Start with 500 mg daily and increase gradually to 1,250 mg.
2. Astragalus. Strengthens the organ systems and fights stress. Take 1,000 mg once or twice daily.
3. Pinella. Stabilizes the nervous system and calms the immune system. Take as directed.
4. Probiotics. Supports gut health and reduces inflammation. Take 50 billion IU daily.
5. CBD oil. Reduces inflammation. Take 40 to 160 mg daily.
Other remedies: Try acupuncture and stress reduction through exercise, prayer, meditation, spiritual growth reading, yoga, walking in nature, digital fasting, and spending time with a community of supportive friends. The mushroom chaga also helps the thyroid.
Essential oils: Diffuse 3 drops of frankincense, holy basil, or lemongrass oil. Combine 1 drop each of frankincense and myrrh oil with 1 teaspoon coconut oil; apply below the Adam’s apple.
HEMORRHOIDS. Everyone has veins inside and outside their anus, but when they become enlarged, they cause itching, pain, mucus discharge, and bleeding.
Ancient perspective: Intestinal qi deficiency and qi stagnation.
Foods That Harm: Fried food, spicy food, oil, fatty food, gluten and other allergens, caffeine, alcohol
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Foods That Heal: High-fiber food, small meals, fermented foods, cooked artichokes, cauliflower, carrots, asparagus, celery, red cabbage, green beans, peas, pumpkin, squash, apples, blueberries, cherries, goji, grapes, raspberries, wild-caught salmon
Top 5 ancient prescriptions:
1. Butcher’s broom. Reduces swelling and helps veins contract. Take 200 mg 2 or 3 times daily.
2. Horse chestnut. Promotes blood flow and reduces swelling. Take 100 to 150 mg of aescin (the active ingredient) daily. Most extracts are 20% aescin.
3. Bilberry. Reduces hemorrhoid-related pain and swelling. Use an extract according to package directions.
4. CBD suppositories. Reduces pain and inflammation. Take as directed.
5. Witch hazel. Relieves inflammation and itching. Apply a small amount topically.
Other remedies: Try acupuncture and movement, whether it’s yoga, walking, running, swimming, or other exercise. Since constipation is a cause, counteract it with daily prayer, meditation, and spiritual growth reading to reduce frustration and to build hope and faith. Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day.
Essential oils: Mix 3 drops of cypress or helichrysum oil with 1 teaspoon coconut oil and apply with a cotton ball to affected area.
HERPES. This viral infection causes small blisters to develop on the skin and mucus membranes. HSV-1 causes cold sores around the mouth. HSV-2 affects the genitals.
Ancient perspective: In TCM, excess liver heat is at the root, often caused by suppressed emotions. Emotional distress is a common trigger for outbreaks.
