This is the protocol I use to treat my Cystic Fibrosis patients. In treating the symptoms of Cystic fibrosis it is important to work with their doctor in order to get them the best care. In treating the symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis I aim to reduce symptoms and extend their "healthy" periods. I have had great success treating this disease and have several patients that are happy and healthy in their mid-thirties. Below are the herbs, supplements, dietary changes and breathing exercises that I suggest for my patients. As with all of my Cystic Fibrosis I tell them that their best friend is 12-14 glasses of water a day which helps decrease mucosal thickness. In treating these patients I target my herbal treatment in these areas:
Reduce the thickness of the mucus
Some of the herbs I use to reduce the thickness of their mucus are Elecampane, Burdock root, Comfry leaf, Lobelia, Skullcap, and Ginkgo biloba
Improve immunity To improve immunity I use herbs such as Astragalus, Nettles, Red clover, Cleavers, Bladderwrack.
Improve digestion Some herbs that I use to improve digestion are Burdock root, Yellow Dock, Dandelion root, or flower, Oatseed or Milk thistle
Balance the water/oil balance in the entire body.
Here I try Burdock root, Rhemania root, Eluthrococcus (Siberian Ginsing) or Horsetail
Balance hormones This depends on what it out of balance; if it is reproductive hormones I may try Chaste tree berry, or Eluthrococcus.
Fight infection as needed
The herbs that I use here are the big guns including goldenseal, Echinacea and astragalus. These herbs are only used when the pt feels an infection come on or when their mucus changes color.
Protocol for Cystic Fibrosis Patients (C.2000)
Dawn Gates, 407-967-6042
Dawnsenchantedgarden.com
Dawnsenchantedgarden@yahoo.com
Supplements
Vitamin C- 1000 mg twice daily. When symptoms of infection appear take 2000 mg twice daily as tolerated. Can be taken with or without food
Vitamin E- 800 IU daily. Should be taken with food
Beta Carotene- 25,000IU a day. Should be taken with food
Omega 3, 6, 9 fatty acids- Take 3 pills daily with food.
N-acetyl cysteine- 200mcg three times daily. Can be taken with or without food
Selenium- 200 mcg. Can be taken with or without food
Zinc- 10mg twice a day. Can be taken with or without food.
Acidophilus at least 5 billion CFUs- Must be taken hour before food in AM.
Antioxidant intervention aimed at reducing oxidative stress; and CF patients have been shown to be deficient in these.
Nutrition
Limit foods that encourage the body to make mucus, such as dairy products (especially milk, cream, and ice cream), peanuts, oranges, bananas, sugar, saturated fats, wheat and gluten-containing grains (barley, oats, and rye), meat, and salt.
Increase intake of foods that reduce mucus, such as garlic, onions, watercress, horseradish, mustard, parsley, celery, pickles, and lemons.
Eliminate food allergens. Common food allergens include milk, eggs, fish, peanuts, food colorings, and additives. Talk to your doctor about determining food sensitivities through an elimination diet or a food allergy test.
Reduce foods in the diet that may contribute to inflammation, including saturated fats (meats, especially poultry, and dairy), refined foods, and sugar.
Water intake should be 10-12 glasses a day which does not include caffinated drinks.
Breathing exercises
Goal is to increase vital capacity and flexibility in lung tissue and should increase Pulmonary Function Test results.
Take a deep breath in to a count of 8 and hold it for a count of 5, Let breath out to a count of 8. Practice this exercise 6-8 times a day. Once this exercise becomes easy: Take a deep breath in to a count of 8 and hold it for a count of 8, Let breath out to a count of eight. Practice this exercise 8-10 times a day.