Lupus

EZ Acupuncture & Herbs Chul H. Han, L.Ac., Dipl.Ac.
46 Brittany Farms Road, Suite 225, New Britain, CT 06053
Phone: (860) 502-9462 E-mail: info@ezacupuncture.com

Dr. Chul H. (Danny) Han

Acupuncture & Herbs for Lupus Treatment

Lupus is a chronic, systematic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation
and damage to various parts of the body. Lupus is most commonly diagnosed in women & especially among people of color, including African Americans, Latinos, Asians, and Native Americans. Although the exact cause of lupus is unknown, lupus seems to be caused by a malfunction in the autoimmune system. Antibodies produced by the immune system are supposed to attack bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi and other substances that invade the body. However, in individuals with lupus, these antibodies attack their own bodies, causing damage to their skin, joints, muscles, nerves, and major organs. Depending on which part of the body is attacked, lupus produces a wide range of symptoms such as:

skin disorders (acute and chronic), including the classic butterfly rashes

on the face, pain and swelling in the cheeks, redness across the skin,

especially after exposure to sunlight

kidney problems

swelling, pain and redness in joints and muscles

attacks on internal organs, including pancreatitis, pleuritis, inflammation

of blood vessels, and liver disease

lung problems, including difficulty breathing and discomfort in the chest

heart issues, such as pericarditis

nerve and brain damage, , including headaches, memory loss, depression and mania

blood disorders, such as low white blood cell count (causing immune
deficiency), low red blood cell count (causing anemia), and low platelets (causing bleeding/bruising)

How do Acupuncture & Herbs treat Lupus?

While there is no established cure for lupus, regular and consistent treatment with acupuncture and herbs can greatly improve symptoms of lupus.

Practitioners of Oriental Medicine (OM) believe each person is governed by, among other things, opposing, but complementary forces of Yin and Yang. Yin is dark, passive, feminine, cold and negative while Yang is light, active,
masculine, warm and positive. Good health is achieved when the energies of Yin and Yang and balanced.

From an OM perspective, lupus is caused by an imbalance of Yin and Yang. In
people suffering from lupus, there is usually an excess of Yang, deficiency of
Yin, or a combination of both. Symptoms of toxic heat (Yang) include classic
butterfly rash on the face, fever, ruddy complexion, thirst, constipation and
urine. Symptoms of yin deficiency include low grade fever, night sweats,
insomnia, fatigue, joint pain, and hair loss.

To treat a lupus patient, OM practitioners focus on balancing the immune
system by reducing toxic heat, replenishing yin, and fortifying internal organs through regular, consistent treatment with acupuncture and herbal medicine.

Rehmannia/Chinese Foxglove
(Di Huang)

Often used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases (such as lupus, arthritis and fibromyalgia) for its anti-inflammatory effect; clears toxic heat and nourishes yin; reduces joint pain and swelling; also useful for treating skin eruptions and asthma.

Moutan Radicis/Chinese Peony (Mu Dan Pi)

Clears toxic heat and promotes blood circulation; reduces swelling; useful for skin eruptions and mouth sores.

Salvia Miltiorrhiza/Red Sage
(Dan Shen)

Improves blood circulation and
opens arteries; fortifies heart and liver; possesses analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties; also effective for diabetes.

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