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 What is homeopathy? Homeopaths believe that illness is caused by imbalances in the body. They do not treat disease but instead concentrate on strengthening the body’s natural defences. 
If you choose to use homeopathic remedies, you must also keep taking your anti-epileptic drugs. You should not begin taking any remedies however, until you have discussed this in detail with both with your doctor and homeopathic specialist. The homeopathic doctor takes a holistic approach. He/she may help plan a healthy diet and lifestyle, as well advising a suitable preparation for you to take. Part of his/her aim is to help you accept your condition, which will make you calmer and make your seizures rarer. Aromatherapy However, aromatherapists advise people to avoid rosemary, sweet fennel, camphor, hyssop and sage. Certain products such as evening primrose oils and St John’s Wort can be potentially convulsant. The best oils for aromatherapy massage are lavender, camomile, ylang ylang and jasmine. Always ensure that the aromatherapist you attend is fully qualified and insured. Are there any herbal products that people with epilepsy should avoid? Ephedra is a naturally occurring substance derived from the Chinese herbal plant Ma Huang, the active ingredient of which is ephedrine. When chemically synthesized, ephedrine is regulated as a drug. In traditional Chinese medicine, products containing natural ephedrine alkaloids have long been used to treat certain respiratory symptoms. However, in recent years, they have also been extensively promoted in many weight loss, dietary, energy boosting and performance enhancing sports training products. This is despite the fact that these products contain pseudoephedrine, which is a banned substance in sport. As long ago as 1994, the American Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) began issuing warnings against the use of Ephedra. As the FDA’s powers in relation to the policing of herbal products is fairly limited, it proposed a warning label for all Ephedra-containing dietary supplements. This label warns about the risks of serious adverse events associated with Ephedra, including heart attack, seizure, stroke and death. It warns that the risk increases with the dose, with strenuous exercise and with other stimulants, such as caffeine. It also refers specifically to certain groups, such as pregnant and breastfeeding women. The warning came about as a result of a major study (the RAND study), which concluded that Ephedra was associated with higher risks of mild to moderate side effects, such as heart palpitations, psychiatric and upper gastrointestinal effects. There is no national registration body for complementary therapists. However, a system of registration is planned. |
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