Kratom for Lupus: How Can It Help?

Due to the numerous benefits of kratom, many people with challenging chronic health conditions choose kratom over regular prescription medication. Kratom provides potent pain relief that can be effective even against the pain that resists prescription drugs. So, can you use kratom for lupus?

Let’s look into the facts and find out.

What Is Lupus?

Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system becomes increasingly active and attacks its own healthy tissue and organs. The inflammation that lupus causes can affect various systems of the body, such as the joints, heart, brain, lungs, blood cells, kidneys, as well as skin.

Many but all lupus patients develop a facial rash across both cheeks that resemble the wings of a butterfly. Other signs and symptoms of the disease often mimic those that are characteristic of other ailments and diseases. Therefore, it can be complicated to diagnose.

The exact number of lupus patients is unknown. However, the Lupus Foundation of America estimates that roughly 1.5 million Americans and approximately 5 million people worldwide suffer from the disease.

Lupus is most prevalent in women during childbearing age. Only one in every ten lupus patients is male, and it also tends to be more prevalent in African American and Asian women.

The cause of the disease is unknown. However, exposure to strong medication, a viral infection, sunlight, puberty, childbearing, and also menopause are causes that can trigger it.

Lupus is not a contagious condition. Nonetheless, a pregnant woman who has lupus can give birth to a child with lupus.

Lupus Symptoms

There are several types of lupus, and, just like it’s with Lyme disease, no two lupus cases are the same. Some even call this condition a “disease with 1000 faces.” That’s because the intensity and the combination of symptoms can vary, making the disease hard to diagnose.

There are currently four types of lupus:

• SLE, or systemic lupus, is the most common form of lupus that affects the organs in the body
• Cutaneous or discoid lupus is a form of a disease that causes skin lesions and rashes
• Drug-induced lupus can occur after exposure to prescription medication such as certain tuberculosis and hypertension drugs; the symptoms are likely to disappear approximately six months after discontinuing the medication
• Neo-natal lupus can occur on very rare occasions when a mother with lupus gives birth to an infant who displays lupus symptoms; the symptoms, however, are due to the antibodies of the mother affecting the child and usually disappear within months after birth

The most common symptoms of lupus include:

• Fatigue
• Dry eyes
• Hair loss
• Shortness of breath
• Fever
• Reduced appetite and weight loss
• Chest pain
• Headaches, confusion, or even memory loss
• Pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints, as well as arthritis pain
• Butterfly-shaped face rash that spreads across the cheeks and bridge of the nose; however, it can also spread across the entire body
• Skin lesions that can become more pronounced after exposure to sunlight
• Fingers and toes turning white or blue when after exposure to cold or stress

The symptoms of lupus can range from mild to severe. They can also periodically flare up and go into remission.

Common Lupus Treatment Methods

A cure for lupus does not exist. However, various treatment methods are used to manage the condition. The most common medication for lupus includes:

• Anti-inflammatory drugs, including ibuprofen
• Hydroxychloroquine, a medication commonly used to treat malaria, which aids with fatigue and joint and skin issues
• Steroids that help manage rashes and kidney inflammation
• Medicines to lower antibodies in the blood can be prescribed for severe lupus cases

In addition to medication, lupus patients can manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life with lifestyle changes, such as:

• Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet
• Staying active, especially during flare-ups
• Getting plenty of sleep and rest
• Using sunscreen with high SPF and wearing a hat
• Using relaxation techniques to ease stress and anxiety
• Seeking support from friends, family, as well as professionals

It is also beneficial for those with lupus to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun and ultraviolet lights, as well as smoking.

Best Kratom for Lupus

While kratom will not be able to serve as a cure for lupus, it can alleviate a wide variety of symptoms that lupus patients suffer from. There are many ways in which kratom can help people with lupus; however, let’s look at some of the main ones. The benefits of kratom for lupus include:

1. Pain Relief

Red vein kratom is the most potent of all kratom types in terms of pain relief. Strains like Red Bali, Red Borneo, and Red Thai are excellent for strong lupus pain, especially if you are looking for pain relief in the evening and during the night.

However, red vein kratom is also very relaxing and even sedative, especially in lower doses. So, it may not be the best choice for the time you need to remain active, such as go to work. So, during the day time, you may want to look into green vein kratom strains like Green Maeng Da and Green Malay, or faster red strains like Red Sumatra and Red Maeng Da.

2. Relaxation

In addition to strong pain relief, red vein kratom is also relaxing. It can help you ease stress, anxiety, and tension. Red vein kratom also has euphoric properties and can be helpful also if you suffer from depression.

If you are looking for relaxation during the daytime, consider greens. Green Maeng Da, Green Malay, and other green vein kratom strains can boost energy and, at the same time, also promote a calm state of mind.

If you usually feel agitated or jittery after coffee, then consider trying green vein kratom. Keep in mind that you need to carefully dose it. If you take a kratom dose that is too high for you, you may feel nauseous.

3. Increased Energy

Green and white vein kratom, as well as yellow kratom, can help you boost energy during the day. So, they can be great if you suffer from fatigue. White vein kratom is the most potent in this regard, yet it’s not as potent in terms of pain relief. So, if you’re looking for both pain relief and energy, consider greens or yellows.

4. Better Sleep

Kratom can also be beneficial in improving the quality of sleep. Reds like Red Bali are long-lasting strains. They can help you relax, and relieve pain during the night, which can help you stay asleep and get better rest.

Faster strains can be helpful in regulating sleep too. If you usually feel fatigued during the day, they can help you start your day with more energy. So, by the time you need to go to keep, you’re likely going to feel tired and ready to sleep.

5. Skin Care

While it’s less popular, kratom can also be used in topical products such as soap, bath bombs, and salves. These products can be purchased or made at home, and they can be easier on sensitive skin than usual store-bought products that a laden with toxic chemicals.

Choose High-Quality Kratom for Lupus

When buying kratom for lupus, make sure to choose a high-quality product from a trusted and reputable vendor. Kratom is a raw botanical product. The FDA does not regulate it, and there are few regulations in place that would ensure that kratom that would ensure that kratom is pure and free of heavy metals, pathogens, adulterants, and other harmful chemicals and substances.

On a few occasions, people in the kratom community have pointed out that kratom has caused drug-induced lupus or other health issues that went away after discontinuing kratom use. This is troubling to hear because studies indicate that pure kratom is not harmful.

However, not all kratom on the market is pure, and not every vendor properly tests their product and handles contaminated products. So, it’s not kratom that can cause drug-induced lupus, but rather whatever else is present in kratom.

On the other hand, kratom can relieve symptoms and make people feel better than lupus medication. So, if you suffer from lupus and would like to look for alternative symptom relievers such as kratom, carefully select your vendor.

Do you have lupus? Which type affects you, and which symptoms are the most prevalent? Would you like to try kratom for lupus? Tell us about that in the comments below.