Just learned something the hard way! (Folks with autoimmune conditions maybe listen up?)

[Jilly_in_VA]

Yesterday I got up with what I thought were some bug bites. Not a thing. It's summer in Virginia, lots of bugs. By mid-afternoon, the small red "bites" had large white swollen areas around them and were blending into each other, not to mention itching. Hives? thinks . Break out the Benadryl! Now what could be causing it? Spousal unit argued in favor or the large number of steamed shrimp I'd eaten Friday night, but I disagreed; he's the one who's allergic to those, not me. We went onto a concert and then out to dinner. When we got back I noticed that I had broken out in more places on my legs that were not there before, and that a couple of old, healing injuries had swelling around them. That sent me on a chase through my Merck manual, a staple since my nursing school days, but I found no help there. After some hard thinking, I decided that the only new thing I had going on was that I had just this past week started taking Ashwagandha to help with anxiety and help me sleep better. (It was working, BTW.) I decided that just might be the culprit, so I didn't take any last night. I did keep up with the Benadryl and cortisone cream to the itchy and inflamed place.

Well whaddya know, I got up this morning and the "bug bites" were back to looking like small pink bumps. The other places, where redness and swelling had surrounded healing injuries, were still red, but not swollen. Now here's the kicker---I have an autoimmune condition called lichen planus which affects the skin, mucous membranes, and nails. The two patches on my legs had turned red and swelled up, and the last couple of days I'd had a few more of the little eruptions I sometimes get in my mouth. So my ever-curious spousal unit decided to go hunting around, and guess what he found!

When to Avoid Ashwagandha
If you have an autoimmune disorder - Ashwagandha has properties that may activate the immune system and exacerbate symptoms of autoimmune disorders such as joint pain. 1:51
If you have allergies or food sensitivities - People with an intolerance to nightshade plants like tomatoes, peppers, or potatoes, which are related to ashwagandha, may have trouble digesting them completely, which can cause gas, bloating and diarrhea. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it is possible for some people to experience allergic reactions, such as skin rashes, itchiness, chest pain, and difficulty breathing, from consuming ashwagandha. Nightshade allergies are rare, but those who have them should always avoid ashwagandha

Also, from WebMD:
"Auto-immune diseases" such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or other conditions: Ashwagandha might cause the immune system to become more active, and this could increase the symptoms of auto-immune diseases. If you have one of these conditions, it's best to avoid using ashwagandha."

So I guess I will not be taking that any more!!!!!!

[DURHAM D]

1. Send Jennifer Lopez a note.

She needs to know given that she is all over my tv promoting Goli ashwagandha

[NightWatcher]

2. I prefer to consume cannabis as my anti-inflammatory and pain relief agent.

My Rheumy has said that as long as my labs stay groovy that I can "smoke away". I've halved my hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) dose and went from eating handfuls of Ibuprofen to less than 2- 3 tabs a week.

Immune patients always have to think about side effects from everything that enters our bodies. Thanks for the info.

[markie]

3. interesting... good to know

I have used ashwagandha in the past with no ill effects, haven't in some time though... currently am doing acupuncture treatments and LDN for PMR

lots of good information out there for LDN (low-dose Naltrexone) we will see

[Backseat Driver]

4. It's always a good idea to thoroughly research herbals

before beginning use. Are you aware there are also many vegetables that are related to plants of the nightshade family to which your auto-immune pathology may react badly; hence awaken your immune system that would negatively impact symptoms of your chronic condition - biochemical pathways of "natural" therapies in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, for example, for a host of complaints are being more thoroughly understood every day.

Still, there are many other plant-based, herbal remedies, and dietary nutrients that have been widely studied or have anecdotal evidence as folk remedies in alleviating complaints of anxiety and sleep problems. Just do your own research and/or contact a functional or naturopathic doctor before trying another. They can help you perhaps choose the best-prepared, standardized, or dose required for therapy without, IMHO, seeking bigPharma relief.

[Jilly_in_VA]

6. I take St. John's Wort

Have for years, no ill effects. I used to take it only in the winter for SAD, now taking it year round at bedtime. Helps with depression, not so much with anxiety (of which there has been a lot lately, not going into specifics). Husband takes ashwagandha and it helps him so he suggested I try it. Well, THAT didn't work!

[Scrivener7]

5. Yikes. Ashwagandha gets me through the hard times! I'll keep this in mind. Thanks for it.

[Blues Heron]

7. You changed two variables though so how do you know which it was?

It's possible it was the shrimp. Have you had any reactions to other nightshade plants?

[IbogaProject]

8. Do a yeast clense

Get a product from a vitamin shop called Candex, take it at least an hour before or 2.5 hours after any meal. You take it twice a day and it dissolves yeast from your gut. Take probiotics, especially any which contain a strain called Reuteri. This one two will heal your gut and lower food sensitivities.
Also avoid fancy salid especially bagged stuff. This stuff harbors yeast.
Those things cleared my hives years ago.
You can treat the welts w coconut oil vitamin c powder w some drops of oregano oil mixed together and the rubbed into the hives.
Good luck.
Benadryl is dangerous please avoid its associated w dementia.

Also the "bites" are related to dust mites. I advise getting mattress cover & covers for your pillows. And thoroughly clean your bed linens. Couch and fabric chairs will be tougher. There are enzyme products to put into your wash to clear the mites.
That was final step that helped Me, a medical resident advised me about the mites.
Hydrocortisone is better while you're itching than any Benadryl but don't take for too long.

[Jilly_in_VA]

9. Nope nope nope

Bites are definitely mosquito bites, I know the difference. And if you really read what I wrote, you would understand that I have a chronic autoimmune condition for which I'm being treated. Ashwaghanda can irritate autoimmune conditions. I do not need a "yeast cleanse" or any other junk science.