I am a 56 year old woman. I want to try natural remedies, rather than chemicals :nono:
- which the Doctors of course are suggesting. I feel 
positive in that I CAN help myself naturally using alternative medicine. I have an Autoimmune Disease, Scleroderma in the Rheumatoid Arthritis family, since July 2006. I have hardened plaques of skin, an overproduction of collagen - Morphea, all over my body, and it is very painful. I also have non stop Chronic Pain (for 22 years) going down my left leg, like Sciatic Pain, but severely strong behind my knee on the outer section of my leg.....so - there is inflammation in my body, plus I have Arthritis. Unfortunately, I must take very strong medication 24/7 for the severe Chronic pain....I have no choice- as the pain 
is very disabling.....(and how ironic, as I am "Ms. Granola"!!) I wish that I did not have to take chemicals....but unfortunately, for the pain, I must.....but, for the Scleroderma, I have absolutely REFUSED, (much to the chagrin of the Drs.!) I recently began taking (3 times a day) an herbal tincture - Hoxsey Formula, a blood purifier, (one of the ingredients being Red Clover) Each day, I am also taking Cod Live Oil, Vitamin D, and an oil combo of 3-6-9.(all in liquid form) plus a Vitamin E supplement.
It is a bit confusing :dizzy:as those with Autoimmune Disease can obtain misleading information from companies that make holistic products.....some saying to YES - take immune enhancing products....but, I find that there is not enough information
to tell me which products to avoid because it has been recommended, by regular drug (chemical) companies to NOT enhance the immune system, but rather to take immunosuppresant medications. (as I have an autoimmune disease and my body is attacking itself!) Can anyone recommend which natural supplements, herbs & holistic remedies to take to help my Autoimmune Disease, and also which products to avoid. I just found out that I should avoid Vitamin. C as it is a collagen supplement......and others have said YES take VIt. C!!! Also, I have heard that Glucosamine Chondroitin and certain Algae, I think Spirulina should also be avoided - perhaps having to do with Collagen?.....information is 
not clear and I do hope that I will be able to get some clearer information from anyone on this site? Any comments and experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.
- which the Doctors of course are suggesting. I feel positive in that I CAN help myself naturally using alternative medicine. I have an Autoimmune Disease, Scleroderma in the Rheumatoid Arthritis family, since July 2006. I have hardened plaques of skin, an overproduction of collagen - Morphea, all over my body, and it is very painful. I also have non stop Chronic Pain (for 22 years) going down my left leg, like Sciatic Pain, but severely strong behind my knee on the outer section of my leg.....so - there is inflammation in my body, plus I have Arthritis. Unfortunately, I must take very strong medication 24/7 for the severe Chronic pain....I have no choice- as the pain is very disabling.....(and how ironic, as I am "Ms. Granola"!!) I wish that I did not have to take chemicals....but unfortunately, for the pain, I must.....but, for the Scleroderma, I have absolutely REFUSED, (much to the chagrin of the Drs.!) I recently began taking (3 times a day) an herbal tincture - Hoxsey Formula, a blood purifier, (one of the ingredients being Red Clover) Each day, I am also taking Cod Live Oil, Vitamin D, and an oil combo of 3-6-9.(all in liquid form) plus a Vitamin E supplement.It is a bit confusing :dizzy:as those with Autoimmune Disease can obtain misleading information from companies that make holistic products.....some saying to YES - take immune enhancing products....but, I find that there is not enough information
to tell me which products to avoid because it has been recommended, by regular drug (chemical) companies to NOT enhance the immune system, but rather to take immunosuppresant medications. (as I have an autoimmune disease and my body is attacking itself!) Can anyone recommend which natural supplements, herbs & holistic remedies to take to help my Autoimmune Disease, and also which products to avoid. I just found out that I should avoid Vitamin. C as it is a collagen supplement......and others have said YES take VIt. C!!! Also, I have heard that Glucosamine Chondroitin and certain Algae, I think Spirulina should also be avoided - perhaps having to do with Collagen?.....information is not clear and I do hope that I will be able to get some clearer information from anyone on this site? Any comments and experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.