Naturopathic Approach to

the Treatment and

Management of Stroke

Prof. Gilbert Ezengige

 Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)
Death of a segment of brain cells following
the deprivation of oxygen and glucose as a
result of disruption of blood supply caused
by rupture (hemorrhage) of blood vessels
or occlusion (embolism, thrombosis,
arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis) in the
blood vessel or deficiency of blood such as
in systemic hypoperfusion and hypoxemia.
 It all starts…
Hemorrhagic stroke
• Hypertension
• Aneurysm

Ischemic stroke and Transient Ischemic Stroke

• Embolism
• Thrombosis
• Arteriosclerosis
• Atherosclerosis
• Systemic hypoperfusion
• Hypoxemia
Cerebrovascular Accidental Sequela

Cerebrovascular accidental
sequela refers to hemiplegia,
slurred speech, deviation of the
mouth and eye, urinary
incontinence and other
symptoms caused by acute
cerebrovascular diseases.
 Naturopathy

Naturopathy promotes the use of

natural substances and methods to
prevent, diagnose and treat “dis-eases”
in the body.
 Tools of Naturopathy
These natural substances and
methods include herbs, magnetism,
clinical massage, acupressure, foods,
water, fasting, sunlight, exercises,
colours, reflexology, tissue salts
remedy, aromatherapy, crystal
healing etc. Natural diagnostic
techniques include iridology,
sclerology, tongue diagnosis etc.
Naturopathic recommendations

1. Herbal Medicine
2. Nutritional Medicine
3. Colour therapy
4. Reflexology
5. Magnet therapy
6. Crystal (Gemstone therapy)
 WHO findings
Key facts
• Hypertension - or elevated blood
pressure - is a serious medical condition
that significantly increases the risks of
heart, brain, kidney and other diseases.
• An estimated 1.13 billion people
worldwide have hypertension, most
(two-thirds) living in low- and middle-
income countries.
 WHO findings
Key facts
• In 2015, 1 in 4 men and 1 in 5
women had hypertension.
• Hypertension is a major cause of
premature death worldwide.
 WHO findings
• African region has the highest
prevalence of hypertension estimated at
46% of adults aged 25 and above,
according to WHO’s Global status report
on noncommunicable diseases 2010.

• Hypertension is responsible for an

estimated 45% of deaths due to heart
disease and 51% of deaths due to stroke
globally.
 Herbs and Foods Heal
Foods and Herbs support the
heart and blood vessels, brain,
nerves, muscles, kidneys, liver
and blood cells and as such can
be relied on for the
management and treatment of
hypertension and stroke.
 Allium sativum
• Allicin and ajoene help to
prevent the aggregation of
platelets, thereby reducing the
risk of strokes
• Promotes blood circulation
• Anticoagulant; prevents blood
clots formation
• Assist in the treatment of
arteriosclerosis
• Lowers blood fat
Garlic • Reduces high blood pressure
2-3 cloves, three time daily is
recommended
 Lycopersicon esculentum
(Rich in lycopene)
Tomatoes lower blood
pressure, prevent heart
diseases and stroke.
Blending 4 ripe average size
tomatoes with a glass of
water; taking it in the
morning and repeating it at
night is very helpful to
patients with cardiovascular
Tomatoes problems
 Citrus sinensis
• Very useful in the prevention
Orange and treatment of ischemic
stroke
• Assists the treatment of
atherosclerosis
• Lowers blood cholesterol
• Helps the heart function
• It boosts the immune system

Drink freshly expressed, ripe

orange juice regularly.
 Citrus paradisi
• Intake of grape fruits juice
Grape fruit helps burn fats

• It is used in the treatment

of atherosclerosis

• Controls cholesterol
production in the liver

• Grapefruit juice at night

times promotes sound sleep
• Excellent fruit for
hypertension and stroke
Citrus limon
Lemon rich in vitamin B’s
• Makes blood vessels soft
and flexible i.e. elastic
• Prevents heart failure

Juice of a lemon a day in

an empty stomach is good
for general heath
Cymbopogon citratus
Lemon grass

• Heart and blood vessels tonic

• Antioxidant
• Has a rejuvenating effect on the
nervous system

Drinking lemon grass tea

liberally is good for
hypertensive and stroke
patients.
Zingiber officinale
Ginger

• Promotes blood
circulation
• Supports heart and blood
vessels
• Hypotensive
• Immune system enhancer
• Relieves headache
 Cocos nucifera

Coconut •Immune booster

•Cardio protective
•Hypotensive
•Antioxidant
•Cools the body
•Protects the kidneys
Contrary to generally held
views, coconut water and
milk is good for the heart
and brain.
Abelmoschus esculentus

Okra
• Heart tonic
• Hypocholesterolemic
(lowers blood cholesterol
level)
Okra fruit powder capsules
and Okra soup should be
ingested regularly by
hypertensive and stroke
patients
Persea americana
Avocado pear

• Helps to regulate blood

pressure
• Supports the heart function
• Lowers bad cholesterol
(LDL) and increases the
good cholesterol (HDL) level
in the blood
• Tones muscles and nerves
Apium graveolens
Celery (contains 3-N-butylphtalide a
neuro protective constituent)
• Celery is useful in the treatment of
high blood pressure
• Celery juice has a sedative property
• It has protective properties on the
brain and nervous system
• Controls cholesterol level
Juice one stalk with a glass of water
and drink daily
Petroselinum crispum
Parsley
• Stimulates brain activity
• Lowers high blood pressure
• Used in atherosclerosis

A glass of parsley juice daily

will support the recovery of
hypertension/stroke patients
Cyperus esculentus
Tiger nuts
• Whole body energizer and
tonic
• For atherosclerosis
• Prevents heart attack and
thrombosis
• Reduces LDL-C
(low density lipoprotein
choleterol) known as the bad
cholesterol
 Dacryodes edulis
 Rich in palmitic and oleic acids
which help patients suffering
from atherosclerosis
 Lowers blood pressure and also
reduces the chances of a stroke
 Its high content of pectin
makes it useful in lowering
cholesterol
 Vitamins content; thiamine,
Ube riboflavin, niacin,
panthotenate, folate, vitamin
C and vitamin B6
 Passiflora foetida
Recommended for or as;
Passion flower
 Stroke
 High blood pressure
 Epilepsy
 Nervous disorder
 Stress
 Neuralgia
 Insomnia
 Dizziness
 Hysteria
 Pain
 Passiflora foetida
Passion flower
Whole plant is utilized.
1 to 2 teaspoons of dried powdered herb are
recommended, 2 or 3 times daily as the case
may demand. 1 hour before meals.
Best method of preparation
Hot infusion of dried herbs
 Tapinanthus globiferus
Mistletoe has been employed for the
treatment of stroke, atherosclerosis and
hypertension
This plant also has many other therapeutic activities
such as for the treatment of cancer, viruses; it
equally has antioxidant action, apoptosis-inducing
action and assists to modulate our immune system.

1 to 2 teaspoons of dried,
powdered twig is
recommended, 2 or 3 times
daily as the case may
demand.
 Curcuma longa
Turmeric
Curcumin in turmeric prevents formation of
blood clots. Curcumin also possesses strong
anti-inflammatory properties.
Stachytarpheta jamaicensis
Vervain

• Vasodilator
• Nervine
• Anxiety
• Cramps
• Sedative
• Anti neuralgic
 Ageratum conyzoides
• It is an active styptic agent
• Goat weed possesses antilithic
action
• It is a good analgesic
• Herbal infusion of the leaves
relieves headaches
• Excellent in healing wounds and
burns
• One of the best astringent herbs
• Good for the management and
treatment of hemorrhagic stroke
Goat weed (leaf juice extract)
Foods for the brain and nerves

BRAIN AND NERVES

Electric fish, Honey,
Walnuts, Groundnut,
Green vegetable juices,
Coconut, Cashew nuts,
Banana, Ginger tea and
Avocado pear.
 Foods for the Kidneys

KIDNEYS
Avocadoes,
Celery, Parsley,
Lime, Coconut water,
Watermelon with seeds,
Cashew fruit and Sugar cane
-
Foods for the Liver

Liver
Bitter leaf, Parsley
Beet root, Lemon,
Green garden eggs,
Leaves of garden egg
Tomato, Date fruit
Foods for the heart and blood vessels
HEART AND BLOOD VESSELS
Garlic, Ginger, cayenne, Pineapple,
Onions, Garden egg, Grape fruit,
Honey, Avocado pear, Tiger nuts,
Celery, virgin coconut oil, Banana,
Pepper fruit (Dennettia tripetala)
 Food supplements
• Vitamin C and
Bioflavonoids
• Coenzymes Q10,
• Selenium
Some key food supplements • Calcium
that are administered for the • Magnesium
• Fish oil (Omega 3
prevention, management and Fatty Acids)
treatment of stroke include; • Vitamin D
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin B9
• Probiotics
• Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
 Amino acids and stroke

Stroke patients mostly have

elevated Homocysteine in their
blood. This is an important
marker.
 Amino acids and stroke

HOMOCYSTEINE is the amino acid produced

by the body which acts as an intermediate in
the metabolism of methionine and cysteine.
Major food source of homocysteine is meat.
 Amino acids and stroke
Elevated levels of homocysteine in the
blood increases the risk of heart
attack, stroke, peripheral vascular
disease, and venous thrombo-embolism.
Vitamin B12, vitamin B6, and folic acid
break down homocysteine and change it
into other substances your body needs.
Colour therapy
 Colour therapy

Light (colours) are made of photons

Biophotons are photons of light
emitted by living beings.

Cells of the body communicate

through biophotons.
 Colour therapy

Everything is made up of electromagnetic energy

vibrating at different frequencies that correspond
to sound, light and color.
.
 Blue

 It is good for the

treatment of high blood
pressure
 It treats headaches and
stress d u e to nervous
excitement
 Blue

It is helpful in the

treatment of stroke
. It tones the pituitary gland
Arrests hemorrhage
Colour therapy
.
 Massage oil
For greater efficacy, charge your
massage oils (solarize) with blue rays.
Any of these can serve.
 Sesame seed oil + black pepper
 Groundnut oil
 Mustard seed oil
 Reflexology

Reflexology deals with the use of

thumb and finger pressure techniques
to stimulate certain areas of the sole
of feet and palm of hands known to
correspond to different parts of the
body to bring about healing.
 Reflexology

.
 Reflexology

Reflexology session stimulates nerve

circuits, releases endorphins and
stimulate vital hormones , enzymes
and other body fluids which can
relieve symptoms of stroke patients.
 Reflexology
“Several clinical studies provide evidence
that reflexology can help to improve both
movement and mental functioning after a
stroke. In 2006, a study in China followed 33
patients, aged between 44 to 78 years, who
had suffered a stroke within the previous
five years. Their results showed a
remarkable improvement in the
participants’ ability to walk and use their
hands and arms, as well as improvements in
speech.”
 Reflexology
It is reported that after treatment, 11
.patients (33.33%) were cured:
symptom free, with normal limb
function and independent daily life; 20
patients (60.61%) improved: symptom
free with improved limb function; and
2 patients (6.06%) were unchanged: no
improvement in symptoms and limb
function.
 Reflexology
There were limb dysfunction in 26
patients and motor aphasia in 7
patients. Foot reflexo-therapy was
applied for 30 minutes daily, with
10 days as one course of treatment.
The period of treatment ranged
from 2 to 7 months.
 Reflexology

.‘It was concluded that foot

reflexo-therapy can restore the
damaged brain function, and
revive the limb and speech
performance of patients with
cerebral thrombotic stroke.’
 Reflexology
‘It was also proposed that foot reflexo-therapy
is useful in the prevention of cerebral
thrombosis, as well as in the treatment.’
These results are supported by previous studies
on movement and speech in China, which also
concluded that reflexology can significantly
help people to recover after a stroke.’
http://researchandhope.com/reflexology/
 Magnet Therapy

Magnet therapy involves the use

of permanent magnets to treat
diseases.
Determining Magnet Polarity

When a magnet is suspended on a

thread it stabilizes after dangling
for a while inclining itself to a
north-south position.
 Determining Magnet Polarity

The end of the magnet that points to

the geographical north is the South
Pole of the magnet following one of
the laws of magnetism which states
that unlike poles attract and vice
versa.
 Healing Pole

The negative pole (North Pole) of a

magnet is most suitable for healing
purposes.
 Strength of Magnets
Magnets used in therapeutic
products vary from about 100
gauss to 2,500 gauss. The strength
of a magnet is dependent on the
size, weight and shape of the
magnet. Magnets themselves do
not heal. Magnets create an
environment to assist and
speed up the healing process.
Carl Friedrich Gauss (1777-1855)
Magnet therapy
According to Dr. William
Philpot, a world acclaimed
magneto therapist, symptoms
of cardiac atherosclerosis and
brain atherosclerosis have
been observed to disappear
after six to eight weeks of
nightly exposure to a negative
static magnetic field.
 How to apply magnets in healing
• Charging fluids (water, oils, milk, health drinks,
etc.) with magnets.
• Placing magnets on aching or ailing body parts
for about 15 minutes once or twice daily.
• Placing of magnets on acupuncture points to
effect healing based on the principles of
acupressure/acupuncture
• Wearing of magnetic products like magnetic
necklace, magnetic belt, magnetic bangle,
magnetic head band and magnetic shoe insole
etc.
• Sleeping on magnetic beds and sofas
 Crystal healing
Crystals (Gemstones) are consolidations
of radiations in the universe.

Crystals are conduits of energy and that is

the main reason why they are used in the
manufacture of watches, radios and medical
devices.
 Crystal healing

Crystals are energy transformers.

Each crystal resonate at a specific
frequency and this results to
specific therapeutic properties.
 Crystal healing

• Gem water
• Gem essence
• Necklaces, pendants, bracelets etc.
• Touch stone (Hand-held)
• Keeping in immediate surroundings

Both raw and polished stones are effective

 Crystal healing

Helps correct diseases

of the heart and
blood vessels

Heliotrope (Bloodstone, Jasper)

 Crystal healing

This tones and

strengthens the heart, it
promotes regeneration
of the nerves and helps
correct paralysis.

Watermelon Tourmaline
 Crystal healing

Curbs anxiety
Protects against heart
attack and arteriosclerosis

Aventurine Quartz, green

 Crystal healing

Diamond strengthens the

brain, nerves, sensory
organs, glands and blood
vessels. It is excellent for the
treatment of strokes.
 Crystal healing

“Diamond enhances the

breakdown of blood clots and
at the same time it also
assists in the reorganization
of the brain, whereby healthy
parts take over the functions
of the damaged sections”.
Michael Gienger
(Crystal therapist)
 Conclusion
The list of healing modalities
available to naturopaths are
simply enormous. When deployed
effectively and professionally,
treatment of stroke can be
achieved.
Thanks