Fibromyalgia is a neurological disorder that causes widespread chronic pains in those who suffer from it. Other symptoms include extreme fatigue, sleep disruptions, hypersensitivity, anxiety, depression, digestive troubles, headaches, and cognitive issues. Unfortunately, current treatments cannot offer complete relief to those who have fibromyalgia. But if you’re looking for a more holistic medical treatment to help relieve your fibromyalgia symptoms, you may want to give saffron a try. Here’s why.
What Are the Traditional Treatment Options?
First, let’s discuss the traditional approaches to treating fibromyalgia and its many symptoms. Most often, conventional treatment includes pain relievers and antidepressants. Duloxetine, also known by the brand name Cymbalta, may help to reduce pain and fatigue as well as improve mood. Muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatory medication may also be prescribed to help with the pain.
As you may have noticed, current treatment methods are focused on reducing the symptoms, as there is no cure for fibromyalgia. As such, it is important to be able to expand your options for handling those symptoms so that you can find what is most effective for you while minimizing any unwanted side effects that frequently come along with prescription medication. Saffron may just be one of those options for you.
How Can Saffron Help?
So, why is saffron a holistic treatment option for fibromyalgia patients? Studies among both humans and animals have shown that saffron is high in antioxidants, has antidepressant qualities, and has neuroprotective activity. As such, it may offer similar benefits as traditional treatment options by improving mood, minimizing pain, and reducing feelings of fatigue.
What Have Studies Found?
Perhaps the most significant piece of evidence supporting saffron as a treatment option for fibromyalgia is a double-blind, controlled, and randomized trial conducted in Iran. Fifty-four patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia were randomly assigned to receive either a capsule of duloxetine (the most common prescription for fibromyalgia pain) or a saffron capsule. They took their assigned medication daily for eight weeks, not knowing which they were receiving.
Throughout the study, patients reported how their symptoms improved. By the end of the eight-week study, all outcomes had improved for both groups, with no significant statistical difference between the two. This is strong evidence that saffron can be a more holistic treatment option for fibromyalgia while offering comparable results to the frequently prescribed duloxetine.
It is important to note, however, that these are only preliminary findings. Research into saffron and its medical uses is still in its infancy, and the study mentioned above only included a small number of patients. It will take much more research to confirm the effectiveness of saffron in treating fibromyalgia as well as potentially treating other conditions. For now, though, the preliminary findings are promising enough to make it worth considering as a treatment option in your own treatment plan.
How Can It Be Used?
Saffron is simply one of many treatment options for those suffering from fibromyalgia. We strongly recommend discussing how saffron can be integrated into a complete treatment plan with your doctor. You may find that it is a sufficient replacement for your existing prescriptions, or you may find it more effective when coupled with other, more traditional treatment options.
To learn more about holistic medicine treatment in Boulder, CO, contact Holistica Integrative Care. We can provide you with information about more natural treatment options for your fibromyalgia pain.
