How do you manage your Multiple Sclerosis?

I get asked this question so frequently that I put my answer into this blog post, to hopefully help as many people as possible.

If you or someone you know is suffering from an autoimmune condition please read and share. I believe that much of what I do for MS transfers over to other autoimmune conditions as well.

This is what works for me and my lifestyle. MS is tough to deal with, period. Feeling better can be elusive for many people. I hope that sharing my personal experience here will help someone looking for a little relief. Please note that I am a Ph.D. not an M.D. For medical advice please contact a naturopathic doctor in your area.

Note: For those of you looking for all the herbs I use daily, everything is in my Warrior Bundle except for the additional herbs found in my Anxiety & Stress Tincture and Cordyceps Tincture. These three links comprise all of the herbs I take daily.

It’s a tough diagnosis but I have been able to live well with it – I used to not be able to walk!

How I Manage Multiple Sclerosis

I do a lot to manage my progressive Multiple Sclerosis (although it is not currently progressing!) Diet is key. The first thing I did was an IGG test to see how I needed to alter my diet for optimum health (this can be done online or via a naturopath). Gluten turned out to be a big no-no (I don’t ever eat it). I also stick to a low sugar diet with very few to no processed foods. For me, a ketogenic diet along with intermittent fasting is ideal. I alternate this with an anti-inflammatory diet. The Wahls Protocol is an excellent dietary plan to follow. I also forage wild foods every chance I get as these plants are healing superfoods in their own right. You can learn about the wild foods right in your backyard and beyond with my new book, The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods: Edible Plants, Lichens, Mushrooms, and Seaweeds. 

Below are the supplements I take daily for Multiple Sclerosis management:

• I take Lion’s Mane Mushroom Tincture (I make this in small batches via a double-extraction method; it is available in my Apothecary.)  Lion’s Mane is known to boost mental functioning and stimulate Nerve Growth Factor (NGF).  Studies show great potential for myelination and regeneration of nerves. Most of the daily herbal tinctures I take can be found in my WARRIOR BUNDLE.

• I take Reishi Mushroom Tincture (This one is so important! I make this as a double-extraction, and it is available in my Apothecary.) I take this tincture daily as Reishi mushrooms are adaptogens, which help us deal with the negative effects of stress, addressing issues such as increased inflammation, depleted energy levels, damaged blood vessels, and various types of hormonal imbalances. It also has been shown to have neuroprotective effects and, because many autoimmune illnesses are inflammatory in nature, I take it daily for its anti-inflammatory properties as well as its other properties.

• I take Turkey Tail Mushroom Tincture (Another one I make as a dual-extraction in small batches. I always make all of my products with locally sourced and/or organic ingredients. Gluten free of course. This is available in my Apothecary.) It works well for leaky gut, as turkey tail has prebiotics that helps balance the digestive system and it helps with Candida overgrowth. It has also been shown to be a great cancer preventative, an anti-inflammatory, and more.
• I take my double-extracted Cordyceps Mushroom Tincture. It is known to have neuro-protective attributes that can help limit neuronal cell death. Cordyceps is also anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, and antiprotozoal. Importantly, it helps to combat fatigue and boost energy. It’s truly an all-around miracle mushroom. Beyond my stand alone Cordyceps Tincture, it  is also found in my Mushroom FOURtress Bundle and Brain Bundle. 

• For preventing general illness (which causes the dreaded immune response that then causes MS to flare up) I rely on my healing trinity of Elderberry Tincture, Usnea Spray, and All-Purpose (First Aid) Salve. (These are available individually or all together in a Travel Pack from my Apothecary – they are also a part of my Warrior Bundle).

• I take a high-dose Biotin and Alpha-Lipoic Acid. Personally, I take 100mg Biotin three times every day (300mg a day total). For me, this has been better than any Multiple Sclerosis drugs I’ve researched for progressive MS.

• I have recently started drinking one shot (1.75 oz) twice a day of Aronia Berry Juice to get my Ursolic Acid (a bottle lasts a LONG time!) after a new study showed that UA can reduce further damage to neurons, help rebuild the protective sheaths covering neurons, and has significant potential as an oral anti inflammatory for MS.

• I take these Vitamin D drops every morning
• I take Omega 3s
• I take a Multi-Vitamin + Ca/Mg blend
• I take Tru Niagen (nicotinamide riboside)
• I take a good daily Probiotic
• I take this Liposomal Vitamin B12 daily

You can read more about all of my herbal tinctures and healing salves, along with information about their uses here. To learn how to make your own herbal remedies and how to use plants & mushrooms for healing it’s all available in my book, “The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies: The Healing Power of Plant Medicine”. 

• The only Western medicine I use to help manage my Multiple Sclerosis is low-dose Naltrexone for fatigue. For me, it has had no negative side effects, and it helps. If I do get ill I will use the herbal remedies that I make and add in adrenal support and Ashwagandha.
• I try to keep leaky gut at bay (Plantain, Marshmallow Root & Slippery Elm work well for me as does Turkey Tail & Lion’s Mane and probiotics). I created a Balanced/Leaky Gut Herbal Blend Tincture for myself to make it easier to take all of these at once, and it is part of the Warrior Bundle.
• I also use a Daily Organic Bone Broth, which has been shown to be GREAT for leaky gut, and I incorporate freshly ground flax and chia seeds into my daily diet.
• I keep inflammation down with my Reishi Mushroom Tincture and this absorbable form of Turmeric with Curcumin, DHA and Ginger.

If I feel like a flare is coming I will up my dosage of my Mushroom FOURtress (the 4 mushrooms I take daily) and my Balanced/Leaky Gut Tincture and add in my Anxiety & Stress Tincture. I also take my Anxiety & Stress Tincture any day or time when I am feeling “off” (if you’re reading this I’m sure you get what I mean by that).

Finally, here are a few other things I incorporate into my MS management:

• I give gratitude daily and I try to stay in the present moment the best I can. (This is very important! The mind-body connection is HUGE!)
• I spend time in nature daily (nature connection is a big piece of total health for me)
• I spend time away from all media and carry this personal anti-EMF device as well as have this one to protect me and my family at home. For all products they carry visit Blushield. For 10% off on any product use the coupon code doctornicole – this works so well for me!

If you have questions after reading this post I would suggest finding a good naturopathic doctor in your area.

Wishing the best for you in your journey toward wellness,

Nicole Apelian

P.S. You asked and I answered! I now have most of the above tinctures (Travel Pack, Mushroom Trio & Balanced/Leaky Gut Tincture) packaged into one Warrior Bundle for your convenience. 

Interested in making your own herbal remedies? My book  The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies: The Healing Power of Plant Medicine will help you on your herbal journey. Not only does The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies provide high-quality color photographs and descriptions for the identification, harvesting, and application of the herbs detailed above and other medicinal plants, but it also shows you how to prepare tinctures, decoctions, teas, salves, oil infusions, poultices, and balms right in your own home! To purchase in Europe please see this link. 

Please note that the contents of this website are for informational purposes only, do not constitute medical advice, and are not intended to be a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. In the event of a medical emergency, call a doctor or 911 immediately. Reliance on any information provided by this website is solely at your own risk.