There are several medications and treatments designed to alleviate or reduce Parkinson’s symptoms. However, for some seniors, medications may not provide satisfactory results. Instead, they might want to consider adopting more natural methods. Here are a few natural treatments to relieve common symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Brahmi
The Brahmi plant is a common herb used in Ayurvedic medicine. In the United States, these plants are commonly found in aquariums. Studies performed by the University of Maryland Medical Center found Brahmi extracts can enhance blood circulation and protect delicate nerve cells. Researchers from the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine gave powdered Brahmi seeds to laboratory animals exhibiting Parkinson’s symptoms. After the animals received treatment, their symptoms were minimized. The scientists also found the herb protected the brain from further damage.
Seniors with Parkinson’s disease may have difficulty making healthy lifestyle choices and managing daily tasks. If your elderly loved one is living with a serious medical condition and needs help managing the tasks of daily living, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a home care service agency you can trust. Our caregivers are available 24/7, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our in-home care services.
Cowhage
Cowhage grows wild in the Bahamas and India, and some of these bean-like plants have also been found in Florida. Other common names for the plant include cowitch, donkey eye, kapikachhu, and velvet bean. The bean, fibers from the pod, and seeds are used for medicinal purposes. Cowhage was found to contain levodopa, or L-dopa, which is a common medication prescribed to seniors with Parkinson’s.
Ginkgo Biloba
In 2012, researchers from the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery of Mexico administered ginkgo leaf extract to laboratory animals to explore the herb’s possible effects on Parkinson’s symptoms. The group found that the extract inhibited oxidative stress, which is responsible for nerve cell damage. In 1999, Asian scientists published an article in Life Sciences after evaluating the herb. They wrote that they had found Ginkgo biloba extract acts similarly to monoamine oxidase inhibitors in the brain, which is responsible for breaking down dopamine. When the activity is inhibited, dopamine levels can accumulate and last longer before breaking down.
From preparing nutritious meals to making healthy lifestyle choices, older adults with Parkinson’s disease may need help with an array of tasks. Caring for a senior loved one can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Auburn Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
Green Tea
Researchers from the Seoul National University College of Medicine learned that green tea benefits seniors with Parkinson’s. Green tea contains a polyphenol known as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which provides neuroprotection against oxidative stress. When administered to lab rats, EGCG dramatically reduced the rate of neuron damage and death in animals with Parkinson’s. Similar studies performed at the National University of Singapore demonstrated affected mice also displayed enhancements in movement.
Turmeric
Turmeric contains a compound known as curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties that greatly benefit seniors with Parkinson’s. The antioxidant components prevent monoamine oxidase and peroxynitrite from causing oxidative stress, which increases the amount of available dopamine. Some seniors with Parkinson’s have an overabundance of alpha-synuclein proteins in the brain, which leads to cell death from Lewy bodies. Curcumin prevents the protein accumulation. Furthermore, the turmeric compound has been shown to increase attention span, boost memory, and enhance mood.
Caring for a senior with Parkinson’s disease can be difficult for family caregivers. If you’re the primary caregiver for a senior family member and you need respite care, Auburn, AL, Home Care Assistance is here to help. Our respite caregivers are trained to assist older adults with a wide variety of everyday tasks, including meal prep, physical activity, and personal hygiene. We also provide 24-hour care and specialized care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s. Whether your parent needs minor help with daily tasks or extensive 24-hour care, give us a call at (334) 744-7100 today.