Ask a Herbalist - Diet and Overconsumption

Dear James,

I have rapidly gained so much weight that I now have stretch marks. My doctor has me on Lexpro 20mg for anxiety and Diovan HCT 30 mg for high blood pressure. But now I am having serious side effects and no one is listening.

Before all of this RX, I cleansed often with herbs and so my body is not used to this continuous bloating and heaviness. I want to feel better and this state is making me feel worse. What are some herbs that would or could be substituted for the medications above? How can I get off of this stuff? I am 5'3 and now at a whopping 221...MY LORD! Please help me.

Amber, Texas

Dear Amber,

Thank you very much for your email. Firstly, I have to address the fact that I would need further information from you regarding your current life situation to begin to unravel what is happening with your body. That being said, I can make some general comments and suggestions on how to proceed until we can talk some more in detail about what is happening and why.

Plants contain hundreds, and even thousands, of chemical constituents that interact with your body. These chemical compounds work synergistically with one another, and with your own biochemistry to restore balance and proper functioning to the systems and organs of your body. Think of them as tiny teachers moving through your body retraining and re-educating healthy functioning, as opposed to pharmaceuticals which essentially act as a crutch and take over the functions for your body leaving you relying on them for “health”.

The first recommendation I have is to initiate a cleansing of your body. This does not have to be an intense experience, but rather can be a gentle push to help with elimination of toxins from within your body. Some great herbs to help with this are Arctium lappa (Burdock), Silybum marianum (Milk Thistle) and Taraxacum officinale radix (Dandelion Root). These herbs help protect the liver, while at the same time repair any damage that may have been caused by fats within the bloodstream and the assimilation of the pharmaceutical drugs you have been taking. These 3 herbs also help to move digestion along and push out any digested food matter that is stagnating within the digestive tract. Allowing food to decay while still within the intestines can lead to toxins being absorbed back through the intestinal walls and into the bloodstream. This can lead to food allergies, fatigue and reduced immunity to name a few.

Combine the Herbal Cleanse with an abundance of fresh, raw fruit and vegetables to help increase your fibre intake. Consult a Nutritionist of Dietitian to include foods in your diet that will help detoxify your body and begin to restore your vitality.

Upon completing a 7-10 day cleanse consisting of the herbs above, it would be beneficial to have a custom formulation of herbs that will help the underlying cause of your illness. One of the things that we would want to address is the high blood pressure probably stemming from atherosclerosis, or the hardening of plaque on the inside of your blood vessels. Continuing to support healthy digestion and elimination is also a priority, and we need to support the eliminatory organs such as the intestines, liver, gallbladder and kidneys as well. We also would like to help with the anxiety that you are feeling and restore a sense of well being.

Herbs that are traditionally used to help with digestion and elimination include Artemisia absinthum (Wormwood), Taraxacum officinale radix (Dandelion Root) and most importantly for you, Plantago ovata (Psyllium). Psyllium seeds are a bulk laxative meaning that they increase in size in the digestive tract with adequate water and help increase transit time of food, causing regular bowel movements. It is also very helpful in lowering cholesterol and regulating blood sugar levels which may be a problem with your health currently as well.

Tonic herbs that could be used to help with protecting your liver would be Silybum marianum (Milk Thistle) and Verbena officinalis (Vervain). Vervain is good for you as it also has a good effect on stress and anxiety. Your kidneys can be supported with Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry) or Zea mays (Cornsilk).

As you mention you are on Lexpro for anxiety, it indicates to me that you are operating in a stress-response way called the “Fight or Flight” response. Living this way everyday causes your body to have the majority of its blood flow directed to the muscles and extremities. The opposite of this is “Rest and Digest” when your body relaxes and allows the blood to return to the abdomen and again begin properly absorbing your food. All the time that you are living highly stressed your body’s hormones are imbalanced and this as well can cause weight gain. To address this anxiety, the herbs that I would recommend include Scutalleria lateriflora (Skullcap), Passiflora incarnata (Passionflower) and Tilia europea (Limeflower). Limeflower is also great for lowering blood pressure and reducing blood cholesterol, so it would be very beneficial in a holistic approach for you.

Don’t discount your day to day activities as having a dramatic impact on your overall health, especially when it comes to digestion. Your body thrives on routines; in fact it is essential to the functioning of your body. Try to eat meals at regular times during the day to allow a routine that your body can adjust to. Again, work with a Nutritionist or Dietitian to create a healthy eating plan that will help eliminate weight at the same time as maintain a health intake of vital nutrients.
Under no circumstance should you try and go off all your medications without working with your Doctor. Many drugs have side effects if you discontinue their use without adequate time to adjust. Continually monitor your blood sugar, cholesterol levels and blood pressure to ensure that you are working along the right path.