Autoimmune diseases are a disorder where the immune system is in a constant hyperactive state, perceiving body tissues or organs as the undesirable enemy. Immune systems in such hyperactive state would pick on a body organ or tissue and try to destroy it.

Examples of autoimmune disorders or diseases with an autoimmune component are: Crohn's, Lupus, Diabetes, Endometriosis, Psoriasis, Ulcerative colitis, Myxodema, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's, Scleroderma, Fibromyalgia, Hashimotos, Grave's, Allergies.

Traditional naturopathic concept relates disease processes to poor immunity, diet, intestinal dysbiosis with absorption of toxins from the bowel, chronic infections, long standing low grade anxiety, poor liver function, and 'lymphatic congestion'.

Autoimmune disease framework treatment includes identification of causative factors in an individual patient, as much as is reasonably possible using:

• The case history - particularly looking for indications of problems in apparently unrelated systems or organs. Childhood illnesses, especially serious or atypical ones are relevant, as are previous surgery or accidents, recurrent or chronic illnesses especially respiratory tract, urinary tract and bowel problems or weaknesses.
• Constitutional assessment and iridology.
• Diet is important because of 3 factors:
  • a bad diet contributes to intestinal dysbiosis
  • allergies and intolerances
  • imbalanced diets can contribute to autoimmunity e.g. high sugar, fat or protein.

The cause of any given autoimmune disease will vary from patient to patient, so individualization of the case is critical. The primary lesion and the sources of immune dysregulation should be identified as much as possible, a pursuit according to the defects identified.

An appropriate, therapeutic dose approach should produce in most cases about 75% recovery within 3 months.