What is it?
Epilepsy is stemmed from the misfiring of neuron signals in the brain, thus sending out incorrect signals and causing seizures. It can vary between brief loss of awareness, to mood swings, to loss of body functions and motor control. This can be confirmed with brain scans.
Some Triggers?
In infants, seizures can be caused by lack of oxygen to the brain, central nervous system infections, physical trauma, or congenital abnormalities. In late childhood to adults, the causes of seizures are: nervous system lesions, trauma, tumors, stress, drug use, or alcohol withdrawal.
Others can be triggered by flashing lights, emotional stress, alcohol and even reading. It can be controlled with medication, but it does not bring cure. Some indicated that aspartame can be a trigger as well as lack of sleep with stress.
Finding Cure in Home Remedies
Users have suggested uses of Epsom salts, coconut oil, and using the fat-intensive ketogenic diet, esp. in children1.
Other Suggestions from EarthClinic site:
1. Eat only natural food, not processed food. Use natural sugars only, and in small quantities. Avoid artifical sweeteners.
2. Take virgin or extra virgin organic coconut oil (4 Tbsp per day for Gran mal seizures). Can also use as lotion. Start with 1 Tbsp/day. If detox too quickly, you may get sick. Coconut oil helps to rebuild the myelin sheath around the nerve tissues. It is also good for people with Alzehimer Disesases.
3. Extra vitamin B6 (Let's Get well by Adelle Davis - chapter on epilepsy)
4. Detox Oil Pulling - take care of your gum diseases
5. Black Strap Molasses enema - high in potassium
6. Sodium biborate (borax)
7. Ketogenic diet, or low-carb diet. Seizures seemed to be linked to protein/fat intake. Eat lots of almonds and have less seizures but not cured. Then included lots of tea, massive vitamin C, zinc, echinecia for several months. No more seizures after 5-6 months.
8. No MSG or other excitotoxins hidden in food and processed food. Excitotoxins are compounds that damage and kill nerve cells by excessive stimulation of neurotransmitters such as glutamate. gelatin, yeast extracts, hydrolized protein and anything hydrolized. Also be aware of MSG reations created during processing of these foods: whey and soy protein, soy sauce, natural meat (chicken, pork, beef) flavorings, bouillon & broth, anything ultra-pasteurized, etc2.
Good and Bad Fats
Bad Fat - Long chain triglyceride such as vegetable oils are extremely poor source of fuel for the brain (e.g. canola oil, corn oil, soybean oil, cottonseed oil, vegetable shortening). Anything hydrogenated or polyunsaturated is not good for you.
Natural and Good Fats - coconut oil, olive oil, fat in fish and any type of meat, butter, cream cheese. Organic, grass-fed meat fats are a great source.
Medium & Neutral Fats - peanut oil, sesame oil, and avocado oil.
Read the write ups on fats from Weston Price4.
References:
1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18456557
2. http://aromatherapy4u.wordpress.com/2007/09/20/the-little-surprises-in-our-foods-excitotoxins-that-are-killing-us-and-our-kids-daily/
3. http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/epilepsy.html
4. http://www.westonaprice.org/know-your-fats/know-your-fats-introduction