Relapsing Polychondritis (RP) is a rare autoimmune disease marked by recurrent inflammation of cartilage and other connective tissues. It can affect the ears, nose, eyes, joints and—most critically—the throat, larynx, and airways. Because RP can be serious and sometimes life-threatening, natural approaches are best framed as supportive strategies used alongside medical care, not as substitutes.
Critical safety note: If RP affects your throat or breathing, seek urgent medical care for any sudden hoarseness, throat tightness, noisy breathing, shortness of breath, or rapid swelling. RP can involve the airway and requires professional management.
Why “Natural Remedies” for RP Need Extra Caution
RP is not a simple inflammation issue; it involves immune dysregulation and can lead to structural cartilage damage over time. Internet testimonials can be useful for discovering supportive patterns, but they are not proof of efficacy. The goal is to highlight low-risk, plausible supports that people report as helpful—while keeping expectations realistic and safety at the forefront.
Earth Clinic approach: With rare conditions like RP, the most valuable “natural” insights are often about what reduced flares, what triggered flares, and what improved day-to-day function.
Internet Testimonials: What People Most Often Credit
Across multiple public patient stories and community write-ups, the strongest recurring theme is not a single supplement—it’s dietary change, particularly eliminating animal foods and heavily processed foods and building meals around a low-fat, whole-food, plant-based pattern.
1) Low-Fat Whole-Food Plant-Based (WFPB) Diet (Multiple RP Testimonials)
Several widely shared RP recovery narratives describe major improvements—sometimes described as remission—after adopting a very low-fat, whole-food, plant-based diet and avoiding animal products (especially dairy). One of the most frequently cited RP stories is Sabrina Nelson’s account, which reports sustained symptom control while maintaining a strict plant-based pattern.
Additional public “in remission” stories echo similar themes: eliminating animal products, minimizing processed foods, and emphasizing fruits, vegetables, beans, potatoes, and simple home-prepared meals.
Common diet elements reported in RP testimonials:
- Eliminate dairy and other animal products
- Reduce or avoid processed foods
- Keep added fats/oils low (some report better results with very low-fat)
- Emphasize starches + plants: potatoes, beans, lentils, vegetables, fruit
- Use food journaling to find personal triggers
2) Trigger Tracking: “Too Much of a Good Thing”
One remission-focused testimonial emphasizes that even within a very clean plant-based approach, portion size and certain foods (for that individual) could still trigger inflammation—highlighting the value of systematic journaling rather than assuming any “healthy” food is universally safe.
3) Broader Autoimmune Diet Approaches Mentioned by Patients
Some RP community discussions also mention experimenting with structured elimination diets (for example, autoimmune-focused elimination/provocation approaches) to identify reactive foods. These reports are more variable and less RP-specific, but the underlying idea—remove common triggers, then reintroduce methodically—is frequently used in autoimmune communities.
Important: Elimination diets can be too restrictive for some people. If you have weight loss, swallowing issues, or fatigue, consider doing any elimination approach with clinical nutrition support.
Symptom Support Ideas People Commonly Explore (Lower-Risk First)
Even when the main “breakthrough” was diet, many people living with RP report building a supportive toolkit to help manage day-to-day symptoms and reduce flare intensity.
Airway, Throat, and Voice Support (Non-Irritating Options)
- Humidification (bedroom humidifier in dry seasons)
- Warm fluids and soothing teas (non-acidic if reflux-prone)
- Steam (shower steam or bowl/steam tent if tolerated)
- Avoid known irritants: smoke, strong fragrances, cold dry air
Inflammation-Lowering Basics
- Prioritize sleep regularity (autoimmune symptoms often worsen with sleep debt)
- Stress reduction (breathing practice, gentle walking, restorative stretching)
- Maintain stable blood sugar (regular meals; avoid long fasting during flares unless advised)
Supplements: What Some Communities Mention (Mixed, Individualized)
Because RP is rare, there is limited RP-specific evidence for supplements. However, in patient communities, turmeric/curcumin and omega-3s are sometimes mentioned for pain and inflammation support. Aggregated patient-experience sites also reflect that some individuals report trying these options, though experiences vary.
Supplement cautions: RP patients often use immunosuppressive medications. Some supplements can interact with prescriptions, affect bleeding risk, or worsen reflux. Always review supplements with a clinician or pharmacist—especially if you have airway involvement or are on steroids, methotrexate, biologics, or anticoagulants.
When to Get Checked (Even if You Prefer Natural Strategies)
- New or worsening hoarseness, stridor, or throat tightness
- Any breathing difficulty during a flare
- Eye pain or vision changes
- Chest pain, fainting, new heart symptoms
Practical “Test-and-Track” Plan (Supportive and Realistic)
- Stabilize the basics for 2 weeks: sleep, hydration, gentle movement, reduced processed foods.
- Choose one dietary strategy to test for 4–8 weeks (many testimonials point to low-fat WFPB).
- Keep a flare journal: foods, stress, sleep, symptoms (throat/voice/ears/eyes/joints), and exposures.
- Adjust thoughtfully (one change at a time) so you can tell what helped.
Reader Comment Prompt
Have you found supportive strategies for Relapsing Polychondritis? Please share what worked, what didn’t, and what you changed (diet pattern, trigger foods, sleep, stress, supplements). Include the area most affected (ears, nose, eyes, throat/airway, joints) so others can compare experiences responsibly.
Continue reading to learn what Earth Clinic readers have to say!
