Archives
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| 29 | 30 | 31 | ||||
Traditional and Contemporary Herbs Used to Treat Dysmenorrhea
Whenever women are having the time of the month, it is typical for them to be quite irritable. During the menstrual cycle, the sex hormones involved in the reproductive process jump to very high levels which affects the nervous system and bring about sporadic mood swings. Women affected by dysmenorrhea also have to deal with stomach pain, cramping, fatigue, and bloating that only worsens the gravity of the condition. So, rather than dallying over the discomforts of menstruation, we should instead, know about a few of the contemporary and traditional herbs that can help relieve the pain of dysmenorrhea and help ease the discomforts that come usually with the menstrual cycle.
1. Pasque Flower – This deciduous herb’s medicinal properties has been known and used for hundreds of years by the Native American Indians. Traditionally used for the inducement of childbirth, Pasque Flower has now been confirmed in clinical studies to help support the female reproductive system.
2. Chasteberry – Toning effects on the female reproductive system can be provided by the berries of this plant. Chasteberry is known to have properties that can help balance the hormones. The compounds derived from its extracts can be used to treat PMS, endometriosis, and dysmenorrhea.
3. Pot Marigold – This plant has pain killing and anti-inflammatory compounds that can help regulate the menstrual cycle which in turn promotes a relaxing effect during menstrual cramping.
4. Dong Quai – This herb is a very popular Chinese herb used as a tonic to treat both circulatory and gynecological ailments in traditional Chinese medicine. Because of its hormone-balancing, analgesic, and antispasmodic attributes, dong quai is often used for the normalization of the menstrual cycle.
These are just a few of the most commonly used herb to help alleviate the discomforts related to the menstrual cycle. There are actually a diverse portfolio of herbs and homeopathic treatments that have been used for centuries by different healthcare systems and cultures around the world for treating menstrual issues. However, the pharmaceutical industry has made it more difficult to physically seek out these herbs to obtain relief from pain.
Herbal medicine as it is currently practiced uses extracts from medicinal herbs that are then combined with other herbs to come up with a concentrated herbal infusion that provides relief from symptoms. These herbal supplements are readily available in local health food stores and are wonderful alternative treatments for dysmenorrhea.
Gigi Terinoni is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist in Louisville, CO. She is also a certified massage therapist, yoga instructor and the founder of Dova Center for Health and Healing.
Lifestyle and Dietary Changes are Needed to Help Treat or Prevent Hypothyroidism
When the thyroid gland malfunctions and starts to secrete huge amounts of thyroid hormones, this is known as hyperthyroidism which is marked by signs and symptoms such as increased bowel movements, tremors, fatigue, loss of weight, agitation, anxiety, profuse perspiration, and increased heart rate. Scientists are beginning to understand hyperthyroidism better and how natural modes of treatment can help restore harmony and balance to the body.
Graves Disease, which is an autoimmune condition and thyroiditis (chronic thyroid inflammation) are the two most common reasons for hyperthyroidism. Both auto-immune and inflammatory disorders are the result of an under-coordinated and over-active immune system. Heavy metal toxicity, vitamin D levels, nutritional habits, environmental and food allergens, intestinal dysbiosis and a number of important factors must be resolved with any auto-immune and inflammatory condition.
1. Heavy metal toxicity – Factors that can affect the thyroid gland and immune system environmental toxicity include non-stick coated paints, tap water, household cleaning agents, personal hygiene products, household molds, overexposure to herbicides, pesticides, and heavy metals, and others.
2. Vitamin D deficiencies – Unfortunately, this is a common problem these days. Vitamin D is needed to properly coordinate the immune response by helping the body to recognize between the body’s own proteins and foreign proteins. This helps decrease auto-immune reactions and inflammation. Vitamin D (25-hydroxy cholcalciferol) in adequate amounts (around 60 to 100 ng/ml) which is significantly more than the conventional 32 ng/ml daily dosage is the is a much better recommended daily dosage. However, make sure you know your levels and get them over 60 ng/ml. Just spending five minutes directly under the noonday sun can be extremely beneficial for your body. You can take 10,000 to 50,000 IU of emulsified high quality vitamin D3 supplements or spend 20 to 30 minutes a day in the sun every day until you attain the desired levels.
3. An anti-inflammatory lifestyle and diet – Full recovery will not be achieved unless diet and lifestyle changes are done by the hyperthyroid patient. Foods that possess anti-inflammatory qualities can help regulate the immune system preventing it from inflaming when stimulated. It is important to completely avoid food allergens, and all forms of processed sugars and foods. DHA, EPA, and omega 3 fatty acids are powerful de-inflammatories that can bring back natural balance to your cell membrane’s lipid wall.
Non-denatured whey protein from free range goats and cows, berries, and coconut products are also deemed to be great anti-inflammatory foods. The whey protein from these animals is packed with L-glutamine and boosts cellular glutathione stores that are required for de-inflaming the body and rebuilding the gut. Use oregano, rosemary, cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric, and other anti-inflammatory herbs as much as possible.
Raw kale, cabbage, broccoli and other types of cruciferous vegetables contain goitrogens that obstruct the production of thyroid hormone and so aid is slowing down the thyroid. Therefore, eating these veggies raw can greatly benefit those people suffering from hyperthyroidism.
4. Food allergens – Avoid grains that contain gluten. These include spelt, kamut, oats, rye, barley, and wheat, heavy proteins, eggs, various nuts, and soy products. All man-made and processed foods obviously should always be avoided at all costs. Onions, tomatoes, and eggplant and other members of the nightshade family are known allergens and so should also be avoided. People suffering from excessive inflammation or auto-immune reactions need to be tested for food allergies and undergo an elimination diet to see if their conditions get better.
5. Dysbiosis – This is a condition in which antagonistic organisms overpopulate the gut causing intestinal wall damage which, in turn allows food particles to pass over and enter the bloodstream. When these undigested materials are detected by the immune system, they are often seen as foreign invaders in the body causing the immune system to release antibodies to eliminate these food particles. The attack of the antibodies then causes an allergic reaction and inflammation.