The Hormone High-Wire Balancing Act of PMS

The Hormone High-Wire Balancing Act of PMS

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is the most common disorder for women during their reproductive years, but it doesn’t have to be. Asian cultures have been using Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to treat the hormonal imbalances that accompany menstrual cycle related symptoms for centuries. Chinese medicine calls this an imbalance of Qi in the reproductive and other related organs. Acupuncture and herbs can re-establish the flow of Qi and bring a balance to the body allowing the body to function optimally without hormone regulators such as a birth control pills.

Often the underlying problem with PMS is the hormonal imbalance. Estrogen levels are commonly too high in relation to progesterone levels.

The most common cause is our diets. Hormones are sensitive and overeating and obesity often lead to the conversion of androgens to estrogen by aromatase. High-fat diets, refined sugars and carbohydrates, processed foods and artificial sweeteners, dairy products and even commercially raised livestock are all a source of estrogen exposure. Limiting our exposure of so-called “artificial or xeno-estrogens” is not difficult. Eat a balanced healthy diet and choose hormone-free meat. Not surprising, exercise helps keep the balance, whereas alcohol and constipation both disrupt the balance.

Regulating hormone levels is a key component to combating PMS and Chinese herbs can help maintain a hormone balance through several methods. (See PMS Relief Herbs Pac) Many Chinese herbs have hormone enhancing properties. One such herb is Dang Gui. Several new studies have examined dang gui with a combination of herbs (also called herbal formulas).

We know herb formulas or a combination of herbs, are very effective and since dang gui is known as the “women’s ginseng”, it’s an indispensable herb for PMS symptoms. Although contradicting literature has been published on the phytoestrogen content in dang gui, it does have a plethora of well established and proven actions. In TCM it is a blood tonic and has to warm and dispersing actions. Numerous studies prove dang gui and other Chinese herbs nourish our blood. Monthly blood loss takes a toll on women over time, and a healthy diet, including herbs, is the fuel necessary to replenish the blood that is lost each month.

Many Chinese herbs contain high amounts of essential fatty acids which also help maintain our natural hormonal balance. Some do this by improving liver functions. The liver is viewed as part of the reproductive system in Chinese medicine. It’s imperative to help the liver regulate the production of prostaglandin hormones and strengthen the liver’s ability to synthesize proteins and fat. This facilitates the body’s ability to regulate itself. Bupleurum and Rehmannia are two traditional Chinese herbs which have clinically tested and proven liver tonifying properties. Strengthening liver functions is another way Chinese herbs helps an over-active uterus and therefore reduce PMS symptoms. Advil, Tylenol, and other NSAIDS only cover up your pain and can cause more harm to your liver function. Chinese herbs work at the root of the disharmony.

A recent study of 549 women in Australia documented results on the severity of PMS and the effectiveness of Chinese herbs to reduce the severity.[1] By restoring the imbalance in the reproductive system, herbal medicine can prevent monthly menstrual cramps, depression, PMS, and abdominal pain.

Maintaining a healthy hormone balance (part of homeostasis) is essential throughout life and will undoubtedly also help PMS symptoms. Be in control of your body and how it functions. Give yourself healthy foods and plant based medicine like Chinese herbs and you’ll naturally balance your body’s energy and restore your body’s natural hormone balance.

Note: “When the balance of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are off, it causes an inability of conversion from linoleic acid to GLA resulting in increasing the risk of over production of PGE2 and premenstrual pain and cramps.”

Original article and pictures take thecompleteherbalguide.com site

The History of Chinese Medicine Cupping

The History of Chinese Medicine Cupping

Chinese medicine uses many modalities of healing; acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage, and diet therapy make up the most commonly used and Chinese medicine cupping is gaining in popularity. Maybe some of you saw the photo a few years ago of Gwyneth Paltrow on the red carpet with a backless dress and cupping marks all up her spine? Sometimes it takes a little popular culture to remind us of ancient ways of healing!

The therapy of cupping has been used in China for thousands of years. At first it was applied using cattle horns or cross sections of bamboo. To create negative pressure inside the horn or bamboo these ancient ‘cups’ where boiled in water or fire was ignited to expel the air and suck the cups onto the skin. These cups were used mostly to draw out pus and blood in the treatment of boils. Cupping was originally used as an auxiliary method in traditional Chinese surgery. Later it was found to be useful in treating other diseases and developed into a special therapeutic method.

The earliest record of cupping is in the Bo Shu (an ancient book written on silk), which was discovered in a tomb of the Han Dynasty. Several other ancient texts mention Chinese medicine cupping. Several centuries later another famous medical classic, Su Sen Liang Fang, recorded an effective cure for chronic cough and the successful treatment of poisonous snake bites using cupping therapy.

Through several thousand years of accumulated clinical experience, the clinical applications of cupping have become increasingly wide. Now Chinese medicine cupping is used to treat arthritic symptoms, asthma, the common cold, chronic cough, indigestion problems and some skin conditions.

There is a saying in China: “Acupuncture and cupping, more than half of the ills cured.” Zhao Xue Ming, a doctor practicing more than 200 years ago, compiled a book entitled Ben Cong Gang Mu She Yi, in which he describes in detail the history and origin of different kinds of cupping and cup shapes, functions and applications.

In mainland China the development of cupping therapy has been rapid. In the 1950’s the clinical efficacy of cupping was confirmed by the co-research of China and acupuncturists from the former Soviet Union, and was established as an official therapeutic practice in hospitals all over China.

Today, as more people seek alternative therapies to deal with their health problems, the use of traditional Chinese medicine, including cupping is increasing. Much of the cupping equipment and methods used today are exactly the same as they were in ancient times. Some electronic or mechanized pumps have been invented, and suction cups introduced, but to a great extent the majority of people practicing cupping today still use horn, bamboo or glass cups. One reason that cupping techniques remain the same as in ancient times is due to the fact that, with the exception of a handful of acupuncture practitioners, cupping is generally practiced in rural area where no or very little modern medicine is available.

Cupping affects the flow of Qi and blood. It helps draw out and eliminate pathogenic factors such as wind, cold, damp and heat. Cupping also moves Qi and Blood and opens the pores of the skin, thus precipitating the removal of pathogens through the skin itself.

My first experience of cupping was when I had a bad cold and my acupuncturist applied cups to my back. First my back was rubbed with fragrant oil and, as I lay face down, the cups were applied. I could feel their edges digging into my flesh and then a gentle warmth and release as my skin was pulled up and away from my body. Once the cups were firmly in place and sucking up my skin, the practitioner moved them up and down my back. (This is called walking cups.) I was left to rest with the cups on my back. Once I got up from the table I felt much improved, the heaviness in my chest was gone and I had bright purple suction cup marks along my back, not unlike Gwyneth Paltrow in the photo of her – post cupping. The purple marks didn’t hurt or bother me at all. They disappeared after a couple days along with my cold. Cupping provided relief from my cough and effective treatment of my cold.

Original article and pictures take www.corespirit.com site

The Healing Warmth of Moxibustion

The Healing Warmth of Moxibustion

Moxibustion is an effective treatment for pain and many other health problems. Shutterstock/Monika Wisniewska

For ancient doctors, the guiding principle was balance.

Naturally, a patient who is cold and weak needs warmth and strength. In traditional Chinese medicine, the main remedy for this affliction is called moxibustion or moxa.

According to Dr. Tracy Stuardi, a licensed acupuncturist at the Doorway to Wellness clinic in Austin, Texas, moxa gives deep, penetrating heat to resolve underlying cold.

“The cold will settle in the uterus or the lower abdomen or the GI tract. Often time you can feel when you palpate areas where they’re cold where they shouldn’t be,” she said. “Moxa is an easy way to bring heat to the area.”

The name “moxa” is an anglicized version of the Japanese word “mogusa,” which means “burning herbs.” The practice involves burning medicinal cigars and cones on or near the body.

Moxa is said to have originated from northern China at least 3,000 years ago, and burned on acupuncture points long before the advent of needles. Today moxa is used to treat a wide range of issues, such as chronic digestive disturbance, menstrual problems, reproductive concerns, and advanced illnesses such as tuberculosis, Lyme disease, and cancer.

“It’s very powerful for pain,” said Stuardi. “Many patients we see come in with a lot of pain and sometimes the needles alone aren’t enough.”

Stuardi is unique in that many Western practitioners of Chinese medicine have shied away from moxa, preferring instead to focus attention on acupuncture.

“It’s a shame that more practitioners are not doing it,” she said. “I think a lot of people are intimidated. And it takes more time.”

In China, Japan, and Korea, moxa plays a major role in treatment, but in the United States the technique has been slow to catch on. Moxa is taught in Chinese medicine schools, but many American acupuncturists abandon this modality once they graduate.

According to Stuardi, the biggest issue with moxa is the smell. Moxibustion treatment creates an aromatic smoke which many people mistake for marijuana.

“People are like, ‘oh, what is that smell? Is that okay? Is it supposed to smell like that?”‘ she said. “The bottom line is that it’s a very effective technique.”

Small moxa cones are placed on acupuncture points along the spine and burned for warmth and strength. Shutterstock/treasure dragon

Primary Medicine

Moxa has not been researched as much as acupuncture, but the available literature shows positive effects on the blood, immunity, and the regeneration of tissue. A 1998 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that 75 percent of pregnant women had their breech fetuses turn to the normal position with moxa burned on an acupuncture point located on the pinky toe.

While moxa may be considered a minor part of Chinese medicine in the West, ancient doctors held it in high regard. In the Nei Jing—a fundamental text in Chinese medicine—moxa is said to “do what the needle cannot.”

Some modern practitioners are taking this ancient notion to heart. Daniel Silver, a licensed acupuncturist, and adjunct professor at the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon, described the complex case of a woman he recently treated with moxibustion. She had been in multiple car accidents, and had received acupuncture from various practitioners for months at a time, but only experienced minor improvements.

With just one session of moxa, however, she reported “life changing” effects.

“I’ve seen so many great results with patients,” said Silver. “I’m really convinced on a daily basis about the benefits of this, and hope more and more people can find it.”

Silver says that what keeps many American acupuncturists from using moxa is that they’re too worried about the possibility of accidentally burning a patient. He urges practitioners to overcome this fear with practice.

“It’s good for people to have a healthy respect and concern for it,” he said. “Part of the problem is that in the West we tend to think of medicine in a very intellectual way, and this is very much a hands on skill in which you need to develop proficiency so that it can be performed in a therapeutic manner.”

Magical Mugwort

Moxa is made from a prolific weed called mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), which is often prescribed in herbal medicine for uterine complaints, such as labor pain, menstrual cramps, and heavy bleeding, as well as digestive, hormonal, and circulatory disorders.

For use in moxibustion, mugwort is processed into a spongy material called moxa wool.

A moxa burner is filled with burning moxa wool, and held about an inch over the body. Shutterstock/hjschneider

According to Lorraine Wilcox, author of two books on moxibustion for clinical use, ancient Chinese doctors choose mugwort because it had all the right qualities: it smolders easily, and produces a steady, slow burning heat.

On a Nov 17, 2014 episode of the Yin Yang podcast, an audio program for acupuncturists, Wilcox said one of the main reasons mugwort was chosen was for its magical properties.

“In really old books, mugwort is used against evil qi or ghosts or toxic things like snakes and scorpions and stuff like that,” she said. “So it has a supernatural aspect, as well as the creepy crawly things don’t much like it.”

Mugwort smoke has a calming effect on the nervous system. Once patients get over the funny smell, they may actually enjoy it.

“Some patients drift off into a nice euphoric rest during their treatment,” said Stuardi.

Moxa can benefit anyone, but there are times when it is not appropriate, such as with fever, infection, eczema, and other signs of excess heat. Points on the abdomen and lower back should be avoided in the early stages of pregnancy.

Direct and Indirect

Moxa techniques are divided into two categories: direct and indirect. The direct method, which requires a skilled practitioner, burns directly on the skin. With the indirect method, a hot moxa ember is held about an inch away from the body.

The indirect method is easy to learn, and often times a practitioner may give the patient a moxa cigar and an acupuncture point to hold it over to continue treatment at home.

Hold the heat above the prescribed point, and pull it away when it gets too hot. Give the area a few seconds to cool, then resume treatment.

Stuardi instructs patients to go past the superficial feeling of warmth until the heat penetrates deep into the tissue. “Once you’ve felt the heat penetrate you’ll know you’ve done a good job and you can extinguish the stick,” she said. A session usually lasts between 5 and 10 minutes.

Moxa supplies are available in Chinatown shops, acupuncture schools, or over the Internet, and come in a variety of shapes and sizes: from cigarette butt-sized stumps with an adhesive end, to loose moxa wool.

One popular form is a charcoal-based smokeless moxa stick for those who want to avoid the smoke and smell. However, Stuardi believes these are less effective.

“I try never to use smokeless, unless for some reason that’s the only thing available,” she said.

For people with asthma, allergies, or suspicious neighbors, Silver recommends high grade Japanese moxa, such as Ibuki Gold Mountain.

“It has very, very little smell,” said Silver. “Most of the smell you get from this kind of moxa is from the incense you use to light it. Many people can tolerate it.”

Original article and pictures take m.theepochtimes.com site