Women's Health
Women's Heart Health:
"Women don't have heart attacks," was almost a mantra told to the Boomer generation. Yet in our 30s women around us, apparently healthy, were having — and dying of — heart attacks. Now the American Heart Association reports that heart disease and heart attacks are the Number One cause of death among American women, about 500,000 deaths per year, more than the next seven causes of death combined. Yes, that includes all forms of cancer.
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Headaches: Most headache suffers are women.Headaches can be caused by tension, menstrual cycle, stress, pollution or illness. There are several sure fire natural cures that can relieve the pain quickly with no side effects.
What to take: The following is a list of both homeopathic and herbal treatments. Since each headache is different in its causes, you should consult your homeopathic or herbal home treatment books to see which remedy is appropriate. Most common are Actonitum nappellus, Arnica montana, Belladonna, Gelsemium, Iris versicolor,Bryonia and Nux vomica. Herbal remedies include Jasmine, Feverfew and Lavender for migraine headaches and Skullcap and Betony for tension headaches.
Cautions and Commonsense: Some herbal remedies are not advised during pregnancy. If you are pregnant, consult you healthcare practitioner first.
Pregnancy & Childbirth
Infertility: The causes of infertility are many, and there is no guarantee that the cause of your infertility is reversible or curable, but there are several excellent herbal treatments that can help nourish the reproductive system, reduce inflammation and normalize the menstrual cycle.
What to take: Dang Gui is a strong Chinese tonic to nourish the reproductive system. Your practitioner may also recommend False unicorn root combined with Ginseng and Black cohosh or perhaps Lady’s mantle combined with Red clover and Stinging nettles in a tonic to stimulate the system.
Morning sickness:
What to take: Ginger, Horehound and German Chamomile are excellent treatments for upset stomach and nausea. Just be careful not to exceed the recommended dose of each, especially in the early days of pregnancy. There are also several safe and very effective homeopathic remedies that will work to alleviate the nausea and vomiting. Check your homeopathic guidebook for symptoms that can be relieved by the remedies Colchicum autumnale, Nux vomica, Phosphorus or Anacardium.
Cautions and common sense: Prolonged bouts of morning sickness can severely dehydrate the body and it is important to keep fluid levels up at all times. If the condition does not improve, see your healthcare practitioner immediately.
Urinary problems: This could be caused by a bladder infection, also known as cystitis and gives you the feeling that you must urinate every few minutes, even though you do not. During pregnancy, the uterus enlarges and presses down on the bladder causing frequent urination.
What to take: There are several safe remedies that will help ease the problem and stop the burning. Aconite, Cantharis, Mercurius corrosivus and Nux vomica all have specific healing capabilities if you suffer from this problem.
Hemorrhoids: This painful enlargement of a vein in the area of the rectum can cause burning and discomfort and, if not treated, may rupture and bleed. Homeopathy has some excellent remedies for this age-old problem that affects millions of people.
What to take: Two homeopathic ointments that should be applied to the area after a warm bath are Aesculus and Hamamelis. They provide relief of itching, pain, swelling and promote healing. Several other remedies that have been used successfully for years are Sulphur to cure itching and burning, Arnica to heal and soothe tissue. Again, which remedy you use depends upon your specific symptoms; check your guidebook.
Indigestion: (see digestive problems)
Labor : Giving birth is a natural process and does not really require anything. However, Doctors of Homeopathy like to recommend the following to help the expectant mother.
What to take : This remedy dates back to the American Indians, who called it "squaw root" or "birth root" and is safe for mother and child; about a week before labor start taking Caulophyllum thalictroides. Women who have taken this say they have a rapid and "easy" labor. In cases of "false labor" where contractions are not accompanied by dilation of the cervix, this remedy will stimulate effective contractions to speed up the birth.
Breastfeeding: A good guidebook to herbs or homeopathy discusses sore nipples, engorgement, mastitis and other dilemmas that may arise when breastfeeding your baby.
What to take : If you are not supplying enough milk and suspect it is due to stress, try Ignatia amara. If you do not think stress is the cause, take Calcarea phosphorica or an infusion of Dill mixed with other herbs such as Vervain or Goats rue. There is another possibility if milk supply is not restored, that being a plugged milk duct. If you suspect this to be the problem, Phytolacca decandra is what you should take. Check your guidebook for specific symptoms and the appropriate remedy.
Postpartum blues/depression: The changes in hormones after birth quite commonly bring on a bout of "baby blues" about three days after the birth. And for new mothers this is complicated by a feeling of overwhelming responsibility and ineptness in taking care of your new baby. Postpartum blues may last a few days or considerably longer, but it usually eases away gradually. If you are feeling sad, let down or weepy after your child is born, select homeopathic remedies can alleviate symptoms and allow you to enjoy what should be a joyful time.
What to take: Homeopath physicians recommend Kali carbonicum when your energy is low, irritable, and you're sensitive to weather changes. If you feel weepy or sad and sigh a great deal, try Ignatia, the "sighing remedy". If the sadness is more deep seated, you weep at the slightest provocation and try to conceal your feelings, Natrum muriaticum will be a better choice.
Gynecological problems
Heavy periods: While herbs can help this condition, there is no known cause, and it would be advisable to seek professional consultation if the condition persists.
What to take: An infusion or tincture of Pot marigold, White deadnettle, or Shepherds purse will ease spasms and regulate bleeding.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS): Caused by hormonal imbalance or a weak qi, PMS manifests itself by fits of anger or depression, bloating, craving for sweets, constipation or diarrhea.
What to take: Since these are strong herbal remedies, it is recommended that you consult your herbal remedies handbook or see a Naturopath before starting on a course of treatment. Herbs that help PMS include Lady's mantle, Evening primrose, Bai shao yao and Chaste-tree. Each has its own healing properties and are strong curative agents.
Cautions and common sense: Do not take Lady's mantle if you are pregnant and avoid Bai shao yao if diarrhea is a symptom.
Menstrual pain: Usually due to cramping once blood flow begins or due to blood stagnation before a period. Cramps, bloating, and abdominal pain are the results.
What to take: Dang Gui is an excellent qi stimulant and acts to strengthen the liver and nourish blood flow. Tinctures of Blue cohosh, Pasque flower or Black Haw are also recommended as they serve as anti-spasmodics and pain relievers. Several homeopathic remedies will alleviate menstrual pain as well. If the pain is lessened by heat, Magnesiaphosphorica is indicated; if you double up in pain and press a pillow onto the abdomen to relieve cramps, Colocynthis will provide relief. For bearing-down pain as if the uterus is coming out, Belladonna is the answer. For a full description of symptoms and other remedies, see your homeopathic guidebook.
Vaginal itching: Vaginal itching and dryness and pain during intercourse could be the result of infection, menopause or psychological stress.
What to take: Damask rose is a soothing and cooling anti-inflammatory with an uplifting effect. Vervain in a tincture or infusion helps to relax the nerves and is a liver and uterus stimulant that will help relieve the itching sensation.
Yeast infection: Usually caused by a weakness in the reproductive system or possibly by bacteria introduced into the vagina.
What to take: To stop the discharge and itching, a douche solution or ointment of Potmarigold or Tea tree will act as a strong astringent and antifungal that will not irritate vaginal tissue. Either of the above combined with soothing herbs such as Thyme or Echinacea oil in a cocoa butter base will help heal the infection quickly.
Menopausal symptoms: Hot flashes and night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood swings and depression, insomnia are all signs of Menopause and are due to hormonal changes. In Chinese medicine the symptoms are assigned to weak kidney qi.
What to take: He shou wu is excellent in the early stages of menopause and acts as a strong kidney tonic to build up the qi and revitalize the body. Other herbals that help to stimulate hormones and help calm the body and reduce anxiety are False unicorn root,Motherwort and Chaste-tree, all of which can be taken as a tincture or infusion. Black cohosh is another herb that has been used by women for millennia to ease the body through this transition.
Case History: Our body's response to this stage of life is an individual as our personality. Like a gift for my 46 th birthday, hot flashes first occurred while I was leading a panel discussion in an auditorium of 300. My remedy was to increase Vitamin E to 1200 or 1600 IU for a few weeks, and hot flashes ended. As months and years passed, perimenopausal symptoms eased but it was greatly complicated by the development of what would be diagnosed eventually as fibromyalgia. I'm convinced that fibromyalgia is, in part, a hormonal imbalance. The supplements that have been most helpful for me through perimenopause include Remifemin TM, a standardized black cohosh product tested and used in Germany for some 40 years, and Elan Human Growth Hormone (recently relaunched as Longevitale TM ).
When Mom phoned that an M.D. reported on Houston TV that her patient had overcome fibromyalgia by using HGH, I investigated this modern miracle and ordered a product. Six hours after the first dosage, I felt a constitutional shift. As with all products, I adjusted the dosage, decreasing it gradually, to what worked for me. HGH did not end all the symptoms of fibromyalgia, but it did end most menopausal symptoms--loss of libido and vaginal dryness, among others. Eyesight returned to better than 20/20, and facial lines softened. Exercises were found that work well to tone the body when I'm not well enough for usual strengthening exercises--they bring results quickly with little effort and no equipment to buy-- Callenetics R and Facercise R . Massage improves my overall wellness, and reflexology worked well--still does--to stimulate all the organs and particularly the pituitary gland. CoQ10 has been essential for an achy heart when conventional cardiac tests indicate nothing. A "designer" multi-vitamin for women is also worth its weight in gold for the $18-20/month it costs.
