Rou Gui
For centuries, many of women’s legitimate reproductive concerns were chalked up to “hysteria” by the medical professions. Today, woman control their own health decisions, and many of them choose natural or herbal options.
The female reproductive system—the vagina, cervix, uterus, and ovaries—prepares itself for a possible pregnancy nearly every month from the onset of puberty until menopause. This results in a series of conflicting, hormone-based emotions and often-painful physical symptoms that women experience over and over for decades. The reproductive system is also susceptible to endometriosis, when uterine tissue forms in the abdominal cavity, and benign uterine tumors called fibroids. It is at risk from sexually transmitted diseases, such as syphilis or HIV/AIDS, and invasive cancers. Many of these problems require medical treatment, but some conditions can be addressed with natural healing.
Rou Gui
MENSTRUATION
Many women experience normal periods, but occasionally they are accompanied by painful cramping, called dysmenorrhea. Other problems may include nausea, migraines, irregular cycles, and heavy flow. There is also PMS, premenstrual syndrome, which appears prior to the period, and can cause bloating, irritability, headaches, insomnia, and cravings.
Cramp Relief: Women with cramps can turn to antispasmodic blue cohosh in conjunction with black cohosh, which contains isoflavones that affect estrogen levels. A traditional Chinese tea called Rou Gui is another remedy; it’s prepared with medicinal cinnamon. Other effective herbs include chaste tree berry, bilberry, evening primrose, and feverfew. Dong quai, a Chinese herb high in vitamin B-12, will relax cramps and treat PMS and menopause. In fact, most herbs that ease cramps also help PMS. Other effective PMS remedies are lemon balm, burdock, Saint-John’s-wort, and ginkgo.
VAGINAL HEALTH
The vagina is a marvelous, complex organ, but it also faces a continuous threat of contamination from the anus and urethra. Sexual activity without protection against STDs furnishes another risk. And because the organ’s interior is not visible, many women remain unaware of a problem until there is pain or a discharge. The most common vaginal ailments are yeast infections caused by Candida albicans. They result in itching, burning, redness, irritation, and dryness. Start recovery by keeping the area scrupulously clean and wearing soft cotton clothing.
Dong quai
Replace the Fauna: Just as in the gut, the moist interior of the vagina contains beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus. Candida can seriously deplete them, so make sure you are taking probiotics and eating fermented foods. For itching, prepare a douche using 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a cup of water, and for dryness try natural lubricants such as jojoba oil, aloe, or vitamin E. Other remedies for vaginal infections include elderberry, milk thistle, boric acid, vitamin C, and the essential oils of tea tree, lavender, and myrrh.
MENOPAUSE:
Although this signals the surcease of their periods, many women find it the most difficult part of the menses process. In addition to the emotional issues related to loss of fertility, they face lowered libido, painful intercourse, vaginal itching, mood swings, hot flashes, and palpitations.
Find Balance: In ayurvedic medicine, ashwagandha is used to relieve hot flashes and anxiety; maca root, or Peruvian ginseng, can improve lack of libido, hot flashes, and night sweats. Chinese dong quai helps to maintain and balance female hormones, as does black cohosh, which also reduces vaginal dryness and hot flashes. Vitamin E can also eliminate hot flashes.