Herbal Health

“To me, what’s terrible is having the man you’re about to marry give up on you and walk out when you’re sick and need him most. What’s worse is not being able to get a straight answer from five doctors about why I was so sick. The combination of the two managed to leave me alone and in horrible pain for about a year. Finally, I found out that endometriosis was the cause of it all.

‘I never heard of this disease until a few months ago. It was confirmed by the sixth doctor I went to and I wish I’d seen him before Jack, my fianc?, took off Jack was pretty fed up with me and my condition and all our trips to emergency rooms, occasionally in the middle of the night. I would double over with pain and sometime could barely breathe.

“Jade said he loved me and that he’d do anything to help, but he didn’t exactly love what he’d been hearing from the doctors: that my pain was from V.D.! It’s humiliating to be told by three different doctors on three different occasions over eight months that your symptoms—most of all your pain—add up to an advanced stage of venereal disease. Especially when you’re clean! Two other doctors treated me for a bladder disorder, vaginal infections, and once for a spastic colon. I had the reeling that they were wrong and that it was something deeper, more serious, but I didn’t know why I felt that. It scared me.

‘I was living on sulfa drugs, antibiotics, and assorted painkillers. The severest pain lasted about three or four days. Then I’d feel achy, and then okay for a while. I heard from a friend that orgasm relieved pelvic tension, so I’d try to be more sexually active. The irony was char intercourse hurt, leaving both Jack and me frustrated and angry. Jack was beginning to accuse me of faking the pain and cheating on him. It was die last test, the one for chlamydia, chat did it tor Jack. His sympathy had been strained to the limit and he left me. The pain increased in frequency and duration.

“About six months ago, I was telling a friend and her sister about the problem and I got an answer. My friend’s sister was a sufferer, too. She’d been through ten yean of misery and suffered the loss of an ovary, and she still had some problems. She said she felt as if she were reliving her own history by listening to me. When I heard about endometriosis tor the first time, the pain made sense. I finally felt I had a chance.”

It’s always sad to hear such stories of women who don’t get any emotional support or effective medical care for long periods of time. Not once was Alexa’s pain taken seriously. This is the real crisis in diagnosing endometriosis. What is the problem?

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One of the first, quite natural thoughts which go through the mind of a mother as she awaits the birth of her baby is the possibility of it being born with some defect. Minor defects in the skin are not uncommon, major ones very rare.

The study of genetics concerns heredity. One has only to observe the colour and texture of one’s own skin and that of one’s children or one’s parents, to note the general similarity between them; they are, in fact, genetically alike in most respects. Such characteristics, and others, are transmitted from one generation to another by chromosomes. Chromosomes are rod-like structures, or threads, which carry a definite number of genes. The gene is composed of molecules of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and the hereditary information which any one gene carries is dependent on the arrangement of the DNA molecules. The information is carried by a messenger substance to the cytoplasm by a complicated sequence of manoeuvres.

The skin defects which may be found on a baby are called developmental. Small defects are common. They are generally considered to have environmental or genetic causes. Environmental causes involve injuries to the embryo, or to the gene cells before fertilization occurs, and genetic causes are transmitted from parents.

One of the commonest defects in the skin involves the underlying blood vessels, or the pigment cells. Such small defects are called naevi or, more colloquially, birthmarks. There is no known cause for them, and usually no genetic reason. In former days they were incorrectly attributed to some shock the mother sustained during her pregnancy, or a mild illness, and some of them are still called ‘mother’s marks’ in country districts.

Birthmarks or naevi are found in over 95 per cent of white people of either sex, and to confuse the issue it must be stated that most of them are not present at birth at all.

Naevi may arise from all of the various tissues which make up the skin. The more obvious ones are those arising from the blood vessels. The most common of these is the ‘salmon paten or ‘stork bite”, which is present in about 60 per cent of infants. This type of naevus usually appears about the head and neck and usually fades completely within one year. The excessive blood vessels are very superficially situated.

With the ‘port-wine stain’, the excessive vessels are more deeply situated. These naevi also frequently appear on the head and neck, but unfortunately, usually persist. There is no effective treatment, although good masking cosmetics are available to camouflage them.

The ‘strawberry mark’ is composed of numerous capillary vessels. Such naevi are frequently multiple, and are more common on the head and neck. Most are small, but some can be very large. About 10 per cent of all infants have them, and they usually appear within the first month of life. Frequently, they enlarge quite rapidly for the first few months before stabilizing. Parents are naturally alarmed by these naevi. However they usually disappear on their own, without any treatment, by the time the child is 7 or 8 and frequently much earlier. No treatment is required unless the naevus is situated in a place where it interfere with vision or sucking, of if ulceration or haemor-rhaging occurs. Then either medical or surgical intervention may be required.

The first indication of a strawberry mark’s regression is usually a deepening of the colour, with tiny white or grey flecks appearing. These flecks then enlarge, and pale depressed areas form. Eventually the naevus shrinks and disappears, occasionally leaving a small white patch where it had been.

Those naeyi arising from pigment cells are commonly known as ‘moles’. In fact very few moles are present at birth. Most of them appear during childhood or adolescence, and are discussed elsewhere.

Various other types of naevi exist, including the so-called verrucous or ‘warty’ birthmark. These usually appear at or soon after birth, and have a linear appearance, often along one of the limbs. They normally only grow in proportion to overall growth, and invariably persist. The most opportune time to have these naevi surgically removed would seem to be either before a child commences school (about age 4) or about age 14, when the patient could have some say in the decision.

It must be remembered that all these abnormalities of the skin, although developmental In origin, may first appear at any age. They are made up of normal skin components, the proportions of which are abnormal. Therefore they are best termed naevi rather than birthmarks.

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To further complicate the picture, the unsaturated fats can be classified as cis or trans and this difference also has health effects. Fatty acids that contain a double bond can align themselves in two different geometric formations. If the hydrogen atoms attached to the carbons that have formed a double bond with each other are on the same side of the molecule, the molecule is called cis. If they are on opposite sides, they are called trans. The cis or trans configuration determines the fate of the molecule within the body.

The trans tatty acids are stiffer and tend to act more like saturated fat in the body, raising blood cholesterol levels. Trans fatty acids occur naturally (e.g. about 5 per cent in butter), or from processing (up to 15 per cent in margarine). The studies which have recently dulled the halo over polyunsaturated fats were done in the US and based on American diets in the 1970s when the harder ‘stick’ margarines were used. These are much higher in trans fatty acid content than the softer table margarines now in use. Manufacturers are likely to lower the trans fatty acid content of foods even further in the future.

We have touched on a few of the metabolic consequences of the type of fat in the diet. As well as affecting blood cholesterol, clotting and inflammation, they may also affect other processes such as insulin and glucose metabolism and tumour formation. For body fat storage, the type of fat is of limited importance and the total amount of fat is still regarded as the most important.

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A herbalist has a holistic approach — that is, treating the whole person and not just the disease.

Although no two women are alike, similarities often emerge which include the need to correct biochemical imbalances, assist in the elimination of toxic waste and treating the inherited miasm.

We asked a herbalist to answer the following questions.

What is miasm

A miasm is the term alternative therapists give to a genetic weakness which is the foundation of a chronic disease. Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy, considered there to be three basic miasms (taints): psoric, sycotic and syphilitic (having their ancient origins from leprosy, gonorrhoea and syphilis respectively.)

There is also a tubercular taint which is a mixture of psoric and syphilitic. From a homoeopathic view, these miasms have the potential to express themselves in various symptoms which are particular to the taint and each miasm can show an identifying pattern in the iris.

The herbalist explained that from a homoeopathic point of view, there are three main inherited factors which are the miasms discussed above. She said that someone back in the family tree may have had one of four things: tuberculosis, psoric, gonorrhoea or syphilis. Generations ago, these illnesses were treated with suppressive methods or left unresolved and there will still be a modified form of the disease present in the family tree today.

This doesn’t mean that you are going to inherit these diseases, but you will have a potential towards certain complaints. For instance, the gonorrhoeal (sycotic) taint bequeaths a tendency to pelvic discharges, inflammations and adhesions.

The inherited taint itself will initially be dealt with by herbs but finally with homoeopathies of a very high potency.

Homoeopathies are also used for treating thrush, bladder pain or infection, infertility, hormonal imbalance, Candida, imbalances in blood sugar levels, pain or other problems needing a specific focus.

She believes that in women with endometriosis the immune mechanism is possibly altered in a way which allows the implantation of tissue outside the normal area. Such an internal environment allows the hereditary weakness (defective immune mechanism) to come to the surface. Her theory is that it also might be likely that many women have retrograde bleeding at some stage of their menstruating life without consolidating it into a long-standing problem.

What type of woman do you see

As far as I am concerned there are three different types: many are post-endometriosis in as much as they have had surgery and are still unwell; there are those who have been diagnosed with endometriosis and who are either dissatisfied with the treatment or who want to investigate further before making a decision about what they should do — hormone therapy, surgery, get pregnant or whatever; then there are those who have a vague suspicion they have endometriosis but have been told they were either imagining it or needed a holiday and consequently have decided to investigate further.

What are the main symptoms

There are 101 different symptoms you can put under the endometriosis umbrella. Most common is pain.

Some women complain of pain and feeling bad, usually for the two weeks preceding menstruation. Other common symptoms include fatigue, bloating, irregular and abnormal bleeding, rectal bleeding, pain in cycle, pain in bowel, pain in bladder, a general feeling of pressure within the pelvic cavity, painful intercourse, infertility, depression, lethargy insomnia, diarrhoea — sometimes alternating between constipation and diarrhoea — and a general feeling of being ‘nervy’.

Other symptoms include blood pressure changes, leg cramps, palpitations, changes in body temperature, mood swings, changes in weight — most often an increase although some people seem to lose a lot of weight — skin rashes, flushing, loss of libido and sugar cravings.

Other associated symptoms include some tendency towards showing a hormone imbalance.

What happens at the first visit

An hour is allowed for each consultation — possibly longer for the first. A detailed list of symptoms is taken, together with answers to relevant questions detailing such things as sleep patterns, moods, traumas etc. This can take some time as the woman has the opportunity to ‘divulge all’, and there is usually quite a deal of bottled-up anguish in endometriosis cases.

A medical history is taken — past illnesses, operations, traumas, etc. A list is made of past and current medications and a family medical history is taken. An inspection is made of the woman’s hands, nails, hair, tongue, palpation over liver/stomach/ spleen/ovaries/kidney area, examination of any rashes, moles, lumps, etc.

After I arrive at any treatment programme, I discuss this with the woman, explaining the method and significance of the remedies and the anticipated healing path ahead.

What is your treatment regime

Bach flower essences: For the mental/emotional sphere — to help emotional blocks and negative beliefs.

Diet: Non-chemical foods. An emphasis on low fat, high fibre, low sugar foods. No processed or refined foods. Ideally, organically grown fruit, vegetables, cereals and grains, filtered water. Avoid coffee, tea and alcohol. If Candida is present, a special anti-candida diet will be prescribed.

Pain management: If needed, acupuncture and visualisation may be considered.

Stress management: Meditation, yoga, massage.

Exercise: Gentle, regular exercise such as walking, cycling, swimming. No jarring exercise such as jogging.

Usual length of a treatment cycle

Two to 18 months, most around the six to eight month span with intermittent visits over the longer period. It is sometimes hard to tell due to lack of compliance to treatment — after the pain has gone, the motivation to complete the healing programme can disappear.

Women being treated usually require a visit once every four weeks.

Diagnosing problem areas

Generally speaking, many women I see do get many of the symptoms reported here. I use iris diagnosis. I find it extremely helpful in cases such as endometriosis. If I suspect there might be irritable bowel syndrome, iris diagnosis will show that and will also show me where the inflammation is.

Most endometriosis sufferers have inflammation around the fallopian tubes, ovaries, bowel and in the pelvic area generally. I believe it can also be transported to the breast and the lungs.

Cost of a consultation

A consultation costs $33 ($28 concession). Remedies depends on those chosen but generally average out to approximately another $30 to $35.

Why is the lymphatic system so important

The lymphatic system manufactures white blood cells to create antibodies to fight infection. Every day the lymphatic system takes nutrients and oxygen to every cell in the body and removes wastes. When the lymphatic system is congested, you start to feel unwell and tend to get tired quickly. It is important at that stage in the treatment to clean up the lymphatic system. A clogged lymphatic system creates an ideal situation for the development of tumours and cancers.

Do most women with endometriosis also have Candida albicans

Some symptoms of endometriosis could also come under the heading of Candida albicans. The reason that I list Candida albicans amongst my questions is because I do believe it and endometriosis often go together. If I suspect Candida is present — once again the iris is great for showing that — I treat it first. Once the Candida goes, so does the intolerance to many foods. Candida can really give a distorted picture.

Herbs or tinctures/extracts usually prescribed

Herbs are beneficial in helping with pain. Normally your herbalist will prescribe ‘tinctures’ which are solutions of herbs — usually not very pleasant tasting but effective.

Depending on your symptoms — severity of pain, digestive problems, infertility, heavy bleeding, inflammation, headaches — die herbalist will blend together a bottle of herbal solution that often looks like murky dishwater — and quite often smells like it! You will be advised as to how often and when this tincture should be taken. All are administered orally, either as a few drops on to the tongue or mixed with a little warm water.

Many endometriosis sufferers report good results using herbal remedies for the treatment of pain, tiredness, depression, irritability, lethargy, headaches and many digestive problems.

Probably one of the most difficult things after an inspiring visit to a naturopath or herbalist is to arrive home with an armful of vitamins and a combination of herbs. Apart from being expensive, you have to train yourself to remember to take them daily. But many women certainly find the effort worthwhile. Many endometriosis sufferers have reported the benefits of vitamins in helping to reduce tiredness, pain, lethargy and depression.

But don’t expect immediate miracles. You will not be cured overnight — be prepared to wait for three months before noticing any change in your condition.

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Adenomyosis is sometimes confused with endometriosis because some gynaecologists still refer to adenomyosis by its old names of ‘internal endometriosis’ or ‘endometriosis interna’. These terms should no longer be used as endometriosis and adenomyosis are two quite different conditions.

Adenomyosis is a condition in which the endometrium lining the uterus penetrates and grows into the adjacent muscle layer of the uterus. How the endometrium invades the muscle wall is not clear.

Adenomyosis is most commonly found in women in their 40s and 50s who have had children.

The main symptoms of adenomyosis are heavy bleeding and painful periods. It is thought that about 25% of women with adenomyosis have no symptoms at all.

The severity of the bleeding is related to the extent of the condition and in some women the bleeding is so excessive that the woman is actually haemorrhaging.

The severity of the pain appears to be related to how far the endometrium has penetrated into the muscle wall and some women may experience severe and incapacitating pain during menstruation.

A doctor may suspect that a woman has adenomyosis from her symptoms and an examination will usually indicate a moderately enlarged uterus. A definite diagnosis is difficult and is often only made when the uterus has been examined following a hysterectomy.

The drugs used for the treatment of endometriosis are not effective in the treatment of adenomyosis and for many women the only treatment for adenomyosis is hysterectomy.

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