COPING WITH ENDOMETRIOSIS: HERBALIST
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
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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