Herbal Health

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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This extreme dizzy sensation is famously associated with a phobic fear of heights. While an attack of vertigo can indeed be triggered by the fear of falling from a high place, vertigo itself is usually the symptom of one of a number of disorders affecting the inner ear. An attack of vertigo usually involves the sensation of the head spinning around and around, and a loss of balance: the patient may suddenly fall right over. Sweating, nausea and vomiting may also occur.

The most common condition behind attacks of vertigo is Meniere’s disease, a degenerative condition of the middle ear usually affecting people for the first time in their fifties. Apart from the dizzy spells and periodic loss of balance, a person with Meniere’s disease (sometimes known as Meniere’s syndrome) may experience ongoing ringing in the ears (called tinnitus), and gradual hearing impairment. The cause of Meniere’s disease is little understood but believed by some medical practitioners to be caused by congestion of the lymphatic system. While medications such as Dramamine help manage the vertigo, they will not cure the disease and will not prevent the loss of hearing.

Simple motion sickness can lead to vertigo as can bacterial infections of the inner ear and viral infections such as influenza. The sensations may continue even after the patient appears to have recovered from the more acute symptoms of the ‘flu. See separate entries in this book for the treatment of these conditions.

Recurrent attacks of vertigo may also be caused by the pressure of a tumour or non-cancerous growth on the auditory or acoustic nerve. High blood pressure or hardening of the arteries may also be responsible and strokes can bring on vertigo in the elderly. If attacks of vertigo are unexplained and recurrent, you should seek medical advice. Some health practitioners recommend acupuncture with moxibustion for the management of dizziness and vertigo.

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How can you monitor your progress on St John’s Wort? The answer to this might seem obvious. Surely the medication either works or it doesn’t. What is there to monitor, you might ask. Well, it is not always so clear-cut when a problem is relatively subtle to start with or when the response is modest or partial. I always find it useful to keep an eye on what are known as the target symptoms – those presenting problems that are part of the reason why someone is seeking help in the first place. We measure whether an anti-depressant is working or not by focusing on changes in the target symptoms. In the case of someone with mild symptoms of depression or stress, such target symptoms might be lack of one’s usual enjoyment or enthusiasm for life, decreased energy, anxiety or sleep difficulties. It is worth listing these target symptoms and observing each week whether you can observe any improvement in them.

I have been impressed with the highly variable time course of response to St John’s Wort. Some people report feeling better within days of beginning the herbal remedy, whereas for others the response is far slower and more subtle. A proper trial takes at least five to six weeks. If you are still feeling down in the dumps or overstressed at that point, I suggest that you take some further step, such as consulting a GP or therapist. If you are feeling better and are not suffering any significant side-effects, you may wish to stay on the St John’s Wort regimen for a further three months before thinking of tapering it and determining whether you can maintain the gains without any further help from the herbal remedy. If you experience unacceptable side-effects, feel free to lower the dosage and see whether you still feel better. You can always raise it again later if you need to.

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The patient is responsible for recording his reactions to the various foods and chemicals according to the instructions which he is given. He is also responsible for other aspects of his own diagnosis and treatment, to an extent unusual in most hospitals.

For example, he is given precise instructions on how to take his own pulse—5 minutes before, and 20, 40, and 60 minutes after the end of each meal. The pulse must be taken for a full minute, and the patient cannot be active or even go to the bathroom immediately before taking it. Any form of physical activity will invalidate the results.

The patient must be disciplined enough not to leave the unit for several weeks nor to eat any substance other than what is ordered for him by the doctor. He also must not smoke at any time while under treatment.

Most of all, the patient must cooperate in learning. There is a great deal to learn: new concepts, many of them quite at variance with conventional wisdom on nutrition and health. This is not an easy task for many patients who come to the hospital in a confused or even a bewildered state. They have been sick, often for years, and have usually been through a gamut of unsuccessful medical experiences. Suddenly, they are confronted by concepts and techniques which seem alien to everything that went before.

Unless the patient has some intellectual curiosity, then, it is difficult for him to get the most out of this program. Some patients are so befuddled by their disease that they find it too much of a challenge. Most patients, however, are eager to try something truly different—an alternative approach to their problems.

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Aluminum-containing antacids, if used regularly, tend to cause extensive loss of calcium and phosphorus from the body, thereby seriously weakening the bones. X-rays of a 60-year-old woman with limb pains and excessive weakness revealed that her bones had lost so much density that they were scarcely able to support her tissues. Her osteoporosis, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association (244:2544), was due to the long-term daily use of an antacid containing aluminum hydroxide.

Antacids that contain aluminum, Archives of Internal Medicine (143:657) reports, can become a major factor in weakening the bones. However, since they do not produce any noticeable unpleasant side effects, people continue taking them for stomach pains and indigestion.

These drugs work by binding and neutralizing gastric acid. Unfortunately, they also bind with and prevent the absorption of phosphoric acid, which is then carried away in the stools. To compensate the body for this, the bones release some phosphorus into the bloodstream, together with the calcium with which it was bound. This calcium is quickly carried away through the kidneys.

In this way, aluminum antacids taken year after year can deplete the skeleton of calcium and phosphorus and cause thinning and weakness of all the bones. This results in fractures occurring in response to only trivial trauma, and to pseudofractures, a condition in which bones crack but do not break completely, causing weakness, pain, and stiffness that are often mistaken for arthritis.

Doctors, more and more, are becoming aware of this danger, but aluminum-containing antacids are still widely prescribed and can be purchased without prescription. The trouble is that it takes years for the cumulative bad effects of repeated doses to show up and, later in life, people tend to accept bone pain and fractures as a natural effect of aging.

To compensate for this danger, the Archives recommends, we should take extra calcium and phosphorus when using medications that contain aluminum or, better still, take stomach medicines that are aluminum-free. Aluminum, remember, poses other serious threats as well (see, for example, the articles on Alzheimer’s Disease). One of the least expensive and most readily available forms of calcium in tablet form is the antacid Tums. Before purchasing an antacid, read the list of ingredients on the labeling. The pharmacist can tell you about products that are aluminum-free.

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Signs and symptoms

The major symptoms are nasal congestion, sneezing, clear nasal discharge, and itching of the nose. This runny, itchy nose leads to the frequent rubbing of the nose referred to as an “allergic salute.” Membranes inside the nose are pale and white instead of the normal pink.

The eyes may also be affected. Congestion in the sinuses may cause a headache. The ears feel blocked and are sometimes painful. The child may not hear as well as usual if there is congestion in the Eustachian tubes (which connect the nose with the ears). The child may have bluish bags under the eyes, called “allergic shiners.” The child may snore and complain of fatigue (allergic fatigue syndrome). If oral antihistamines quickly relieve the symptoms, this is often a clue that the congestion is due to an allergy rather than to some other illness.

Secondary (additional) bacterial infections are common complications of hay fever. Symptoms of an additional bacterial infection include fever, moderate to severe earache, swollen glands in the neck, or opaque (green, yellow, or milky) nasal discharge.

Home care

Consult your doctor before giving child medications for hay fever. The most common medications for hay fever are oral antihistamines. Decongestants containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine may provide added relief.

Whenever possible, try to avoid exposing the child to substances that seem to cause hay fever reactions. (The dander of a cat or dog allowed in the house only once can remain in the home for four to six weeks.) Keep the windows closed against pollens, and use an air conditioner if possible. Hot air ducts should have filters at room inlets to reduce the amount of dust in the air. Use non-allergenic (non-allergy-causing) pillows and keep the house as dry and free from humidity as possible.

Precautions

• Rubber pillows, which are considered non-allergenic, may breed molds as they age. • Avoid repeated use of decongestant nose drops and nasal sprays. These can cause worse congestion following the initial, brief relief.

Medical treatment

The doctor will confirm the diagnosis by examining the child’s nose and by testing nasal secretions for allergic white blood cells (called eosinophiles). As well as confirming the diagnosis, your doctor can help identify the offending substances by investigating the child’s medical history and, if necessary, conducting allergy skin tests. Your doctor may recommend desensitization shots for severe cases. These shots decrease the child’s sensitivity to the allergy-causing substances.

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Coconut has received a lot of negative press. Most of us consider it to be a fattening food, and one to avoid if we are trying to lose weight or lower our cholesterol. It is true that coconut contains a high amount of saturated fat; however, approximately half of this is lauric acid, which has been shown to not raise cholesterol levels. Lauric acid has antibacterial, antiviral and antiprotozoal properties, helping our immune system to overcome many types of infections. Chronic infections are a potent risk factor for heart disease, and coconut fat can help to strengthen our immune system. Traditional Asian cultures that rely heavily on coconut in their diet do not suffer with the diseases common in Western countries, where low fat diets are encouraged.

A study published in 1981 examined the traditional diets of the people in two South Pacific Islands. The study began in the 1960s, when Western foods were not yet a part of the diet of either culture. Coconuts were a huge part of both diets; the saturated fat from coconut formed up to 60 percent of the calories consumed by these people. The study found that these populations were relatively healthy, and free of heart disease and obesity. The researchers found that “Vascular disease is uncommon in both populations, and there is no evidence of the high saturated fat intake having a harmful effect in these populations”.

A very interesting study titled “Choice of cooking oils – myths and realities” was done in India in response to the alarming rise in coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes in this country. Indians have been encouraged to replace traditional saturated cooking fats like ghee and coconut fat with supposedly more “heart friendly” polyunsaturated oils like sunflower, safflower and corn oil. The research found that by increasing their intake of these omega 6 polyunsaturated vegetable oils, Indians are making themselves much more prone to the development of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The study actually recommended that more traditional cooking fats be used in their place. Coconut is a very healthy addition to your diet; you can use coconut milk in cooking, or to make smoothies. Pure, unrefined coconut fat can be purchased from health food stores and used in place of vegetable oil when making stir fries and other Asian recipes.

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The food you eat has an impact on every cell of your body. This is why a healthy diet is so important, because it really can help you conceive and give birth to a healthy baby. But good nutrition doesn’t have to mean giving up all the things you like. It just means being well-informed about food and making the right choices. In fact, once you start following the guidelines below, you may well find that you enjoy food more than you used to, especially when you consider how much good it’s doing you. If you find it hard to think of recipes, there are plenty of healthy eating cookbooks available from bookshops and libraries. These are a great source of inspiration and ideas, and will prove that healthy food can also taste delicious.

Essential fats

Unfortunately fat has got itself a bad name, although it’s actually only saturated fats that are harmful. Many women now consciously avoid all fats as a matter of course. But there are some fats which are vital for your health – and your fertility.

These are called essential fatty acids and they are found in foods such as nuts seeds and oily fish. These essential fats are a vital component of every human cell and the body needs them to balance hormones, insulate nerve cells, keep the skin and arteries supple, and keep itself warm.

Unsaturated fats can be divided into monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Monounsaturated fats are not classed as essential fatty acids. Olive oil is high in these monounsaturated fats, which are thought to lower the risks of heart attacks and other circulatory problems.

Polyunsaturated fats can be split into Omega 3 oils (found in unrefined safflower, corn, sesame and sunflower oils) and Omega 6 oils (found in fish oils and linseed or flax oil). The body makes beneficial prostaglandins (hormone-like regulating substances) from Omega 3 oils, so that is why they are particularly useful for increasing fertility.

If you are not getting enough of these essential fatty acids, you may notice symptoms such as:

• Dry skin

• Cracked skin on heels or fingertips

• Hair falling out

• Poor wound healing

• Dry, difficult hair

• Dandruff

• Irritability

• Soft or brittle nails

• Allergies

• Fatigue

• Hyperactivity

• Difficulty losing weight

• High blood pressure

• Arthritis

• Pre-menstrual syndrome

• Painful breasts

If you have several of the above symptoms they may also be due to thyroid imbalance which can also affect your fertility, so it is worth checking with your doctor.

To achieve a satisfactory intake of essential fatty acids, have a daily handful of nuts or use a salad dressing made with a good-quality nut or seed oil. You can also eat oily fish (such as mackerel or sardines) and take an essential fatty acid supplement.

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