February seems to be a time when minor ailments seem to get us down. The long, dark days can be dreary and the cold weather seems to make some problems worse.
PERIOD PAINS can be particularly miserable during cold weather and are not infrequently accompanied by a sore throat and a break out of spots or pimples, if the body is in need of detoxification.
Chinese medicine relates the female cycle to liver energy. The liver is the organ of detoxification, so it is essential to support the liver when addressing problems of menstruation, fertility or of uterine nature.
Be sure to take adequate exercise and drink at least two litres of water daily to help detoxification and to support the liver.
Acid forming foods tend to cause a build up of toxins so reduce or avoid caffeine, alcohol, red meat, animal fats, processed foods, sugar, milk, salt, gluten and dairy produce (natural, bioactive yogurt excepted.)
Foods which are most beneficial include pulses, short grain brown rice, millet, quinoa, all vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds. Globe artichoke and lemons are of particular value. (Lemons, though acid, break down to become strongly alkaline to help balance any over acidity. Artichokes are known for their exceptional value in supporting the liver.)
FIBROIDS tend to be more common in women with weight problems or hypothyroidism which contributes to oestrogen excess.
Optimum liver function is vital as the liver breaks down hormones and secretes their products into the bowel for elimination. If the liver does not metabolize oestrogen properly it is recycled into the body.
Friendly bacteria are also vital for oestrogen metabolism in the bowel as they prevent recycling of waste oestrogen.
A high fibre, low fat diet decreases the action of bad gut flora. A diet rich in vegetables and fruit is recommended.
For mild to moderate fibroids, non invasive treatment is recommended.
THRUSH may be caused by the over use of antibiotics, steroids, oral contraceptives, H.R.T., poor digestion and elimination, leaky gut syndrome, high sugar diet, allergies, stress or depressed immune system. Vaginal thrush is not helped by wearing close fitting clothing in a warm, air conditioned environment.
Follow a diet rich in foods which support detoxification. In addition, avoid foods high in sugar (most fruits and fruit juices) and foods which encourage the existence of yeast or mould (mature cheese, mushrooms, nuts, bread) while symptoms persist.
MENOPAUSAL PROBLEMS may cause hot flushes, made worse by an over heated environment. Mood swings, sometimes present at the menopause, may seem worse during the dreary days of winter.
Follow a diet which supports liver cleansing, including plenty of whole grains, pulses, fresh vegetables and fruit.
These foods all contain phytosterols with a hormone balancing effect. Vitamin E regulates oestrogen production, so be sure to include plenty of nut and seed oils. Avoid red meat, sparkling drinks (which deplete calcium) also caffeine and alcohol (which aggravate hot flushes.)
Homoeopathic remedies may help women’s complaints:
Belladonna Hot flushes; right sided head aches; periods too early and too profuse; heavy breasts
Borax Acute thrush
Calcarea Carbonica Periods too early, too profuse and too long; period pains; night sweats
Chamomilla Waves of labour like menstrual pain; sensitive to pain; angry mood
Lachesis Period pains on first day; palpitations; hot flushes; fainting spells
Natrum Muriaticum Fibroids; hot flushes; backache; migraines; tender breasts; infertility
Magnesia Phosphorica Cramping period pains
Pulsatilla Period pains; amenorrhoea; periods changeable, irregular, clotted; mood swings
Phosphorus Periods last too long; heavy bleeding; mood swings; anxieties
Sepia Hot flushes; period pains; never been well since hormone therapy; infertility; irritable
Sulphur Hot flushes; night sweats; thirst
Thuja Acute thrush; uterine polyps; ovarian cysts
Penny Rushton DNN RSHom practices at the Hale Clinic
