Hormonal health - A traditional medicine approach

Tuesday, April 08, 2014 by: Angelo Druda
Tags: hormonal health, traditional medicine, herbs

(NaturalNews) Early doctors of traditional medicine knew little about the hormonal pathways in the human body. The technology of the time did not allow them to make such observations and studies. They did, however, understand the essential principles of health, well being and regenerative hormonal balance to such a degree that the Chinese were able to establish the first gynecological medical specialty hundreds of years ago.

Nourish the Blood

Maintaining a healthy and abundant supply of blood is the foundation principle of hormonal health. This is particularly true for women, since their reproductive cycle is a blood dependent cycle. When the body is producing an abundant supply of pure blood, there is rich circulation to the ovaries and to the endocrine system overall. This freely circulating and abundant blood supply provides sufficient raw material for healthy and balanced hormonal flows throughout the body. It is commonly observed in clinical practice that blood deficiency is at the root of a broad range of hormonal imbalances. There is simply insufficient blood production and flow to support hormonal health and balance.

With the discovery of a group of plants whose essential oils are powerful blood precursors, traditional doctors created complex herbal formulas for health and well being. Taken in conjunction with right diet, they are safe and effective. Modern research and clinical experience continues to demonstrate the virtue of these medicines.

Herbs that serve blood production include:
Angelica sinensis, Peony, Ligusticum, Rehmannia,, Polygonum Multiflora, Fructus Lycium, and Fructus Morus.

Foods that serve blood production include:
grains, legumes, algae, greens and rice mochi, goji berries.

The Liver-Spleen Connection

Human life can be stressful, toxic and it is always challenging. The Liver has to deal with all of that. The Liver not only works to purify the blood but it also regulates the flow of energy or qi throughout the body. A stressed out Liver becomes tight and contracted. A toxic Liver becomes like a little furnace in the body, overheating and suppressing healthy spleen and stomach function. A suppressed and weakened spleen and stomach fails to produce the abundant blood supply which is so critical to health and well being. If the Liver fails to properly purify the blood, inflammation levels will increase. Over time inflammation damages the mucous membranes and eventually the organs themselves. This Liver-Spleen connection is the most common pattern at the root of most hormonal imbalances.

Herbs that serve Liver and Spleen harmony include:
Bupluerum, Gardenia, Cyperus, Curcuma, Atractylodes, Codonopsis, Licorice, Gota Kola, and Scute.

Foods that serve Liver and Spleen harmony include:
dark greens, vegetables and brown rice.

Nourish the Essence

Life in the human body arises out of a miraculous play of fire and water. The fire is the energy that allows the body to move and work. The water is the deeper living essence that cools and moistens the body. The blood and the reproductive hormones are synthesized directly from these essences. As we live and age, the fire of life activity tends to dry up these living water essences. Menopausal hot flushing is one of the most common complaints in the change of life. This common pattern of menopausal overheating demonstrates the imbalance that arises when the water essences of the body become deficient. It is therefore necessary to nourish the essence of the body in order to maintain health, well being, and balanced hormonal flows as we mature.

Herbs that nourish essence include: Rehmannia, Cornus, Lycium, Scrophularia, Anemerrhena, Phellodendron, Polygonum Multiflora.

Foods that nourish essence include: brown rice, quinoa, chlorella, spiraling, beets, banana, grapes, black beans.

Sources include:

Healing With Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition
by Paul Pitchford

The Web That Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine
by Ted Kaptchuk

www.naturalnews.com

About the author:
Angelo Druda practices oriental medicine in Cobb, California. He is the founder of Traditional Botanical Medicine and the Author of The Tao of Rejuvenation.
www.TraditionalBotanicalMedicine.com
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