Jul
09
Dong Quai – For Menopause And Menstruation
Dong quai, Angelica sinensis, is also known as dang gui in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In its native country, China, dong quai sells almost as much as the best selling herb, licorice.
Dong quai is sometimes called ‘female ginseng’ because while Chinese ginseng (panax ginseng) boosts and helps balance male energy, dong quai can help to achieve this balance for women. Dong quai has has been widely appreciated for centuries in the Far East where it is used by large numbers of the female population to invigorate them and as a blood tonic.
Dong quai or Angelica sinensis is closely related to Angelica archangelica which grows in Europe and is a common garden herb there. The archangelica variety is used as a flavouring in the liqueurs Benedictine and Chartreuse. It is also use as a digestant in Western herbalism.
Uses Of Dong Quai
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), dong quai is primarily used for menstruation — monthly periods — and menopause.
Dong Quai And Menstruation
For menstruation, dong quai can help reduce many of the commonest symptoms of an unbalanced menstrual cycle, including:
* suppressed menstrual flow
* abnormal uterine bleeding
* abdominal cramping, and
* dysmenorrhoea (painful menstruation)
Dong quai can often be very helpful at this time.
Dong Quai And Menopause
Dong quai is well recognised for its value in menopause, so is helpful for a wide range of symptoms such as:
* hot flashes (flushes)
* night sweats
* depression, and
* fatigue
In China, dong quai is also used, for men as well as women, for high blood pressure, poor circulation, insomnia, abdominal cramps and anaemia.
How Much Dong Quai To Take
Dried Root: use one heaped teaspoon in a cup of water, gently simmered (covered) for 20 minutes. Take half a cup of the resulting mixture 3 x daily.
Fluid Extract: 10-20 drops, 3 x daily.
Tincture: 30-60 drops (roughly 1 – 1.5 teaspoons), 3 x daily.
Raw herb (powdered whole root): 1-5 capsules, 3 x daily.
Or follow the instructions on any proprietary pack of a dong quai product being used.
Take f
1000
or a three months course and see if you find this helps you.
Dong Quai And Side Effects
Dong quai is generally believed to be nontoxic both by therapists who use it regularly and by scientists. In China, very large amounts have been given to rats without causing harm.
Side effects are rare and primarily consist of mild gastro-intestinal upsets and occasional allergic reactions (for example, a rash).
According to one single report, dong quai may interact with the blood-thinning drugs Coumadin (Warfarin), Heparin or aspirin. This would increase the risk of bleeding — but one report is not very strong evidence.
Dong Quai – A Good Choice For Menstruation And Menopause
The use of dong quai can be traced back for over 2000 years — with good reason. It does not help everyone, but it certainly helps enough to make it worthwhile trying both for menopause and the monthly cycle. On top of that, it is a safe herb with very few adverse reactions or side effects reported.
Results will always be best if you follow a programme of healthcare measures rather than just taking one herbs and hoping that will be enough. Maybe it will; but maybe not. A programme should include measures to treat diet, exercise, relaxation as well as taking herbs and maybe other natural medicines. As with all things in life, the more you put in to the planning and the execution of that plan, the more benefits you will get out.
Good luck!
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Max Hill, a practitioner for 20 years, loves sharing what he knows. On www.herbal-menopause.com he gives valuable information about menopause symptoms. Get the benefit of Max’s experience and knowledge.
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Additional Articles From – Home | Health & Fitness |
Prior to 2002, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) was recognized as the “go to” treatment for women experiencing the many symptoms of menopause after having a hysterectomy. Although still offered to women before and after hysterectomy surgery, there has been a sharp decline in the sale of estrogen and progestin hormone therapies since 2002. Side effects, bio-identical alternatives, and other holistic alternatives have prompted many doctors and women to seek other ways to assist menopausal women with their symptoms. The common menopausal symptoms that women seek a solution for include: hot flashes, difficulty losing weight, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, constipation, bladder instability, anxiety and mental sluggishness. Although HRT is still widely used today, it is imperative that you know the following 5 things before starting HRT in your own life.
1.) Premarin (including Prempro, Premphase, Prempac, and Premelle) is a drug made up of conjugated estrogens obtained from the urine of pregnant mares and its name is derived from its origin: Pregnant Mares’ Urine (PREgnant MARes’ urINe). Premarin is an estrogen/progestin hormone replacement therapy that utilizes conjugated equine estrogens (CEEs) as active ingredients.
2.) The Journal of the American Medical Association (Vol. 288 No. 1, July 3, 2002) published a study on the effects of estrogen replacement therapy derived from conjugated equine estrogens and its effects on coronary heart disease (CHD). This study found that women on estrogen replacement therapy did not reduce their chances of coronary heart disease, but had an increased risk of CHD within the first year of use. Estrogen replacement has been shown to increase chances of deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in a vein) and pulmonary embolism (blot clot in the lungs).
3.) In The Archives of Internal Medicine (Vol. 165 No. 17, September 26, 2005), The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) reported the results of another clinicaltrial of conjugated equine estrogens (CEEs), that involved 10,739 postmenopausal women with hysterectomy, aged 50 to 79 years. This study was stopped early “owing to lack of overall health benefit and increased risk of stroke.”
4.) It has been demonstrated through multiple studies that hormone replacement therapy increases the chance of cancer in the lungs, uterus, endometrium, and the ovaries. The New England Journal of Medicine (Vol.360 No. 6, February 5, 2009) concluded “The increased risk of breast cancer associated with the use of estrogen plus progestin declined markedly soon after discontinuation of combined hormone therapy [in the study] and was unrelated to changes in frequency of mammography.”
5.) There are natural alternatives to toxic and harmful drugs used as hormone replacement therapy that may help you with your female related symptoms. Whole food nutritional supplements (not chemical imitation supplements) that include mineral support such as calcium, magnesium, copper, manganese, iron, etc. often assist in hormone production. Increasing good fats through the diet and supplements such as cod liver oil, black currant seed oil, evening primrose oil, etc also assist in hormone production and provide the building blocks that your hormone system will need. Herbal tincture approaches often include chaste tree, withania, and licorice which stimulate hormonal activity. When minerals, healthy fats, and herbal tinctures do not provide the desired relief, phyto-hormone extracts are often successful. Phyto-based hormone alternatives are plant derived compounds that mimic the natural hormones your body should already be creating, and these are generally used after nutritional supplementation if your hormone imbalance remains symptomatic.
By working with a holistic doctor that encourages diet modifications, exercise, nutritional supplementation, and phyto-hormone approaches, many women often have amazing success in reducing the symptoms related to menopause without the side effects that come from traditional hormone replacement therapy. Always remember there are alternatives to your health and wellness goals.
Dr. Chase Hayden, DC, QN is a holistic doctor that incorporates applied kinesiology, quantum neurology rehabilitation, and functional nutrition in his practice. He is the owner of The Hayden Institute in Houston, TX where the majority of his general practice are women seeking the relief of PMS, menopause, infertility, and other female related symptoms through alternative approaches. He is happily married and currently has two children. For more information regarding Dr. Chase Hayden and his services, please visit http://www.DrChaseHayden.com
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Chase_Hayden,_D.C._QN
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August 23rd, 2010 at 6:05 pm
Menopause is when the symptoms starts showing up by and large and in greater intensities. The same symptoms occur throughout a woman’s fertility period, but far less frequent and/or intense. The fluctuating hormone levels cause it; during menopause, the fluctuations get huge all in a sudden.