I work with a lot of folks who have endocrine concerns:
Fertility/ Infertility/ PCOS
Digestion & Blood Sugar Regulation (Diabetes, including Type I)
Insomnia & Sleep
Weight gain/ Weight loss
PMS/ Cramps/ Menstrual pain
Menopause/Hot Flashes
Low Energy/ Thyroid
Cold Hands & Feet
All of these (and more) are related to Endocrine imbalances. The way that acupuncture regulates the endocrine system is gentle and gradual - so if you have any kind of endocrine disorder, this is not something we can treat with a few visits. I usually tell folks with these disorders to come in *at least weekly* for months - three to six months to start with. Yes, it takes a few months but the side effects (relaxation and a sense of well-being) are a pretty nice benefit compared to what you might try pharmaceutically.Because pharmaceuticals - even Advil and Motrin! - can have terrible side effects. Learn more about the endocrine system: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWHH9je2zG4&feature=youtu.be
“I’m so happy I met you at the Vegfest! After buying this cream my #arthritis in my hands has been gone. I’m telling everyone to get this clean and organic cream! Thank you”
Comments like this make my week! If you get a product you should make sure it not only aides the issue but that it has clean, organic and natural ingredients. If you can’t pronounce the ingredients, it shouldn’t be on your body!
The last installment of this series discusses herbs & how they can impact our hormones, strengthen the uterus, and improve our body’s response to stress.
Vitex (chaste tree berry) is the #1 go to herb for periods. Vitex is a very strong herb that improves the body’s absorption of estrogen (taking estrogen out of the blood stream), therefore regulating the estrogen-to-progesterone ratio, essentially increasing progesterone and decreasing estrogen without giving us extra hormones. It is fantastic for regulating irregular menstrual cycles, ideal for folks with PCOS. It can help calm things down after getting off of hormonal birth control.
Red Raspberry Leaf - I already mentioned it, but RRL is the most loving of herbs, chock full of nutrients and alkaloids primed for strengthening the uterus. Great for heavy, crampy periods.
Adaptogens are a whole class of herb, but they are herbs that decrease the stress response and improve the body’s reaction to stress. They are gentle and deeply soothing. In particular for improving mood, memory & brain function, libido, decreasing PMS & PMDD symptoms, and regulating the cycle are the herbs: Shatavari, Rhodiola, Ashwaghanda, Holy Basil, Eleuthero, and Reishi Mushroom.
Evening Primrose Oil is an oil full of healthy fatty acids, which improve symptoms of PMS such as chest tenderness, mood swings, and irritability.
Black cohosh is a well respected herb that has been used for generations in regulating menstrual cycles, easing childbirth, and soothing symptoms of menopause. It has estrogen-like isoflavanoids that act almost like taking birth control pills or hormone replacement for people who’ve gone through menopause.
Dong Quai is a Chinese herb very well studied that is excellent at bringing back an absent period & regulating cycles.
Motherwortis a tender, sweet herb that I love, which relaxes uterine spasm while also stimulating the uterus to work more effectively.
PLEASE REMEMBER: Herbs are medicine too!! Just because they’re more “natural” doesn’t mean you should take them without careful guidance!
