| Healthy living | |
| MAY |
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Menstruation pain Many women suffer from monthly returning pain and cramps related to menstrual disorders. The symptoms come in different forms like PMS (pre menstrual syndrome), lower back pain, tender breasts, headaches, belly pain, leg pain and are often accompanied with fatigue, nausea, diarrhea or constipation, and dizziness. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), an imbalance in the liver system is often the reason for the menstrual disorder. The TCM liver is the organ system which controls and stores the vital substance blood and is responsible for its distribution and use. But there can be also a deficiency in the kidney and spleen system that can cause irregularities and discomfort during the menstruation. In TCM, the following patterns are often diagnosed with menstruation pain:
The most helpful treatments are herbal remedies. Two herbs that are regularly used to treat menstruation pain are angelica root (described in March edition) and tangerine peel (described in April edition). But, there are other effective ingredients like scorpion, corydalis rhizome and red peony root to ease menstruation pain. Please do not use these herbs without consulting a TCM practitioner! Scorpion (Quan Xie 全蝎)  The scorpion belongs to the class of arachnids. It is a land-based animal with an elongated body, strong claw-like appendages and a curved tail with a venomous stinger.
The 1,000 different species of scorpions are found all around the world, except the Arctic and Antarctica. They can live in different environments such as deserts, mountains, grasslands and rain forests. The average size of a scorpion is approximately 5 centimeters in length, although some species can grow much larger. Scorpions can grow to 8 years old.
For medical purpose, scorpions are boiled, dried in the sun and further processed to powder. Scorpion is mainly used as a medical ingredient for its anticonvulsant and pain-releasing function. The powder also dispels heat and wind from the body. The taste is hot and salty; the temperature is neutral. It enters the liver meridian. The scorpion is lightly toxic. Attention: Do not use during pregnancy or breastfeeding! Corydalis rhizome (Yan Hu Suo 延胡索)  Corydalis rhizome belongs to the Poppy family and is closely related to the Opium poppy. It grows up to 20 centimeters and is a native resident of Northern China and Siberia. The rhizomes are harvested in early summer, boiled in water and dried in the sun.
Corydalis rhizome promotes the movement of Qi and invigorates the blood. It is regularly prescribed in cases of blood deficiency and blood stasis. It also alleviates pain, particularly chest, abdominal and menstruation pain. The root contains alkaloids, is analgesic (similar to Morphine), antiseptic, antispasmodic and sedative (for insomnia and menstrual pain). It also shows a muscle relaxing effect. Yan Hu Suo has a bitter and acrid taste. The use during pregnancy is contraindicated! The root enters the heart, liver, lung and spleen - meridians and has a warming effect on the body. Red peony root (Chi Shao Yao 赤芍药)  The peony flower is often seen in Chinese traditional paintings. Its Chinese name Shao Zao means literally “most beautiful”. The plant is native to China, Central Asia and the Mediterranean countries. It is cultivated in Asia, Europe and North America. The bushes can grow up to 1.5 meters. In late spring and early summer they carry red colored, fragrant flowers.
The root of the red peony is used for medical purpose. Its function is to clear heat from the blood and to cool the body. It is useful when suffering from liver fire with the symptom of red and swollen eyes. The root also invigorates the blood, promotes blood circulation and relieves blood stasis. Especially for menstruation pain, red peony root is used to alleviate pain. Chi Shao Yao enters the liver - meridian, with a cooling effect on the body. Its taste is bitter. Chi Shao Yao stimuliert den Leber – Meridian. Ihr Geschmack ist bitter und sie hat eine kühlende Wirkung auf den Körper. If you have questions about these herbs and the treatment with herbal remedies in general, please feel free to contact us. We are very happy to help! |
