Guest Author - Carolyn Chambers Clark, ARNP, EdD
Menopause, the Kidneys, Liver and Chinese herbs
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, a weakening in the Kidney essence is associated with many common menopausal problems.
As we age, Kidney weakness can clearly be seen in menopause as gray hair, irritability, sweating, hot flashes, dizziness, back pain, dizziness, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
Excess Liver Fire can lead to angry outbursts and emotional distress.
What Chinese herb are used to treat menopausal problems?
*He Shou Wu
This herb is known for improving the luster and quality of hair. In the Chinese system, graying hair can be a sign of Deficiency of the Blood or low Kidney energy. The herb has a sweet and bitter taste and it affects both the Liver and Kidney. It replenishes the Liver and Kidneys, is useful for graying hair, dry skin, weak knees and back, insomnia, palpitations and for constipation due to dryness. The dosage is 9-20g a day.
*Do not use this herb when there is severe diarrhea.*
*Ginseng and Zizyphus Combination
This herb combination is not a sleeping pill, but can improve your sleep and allow you to wake much more energetic. The combination is especially good if you are irritable and agitated, absentminded, have palpitations, constipation and sores on the tongue or inside of the mouth.
*Ginseng and Longan Comination
This combination has been used for centuries to increase energy and calm anxiety. It can be used to strengthen energy (qi) after chronic or acute bleeding and/or mental or physical stress. Has been used for difficulty staying asleep. Some instances for which this formula may be used are night sweats, absentmindedness, confused thinking, palpitations, irregular menstruation, prolonged menstrual bleeding, lack of energy and fatigue.
*Schizandra is both a skin and sexual tonic
This herb is a yin tonic that protects, tightens and tones the skin and helps moisten and keep the skin elastic. It also increases sexual sensitivity in women and intensifies orgasms.
Note: It will take some time (a month or more) before these formulations take effect. They are not drugs, but tonics.
Finding Chinese herbs
Chinese herbs are available at Chinese her shops in Asian districts of many cities. Seek out professional herbalists in your yellow pages and ask at health food stores. Other sources include rons_herbarium@hotmail.com, radiant_health@hotmail.com, bionc@sunten.com, and Radiant Health Corporation at (800)274-7325.
This article is for information only. For treatment, consult a Chinese herbalist or health care practitioner.
Sources:
Radiant Health, The Ancient Wisdom of the Chinese Tonic Herbs, Ron Teeguarden, Master Herbalist, New York: Warner, 1998.
Chinese Herbal Secrets, Stefan Chmelik, Garden City Park, NY: Avery, 1999.
For more information on using herbs for menopause challenges, click on
