Herbal treatment for endometriosis

Chronic and debilitating pain since the age of 13, yet the doctors kept telling her that it was just the normal pains of her period. Today Emma is 24 years old and her pain is still there. Is there an herbal treatment for endometriosis? In mild or moderate cases of endometriosis, herbal medication can be effective, but in severe cases, surgery may be indicated.It is important to carefully select the medicinal plants to use. WILD YAM is specific for the pain, while VITEX can help with the underlying hormonal imbalance. ...................................................................................................................................................... What is ENDOMETRIOSIS? Endometriosis is a condition where the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus grows in other places, such as the ovaries or the pelvis. This tissue acts like the normal lining and bleeds every month, but it has no way to leave the body. This can cause pain, inflammation, and sometimes infertility, in women who experience the symptoms.  Endometriosis has been diagnosed in women of all ages, most commonly late 20s and early 30s. It is rare before the onset of menstruation and after menopause. Hormonal imbalance in the body may be one of the factors involved. .......................................................................................................................................................

What is VITEX? Identification name: Vitex agnus-castus L. Family: Verbenaceae Habitat: native to mediterranean regions, Southern Europe. Medicinal part: fruit (berry) Key chemical constituents: it contains flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolic compounds. Specifically, casticin that is cytotoxic; orientin that is antioxidant; cineole that is antiinflammatory; apigenin that is antineoplastic. Properties and uses: this plant has dopaminergic activity and helps to balance the levels of hormones in the body, such as estrogen, progesterone and prolactin. It strengthens and tones the muscles and tissues of the uterus. Specifically, it enhances corpus luteal development, correcting progesterone deficiency; normalizes the menstrual cycle; encourages ovulation; it increases the production and flow of breast milk in lactating women. It’s recommended to be taken daily as a single dose, before breakfast on an empty stomach, and throughout the menstrual cycle for maximal effect. Curiosity: traditionally used for menstrual problems, premenstrual symptoms, spasmodic dysmenorrhoea, insufficient lactation. Vitex fruits and leaves were a popular remedy in ancient Greece and Rome to promote celibacy. The leaves were worn by vestal virgins in ancient Rome as a symbol of chastity. Caution: it is a safe herbal medicine to take, but it can have mild and reversible adverse effects like gastrointestinal upset, headache, diarrhoea, nausea, rash, acne, insomnia, weight gain, and irregular menstrual bleeding. It may interact with dopamine antagonists and dopamine receptor blocking agents. .......................................................................................................................................................

What is WILD YAM?

Identification name: Dioscorea villosa L.

Family: Dioscoreaceae

Habitat: native to North America

Medicinal part: root

Key chemical constituents: it contains sapogenins. Specifically, diosgenin that is antiviral, antineoplastic, and precursor to cortisone, pregnenolone and progesterone; dioscin that is antifungal, antiviral, antineoplastic, antiinflammatory.

Properties and uses: this plant is antispasmodic as it reduces painful muscle cramps. It is also antiinflammatory, antirheumatic, hepatic, cholagogue, diaphoretic.

Curiosity: there are over 600 species of wild yam, and 12 of these are considered edible. Tribal people in some parts of the world, such as Nepal, usually consume them boiled, steamed, baked or fried. Wild yam is used as a raw material to make synthetic progesterone in contraceptive pills. But this doesn't mean that these contraceptive pills contain natural progesterone. The human body cannot convert plant sapogenins to sex hormones.

Caution: In large doses, wild yam may cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. No drug interactions have been reported.

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