- Make It Yourself Lavender Heart-Shaped Bath Bombs!
- 20 Things You Never Knew About “Down There”
- 12 Best Foods For Those Suffering From Arthritis Pain
- 12 Personal Hygiene Mistakes Almost Everyone Makes (Mom Never Told You About #4!)
- 15 Medicinal Plants And Herbs From The Cherokee People
- 12 Mind-Blowing Benefits Of Drinking Coconut Water During Pregnancy
- 12 Outstanding Winter Foods That Won’t Fatten You Up Like A Christmas Turkey
15 Natural Methods To Deal With Endometriosis (#12 Is Super Effective!)
Photo credit: bigstock.com
Attention ladies everywhere! You have probably heard the word endometriosis, but you aren’t really sure what it means or what causes it. You might know someone who is going through it, or perhaps you have even wondered if you have it yourself. No matter where you are on this scale, we are here to make things clear and offer some natural solutions.
This chronic condition has been on the rise, and there has been some debate as to why. Although opinions vary, many experts feel that it is due to the higher than normal estrogen levels in American women. No one yet knows that exact cause, but one contributing factor is that we are surrounded by estrogen-like chemicals called xenoestrogens. Estrogen is meant to stimulate cell growth, but excessive amount of estrogen contributes to unnatural growth, including cancer and endometriosis. Xenoestrogens are compounds with molecular structures so similar to natural estrogen that they have the same effects as estrogen on the body. Xenoestrogen comes from conventional meat, milk, agricultural pesticides, and plastics. Is it any wonder that American women have the highest levels of estrogen anywhere in the world?
What exactly is endometriosis?
This condition is a kind of malfunction of the normal menstrual cycle. Every month, the lining inside the uterus thickens as if it will need to support a fertilized egg. When you do not become pregnant, the uterus sheds this lining, and you have a normal monthly period.
For those with endometriosis, this same tissue that lines the uterus begins to grow outside the uterus in other parts of the abdomen. The hormones which normally trigger your menstrual cycle will also trigger a shedding of cells in the lining that has grown outside the uterus. This means that these pieces of lining will shed small amounts of blood and cause repeated irritation to the surrounding tissues, including inflammation.
Endometriosis can show up on the ovaries, on the fallopian tubes, on the outside of the uterus, or even on the intestines. Over time, this continued irritation and inflammation can cause scarring on the parts of the body where the lining is attached. This leads to intense menstrual pain and, often, infertility.
Symptoms of endometriosis mimic so many other health problems that it can be difficult to diagnose. Please see your doctor for an evaluation and diagnosis first. There is very little that doctors to do to help this problem other than surgery, but make that your last option. There are plenty of natural ways to help deal with endometriosis that are far less invasive. Ask your doctor about some of the solutions here and if any of them might help you before you resort to surgery.
Healing the liver and offering it support is one way to help end endometriosis naturally. You will also need to balance your hormones, lower inflammation levels, and remove as many xenoestrogens as possible. Let’s take a look at the top 15 ways you can do exactly that, and avoid painful surgery.
Continue to Page 2
Photo credit: bigstock.com
1. Improve Your Diet
Sugar, processed meats, and conventional meats are all bad news to your body. Eating a high carb and high sugar diet is one of the easiest ways to throw off your hormones. Processed meats contain high levels of dioxins and nitrates, which have been linked to endometriosis and other fertility problems in women. As we mentioned earlier, conventional meats, especially beef, are pumped with growth hormones and estrogen to make the cows grow bigger and to make them produce more milk for longer periods of time. Avoid all of these dangers by cutting out as much sugar as possible; consuming only organic dairy products; avoiding processed meats, such as hot dogs and bacon; and eating only organic, free range beef. Focus on a mainly plant-based diet with plenty of healthy fats, including avocados, natural butter, nuts, seeds, and coconut oil.
2. Say No To Soy
Soy contains some of the highest phyto-estrogens of any food. These act just like estrogen in the body, which causes real confusion for your hormones. Additional estrogens, even plant-based ones, can stimulate the growth of endometriosis. Remove soy and any soy-based foods, such as tofu, from your diet.
3. Milk Thistle
This is a powerful herb that provides support to the liver. A healthy liver will help to remove high levels of estrogen as it processes and removes older estrogen hormones from the body. Ask your doctor about the proper dosage of milk thistle for your condition.
Continue to Page 3
Photo credit: bigstock.com
4. Burdock Root
Generally consumed as a tea, burdock root is known for detoxing the body, purifying the blood, and supporting healthy liver and digestive function. Try drinking three to four cups of burdock tea each day.
5. Chaste Tree Berry
Generally consumed as a supplement, chaste tree berry has been used for ages to stop all sorts of menstrual problems. Chaste tree berry nourishes the pituitary gland, lowers prolactin and raises progesterone levels, which will lower estrogen levels in the body. Ask your doctor or herbalist if this herb is right for you.
6. Red Raspberry Leaf
To tone and normalize the lining of the uterus, red raspberry leaf can be consumed every day. These leaves have been used for hundreds of years to encourage fertility, normalize menstrual cycles, and balance hormones. Many use a combination of red raspberry leaf and red clover. Consumed as either a tea or as a supplement, ask your doctor about the right dosage for you.
Continue to Page 4
Photo credit: bigstock
7. Castor Oil
Used for ages for menstrual and digestive problems, castor oil will help with the removal of excess tissue and toxins, as well as support the liver. It can also help with relief from cramping when taken at the very beginning of the menstrual cycle.
8. Flaxseed Oil
Consumed as supplements, this method can help to relive the pain of endometriosis as well as slow the growth of abnormal tissues. The omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseed oil will also remove toxins from the body.
SEE ALSO: 12 Natural Ways to Beat Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
9. Evening Primrose Oil
Taken by many menopausal women to help balance hormones and regulate the menstrual cycle, this oil is rich in omega-6 fatty acids, which also reduces inflammation. Do not consume this oil if you are still eating processed oils such as canola oil, corn oil, or cottonseed oil, which are already high in omega-6 fatty acids. Stop using these GM hydrogenated oils, and switch to olive oil and coconut oil for your cooking.
Continue to Page 5
Photo credit: bigstock.com
10. Turmeric
This super anti-inflammatory agent is recommended for use in addition to other treatments mentioned here. You can use this by mixing one tablespoon of turmeric powder in a glass of warm milk and drinking it daily. Turmeric works great in combination with red clover, red raspberry leaf, or milk thistle.
11. Red Clover
High in calcium, magnesium, and other important vitamins, red clover helps regulate hormones in the body and is often recommended for those with fertility issues. Red clover naturally detoxes the reproductive organs, which will help to remove excess hormones and other unwanted tissue. This is best consumed as a tea because the boiling water releases its alkalizing properties, which will help improve hormone balance in the body.
12. Cannabis
This little wonder plant will not only relieve the pain of endometriosis, it is a super anti-inflammatory agent. Many patients with endometriosis say that this little herb has helped them more than any pain medication or anything else that they have tried. Ask your doctor for a prescription for some medical marijuana if it is not legal in your state.
Continue to Page 6
Photo credit: bigstock.com
13. Ginger
Another powerful anti-inflammatory, ginger will help to ease the pain and discomfort of endometriosis. This will also help to stop cramps and nausea that can occur. Like turmeric, you can take this in addition to other healing compounds such as evening primrose oil, castor oil, red raspberry leaf, or red clover.
14. Chamomile
With its super relaxing compounds, chamomile tea will stop cramps and ease the discomfort caused by this condition. It is also a natural anti-inflammatory and can stop bloating with its natural diuretic compounds. Drink one or two cups of chamomile tea each day.
15. Motherwort
As the name implies, this herb has been used for eons to help with all types of menstrual problems. Motherwort improves the blood flow by regulating it preventing a backup of menstrual blood into the uterus, which is thought to be one of the causes of endometriosis. Speak with your doctor about the proper dosage for your condition.
Although many women think of a diagnosis of endometriosis as an end to their reproductive cycle, it doesn’t have to be this way. The natural methods described above will offer support for the natural balance of hormones as well as the removal of excess hormones and tissue.
References:
