Women's Health | Health Articles | Endometriosis - How Chinese Herbs Help to Treat Endometriosis

Endometriosis, growing somewhere else other than the endometrium also reacts to hormonal signals of the monthly menstrual cycle by building up tissue, breaking it, and eliminating it through the menstrual period. Besides conventional treatment, there are many types of traditional treatment that cam help to treat endometriosis. In fact, many patients have preferred to treat their endometriosis with traditional medicine, because of cost effective and it has little or no side effects. In this article, we will discuss how Chinese herbs help to treat endometriosis.

A. Peony

I. Definition
Peony are Chinese herbs that include white and red peony. While red peony is made by the whole peony root with its reddish thick outer bark, the white peony is made by the peeled root with the bark stripped off to reveal a powdery white to pink under-layer. It is said to help in strengthen the liver function, increase blood flow, and reduce menstrual cramps.

II. How peony effects women with endometriosis
1. Reduce menstrual cramps
White peony helps to reduce the internal heat in the upper part of the body caused by chi stagnation. By releasing the flow of the chi it also reduces the abdominal pain. Red peony helps to treat blood stagnation by increasing the blood flow to the abdomen. It helps to calm the overactive uterus and reduce the period pain.

2. Hormonal balancing
Since white peony helps to strengthen the liver qi, it increases the secretion of bile into the digestive system that helps to inhibit the levels of bad estrogen in the body which causes menstrual cramps and cell abnormality, such as cancer, endometrial implants, and adhesion.

3. Relaxing uterine muscle
With a strong liver, it helps to balance the prostaglandins hormones by balancing the fatty acids in our body. Without the over-production of certain hormones in the prostaglandins family, there are no overactive uterine muscles and menstrual cramps.

4. Immune system
Peony contains paeonin and paeoniflorin which help to strengthen the immune system in fighting against inflammation that causes the endometrial implants and adhesion.

5. Nervous system
By increasing the liver function by stabilize the yin qi in the liver it helps the liver in protein and fat metabolism resulting in increasing the function of the nervous system thus reducing symptoms of dizziness, fatigue, irritation, memory loss, and pain in the abdomen.

B. Licorice

I. Definition
The licorice plant is a legume and native to southern Europe and parts of Asia. It has been used in treating women with endometriosis because of its isoflavones property.

II. How licorice effects women with endometriosis
1. Hormone balancing
Since it contains isoflavones, it helps to regulate the estrogen and progesterone hormones by blocking the enzyme that breaks down progesterone. Because of its phytoestrogenic activity, it can also raise or lower the levels of estrogen in the women body which is essential for women with endometriosis.

2. Water retention
Since licorice also helps to regulate the hormone aldosterone because over-production of aldosterone causes water retention which is a symptom of endometriosis.

3. Symptoms of endometriosis
Since licorice also helps in protein and fat metabolism by secreting the steroid hormones known to stimulate the production of androgen testosterone, it helps to balance the over-production of some members in the prostaglandins hormone that cause symptoms of endometriosis.

4. Nervous system
Licorice contains substances similar to adrenal cortical hormone which helps to increase function of adrenal glands. This helps to reduce tension of nervous system during distress.

5. Licorice and Immune system
Licorice is also a powerful herb that has been proclaimed to help the liver in protein and fat metabolism resulting in enhancing the immune system in fighting against forming of free radicals and endometrial implants and adhesion.

C. Zingiber Officinale (Ginger)

I. Definition
Zingiber officinale or ginger is a spice which is used for cooking and also consumed whole as a delicacy or medicine in Asia over thousands of years. It contains a variety of vitamins and minerals that are essential in treating endometriosis.

II. How zingiber officinale effects endometriosis
1. Constipation
Ginger contains gingerol which helps to increase the motility of the gastrointestinal tract thereby decreasing the risk of constipation caused by endometrial implants or adhesion attached to organs of secretion. (Please avoid using synthetic laxatives, as these may cause lazy bowl syndrome) It also is a sedative, that helps to relief menstrual pain.

2. Menstrual cramp
Besides containing gingerol which is effective in fighting off any infection and inflammation caused by virus and bacteria, it also contains many powerful antioxidants such as zinc that helps in fatty acids metabolism thereby balancing the levels of fatty acids in the body and reducing the risk of over-production of certain prostaglandins family leading to menstrual cramps.

3. Heavy blood flow
Women with endometriosis associated with heavy blood flow during menstruation caused by breaking off of the capillaries wall in the abdominal region may be helpful with intake of ginger, because it contains high levels of vitamin C that is necessary to make the capillary wall strong and more elastic, thus reducing blood flow.

4. Vitamin B complex
Vitamin B complex presented in the ginger not only reduces the risk of inflammation that causes endometrial implants and adhesion, but also helps to balance the hormones produced by the thyroid and adrenal glands which control the mood swing, anxiety and other nervous symptoms for women with endometriosis during menstrual cycle.

5. Hormone balancing
The existence of magnesium in ginger, besides helping in essential fatty metabolism in fighting against inflammation, it also helps to reduce menstrual cramps by producing the good prostaglandins that bind the over-production of bad prostaglandins hormones produced by the body thus calming the uterine muscles.

6. Cell growth
Ginger also contains high amounts of potassium, that is essential for synthesizing protein from amino acids which is essential for cell duplication during translation. Deficiency of potassium may cause cell abnormality. Ginger also helps to improve the transmit information between cells that reduces the risk of nervous symptom such as depression, anxiety, irritation, confuse and loss of memory.

D. Cinnamon

I. Definition
Cinnamon is an evergreen tree about 32.8–49.2 feet tall, belonging to the family lauraceara. It is famous in treating diabetes by balancing the levels of insulin in the bloodstream and regulating the pancreas in production of insulin.

II. How cinnamon effects endometriosis
1. Antioxidant
Cinnamon is a powerful antioxidant that not only helps to strengthen the immune system in fighting against forming of endometrial implants and adhesion, virus and bacteria invasion, it also helps to reduce blood flow during menstruation.

2. Digestive system
Cinnamon helps to improve the digestive absorption, which is essential for women with endometriosis because most of them are found to have low levels of vital vitamins and minerals during menstrual cycle due to low levels of stomach acid.

3. Essential oil
Cinnamon contains caryophyllene, a natural bicyclic sesquiterpene that is a constituent of many essential oils. It helps to relieve menstrual cramp by putting it on the abdominal region then massage it until the oil is completely absorbed into the skin.

4. Food and sugar craving
Besides stimulating the on and off of insulin production by pancreas depending to the levels of insulin in the bloodstream, it helps to treat the food and sugar craving caused by over production of insulin during menstrual cycle for some women with endometriosis.

5. Immune system
Cinnamon contain antimicrobial properties. It helps to strengthen the immune system in fighting against any inflammation and infection.

6. Oxidative stress
Cinnamon also contains a property that balances the production of reactive oxygen and readily detoxify the reactive intermediates caused by environmental toxins resulting in strengthening the immune system's ability to fight against the forming of free radicals and endometriosis.

E. Valeriana Officinalis (Valerian)

I. Definition
Valerian is a hardy perennial flowering plant, with heads of sweetly scented pink or white flowers. It is best known for its use as a pain reliever and sedative.

II. How valerian effects women with endometriosis
1. Nervous system
Valerian helps to treat insomnia and other kinds of sleeping disorder by calming the overactive nervous system caused by excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain as resulting of hormonal imbalance between estrogen and progesterone during menstrual cycle.
Intake of valerian is said to have a property like benezodiazepine drugs, because it is highly sedative which helps to reduce the tension of nervous system such as irritation, anxiety, and depression during menstrual cycle.

3. Intake with vitamin C
Some women saw no effect of valerian in treating their symptoms of endometriosis because of digestive problem. Intake of valerian with vitamin C will help to improve its absorption and enhance the effectiveness.

4. Essential oils
The essential oils made from valerian have a calming effect in abdominal pain. By placing some oils on the skin of the abdomen and gently massage until the oil is completely absorbed will help to relieve the menstrual pain.

5. Improve liver function
Valerian contains alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) in alcohol metabolism that helps to break down by an enzyme in the liver cells. It is important for women with endometriosis who also have a history of drinking problems. By avoiding the alcohol damage to the liver, valerian helps to strengthen the liver in metabolisms of fatty acids, and protein that lessen risk of menstrual symptoms.

F. Piscidia Erythrina

I. Definition
Piscidia erythrina is a small tree of west Indies and Florida, it has large odd-pinnate leaves and panicles of red-striped purple to white flowers followed by decorative curly winged seedpods.

II. How piscida erythrina effects endometriosis
1. Dysmenorrhea
Piscidia Erythrina is said to help women with endometriosis to relieve the painful period caused by the imbalance of estrogen and progesterone, because of its calming effects in the nervous system.

2. Nervous system
Since it is highly sedative, it helps to reduce the tension or overactive nervous system that causes sleeping disorder, irritation, anxiety, tiredness, and depression.

3. Blood stagnation
It also helps to relieve ovarian neuralgia and pains due to blood stagnation in the uterine ligaments. By increasing the blood flow to the abdomen, it effectively helps to lessen or stop all pelvic pain.

4. Excessive blood flow
Piscidia erythrina also has an effect in treating women with excessive blood flow during menstruation caused by breaking off of the small veins in the abdominal region.

5. Chronic pain
It also contains substances that help to deactivate the enzymes which causes inflammation thus it reduces the risk of chronic pain, endometrial implants, and adhesion.

6. Isoflavones
The isoflavones in the piscidia erythina enhance the absorption of digestive system of other vitamins and minerals, and prevent vitamin C from being oxidized which are essential for women with endometriosis.

G. Corydalis Ambigua

I. Definition
Corydalis ambigua has been used in Chinese medicine as a pain reliever and sedative medicine in treating menstrual pain and symptoms in menstrual cycle for women with or without endometriosis.

II. How corydalis ambigua effects women with endometriosis
1. Sedative
Since corydalis ambigua is highly sedative, it helps to reduce period pain as well as tension of nervous system that reduces symptoms of endometriosis during menstrual cycle such as sleeplessness, tiredness, irritation, and anxiety.

2. Diruretic
It is also dirurtic. It helps to reduce the risk of breast tenderness and bloating as a resulting of fluid retention thus releasing the pressure that causes menstrual pain.

3. Emmenagogue
Corydalis ambigua is also an emmenagogue herb which helps to release the qi in the abdomen caused by blood stagnation thus it stimulates the blood flow to the pelvic area and uterus that helps to relieve menstrual cramps for women with endometriosis.

4. Blood tonic
Corydalis ambigua is said to strengthen the overall health in the body including the circulatory system which helps to increase the transportation and nutrients to the body cells, thereby improving the information transmitting between cells and reduce the risk of abnormal cell division causing endometriosis.

5. Antispasmodic
Cordalis ambigue is said to increase the blood flow to abdominal region caused by blood stagnation thus it helps to relieve muscle spasm resulting in lessening the menstrual pain during the menstrual cycle for women with endometriosis.

H. Verbena Officinalis (Verbena)

I. Definition
Verbena officinalis is also known as verbena. It has long been associated with divine and it has an equally long-standing use as herbal tea in treating nervousness.

II. How corydalis ambigua effects endometriosis
1. Sexual desire
Sexual desire is controlled by levels of testosterone in the body. Women with endometriosis may experience lower sex drive during menstrual cycle caused either by low levels of testosterone or menstrual cramps.

2. Nervous system
Since verbena is mildly sedative, it also helps to calm the tension of the nervous system resulting in lessening the symptoms of endometriosis such as stress, fatigue, irritation, and anxiety.

3. Insomnia
Some women with endometriosis may have symptoms of insomnia caused by overactive brain cells during menstrual cycle. Intake of verbena will help to relax the over active cell in the brain and improve sleep during night time.

4. Liver cleansing
It is said verbena is a liver tonic plant that helps to cleanse toxins accumulated in the liver. By strengthening the liver, it helps to increase the liver in fatty acids and protein metabolism that are essential for hormone balancing and reducing symptoms of endometriosis.

5. Flavonoids
Flavonoids in the verbena helps to strengthen the immune system that protect our body cells against the damaging effects from chemical reactions of oxygen such as forming of free radicals, cellular damage, and the risk of abnormal cell growth such as endometriosis and cancer.

I. Matricaria Recutita (Chamomile)

I. Definition
Chamomile is also known as camomile. It is an annual plant that belongs to the sunflower family. Generally, it usually grows near populated areas all over Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional medication in treating insomnia and irritable bowel syndrome.

II. How matricaria recutita (chamomile) effects women with endometriosis
1. Essential oils
The essential oil made from matricaria recutita is said to have calming effects for abdominal period pain. By placing some drops of chamomile essential oils on the skin of the abdomen, and gently massage with your palm until all oils are absorbed will help to reduce the pain in that area.

2. Sedative
Since matricaria recutita is mildly sedative, it helps to relax the tension of reproductive organs during menstrual cycle, thereby reducing the menstrual pain caused by overactive uterine muscles.

3. Nervous system
Besides helping to reduce period pain, it also calms the tension of the nervous system which causes insomnia due to overactive brain cells at night and symptoms of endometriosis, such as irritation, fatigue, and anxiety.

4. Circulation system
matricaria recutita contains coumarin which not only helps to make our blood thinner which improve the circulation of blood in the transportation of oxygen and nutrients to the body cell, but it also increases blood flow to the abdominal regions resulting in reducing the symptoms of endometriosis during menstrual cycle. Please consult with your doctor before taking matricaria recutita if you are taking any blood thinner medication.

5. Calcium
matricaria recutita contains high levels of calcium which helps to reduce symptoms of endometriosis, such as menstrual cramps before menstruation caused by low levels of calcium that are needed for muscle tone. Maintaining the good levels of calcium it also contributes to duplication of DNA and RNA in cell division and blood clotting which are essential for reducing blood flow during menstruation and abnormal cell growth.

J. Chaste tree Berry
I. Definition
Chaste tree is a large shrub native to the Mediterranean and southern Europe. It has been used to treat hormone imbalance associated with pre-menstrual syndrome In Europe.

II. How chaste tree berry effects women with endometriosis
1. Immune system
Chaste tree contains irioids, a plant element that helps to increase the secondary metabolism which strengthens our immune system to fight inflammation, abnormal cell growth, and the invasion of virus.

2 Nervous system
Irioids also helps to release the tension of overactive cells in the brain during menstrual cycle resulting in lowering the symptoms of endometriosis such as irritation, mood swing, anxiety, and loss of sexual desire.

3. Isoflavones
Some women with endometriosis may experience heavy flow during menstruation caused by the breaking off of the small vein in the abdomen. Isoflavones in the chaste tree berry helps to strengthen the capillary wall, thus reducing the flow and the tension of overactive uterine muscles that cause menstrual pain.

4. Hormone balancing
Chaste tree berry contains high levels of plant progesterone which is necessary for women with endometriosis to balance the levels of estrogen that cause menstrual cramps. Intake of chaste tree might also increase sexual desire by converting progesterone to testosterone.

5. Absence of period
Since absence of period may be caused by lower levels of progesterone in the body resulting in lacking of ovulation. Chaste tree contains progesterone which is necessary during menstrual cycle to bring on the menstruation.

K. Bupleurum

I. Definition
Bupleurum is a plant belonging to the umbelliferae family. It is a medicinal root found in East Asia. It has been used in Chinese medicine in treating infections with fever, hemorrhoids, and indigestion.

II. How bupleurum effects women with endometriosis
1. Liver cleansing
Bupleurum has been used in Chinese medicine to cleanse the liver caused by accumulation of environmental toxins which helps to improve the protein and fat metabolism thereby helping to regulate the levels of estrogen that cause menstrual pain.

2. Improve digestive system
It is also said to improve the digestive absorption of vital vitamins and minerals by strengthening the microorganisms in the digestive tract. This is essential for women with endometriosis, because some have been found to have low levels of vital vitamins and minerals leading to menstrual disorder.

3. Nervous system and hormone balancing
Bupleurum is not a tonic medicine, but when used together with other herbs it increases the medicine's effectiveness. The combination of buplerrum and peony helps in treating hormonal imbalance that cause menstrual cramps and abdominal pains, premenstrual syndrome, and strengthens the nervous system thus reducing symptoms of endometriosis such as anxiety, depression, etc.

4. Muscle tension
Since it helps to increase the metabolism of protein and fatty acid, it helps to balance the production of prostaglandins hormones that control the uterine muscles. As we know, over-production of certain members of protagslandins hormones are the main cause of abdominal pain.

Since bupleurum stimulates the liver function in the metabolism, it also helps to reduce inflammation caused by endometriosis implants and adhesion as well as treating irregular menstruation.

L. Lactuca Virosa

I. Definition
Lactuca virosas is also known as wild lettuce, bitter lettuce, and opium Lettuce. It has been used as a sedative and a pain killer medicine in traditional medicine in treating premenstrual syndrome and other chronic pains.

II. How lactuca virosa effects endometriosis
1. Nervous system
Lactuca virosa contains lactucopicrin which helps to calm the overactive brain cells that cause nervous tension for women with endometriosis during menstrual cycle such as insomnia, tiredness, irritation, and depression. It also helps the muscle to relax, including the uterine muscles resulting in reducing the symptoms of menstrual cramps.

2. Immune system
The antioxidant properties in lactuca virosas helps to strengthen the white blood cells in the bloodstream in fighting against the invasion of bacteria, virus, and inflammation caused by endometrial implants and adhesion.

3. Circulatory system
Lactuca virosas also contains high levels of flavones which helps to protect the capillary walls from broken off and enhances the circulation of blood in the body including blood flow to the abdomen leading to lessening the period flow, and menstrual cramps. It also contains coumarin, a substance with a bitter taste and has a property of thinning the blood which helps to increase the blood flow and transportation of oxygen and nutrients to the body's cells resulting in strengthening the function of the circulatory system.

Since lactuca virosa is mildly toxic to the body, overdoses may cause liver and kidney damage. If you liver diseases, please consult with your doctor before applying lactuca virosa.

M. Pulsatilla (Wind Flower or Easter Flower)

I. Definition
Anemone pulsatila is also known as wind flower or Easter flower. It is a wild plant that belongs to the family ranunculaceae which grows wild in Central and Northern Europe. It has been used in traditional medicine in treating disorders of the mucous membrane, of the respiratory, and of the digestive passages.

II. How anemone pulsatilla effects women with endometriosis
1. Antispsamodic
It is said that anemone pulsatilla can help to ease the muscle pain caused by overactive muscles as well as reducing the tension in the nervous system that causes symptoms of endometriosis such as irritation, sleeplessness, and anxiety.

2. Emmenagogue
Since it is an emmenagogue, it helps to release the blood stagnation in the abdominal region thus reducing the tension of the uterine muscles that cause menstrual cramps. It is one of the herbs that has been used in treating absence of period with some success.

3. Digestive system
Anemone pulsatila is said to have the ability to help the digestive system disorder caused by over-production of bad microorganisms in the intestines resulting in increasing the absorption of vital vitamins and minerals that are generally deficient in women with endometriosis during menstrual cycles.

4. Respiratory system
It is said that anemone pusatila helps to increase blood flow to the respiratory veins which helps to improve the oxygen absorption and strengthens the lung function.

5. Circulation system
Anemone pusatila also helps to increase the blood flow to the abdomen region during menstrual cycle, thus smoothing the muscles of uterus resulting in lessening the symptoms of menstrual cramps.

Contact Form