One of our clients contacted us to ask how teas could help her through the menopause, Consultant Dr Wei Fang replies ...
Thank you for filling the questionnaire and it is my pleasure to discuss the issue you mentioned in your e mail. You suffer from typical menopause syndrome. I think that all the problems you described in your case are mainly connected with menopause.
Menopause is the medical term for the end of a woman's menstrual periods. It is a natural part of aging, and occurs when the ovaries stop making hormones called oestrogens. This causes oestrogen levels to drop, and leads to the end of monthly menstrual periods. This usually happens between the ages of 45 and 60, but it can happen earlier. Menopause can also occur when the ovaries are surgically removed or stop functioning for any other reason.
Low oestrogen levels are linked to some uncomfortable symptoms in many women. The most common and easy to recognize symptom is hot flushes - sudden intense waves of heat and sweating. Some women find that these hot flushes disrupt their sleep and others report mood changes. Other symptoms may include vaginal or urinary tract infections, urinary incontinence (leakage of urine or inability to control urine flow) and inflammation of the vagina. Because of the changes in the urinary tract and vagina, some women may experience discomfort or pain during sexual intercourse. Many women also notice changes in their skin, digestive tract, and hair during menopause.
For most women, the symptoms of menopause last for a relatively short time. However, a woman's level of oestrogen naturally remains low after menopause. This can affect many parts of the body, including the sexual and urinary organs, the heart, and the bones. So in that sense, the changes of menopause will be lifelong. But eating properly, exercising, and making other positive lifestyle changes can help a woman feel great and live a long, healthy life after menopause. The dietary habits you describe are not healthy and you must change it. Please cut out of your diet all fat and if possible milk. Take yoghurt only if it is fresh. Sandwiches are a quick but not always a healthy food. Try to eat slowly, small portions, lots of fiber. In fact from what you described, you would be recommended a month diet only with Vegetables, Teas to clean up and detoxify your body. Cut out all the black coffee and you should drink Chinese Tea, pure without any milk, lemon or sugar. Teas are meant to be drunk in their pure state, with few exceptions. I know it’s not as sweet and it will require a little effort from you. At night the salad with some fish or chicken or a soup, with vegetables and try to eat frugally. Avoid all the excess sugars, even honey. Tea drinking will lead you to an over change in the eating habits. In your case this is critical. It will assist the constipation. Please stop all snacks, instead have a cup of good quality tea. Try it for a few weeks.
You also must exercise, even if you go for a short walk to keep your body healthy you need to start to move it around. Regular weight-bearing exercise, like walking, may also help prevent osteoporosis. Walking is good but not enough.
In the long term, some women experience problems linked to the low levels of oestrogen found after menopause. These may include osteoporosis and increased risk of heart disease.
Many women say that their sexual desire lessens during the time of menopause. In many cases, the cause is physical. For instance, because lower oestrogen levels sometimes cause physical changes in a woman's sexual organs, having sex may become uncomfortable or painful so it is important to find out whether there is a physical cause for lack of desire.
Another symptom is with short-term memory - like forgetting the location of car keys or eyeglasses, missing appointments they didn't remember, or losing the end of a thought when speaking or writing. These may be due to a busy lifestyle and/or stress at home or work. Notably, several medical studies have shown distinct differences in memory in women who have active ovaries producing oestrogen or are taking oestrogen replacement therapy compared to women with low levels of oestrogen due to menopause.
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), numerous herbal formulas reportedly can alleviate hot flushes and other menopausal symptoms such as fatigue or headache. In TCM, herbal formulas resorted to for hot flush relief - such as Two Immortal Decoction, Rehmannia Six Formula, and Geng Nian Formula - aren't employed simply for the relief of an isolated symptom, it is used to treat the whole person. Traditionally, the prescribing of these formulas is based on a constellation of signs and symptoms that a person presents.
Chinese herbs commonly used for menopause include:
Fo ti, an endocrine system tonic, rejuvenates, strengthens, and energizes. Used to treat premature aging, weakness, vaginal discharges, numerous infectious diseases, angina pectoris, and impotence.
Nuo dao gen for night sweats
Qing huo for hot flushes
She chaung zi and Tu fu ling for sore, dry vagina
Dong quai for menstrual disorders (dysmenorrhea, PMS, irregular menstruation), menopausal symptoms
Ginseng as an adaptogen (improving resistance to stress), enhance immunity and mental functions
Rehmannia (shu di huang) for night sweats, irregular menses, dizziness, premature graying of the hair. Nourishes essence.
We also recommend Chinese acupuncture, massage and Qi Gong for the relieve your joint pain.
1. Acupuncture: The use of thin, pre-sterilized, disposable needles to re-establish the proper flow of Qi and blood through the channel(s) of the back. This flow increases circulation allowing for oxygen, blood and lymph to support the bodies healing process. If the channels have been blocked for a long period of time, or if there is pronounced deficiency of Qi and blood, it is necessary to have acupuncture for a longer period of time to assist the body in regaining its normal function. Research has shown acupuncture to cause the release of neuro-chemicals such as: endorphins, enkephalins, serotonin and corticosteroids all of which contribute to the reduction of pain and inflammation.
2. Tui Na or Chinese massage: Working on the meridians with the hands, using techniques specific to Tui Na.
3. Qi Gong Breathing: Qi Gong is the art of therapeutic breathing. Breath is Qi, Qi is life. The two substances that fill our Qi tank up are air and nutrients (breathing and healthy foods). To take in a full breath of air into our abdomen is health promoting, yet poor breathing habits have left most of us breathing on the shallow side. To begin with make an effort to remember to breathe deeper, post little notes if necessary that say, "breathe deep". Be aware of inhaling fresh air/Qi in through your nostrils all the way down into your abdomen and exhaling through your mouth. Your abdomen should visibly push outward on the exhale and contract back in on the inhale. As well there are specific breathing exercises to open the spine, which in turn, supports the flow of cerebral spinal fluid. You may want to get a book or video on breathing exercises to support your health. Deep breathing has far reaching affects in our body by balancing our nervous system, increasing oxygen delivery and keeping the Qi moving.
Physical changes do occur with menopause and with aging. But the changes that happen during this period can be minimized by healthy living and a sense of purpose in life. We fully appreciate you giving us the opportunity to assist you and we hope we will be able to make a difference in your life. It may take a little time but we are certain that it can bring you good results. It’s a general approach to health and life in your mind and body that have to be addressed as one.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Wei
In Nature
DISCLAIMER: This is not medical advice, this is for information only and was written for the correspodent only. Should you have this condition, we strongly recommend that you consult a qualified physician.
- Digestion
- Anti-bacterial
- Cancer prevention
- Heart (blood vessels)
- Tooth care
- Longevity/anti-aging
- Slimming
- Detoxify
- Lower cholesterol
- Skin and nails
- Menstrual cycle pains
- Menopause
Enjoy a better and healthier living ... drink pure teas.
