Menopause Mysteries Solved With Chinese Herbal Medicine
Menopause Mysteries Solved With Chinese Herbal Medicine
The management of this complex and confusing array of symptoms can be made easier with Chinese herbal medicine, which draws on the fundamental principle, that everything changes or moves. The flow of Qi (pronounced chee), which invigorates and animates the body and organs, depends on maintaining equilibrium between the opposing yet complementary forces of change, Yin and Yang. The occurrence of disease is indicative of a disturbance in the flow of Qi (the body’s vital force), and an imbalance between Yin and Yang.
In Chinese herbal medicine there are twelve primary organ-meridian systems that govern the health of the entire body, the Kidney organ-meridian system is of importance because it stores Qi (also called Jing or Kidney energy) – much like a battery stores electricity – and is the source for the opposing forces of Yin and Yang, which regulates the ‘ebb and flow’ of Qi through all the other organ-meridian systems.
The significance of the Kidney organ-meridian system in menopausal women lies in it’s governance of the ovaries, adrenal glands, brain, skeletal structure, kidneys, teeth, urethra, inner ear, hormones, fluids and other substances produced by the ovaries, adrenals and kidneys plus the physiological functions of fluid balance, reproduction and growth during all ages.
Signs and symptoms of menopause
The onset of menopause usually starts to occur by the age of 45 when only a small number of primordial follicles remain in the ovaries to produce mature ovum or egg. Consequently, there is insufficient oestrogen and progesterone produced for a normal monthly cycle.
The first sign of menopause may be an alteration in a previously regular period, either in volume or duration or a missed period; commencement of hot flushing, clamminess or excessive perspiration and sweaty palms; changes in moods including anxiety and depression; the development or exacerbation of pre-menstrual symptoms (fluid retention, breast pain and headaches); skin changes (reduced elasticity and dryness especially of the vagina causing discomfort during intercourse); numbness and cramps in legs especially at night; joint pains, loss of sexual desire, and changes in body shape.
The use of Chinese herbs in menopause
Traditional Chinese management of menopaus
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e focuses on restoring Kidney energy (Jing) and balancing Yin and Yang to support the functions of various organs and tissues governed by the Kidney organ-meridian system. In Western biomedical terms this approach works to
• Modulate hormone function and inhibit hot flushes and excessive perspiration
• Alleviate irritability, insomnia, mild anxiety and mood swings
• Relieve headache, dizziness, mastalgia, fatigue, palpitations and joint pain
• Enhance sexual vitality and genital sensitivity
• Overcome skin and vaginal dryness
• Support healthy bone integrity
Chinese herbs used in relieving menopausal symptoms
Anemarrhena asphodeloides, is rich in steroidal saponins to support hormone function and is a Kidney Yin tonic providing refrigerant (cooling), mucogenic (moistening) and tonic (nourishing) actionsto reduce hot flushes and excessive perspiration, moistens vaginal dryness, and strengthens the adrenal glands, which take over the role of hormone producer from the ovaries after the periods stop.
Pueraria lobata (Kudzu), contains phytoestrogens and isoflavonoids which has beneficial health effects during menopause by reducing hot flushes and inhibiting bone loss. In addition, Kudzu extract exhibits estrogenic effects on vaginal tissue to alleviate dryness and dyspareunia (painful intercourse) and to restore vaginal epithelial (membrane) integrity in postmenopausal women.
Angelica polymorpha, is one of the most popular herbs in Chinese medicine, particularly for women’s health conditions. It is also called ‘female ginseng’ because it nourishes and invigorates Xue (loosely translated as ‘blood’) and harmonises vital energy or Qi, especially for painful menstruation (dysmenorrhoea) or pelvic pain, recovery from childbirth, and fatigue or low vitality. Traditional evidence demonstrates that Dong Quai works best in combination with other herbs and is especially effective for patients with Yin deficiency, as occurs in menopause (intensity and frequency of hot flushes).
Epimedium sagittatum and Morinda officinalis are Kidney Yang tonics. Together they warm the Kidney organ-meridian, strengthen Yang and possess hormone regulating activity to help restore sexual vitality as well as physical drive and psychological motivation. These herbs are aphrodisiacs and urogenital tonics, which not only help overcome sexual disinterest but also ease bladder weakness and urinary incontinence. Morinda is also an adaptogen to enhance the body’s resistance to stress. Epimedium is considered biphasic in that it secondarily tonifies Kidney Yin while anchoring the Yang to prevent it from upsurging causing heat and flushing in the upper body.
By: PaulKeogh
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Paul Keogh ND, DMH is a qualified Naturopath and medical herbalist with 20 years combined experience in clinical practice and the development of medicinal-grade, integrated Chinese and western herbal medicines. Paul regularly reviews the benefits of vitamins, supplements and vitamin tablets for different goals and conditions.
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How to prepare herbal decoctions or tea, and when to take the herbal decoction may have significant influence on the ultimate treatment results. Each herb has its own features. These features illustrate how herbs act on the human body, and their therapeutic effects. It is critical to understand these features of herbs before using them. This issue emphasizes on the preparation of herbs, different formats of using herbs, and energies and tastes of herbs. More than ten different ways of using herbs are described. Interactions among herbs, and among herbs and foods, as well as precautions and contraindications in using herbs are also discussed. 
Guangzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine College, China. Translation is an extensive and advanced text on all aspects of Chinese medical diagnostics. Relationships between clinical signs and pathological mechanisms are discussed. For students and practitioners. Expanded-outline format. Halftone illustrations.