Natural Remedies For Treating Fibroid Tumors
Herbal alternatives to pharmaceuticals and surgery.
Fibroid tumors, also known as myomas or leiomyomas, commonly occur in up to half of all women over the age of 40. Statistically they affect approximately 25% of white women and up to 50% of black women during their reproductive years and up through menopause. Though uncomfortable, they generally do not require surgery as they can be treated with natural remedies that do not run the danger of causing side effects.
What are Fibroid Tumors?
Fibroid tumors are made of connective and smooth muscle tissue found in the wall of the uterus. These tumors can grow singly or in clusters. Generally they grow to the size of a walnut, but occasionally they can be larger, causing greater discomfort as they place pressure on the womb.
There are four types of fibroid tumors:
Intramural, which is the most common, growing in the inside wall of the womb
Subserosal, which generally grows on "stalks" that emanate from the outside of the womb and sometimes grow to a large size.
Submucosal, which grows inside the muscle lying below the inner lining of the womb wall
Cervical, which grow inside the cervix wall
What Causes Fibroid Tumors
It is believed that fibroid tumors are caused by an excess of estrogen in the system. As estrogen levels rise during the reproductive and early menopausal years, the body is often unprepared to release these excess levels. Women who take extra estrogen during menopause are especially prone to fibroid tumor growth.
Symptoms and Conventional Treatment of Fibroid Tumors
Fibroid tumors are main reason why many American women opt for hysterectomies. Though they generally disappear by themselves after menopause, they can cause a great deal of discomfort such as lower back pain, cramps, pain during intercourse, and urinary and bowel problems. Many women choose to take prescription drugs, which attack the problem, but not the symptom and can lead to dangerous side effects. Additionally the tumors often grow back once the drugs are stopped.
The Idea Behind Natural Remedies
More women are turning to natural remedies as proscribed by traditional Chinese medicine and other holistic approaches. Acupuncture is a healing tradition that has been used for centuries to successfully treat fibroid tumors as it addresses the cause rather than the symptom. Because of this, the tumors are less likely to re-grow. Because Chinese medicine's root belief is that physical problems are due to an energy imbalance in the body, the idea behind the development of a fibroid tumor is that the blood flowing to and from the uterus has been impeded. Causing blood stagnation where the blood then accumulates in the tissues, a tumor begins to grow. Imbalances in the liver and spleen contribute to the problem by not allowing the body to detoxify properly.
Herbs for Healing Fibroid Tumors
Naturopaths, or those doctors who deal in natural medicine, will often proscribe herbs that will balance your hormones, regulate your period, and reduce inflammation in order to help shrink fibroid tumors. Some of the best herbs to accomplish this are the following:
- Chasteberry: reduces excess estrogen, balances hormones, reduces inflammation and symptoms of PMS
- Red raspberry: controls excess bleeding, replenishes lost vitamins and minerals
- Motherwort: relaxes the uterine muscles, prevents cramps, balances hormones
- Siberian ginseng : prevents heavy bleeding
- Red clover: helps the liver get rid of excess estrogen
- Goldenseal: reduces inflammation, keeps uterine tissues healthy
- Echancia: controls benign tumors and reduces inflammation
- Licorice root: reduces bloating and helps with liver detoxification
- Black cohosh: relieves menstrual pain, and works with problems linked to menopause, protects liver and is an anti-inflammatory
- Dong Quai: protects liver and is an anti-inflammatory
- Dandelion, Milk Thistle, Yellow Dock Root: metabolize estrogen and rid the body of excess
You can use any one of these herbs or combine them to make a tea. Prepare by adding a small handful of herbs to a pot of boiling water. Steep for five to ten minutes and drink three times a day. Alternatively you can buy these herbs in capsule or tincture form. By taking them regularly, fibroid tumors have been known to shrink within two months.
Other Natural Remedies for Fibroids
Exercise is an important element for helping the body to rid itself of toxins. Paying attention to your diet is another essential ingredient for health, with concentration on green super foods such as algae and wheat grass. Blackstrap molasses and apple cider vinegar are excellent choices for cleansing the body, with molasses helping with heavy bleeding. Placing a warm castor oil pack on your stomach is another alternative that can help to reduce the size of fibroid tumors.
Reference - http://www.ashtreepublishing.com/bookshop/menopause.php
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