Menopause is not a disease, but a natural life occurance. Nevertheless, this natural process can result in physical discomfort.
The Chinese medical idea of menopause requires you to forget about hormones. Understand, instead, that your body can be described in other terms such as yin and yang and qi and blood. Yang is body activity, movement, metabolism. Heat results from this yang activity. Your body's yin are its fluids, its circulation, and consequent nourishment. Yin fluids are cleansing and cooling.
Discomforts accompaning "menopause are caused by varying patterns of diminished yin, yang, qi and blood, as well as constraints of flow caused, in part, by these deficiencies.
As these conditions vary, so do the symptoms of menopause. Hot flashes, night sweats, low libido, dryness, insomnia, fatigue, moodiness, neck and shoulder tension, depression, anxiety, and high blood pressure are among the most common symptoms.
Modern medicine treats menopause by supplementing the body's hormones (hormone replacement therapy). Unfortunately, adding these hormones has been found to be potentially carcinogenic. Chinese herbs provide no hormones, but appear to supplement the yin, yang, qi, and blood; These are the deficiencies underlying hormonal imbalances. Some herbs, such as epimedum, have been shown to stimulate the body's natural hormone production. There is no evidence that this is carcinogenic.
Seeing an experienced practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is highly recommended, as an exact asessment of these deficiencies is often essential to successful treatment with Chinese medicine.
If you are unable to find a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the following OTC Chinese herbal medicines may be helpful.
Replenishing at Menopause
TWO IMMORTALS: Chinese Medicine for Menopause Also known as: Er Xiang Wan
TRADITIONAL USES
Complaints associated with menopause such as fatigue, low libido, hot flushes, day or night sweats, insomnia, etc.
Replenishes Kidney Yang, Yin, and Blood, Clears Deficiency Heat
SOURCE
Shuguan Hospital, Shanghai College of Traditional Medicine, Mid-Twentieth Century origin. The name Two Immortals (Er Xian) comes from 2 of the chief herbs in the formula, Xian Mao (Curculigo) and Xian Ling Pi (Epemidum).
SERVING
Take as a daily supplement for periods of 1 to 6 months. Take two to four pills at a time, two or three times a day, or as prescribed.
SUGGESTIONS
First day results are unusual. Benefits are usually seen after 1 - 5 weeks.
If your MD physician is unfamiliar with these herbs, licensed acupuncturists are often informed about Chinese medicine. To find a licensed acupuncturist near you visit AcupunctureAmerica.com
As with most Chinese tonic medicine, Dr. Shen's Two Immortals Pills should not be taken while ill with cold or flu. Tonics are thought to prolong such illnesses. Wait until the cold or flu has passed before resuming course of treatment.
INGREDIENTS Morinda Root also known as Bai Ji Tan or
Radix Morinda Officianalis
Tonifies the Kidneys, Fortifies the Yang, Strengthens the Sinews and Bones
Major Known ingredients: morindin, vitamin C
Licentious Goat Wort also known as Yin Yang Huo or Herba Epimedum
Stimulates Hormone Production, Tonifies the Yin, Fortifies the Yang, Expels Dampness
Major known ingredients: icariin, sterols, tanin, palmitic acid, benzene, linolenic acid, oleic acid, vitamin E
Golden Eye Grass also known as Xian Mao or Rhizoma Curculinginis Orchioidis
Tonifies the Kidneys, Expels Dampness
Major known ingredients: 5,7-dimethoxymyricetin, xylopyranosyl, glucopyranoside, tannin
Amur Cork Bark, known as Huang Bai or
Cortex Phellodendri
Drains Damp Heat, Quells Kidney Fire, Detoxifies Fire Poisons
Major known ingredients: berberine, jatorrhizine, magnoflorine, phellodendrine, candicine, palmatine, menisperine, obacunone, dictamnolide
Anemarrhena known as Zhi Mu or
Radix Anemarrhenae Asphodeloidis
Quells Fire, Nurtures Yin, Moistens Dryness, Clears Deficiency Heat
Major known ingredients: timosaponin, sarsosapogenin, timobeose, markogenin, neogitogenin, asphonin, magniferin
Oyster Shell known as Mu Li or
Concha Ostreae
Calms the Spirit, Benefits the Yin, Restrains Rising Yang, Restrains Sweating
Major known ingredients: calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, magnesium, ferric oxide
Dang Gui known as Tang Kwei or
Radix Radix Angelica Sinensis
Tonifies the Blood, Invigorates and Harmonizes the Blood
Major known ingredients: butylidene phthalide, n-valerophenone-o-carboxylic acid, vitamin B12, carotene, beta-sitosterol
PRACTITIONER NOTES
Dr. Shen's Two Immortals is an enhanced version of a formula originally developed at the Shanghai College of Traditonal Medicine to treat menopausal hypertension. This version is enhanced with Oyster Shell, to restrain rising heat and astringe sweating in order to better treat the hot flashes and sweats common to women in the West. The formula contains no estrogen or other hormones, and possibly achieves its effect by using tonics to help normalize hormone production.
Made with whole, premium grade herbs. Each tablet is coated with natural food glaze for ease of swallowing. Dr. Shen's Two Immortals contain no drugs, dyes, endangered species, or unlisted ingredients.
COURSE OF USE
The course of treatment is a minimum of three weeks. As with many tonic formulas, don't take with cold or flu.
Black cohosh is a Chinese herb often found in herbal products used for menopause. Though it is effective in reducing the "heat" of hot flashes, etc., it is misused for this purpose. Black cohosh (sheng ma) is best used for short periods to reduce EXCESS heat; that is, measurable fevers from illness, etc. Long term use of this herb is not recommended.
The "heat" experienced from hot flashes, night sweats, etc. is long term in nature and is known as DEFICIENCY heat. It is different from the "excess heat" of fevers. Deficiency heat is caused by a weak cooling system (the Yin). This heat is experienced but not measurable. There are far more suitable herbs than black cohosh for this kind of Yin deficient heat. The most notable being Zhi Mu (anemarrhena) which also reduces hot flashes and night sweats. In addition, zhi mu supplements the Yin of the body as well. These herbs are much more suitable than black cohosh for DEFICIENCY heat.
