Holistic Treatment of Menopausal Symptoms

When I wrote my first post about Menopause, I realized that the topic is too large to cover it all in one article. Here is more information on the holistic approach to menopausal transition. See also Menopause – A Great Time for Rejuvenation.

Ayurveda and Chinese medicine reassure us that menopause can be health-promoting, spiritually transforming, and free of troublesome symptoms. They provide a safe and effective way to gracefully pass through this transitional period of your life.

Chinese medicine believes, that menopausal symptoms (if any), are due to decline in the Qi energy and the essence of the kidney. In Chinese medicine, estrogen is similar to Jing, the essence that we have received from our parents at the moment of conception. As we age, Jing declines and can lead to various symptoms including loss of libido, backache, fatigue, and graying hair. Although Jing cannot be replenished, it can be nourished and supported, slowing down the side effects and making the transition more graceful.
Another cause of menopausal symptoms is an underlying deficiency of Kidney Yin. The concept of Yin is one of cooling and nourishing. If Kidney Yin is deficient, heat signs will arise, including hot flashes, night sweats, heart palpitations, and insomnia.
Liver Qi stagnation is also often involved in excessive menopausal symptoms. One of the primary functions of the liver energetic system is the smooth flow of energy, blood, and emotions throughout the body. If Liver Qi becomes constrained, symptoms such as mood swings, depression, headaches, and insomnia may arise.

Chinese herbal medicine is often very effective in addressing the underlying Jing, Yin, or Qi disharmonies. One of these holistic formulas that women have been effectively using throughout the centuries is Geng Nian An Pian (Menoplease).

Menoplease normalizes and regulates the body’s organs and functions. It nourishes your Yin Energy to regain the Yin – Yang balance; promotes blood circulation to maintain a healthy metabolism; and regulates the flow of Qi.
Our body recognizes herbs in this natural medicine as food and can effectively process it. They do not build up toxins and are not habit – forming.
The symptoms are cured along with increased overall well – being through the rediscovering the body’s inborn intelligence and healing power.

You may read more about the remedy here Menopause – A Great Time for Rejuvenation.

Ayurvedic treatment will generally be based on individual dosha imbalances rather than treatment of specific symptoms. Ayurveda treats menopause by supporting the body with nourishing herbs and foods, a supportive lifestyle, mild exercise, and inner reflection. Pre menopause, Menopause and the first ten years after menstruation has stopped is a time of adjustment for the body. During this time, it is good to support the endocrine system with friendly hormone -supporting herbs. Ayurvedic treatments may incorporate herbal – based medicine, purification practices, spiritual healing, yoga, and even elements borrowed from Traditional Chinese Medicine, among many other branches of healing.
How balanced or overall healthy you and your lifestyle are when you reach menopause largely determines how smooth your transition will be. Menopause symptoms are Nature’s wake – up call to let you know you need to start paying more attention to your health. Age forty – five to fifty – five is a critical decade, according to Ayurveda. It provides the foundation on which your later health is laid. The good news is that it is never too late to make healthy changes in your lifestyle. The most basic way to do this is diet and exercise. Herbs that will support the body through this period are dong quai, comfrey root, marshmallow root, licorice, ashwagandha, ginseng, and shatavari.

One of my favorite Ayrvedic authors Atreya writes in Ayurvedic Healing for Women: with herbal remedies “I generally get 55 percent positive results when no dietary changes are made. When a woman changes her diet along with taking the herbal supplements, the treatment has been over 80 percent effective in eliminating all symptoms within six months. So far, in every case where a woman has changed her diet and lifestyle along with taking herbal supplements, the result has been 100 percent positive.”