Fertility
Acupuncture for Treating Infertility in Men and Women
Infertility is a growing concern worldwide, affecting millions of couples trying to conceive. As conventional treatments can be costly and sometimes come with side effects, many are turning to alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, for help. But what are the potential benefits of acupuncture in treating infertility in both men and women? continue reading
Parsley Magic to Medicine
Parsley is Nature’s Top Rated Leafy Green
This garden herb was thought to possess magical properties. During the middle ages its uses ranged from healing snake bite, banishing freckles, as an aphrodisiac, and as an antidote for epilepsy. It is believed to have originated in Southern Europe with popularity spreading across the Middle East. There are over 30 varieties. Today we know it as a great source of antioxidant power. Let’s take a look at some awesome medicinal uses of parsley.
- A tea for women. Due to it’s high content of folate it helps ensure a healthy pregnancy. High in vegetable calcium, and chlorophyll a daily cup of parsley can help slow the aging process. It also contains plenty of iron for iron deficiency anemia. It works as a diuretic, sooths PMS, and benefits the facial complexion because of the beta-carotene content.
- Immune, cardiovascular, and cancer prevention. Parsley is full of four major antioxidants such as coumarins, flavonoids, monoterpene, and polyacetylene, which appear to block the synthesis of cancer-promoting prostaglandins. Plus, 10, 000 IU per 1/2 Cup of beta-carotene, and daily vitamin C.
- Eases joint pain, rheumatism, fatigue, kidney and urinary tract infections (UTI). The mineral content of potassium, calcium, phosphorous, and iodine explains these benefits.
Chinese Herbal Medicinal Properties of Parsley
It is thought to be warming, spicy, bitter, and salty in flavor. Dietary benefits are as follows:
- Improves digestion
- Detoxifies meats and fish
- Hastens recovery of measles
- Promotes urination, and dries watery mucoid conditions such as, obesity, bladder mucus, swollen glands, breasts, and stones in bladder, kidney, or gall bladder.
- Strengthens the adrenal glands, optic nerves, and benefits the brain.
- Useful for ear infections, ear ache, and deafness.
- Freshens the breath for halitosis, strengthens the teeth.
- It makes a beautiful garnish on the plate.
Caution: It dries up milk production, thus it is not to be used for lactating mothers.
How to Use:
- Drink 2-3 cups daily of fresh or dried parsley tea. Take 10 sprigs, gently bruise, and steep 1-2 minutes in hot water, strain, and enjoy.
- Or eat 1-2 ounces of fresh or lightly cooked parsley daily.
Why and How Acupuncture Works for Infertility
Infertility struggles have become more and more common in recent years. There are many physical and environmental contributors to infertility and couples dealing with this issue are desperate for solutions. As it makes its way into the mainstream health world, acupuncture has become more of a go-to treatment method for both males and females; and there is plenty of valid research to back up these claims. A quick search of PubMed will give you hundreds of studies illustrating the positive effects of acupuncture on various issues related to infertility. continue reading
Acupuncture and Cervical Health
Women’s health is a big part of the healthcare industry. And acupuncture can be very beneficial in caring for the overall health of women. Acupuncture has been especially effective in helping with things like infertility, turning breech babies, inducing labor and clearing up infections. The cervix is just one small part of the uterus. Specifically it is the lower part of the uterus that opens to allow passage between the uterus and the vagina. The cervix widens during childbirth to allow the baby to pass, it also allows the passage of menstrual fluids from the uterus out of the body and it is vital for sperm to pass through the cervix to reach the uterus when trying to procreate.
The cervix is very vulnerable to several health conditions, such as chronic inflammation, polyps, dysplasia and even cancer. Cervical conditions rarely present symptoms in the early stages, which makes it extremely important for women to get regular pap smears. If an abnormality is detected, there are several ways to address it, depending on the severity. In the early stages of any of the aforementioned conditions, acupuncture can be a positive addition to Western medical treatments. Acupuncture is very good at decreasing inflammation and helping to dissolve polyps and tumors. Acupuncture can also balance hormones, which allows the body to correct any imbalances.
One of the most studied areas of acupuncture is in treating fertility issues. When invitro fertilization by itself does not get the job done, adding acupuncture may be the last piece of the puzzle. Acupuncture does much more than just balance the hormones. When a woman is trying to get pregnant and struggling with it due to fertility issues, the stress levels are extremely high. And high stress levels have been proven to disrupt the body’s ability to conceive. One of the things that acupuncture is really successful at is decreasing stress levels. This can make it easier for the fertility treatments to work. Acupuncture has also been shown to increase blood flow to areas of the body, including the uterus. This can help to make a very hospitable place for a baby to grow.
Acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine are also widely used for treating infections and sexually transmitted diseases. In traditional Chinese medicine, most infections have some sort of heat or discharge associated with them. This medicine uses principles, herbs and acupressure points that have specific properties that can drain heat and expel toxins from the body. This can lead to an overall improvement in both uterine and cervical health.
Another area where acupuncture can help with cervical health is at the time of birth. About four percent of babies are presented in the breech position prior to birth. An accessory modality known as moxibustion, has proven time and time again, that it can actually turn the baby to the proper birthing position. Moxibustion involves the burning of an herb, dried mugwort, very near the skin on a specific acupressure point that is located on the outer edge of the pinky toe. By performing moxibustion several times a day, the baby and the body somehow know that there needs to be a repositioning and the baby tends to turn during the night.
When it comes to women’s health, acupuncture is an amazing resource. Contact us to schedule your appointment today.
