Home Remedies For
Endometriosis

This is a disease in which tissue from the endometrium—the lining of the uterus—which should have sloughed off during a menstrual period instead migrates and implants on the ovaries, tubes, uterine ligaments, bladder, intestines and even distant areas such as the lungs. Under hormonal influence, as the tissue bleeds in conjunction with the menstrual period each month, it causes pain and scarring. The disease can also impair fertility.

Naturopathic physicians consider this disease to be a result of a hyperestrogen state. Either the body is overproducing estrogen, underproducing progesterone or, most likely, there is a delayed breakdown of active estrogen by the liver. (The liver has many jobs—processing and storage of nutrients, breakdown of internal and external toxins, manufacture of important compounds, etc.) If the liver is overburdened, the estrogen in the body may not get broken down. Also, if you're a dedicated meat and dairy eater, the prevalence of estrogens used in the food industry to stimulate animal growth adds even more estrogen to your body.

Endometriosis Symptoms: The indication that you may have this disease is premenstrual and menstrual pain that worsens each month. You may also have pain during intercourse or during defecation. This pain may radiate to the thighs and is not usually relieved by rest or analgesics. And finally, you may be experiencing difficulty getting pregnant.

Endometriosis Treatment: Although allopathic physicians treat the condition with surgery and powerful hormones such as birth control pills, progestogens or Danazol (a pituitary hormone suppressor), naturopathic physicians' approach is quite different. We have good results from supporting the liver and digestive system through diet, herbs and nutrient supplementation, improving pelvic circulation with local treatments and slowing down the hyperestrogen state with herbs. The thyroid function should also be evaluated, since the thyroid affects other glandular secretions throughout the body.

The process of pregnancy itself offers a respite from the menstrual cycle, since there is no ebb and flow of the hormones that cause the endometrial patches to bleed. If you can achieve conception, your body gets nine full months to rest, and even more time if you choose to breast-feed. Many women have found that their endometriosis does not recur after the birth of their first child.

ENDOMETRIOSIS NUTRITION: Follow the basic preventive nutrition program in Chapter 3, page 46. In addition, decrease or eliminate your consumption of meat and dairy, or use only hormone-free varieties. Eliminate all refined foods, coffee and other caffeinated beverages as well as all sources of hydrogenated fats.
Eat regular meals, but consume more of your calories at breakfast and noon, and have only a light supper in the evening.
It's a good idea to have your health care provider or a licensed nutritionist do a blood chemistry analysis to look at your individual nutritional needs.

ENDOMETRIOSIS SUPPLEMENTATION: You should be taking the following amounts of daily vitamins:
Beta carotene—a megadose of 100,000 IU (but drop back to 5,000 IU after ovulation if you're in the process of trying to conceive)
Vitamin B6-50-100 mg
Calcium-1,200 mg
Magnesium-600 mg
Vitamin E-800 IU
Folic acid-800 mcg
Essential fatty acids (flax oil)-1 tbsp.
Selenium-400 mcg
Vitamin C-1,000-4,000 mg

ENDOMETRIOSIS HERBS: Some herbal preparations are excellent for supporting your liver and digestive system. They are goldenseal, dandelion (fresh leaves can be used in salad), artichoke, silybum (milkthistle), and burdock (the variety known as gobo root can be eaten). Take these herbs singly or in combination twice daily (2 tsp. extract, 2-3 capsules, or 1 cup infusion).

To improve pelvic circulation, use xanthoxylon, ocotillo, goldenseal, or witch hazel. Take these herbs twice daily (1 tsp. extract, 1-2 capsules or 1/2 cup infusion).

To balance estrogen production in your body you should take chaste-tree berry (Vitex). Take this once or twice daily (2 tsp., 2-3 capsules or 1 cup infusion).

To calm the pain, you can use crampbark, black haw, valerian, and wild yam. Take these herbs every two to three hours as needed (1 tsp., 1-2 capsules or 1/2 cup infusion).

You can use any of the herbs listed above as a tea, infusion, decoction, capsules or liquid extract.

ENDOMETRIOSIS LOCAL TREATMENTS:

Perform Kegel exercises, 50-100 daily in sets of 10 at a time.

Sitz baths, alternating hot and cold water, can be a complementary addition to endometriosis care. Sit in hot water covering your hips for four minutes, then cold water for one minute; alternate four or five times, ending with cold. Do this once or twice daily for at least 15 days.

Castor oil packs will warm the area and encourage blood flow and also may assist in the treatment of infertility caused by endometrial scarring. Apply castor oil to the lower abdomen, cover with a woolen cloth, apply heating pad or hot water bottle for 30 to 45 minutes daily for at least 15 days. Do not use this treatment during menses.

Clay applications will also create heat. Mix clay with water to make a thick paste, apply to the abdomen 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick, cover with a towel, allow to dry, then wash off. Do this once a day for 15 days. Do not use this treatment during menses.

HOMEOPATHY: Although homeopathy can be helpful in the treatment of endometriosis, a simple suggestion of possible remedies is not helpful. For this condition, which is dependent on an examination of the whole person rather than the symptoms, it is best to consult a homeopath directly. Your alternative health care provider will be able to refer you to one.

ENDOMETRIOSIS ACUPRESSURE: Refer to the charts in Chapter 2, pages 37 and 38, to locate these points.
• K3, midway between inside anklebone and Achilles tendon in back of ankle
• St36, four fingers below kneecap, one finger outside shinbone.
• CV4, four fingers below belly button.
• B27 and B34, sacral points at base of spine.
• CV6, three fingers below belly button.
• Sp12 and Sp13, middle of pelvic crease where leg joins trunk.

STRESS REDUCTION: Stress is a culprit in many diseases, and although it does not cause the disease, it certainly plays a part in endometriosis. It is a wise idea to engage in some form of regular stress reduction, such as a course in yoga or tai chi chuan, Feldenkrais or Alexander technique, and/or meditation.