Endometriosis / 1994

Botanical name: 
Calendula officinalis
Alchemilla vulgaris
Althaea officinalis
Alcea rosea
Pulsatilla vulgaris
Thuja occidentalis
Viscum album
Problems: 
Endometriosis

Date: Sat, 7 May 1994 01:33:08 BST
Sender: "Medicinal and Aromatic Plants discussion list <HERB.TREARN.BITNET>
From: Christopher Hedley <christopher.GN.APC.ORG>
Subject: endometriosis

> Is anyone familiar with any herbal treatments for endometriosis and the accompanying symptoms? One of my colleagues is suffering very painful bouts several times a month and no other medication has seemed to help. She is at her wits end

the following herbal strategies may be used.

  1. clear up and heal adhesions with Marigold (Calendula) and Comfrey (Symphytum off) tea, may take a few months.
  2. tone and dry womb and pelvic area using herbs such as Ladies Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris), especially useful if there is heavy bleeding.
  3. soothe pelvic area using demulcents such as Marshmallow (Althea off) or Hollyhocks (Althea rosea), this latter is especially helpful.
  4. use nervines, especially Anemone pulsatilla (Pulsatilla vulgaris), for the pain. Cramp bark (Viburnum spp), Anemone and a little ginger is good, but there are many recipies for menstrual pain in herbals which will prove helpful.
  5. anti tumour remedies such as Thuja (Thuja occ.) or Mistletoe (*Viscum) often give the needed edge to a prescription.
  6. if your ovaries are painful Helonias (Chamaelirium lut.) is especially helpful.

make up a tincture using a mix of herbs from 2 to 5 varying according to the person and back up with tea 1.

**check your doses in a good herbal such as David Hoffman's Holistic Herbal first* there are some pretty potent herbs in this list.**

Also; most people with endometriosis also suffer from candidiasis and will benefit from an anti candida diet, ie. no sugar, no yeast and lots of live yoghurt to replace the 'good' bacteria.

Also, take up Egyptian 'belly' dancing to free up the pelvis and bring some good healing energy to the area.

best wishes Christopher Hedley MNIMH

Date: Mon, 16 May 1994 09:28:59 +1000
Sender: "Medicinal and Aromatic Plants discussion list <HERB.TREARN.BITNET>
From: Petra
Subject: Endometriosis

>maybe your friend ought to just go ahead and get the surgery. Endometriosis doesn't go away, from what I hear. With surgery, she'll be better -- permanently -- in a few weeks. --

I'm sorry but I have to disagree *STRONGLY* with Deborah's post. I have had three lots of surgery for Endometriosis and know of women who have had many more operations than that. Surgery is a diagnostic and repair tool only not a cure. It can also aggrevate the condition by creating adhesions (scar tissue).

I imagine for some lucky women that surgery will correct it but I have yet to meet one.

Endometriosis is a painful (for some) and chronic disease which needs to be treated from several different angles to find which will work best for an individual. I'm now working with a combination of diet, herbs, acupuncture and run of the mill medicine for a fairly reasonable result and avoiding surgery like the plague.

For help and information on Endometriosis you can subscribe to WITSENDO

From: Christopher Hedley <christopher.GN.APC.ORG>

Surgery does clear up endometriosis, but this is done by removing the adhesions and blood clots which have built up over time.

Since the lesions are, initially, microscopic, some will be missed and, eventually, grow again.
Also most surgery will leave new adhesions behind.

I recommend an operation if the pain is severe and constant, but you should still use other methods to deal with the underlying condition.

Christopher Hedley MNIMH