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The One-Minute
(or so)
Healer
by Dana Ullman
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Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
"Nothing in our society,
with the exception of violence and fear, has been more effective in keeping
women in their place than the degradation of the menstrual cycle."
-- Christiane Northrup, M.D.
Various cycles and rhythms
permeate nature. The rise and fall of the sun, the evolution of the seasons, and
the ebb and flow of the tides are mirrored in our bodies: our waking and
sleeping cycle; the spring, summer, fall, and autumn of our lives; and the
rhythmic flow of our blood. Despite our acceptance of these cycles and rhythms,
Western civilization has not granted the same dignity and honor to women's
monthly cycle of menstruation. It is generally viewed as a chore, an indignity,
or at least something that one should not discuss.
Is it any wonder that the shadow
that we helped to create comes back to haunt us?
During a typical menstrual
cycle, a woman produces between two and four ounces of blood. A single
super-absorbent tampon is able to soak up one or more ounces of fluid, which is
usually considerably more than a woman's vagina
creates during the time it is inserted. This tampon also soaks up other vaginal
secretions that are vital for the healthy function of a woman's reproductive
organs, leading to vaginal ulceration, lesions, lacerations, and sometimes
infections. This situation not only can result in cases of potentially fatal
Toxic Shock Syndrome, it much more frequently leads to immune system
disruptions, including autoimmune diseases.
Approximately 50 percent of all
women experience various physical and/or psychological symptoms prior to their
menstruation. Some of them experience quite mild symptoms, while others can have
reactions dramatic enough to turn Dr. Jekyll into Ms. Hyde.
In the not-too-distant past,
physicians commonly believed that the various troubles that women claimed to
experience prior to their menstruation were all in their head. It is a relief
that physicians finally recognize a physiological component to premenstrual
syndrome, although simply recognizing a condition as valid is not enough to cure
it.
Some physicians theorize that
PMS results from a drop in progesterone, sometimes called the "tranquility
hormone". Others think that soaring estrogen levels lead to irritable and
anxious states. Still others believe that the body's awareness that conception
did not occur depresses women physically and psychologically. Whatever the
cause, women commonly experience a variety of symptoms from the biological
warfare occurring in their body, including cramps, breast swelling and
tenderness, water retention, moodiness, irritability, headaches,
backaches, insomnia, fatigue, constipation, complexion problems, and food
cravings.
The premenstrual state, however,
does offer some positive effects. Many women experience a greater ability to
concentrate, more creativity, and more assertiveness during this period. It is a
time to clean and organize their home and life. Some women who feel more
emotional during this special time cherish these feelings and honor them as an
integral part of who they are.
A woman friend celebrates her
altered state by wearing some special jewelry during her premenstrual period.
This one-minute strategy helps her, her partner, and friends become aware of
this more sensitive phase of the month so that Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde are more
self-conscious, empathetic, and friendly to each other.
And here are some more
strategies.
(EDITOR'S NOTE: The remedies
presented here are taken from the book: "The One Minute (or so)
Healer" by Dan Ullman, MPH. While we present 11 suggestions here, the book
contains 21 one-minute strategies for PMS.)
A low fat diet reduces weight
and PMS
Several studies have indicated
that women who eat a low-fat diet have less breast swelling and fewer of the
other uncomfortable symptoms during their premenstrual period.
Exercise, and leave PMS in the
dust
Regular exercise has been found
to reduce PMS. Besides increasing the brain's secretion of natural painkilling
endorphins, exercise helps to tonify and relax muscles, improve circulation, and
reduce water retention.
Avoid the PMS aggravators
The following substances can
aggravate PMS: coffee (even the decaffeinated variety), black tea, chocolate,
colas, salt, dairy products, fats, and alcohol.
Keep track of yourself
Keep a diary and watch for
habits or patterns in your life that seem to aggravate your condition. You may
discover that certain foods, stresses, emotional states, birth control pill
dosages, or levels of exercise aggravate or ameliorate your symptoms.
Supplementary, my dear Ms.
Watson
About two days before you expect
to begin your PMS time, take calcium up to 1,500 mg, magnesium up to 1,000 mg,
vitamin A up to 10,000 IU, vitamin D up to 400 IU, and B complex (especially B6)
with 50-100 mg of the major components. The B vitamins have calming effects on a
woman's emotional state, calcium is important for reducing cramps, and several
of the other vitamins help the body absorb and make use of it. Remember, do not
take large doses of these vitamins all at once; the body is best able to absorb
smaller doses taken more frequently, and preferably with meals.
Don't cramp your style
Here are some great herbs to
reduce the pain and discomfort of menstrual cramps: black cohosh root, false
unicorn root, squaw vine, blessed thistle, lobelia, pennyroyal, and red
raspberry. This combination of herbs doesn't taste great, but wouldn't you
rather drink something that doesn't taste good than have cramps that don't make
you feel good? Drink a couple of cups of this tea throughout the day. A more
simplified version of this concoction is black cohosh root and red raspberry.
For those who wish to avoid bad-tasting tea, blend these herbs into a powder and
encapsulate them. Take one to three caps a day, as needed, and don't drink any
caffeinated beverages the same day.
More herbs to de-cramp your
style
Chamomile and peppermint are
both wonderfully soothing herbs that reduce cramping and improve digestion. Make
a tea of one or the other, for they work best when they are not combined.
Yam it up
Wild yam cream contains a
natural form of progesterone that some women have found effective in relieving
PMS. The cream can be rubbed onto the chest, inner arms, thighs, and abdomen
soon after ovulation. Wild yam extract is also useful when ingested in pill
form.
A sexy strategy
Have sex. It is uncertain if
orgasms have a direct effect on relieving cramps or if they simply take your
mind off the pain . . . but who cares as long it works? Don't limit this method
to a one-minute strategy.
A dab for the emotions
Homeopathic doses of Pulsatilla
and Ignatia are wonderfully effective for the emotional swings of PMS.
Pulsatilla 6 or 30 is particularly helpful for the weepy, moody, and
self-pitying PMS woman; while Ignatia 6 or 30 is indicated for the irritable,
misunderstood, and brooding PMS woman.
Get pregnant
New research indicates that
women who have had a child experience less pain during their menstrual cycle
than women who have never given birth.
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Editor's Note: Where to buy wild yam
cream
Due to readers' requests
we have searched and found
a
source of a progesterone cream as mentioned in this article.
We now sell a progesterone cream "Pure-gesterone?"
which contains progesterone as well as herbs.
To read more on this product
or to purchase some,
click here.
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This
article was
excerpted from
 "The One Minute
(or so) Healer"
by
Dan Ullman, MPH
Info/Order this book
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