Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids—-fibrous tissue growing inside or just outside the uterus—are fairly common, especially in women between the ages of 35 and 40. Some sources claim that almost half of all women in this age group have at least 1 fibroid, and that some have up to 100. Fibroids appear to be at least partially the result of genes, so be aware of your family history. Other risk factors include a high-fat diet, alcohol consumption, B-vitamin deficiency, stress and excess weight. But often, fibroids are due to too much of a potentially carcinogenic form of estrogen. While estrogen's ability to stimulate cell growth is great for skin and hair, it can be a major problem when it comes to uterine tissue. Fibroids are easiest to treat when they are small, but they are also very hard to detect at this stage—tiny fibroids rarely produce any symptoms. Many women are not aware that they even have them. As fibroids grow larger, however, they cause menstrual bleeding to increase, and they become quite painful, especially during menstruation. Eventually, they can press on your surrounding organs, especially the bladder and kidneys, and this sometimes causes such severe symptoms that removal is the only option. Some surgeons, however, are able to remove only the fibroids and keep the uterus intact, but this does not solve the problem. About half of the women who keep their uteruses find that their fibroids grow back. Fibroids are responsible for about one-third of all hysterectomies.
Because fibroids normally shrink during menopause (although taking estrogen may reactivate them), some women choose to wait and see if the fibroids go away by themselves. If you do opt for a hysterectomy, talk to your surgeon about whether or not you should leave your uterus intact.
One way to prevent the return of fibroids—and often to avoid surgery in the first place—is to adopt a natural prevention and treatment plan using herbs. I do not know many women whose fibroids have been eliminated as a result of herbs, but I do know several whose fibroids shrank so much that the women could easily live with them.
Since fibroids are rarely life-threatening and generally grow slowly, you may have time to try herbs. You may also be able to speed things along by using other natural healing methods, especially acupuncture, in your therapy. I suggest seeking the help of a natural health care professional who has had success treating fibroids.
Vitex slows the growth of fibroids and even helps dissolve them by normalizing hormonal imbalances. As fibroids are dissolved, herbs such as prickly ash bark, ginger, cleavers, mullein and burdock assist the lymph and blood systems in eliminating the fibroid tissue. Regular use of castor oil packs and sitz baths also help to eliminate fibroids, probably by improving circulation. Castor oil packs should be used at least three times a week, 30 to 60 minutes a session; sitz baths should be taken as often as possible, every day if you can manage it.
While you are working on getting rid of your fibroids, you can also take herbs to relieve the symptoms. It is important to keep excessive bleeding, menstrual cramps and anemia controlled with the appropriate herbs because these problems will slow the healing process. Herbs that reduce bleeding and strengthen the uterus include red raspberry and motherwort. It is best to avoid herbs that stimulate menstrual bleeding, such as don quai, unless a knowledgeable herbalist includes them in a formula designed for you.
Uterine Fibroid Tea
1 teaspoon each burdock root, cramp bark, motherwort leaves and wild yam rhizome
½ teaspoon each prickly ash bark, cleavers leaves, mullein leaves and ginger rhizome
1 quart water
Combine herbs and water in a pot and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for a few minutes. Turn off heat and let sit for about 20 minutes. Strain and drink at least 2 cups a day. This formula can also be taken as a tincture or pills, which can be more practical, since you may need to take it for several months.
