Have you been experiencing hot flashes? Night sweats? Insomnia? Anxiety or mood swings? Do you just not feel like yourself? These and other symptoms may be due to hormonal imbalances and can occur during menopause or peri-menopause, which is the ten to fifteen year period that leads up to the menopause. These symptoms can make you feel desperate, or at least annoyed. Know that you are not alone with your symptoms and that relief is in sight.

Chinese medicine offers wonderful natural treatments for menopause. One of my favorite herbal remedies for treating menopausal symptoms, is Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan. This formula tonifies kidney yin and clears the excess heat from the body, relieving night sweats and often helping with insomnia, dry skin, irritability and other problems.

What is kidney yin deficiency? Well, let me tell you. Kidney yin deficiency is the primary cause of menopausal symptoms, according to Chinese medicine. In Chinese medicine, the kidneys, in particular kidney yin, is responsible for birth, growth and reproduction. As the yin of that organ declines, so does the kidney’s ability to support a woman’s reproductive cycle. Yin, among other attributes, is the cooling and moistening element in Chinese Medicine; yin steadily declines as women age and approach menopause. Yin deficiency makes us more prone to dry skin, hair, eyes; day and night sweats; bone loss; stress; and other symptoms. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can help support our bodies as we go through these changes by smoothing our energy or qi, building our yin, and strengthening our bodies.

During the menopause, and preferably before, women can also ease this transition by eating a balanced diet with plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits and healthy fats, such as those found in olive oil, fish oil and flaxseeds. Getting regular exercise and practicing regular relaxation techniques such as meditation, qi gong or tai chi is also very beneficial.

Some time ago, a patient came in with a headache, shoulder pain, nausea, stomach pain, and no appetite. She had been suffering from these problems for the previous three months, and was hoping for some relief.   When we talked about what was going on with her, she seemed to be under a lot of stress.  She cleans houses for a living and also has to take care of her own family. Who wouldn’t be stressed by this?
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In Chinese, asthma is described as “xiao-chuan“, which translates as wheezing (xiao) and breathlessness (chuan). According to Traditional Chinese Medical theory, an asthma attack reflects the stirring up of excess Wind.

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                                                                  Do you have jaw pain or stiffness?  Does your jaw make popping sounds when you open your mouth?  You may have TMD (tempero-mandibular joint disorder), also known as TMJ, which refers to a variety of disorders or symptoms affecting the region around the tempero-mandibular joints which connect the lower jaw to the skull.  Symptoms of TMD range in number and severity and include jaw pain or stiffness; inability to fully open the mouth; popping or clicking sounds when opening the mouth; head, neck or shoulder tension; headaches; earaches; toothaches and other types of facial pain.

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As the light changes and the trees start shedding their leaves, Autumn and Winter approach and the cold and flu season encroaches upon us. Fortunately, Chinese Medicine offers many remedies to ward off these unpleasant ailments.

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