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Rhodiola rosea.
RHODIOLA – an amazing herb for increased energy, stamina and mental performance.
Rhodiola rosea also known as rose root, golden root, arctic root and Russian rhodiola, is native to cold northern alpine regions, and is a hardy plant which thrives on rocky slopes. It has been used for centuries in Northern Europe and Scandinavia.
Rhodiola possesses tonic and stimulant properties that increase resistance to stress and disease. It is traditionally believed to give strength and stamina and is known to increase attention span as well as work productivity, providing a dramatic boost in energy levels, increased memory and mental performance. It has been commonly used to treat long-term illness and tiredness due to infection, mood elevation, mental alertness, sports performance, impotence, liver problems and as adjuvant treatment of cancer.
Recent studies have shown that Rhodiola may also be useful in the treatment of binge eating, nicotine withdrawal, erectile dysfunction and infertility.
At Health In The Bay, our Naturopaths use a herbal extract of Rhodiola in liquid herbal medicines which are custom blended for patients. One of the great benefits of mixing a number of herbal remedies into a formula is that it can be made to suit individual requirements. The many beneficial actions of Rhodiola can be enhanced by combining with other suitable herbal medicines. For example:
- Rhodiola combines well with other herbs that increase resistance to stress and disease such as Siberian ginseng and Withania.
- Rhodiola combines well with other herbs for Depression and nervous debility such as St John’s Wort and Skullcap
- Rhodiola combines well with other herbs for male sexual dysfunction such as Tribulus and Saw Palmetto
- Rhodiola combines well with other herbs for menstrual disorders such as female reproductive tonics Paeonia and Dong Quai
- Rhodiola combines well with other herbs to make brain tonic and study mixes such as Bacopa and Ginkgo
- Rhodiola combines well with other herbs for liver problems that protect and restore liver function such as Schisandra and St Mary’s Thistle.
A word of caution: Rhodiola use is not advised for depressed patients with hysteric and phobic symptoms as may occur with bipolar disorder. Concurrent use of stimulants such as caffeine is best avoided. It is important to consult with a qualified Naturopath or herbalist before taking Rhodiola.
Naturopathy and Mental Health
We live in a stressful and busy world. Once upon a time our bodies went into fight or flight when we were chasing the woolly mammoth or sabre tooth tiger, and then we could sit back and relax and enjoy our well earned meal. Now many of us are in a constant state of stress, which leaves cortisol and adrenalin levels high and therefore contributes to a host of other problems such as cardiovascular disease, reproductive difficulties, digestive complaints and poor immunity to name a few.
What you may not realise is that diet and lifestyle are a major contributing factor to stress, anxiety and depression. There are certain things that would be beneficial to cut out, and other things that would be very helpful to add, to help balance your some of your neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin.
Can Naturopathy help with those not wanting to take medication, or reacting poorly to it?
If you are looking for natural alternatives for anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications, then your naturopath may be able to help. We will conduct a thorough investigation into your health, with initial consultations going for approximately 1 hour. We will then devise a treatment plan with food as medicine, necessary lifestyle changes and appropriate nutritional and herbal supplementation.
Some of the conditions Naturopathy can help with
- Insomnia and sleep disorders
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- PMS moodiness
- Low energy and motivation
Naturopathy and Cardiovascular Disease
Hypertension and high cholesterol are both a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke. These conditions are largely a result of poor diet and lifestyle choices, however there certainly is also a large genetic link with some cases.
Some of the causes/risk factors of cardiovascular disease are;
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Stress
- Diet (coffee, alcohol, vitamin & mineral deficient foods, salt)
- Inflammation
- Oxidative stress
- Lack of exercise
- Genetic predisposition
- Toxicity
Naturopathy has proven methods for lowering both high cholesterol and high blood pressure through diet and lifestyle changes, as well as nutritional and/or botanical medicines.
If you are looking for drug free, natural alternatives to medication and are willing to make some adjustments in your life, come in and see one of our naturopaths.
Neck and shoulder pain.
Many of us live with permanently stiff shoulders or a neck that seizes up from time to time. Our modern lifestyle is a major culprit, with computer work (especially on laptops) putting a lot of strain on the neck and shoulders. Out-of-control stress levels don’t help either. One of the worst environments for neck and shoulder pain is a high-pressure work environment with badly set-up computers and cold air flowing down on you from air conditioning. With this sort of combination of stress, poor ergonomics and the tendency to tense up the shoulder muscles in response to cold, it’s not surprising that so many people suffer from stiff neck and shoulders.
Other things that can trigger neck and shoulder pain are prolonged driving, freehand writing or drawing, occupations involving a lot of repetitive use of the arms (hairdressing comes to mind), and playing some musical instruments.
So what can be done? Obviously it’s important to address anything in your lifestyle that might be contributing, which could involve a rethink of your work or leisure patterns. I’ve included a list of other tips at the end.
But what if your shoulders and neck are still sore after doing everything you can to relax them? This is where acupuncture comes in.
Japanese acupuncture uses several needling techniques to melt tension in the neck and shoulders. Another technique that is great for neck and shoulder pain is moxibustion – the use of a warming herb on the tight, painful areas. Cupping is also very useful. But much of the treatment is done away from the local painful region– as it is just as important to treat the constitutional pattern that Oriental medicine sees as causing disruption to the flow of energy, as we see this as underlying the neck and shoulder pain. This ensures that treatments will have a lasting effect.
We usually see an improvement within 4-6 weekly treatments, and when this happens we scale back the frequency of sessions as your body “relearns” this state of reduced tension. Eventually most people will just need the occasional top-up session every few months or so during periods of particularly intense activity or stress.
Tips for relieving neck and shoulder stiffness:
- Make sure your desk is properly set up. Many offices these days have ergonomic guidelines and it’s also possible to have an expert review your set-up.
- Give your neck and shoulders a break by taking lots of breaks from computer work, or other intense activities like writing freehand, drawing, music practice or driving. Aim to have a break where you get up, walk around and stretch after every 20 min of typing etc.
- If at all possible, avoid sitting in air-conditioning, or wear a scarf (or a top with a collar that covers your neck).
- Warmth helps most people with this sort of pain, so try hot showers or heat packs.
- Try to build some type of relaxation into your day, like meditation, yoga or Tai-Chi. Another really useful strategy is to focus on becoming aware of shoulder tension as it builds up and repeatedly and deliberately relax and drop your shoulders. Tricky to do at first, but it gets easier with time.
- It is also often possible to strengthen other muscles in the upper body so that your traps don’t take all the strain. If you go to a gym, ask one of the trainers to show you how to strengthen these muscles.
Improving your chances of conceiving
Preconceptual Care
Preconceptual care involves getting both partners into the best possible physical and mental shape to maximise your chances of creating a pregnancy that lasts to full term, and brings you a healthy baby at the end of it. Research indicates that a three to four month programme of healthy living will get you into excellent shape before trying for a baby, help you become pregnant more quickly and reduce the chance of miscarriage.
Preconceptual care is a common sense approach, and when both couples adopt these principles, it can dramatically increase the chances of a healthy conception.
Five Steps to Fertility
For 3-4 months, both partners should:
- Eat only health, fresh foods
- Eliminate any toxic substances from your system – for example give up smoking and drinking alcohol
- Find out which vitamins and minerals you are short of, and top up
- Become as fit and well as you can – for example exercise regularly and get checked and treated for any low level genito-urinary infections such as thrush
- Reduce the level of stress in your life
Complementary therapy treatments including herbal medicine, reflexology, chiropractic, acupuncture and even counselling can work gently and effectively to eliminate some of the obstacles to conception. Everyone and every couple is unique, and complementary therapies excels at holistically addressing individual health concerns.
Phytotherapy (Herbal Medicine).
Various herbal medicines are available to us to balance and enhance reproductive health, fertility and sexual vitality in both men and women. Herbs can have a potent effect on the reproductive system, and you will get the best results if you see a qualified naturopath or herbalist who are trained in the actions and administration of herbal medicine.
Some herbal remedies especially for women:
Vitex agnus-castus (Chaste Tree) – can assist to regulate periods and balance out the oestrogen and progesterone levels and rations.
Chamaelirium luteum (False Unicorn Root) – this North American herb has an excellent reputation as a tonic for the uterus and ovaries, and a balancing effect on the sex hormones. It is traditionally used for encouraging fertility in women.
Angelica sinensis (Dong Quai) – a traditional Chinese herbal tonic for women to regulate hormones and ovulation. This herb should not be taken in early pregnancy and avoided if there is a possibility you could be pregnant.
Withania somnifera (Winter Cherry) – is strengthening, rejuvenating and an important herb for stress and fatigue.
Asparagus racemosa (Shatavari) – a hormone balancer from India, which also enhances libido in women.
Some herbal remedies for men:
Turnera diffusa (Damiana) – strengthens the male reproductive system and also has a reputation as an aphrodisiac.
Panax ginseng (Korean Ginseng) – a useful herb for impotence, stress, low sperm count and fatigue.
Nutrition.
Both prospective parents should consider adequate intake of:
- Protein
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B-complex
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
- Essential Fatty Acids
- Calcium
- Zinc
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Iodine
- Iron
- Copper
- Boron
- Selenium
- Chromium
Where possible, minerals should be chelated and from an organic, natural source.
Finally, positive thinking is important. Whether this is through visualisation, verbal affirmations, hypnosis, meditation or other relaxation techniques, it can be a wonderful way to create change in your body.
Oriental medicine and fertility – a personal and professional view.
Facing fertility problems can be a very stressful experience. I have always had an interest in this area of health and have worked with many couples trying to conceive. But it wasn’t until I battled with infertility myself that I really understood how deeply it can affect you. I now know first-hand that it can take you to some very dark places. The experience has made me passionate about helping people in the same predicament.
In my case, a combination of issues meant the odds were not looking good, even with IVF. I’m sure that following a pre-conception program of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, and continuing the acupuncture to support the IVF cycles, was instrumental in having a successful pregnancy. Other things helped too, which I will go into later.
First, let’s look at how Oriental medicine boosts fertility.
Oriental medicine looks at the body as being governed by the flow of energy (Qi), which in turn influences the flow of Blood. (The concept of Blood in Oriental medicine is a bit broader than that in Western medicine, so we are talking about more than just the fluid that we know as blood in the West.) The smooth flow of Qi and Blood in the meridians (energetic channels) is vital to the various organ systems working harmoniously together. This is especially true when it comes to the reproductive system. Oriental medical theory sees the Kidney, Liver and Heart organ and meridian systems as being particularly important, but others can be involved as well.
By regulating Qi and Blood flow, Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine help regulate the menstrual cycle and calm the mind, so that your body is in the optimum state to conceive and carry a baby. One way that this works is by increasing the blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, something that has been measured in scientific studies.
Preparing the ground.
In Oriental medicine, we see preparation for pregnancy as being very important. In the same way as a farmer would carefully prepare the soil to grow crops, we work on your internal environment so that it is ideal for an embryo to implant and grow for the next nine months. I recommend a pre-conception program of around 3 months, as this is the time an egg takes to mature in the ovary. During this time we focus on observing your body’s natural signs, regulating the menstrual cycle and calming the mind, as well as looking at any lifestyle changes that may be beneficial.
Similarly, it takes between 2 to 3 months for sperm to develop, so this time-frame works well for men too. Ideally, both partners should come in for treatment for best results.
Specific fertility issues.
Many conditions affecting fertility can be helped with Oriental medicine. These include endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and sperm problems.
A recently published review of several studies showed that women taking Chinese herbal medicine for fertility problems were 3.5 times more likely to conceive than those having drug therapy alone.
Supporting IVF or ART (assisted reproduction technology).
In some cases, IVF or ART are needed, and acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine work well with these treatments. In fact, research shows that they can improve the success rate of IVF, particularly in poor responders (when few eggs develop in response to hormonal stimulation) and women over 35.
Again, it is important to prepare the body adequately before having these invasive procedures. During this time, acupuncture and Chinese herbs are useful. When the IVF cycle starts (hormonal injections begin), we usually continue with acupuncture alone, to avoid interactions with fertility drugs. It is important to have acupuncture at key times in the IVF cycle, with a treatment before and after embryo transfer being very important in maximising the chances of implantation. We also tailor the acupuncture program to the type of IVF cycle (long down-regulation, antagonist etc.).
Acupuncture increases blood flow to the reproductive organs, helping follicle development, and preparing the endometrium (lining of the uterus) for implantation. It may also help stop the uterus from contracting after the transfer, thereby helping implantation. It also has a key role in balancing the emotions and counteracting stress. Which is useful, as undergoing IVF can be extremely stressful, and you may find yourself on an emotional rollercoaster.
What else can help with fertility issues?
Here are some of the things I found useful:
- Research. Spend some time educating yourself about any diagnosed fertility problems, so that you can ask the right questions of your health care team. If further medical help is needed, think carefully about the best specialist and clinic for you. I can help you with some factors to consider.
- Have your diet looked at by a Naturopath. Many nutrients and supplements are important in boosting fertility. But you need a dietary approach that is sustainable and that doesn’t add to your stress. If you need to lose weight (and this can be important in some types of fertility issues), slow and steady is best.
- Relaxation / stress reduction. This is important in dealing with infertility, especially if you need ART or IVF. Keeping a balanced frame of mind can be difficult but is important from an Oriental medicine point of view. Yoga worked well for me, but for others the answer might be reflexology or massage. Some people deal with stress through exercise, and this is certainly beneficial. But it’s important not to do intense exercise from a few days after ovulation (or after the embryo transfer if you are doing IVF) until the end of the cycle, as this can be counter productive.
- Find an outlet. Talking with friends or family that understand, online discussion forums, counselling – these can all save your sanity.
What is Neuro Emotional Technique?
Neuro Emotional Technique or NET is a simple mind-body stress reduction intervention aimed at improving behavioral and physical problems, such as in chronic injuries, subluxations, pain, worry, anxiety, depression, etc. It was developed by an american Chiropractor, who like all Chiropractors would regularly see patients where chiropractic adjustments aren’t enough to help them with chronic pain, while also understanding that stress changes our physiology and affects our structure, and hence can lead to musculoskeletal problems.
Its common for a memory to elicit a physiological response in us, such as the example where simply thinking of a food we really enjoy can make us salivate. That occurs more strongly when the memory has some stress associated with it. This physiological response is known as ‘conditioning’, and the stronger the emotion, the stronger the conditioning. Over time this conditioned response will lessen and eventually subside, and this is the normal process of ‘extinction’. Although, if at the time of conditioning the body is not in a balanced state then the process of extinction does not take place. This results in an aberrant response to future similar stimulus. A response that once was appropriate is now unnecessary and even excessive.
An example is someone who almost drowned will be fearful of water initially. They will commonly experience some of the same physiological responses they did at the time of the near drowning, such as heart racing, pupils dilating, sweaty palms etc., when they are in water or even think of being in water. For most people this reaction subsides, but for a few they continue to have this response, which is no longer necessary or appropriate. This can become a problem as it impacts negatively on their life. This lack of extinction can also be a problem in relatively minor day-to-day experiences such as public speaking, confrontations, interviews, flying etc. The impact of this may be very obvious in day to day life, such as the two examples given, but commonly it impacts on us in less obvious ways, and results in chronic pains or illnesses.
NET is a treatment that allows your body to go through that natural process of extinction (which it has failed to do) and hence reduce any of those inappropriate physiological reactions. NET differs from counseling, as it doesn’t involve talking it out, it is a tool that removes any blocks to the bodys natural healing ability and as such allows the body to heal itself more effectively. It can be used in the course of a chiropractic treatment to assist the structural correction, or it can be utilised as the sole treatment in a session to work on specific emotional reactions or blockages that the patient wants to address.