What Is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is an inflammatory health condition that mostly affects the reproductive organs in women. It is usually a severe health condition that has no cure yet but can be properly managed through different measures. It occurs when the tissues in the uterus begin to grow outside the uterus, which comes hand in hand with excruciating pain.
The major cause of this condition is the abnormal secretion and excess amounts of reproductive hormones such as estrogen. When the estrogen level in the body becomes too high, different reproductive health conditions like endometriosis may begin to surface.
Facts About Endometriosis
According to research, endometriosis occurs in about 15% to 20% of women of their childbearing age. Apart from affecting the uterus grossly, it can also spread to other parts of the reproductive system like the fallopian tubes and ovaries. When left neglected for a long time, it can become severe and even life-threatening.
Complicated endometriosis is characterized by heavy menstrual bleeding, painful sex, infertility, inflammation of the reproductive organs, stomach issues, pelvic pain, back pain, and nausea.
Different measures are taken to manage the symptoms and the condition itself. Women with severe endometriosis might have to undergo surgery. Nonetheless, changes to lifestyle and diet can also help in the management of the condition.
Pain relief medications can also be administered to ease symptoms. Other medications can help regulate the production of estrogen and peg the hormone level at the appropriate amount. This is where herbal remedies come in.
Herbal remedies used in the management of endometriosis focus on eliminating the pain associated with the condition and regulating the reproductive hormone. Thus, when the hormones are balanced, and the pain fades away, the effects of endometriosis on fertility and reproduction will begin to fizzle out.
Although there has been no scientifically backed cure for endometriosis, the condition can be managed using different methods, one of which is the herbal method.
This article is packed with natural herbs that are composed of nutrients, compounds, and properties that can help effectively manage reproductive health conditions like endometriosis and eliminate the symptoms that come with them.
Herbal Remedies for Endometriosis Pain
These herbs have been tested on women with endometriosis. Thus they have proven to be effective in improving the condition’s symptoms. All the herbs in this article are safe to use. However, it is best to seek a doctor’s advice before combining them with other drugs.
Curcumin
Curcumin is an active turmeric agent and an effective remedy for endometriosis. It improves the endometriosis symptoms by inhibiting the growth of endometrial tissues. In addition, it acts as an active anti-inflammatory agent that helps relieve the pain that comes with endometriosis. In other words, it soothes the reproductive organs, making the condition less painful.
According to research, curcumin can also help regulate women’s reproductive hormones. Thus, the appropriate and required estrogen level is secreted, no more or less.
These attributes make it one of the best compounds in herbs that women with this condition resort to. Since endometrial tissues can spread or migrate to other reproductive organs, curcumin in turmeric also has properties that can end the migration of the endometrial tissues.
Ginger Tea
Tea made out of ginger has a high content of anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, taking ginger tea regularly as an endometriosis patient can help relieve the inflammation in your reproductive organs. It is also packed with compounds that can help prevent nausea.
Studies carried out among women with endometriosis who drank ginger tea regularly showed that they had less painful symptoms than women who used just over-the-counter medications. They also reported less irritation and nausea.
You can purchase ginger tea from stores or pharmacies. However, ensure that whichever brand of ginger tea you buy is 100% natural. Better still, you can decide to make ginger tea on your own in the comfort of your home. This even assures you of a more natural tea.
Chamomile
In ancient times, chamomile was used to treat menstruation-related conditions and used to work well for menstrual cramps. Today, it has been discovered that chamomile goes beyond sorting out menstrual issues. It also helps in the prevention and management of endometriosis.
This is why most people refer to it as “the feminine herb” because it is mostly used by women to treat mensural and pre-menopausal symptoms. Not only does it soothe the reproductive organs and reduce cramps and inflammation, but it also reduces nausea, prevents the spread of the endometrial tissues, and boosts fertility in women.
It also inhibits the growth of endometrial tissues by killing off the cells that form the endometrial tissues. Researchers have suggested that chamomile may have promising effects on conventional medicines for endometriosis.
Vitex
Vitex is a herb that is gotten from the chaste tree. It is mostly used to treat reproductive health conditions. It also has a higher chance of being incorporated into endometriosis drugs later compared to chamomile.
Vitex is effective at regulating estrogen such that the body does not stimulate more than the required amount of the hormone. In addition, it helps improve the symptoms of endometriosis, ranging from extremely heavy bleeding during menstruation to cramps and nausea.
It is also an effective remedy for managing pre-menopausal symptoms. More studies have shown that the herb can help improve fertility in women, just like chamomile does.
Peppermint
Peppermint has active agents that can eliminate inflammation and soothe the pelvic pain associated with endometriosis. Coupled with these, its antioxidant properties prevent the oxidative damage of cells that form the reproductive organs.
Although it might not directly affect the growth of the endometrial tissues, it is an awesome pain relief for endometriosis symptoms. Since it does not inhibit the growth of the endometrial tissues, peppermint can be combined with other herbs that kill endometrial tissues or slow down the growth of such tissues.
Ginger tea is a good example of an herb you can take alongside peppermint. You can also add turmeric to the ginger tea for better results.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is a common herb among Asians, especially Indians. This herb helps in the management of many health conditions in different parts of the body. For endometriosis, ashwagandha helps relieve the pain in the pelvic area as a result of its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
It is also an effective stress reduction herb. Studies have shown that women with endometriosis usually have high-stress levels. Taking ashwagandha herb regularly can help lower stress levels.
In other words, it soothes symptoms of endometriosis. Also, it lowers stress levels, thereby improving women’s endometriosis quality of life.
Pine Bark
Tea made from pine bark can help relieve the inflammation associated with endometriosis. Studies on women who replaced their over-the-counter pain relief medications with pine bark tea reported an improvement in their symptoms.
They experienced lesser pelvic pain and had a smoother menstrual cycle with no cramps. All you should do is boil the pine tree’s bark in a pot, allow it to cool a bit, and then drink it 3 times daily for 2 weeks. If symptoms persist after taking this herb, ensure that you visit the hospital for proper medical attention.
What’s More?
These herbs can be used alone or taken alongside other herbs. That is, you can decide to use one of the herbs alone for your condition, or better still, combine about 2 or 3 of the other herbs for better results.
These herbs are also safe to use alongside administered drugs and over-the-counter medications. Nevertheless, it is best to ask your doctor before combining herbs with drugs to prevent drug interaction.
Conclusion
Endometriosis is a reproductive condition that affects women. It occurs when tissues from the uterus begin to grow outside the uterus. These tissues also spread to other reproductive organs like the fallopian tubes and the ovaries.
Although no cure has been found for the condition, the condition can be managed through different measures, ranging from herbal remedies to physical activities, lifestyle changes, diet changes, over-the-counter medications, and surgery.
The condition can trigger infertility in women, but when managed properly, the case of infertility will reduce to the barest minimum.
