Infertility,
women
Infertility, which is becoming more of a problem
in today’s culture, is usually considered a condition where
a deficiency in hormonal adjustment is coupled with a deficiency
of blood and/or qi. Thus tonification and gentle rebalancing of
the endocrine system become the central ideas of treatment. Sometimes,
an increased body temperature (heat, generalized inflammation) can
be implicated as well; it may be helpful to track waking core temperature
for a menstrual cycle or two.
Treatment Goal(s):
· Balance hormonal profile; tonify blood and adrenal qi.
.
Primary Treatment:
· Vitex agnus-castus, in tincture, administered at a dose
of one teaspoon once or twice daily.
· Administer Chamaelirium luteum (False Unicorn root, Helonias
root) and Dioscorea villosa (Wild Yam).
· Administer Angelica sinensis (Dong Quai), Rhemannia glutinosa,
and Urtica diotica (Nettles) as blood and qi tonics.
Supportive Treatment:
· Endocrine tonics such as Sassafras albidum and Smilax sarsaparilla
can be useful additions.
· Gentle liver support with bitters such as Taraxacum officinale
(Dandelion) can be helpful especially if there is any sign of liver
or digestive weakness.
Differential diagnoses, cautions, and other considerations:
· Work in consultation with a qualified midwife.
· If there is thyroid and/or metabolic deficiency, use a
good quality seaweed supplement or dietary addition.
· If there is metabolic excess, cooling the physiology with
bitters and Coriandrum sativum (Cilantro leaf) becomes more important.
· If there is an obvious pattern of adrenal depletion, consider
the addition (short-term) of Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) and Panax
quinquefolius (American Ginseng).
· If dysmenorrhea is present, or if there is a history of
miscarriage, the addition of Viburnum prunifolium (Black Haw) as
an antispasmodic is indicated.
· Treat anxiety appropriately with gentle non-sedating nervines
like Avena sativa (Oats) and Scutellaria lateriflora (Scullcap).
