In the five phase seasons it is still winter, ruled by the water element. But on Noongar Whadjuk Boojar it is also Djilba, when spring begins.
fertility – conceive naturally
Acupuncture and herbal medicine improve the fertility of women and couples who are trying to conceive, naturally or through IVF.
In general, happy healthy people are more fertile and the treatments will aim for this. We will also work on specifics such as such as egg quality and the health of the endometrial lining, calming the nervous system, and emotional support.
Continuing treatment during pregnancy addresses morning sickness, low energy or digestive issues in the 1st trimester; lower back pain later on; and preparation for trouble-free labor and delivery.
There’s even an old herbal prescription called Guarantee Trouble Free Labour Drink 保產無憂方
The most recent review of evidence found that acupuncture benefits the outcomes of women with infertility and that the number of treatments is a potential influential factor (1). Interestingly another review found that the evidence was better that herbal medicine had an effect on infertility(2). And a review of the evidence for acupuncture to improve the outcomes of IVF said that it could improve pregnancy rates (3).
(1) Quan K, Yu C, Wen X, Lin Q, Wang N, Ma H. Acupuncture as Treatment for Female Infertility: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2022 Feb 16;2022:3595033. link. PMID: 35222669; PMCID: PMC8865966.
(2) Lee JW, Hyun MK, Kim HJ, Kim DI. Acupuncture and herbal medicine for female infertility: an overview of systematic reviews. Integr Med Res. 2021 Sep;10(3):100694. link. Epub 2020 Nov 18. PMID: 33665092; PMCID: PMC7903059.
(3) Xiu, Wc., Gang, Wj., Jiao, Rm. et al. Effect of Acupuncture on Outcomes of In-Vitro Fertilisation: A Scoping Review. Chin. J. Integr. Med. 28, 472–480 (2022). link
ginseng is an adaptogen
Ginseng is an adoptogen. What does that mean? That it does what the person taking it needs it to do.
I had to do a bit of research because a doctor asked me it there was ginseng in a client’s medicine that could have made his blood pressure too high. It turns out that ginseng may raise blood pressure in individuals when it is too low, but reduces blood pressure when it is too high and is being investigated as a treatment for hypertension.
Many of the herbs we use are adaptogens, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that everyone should take them. Young people with lots of exuberant natural energy (Yang) may find that ginseng may make them a bit restless or agitated, or it may effect their sleep. People who drink too much coffee will probably feel a bit edgy if they also take ginseng. And older people whose cooling receptive nourishment (Yin) has declined may find ginseng overheats them a bit.
An Osteopathy student at uni told me that his Chinese mother took so much reishi mushroom and ginseng that she got headaches and nosebleeds. Too much heat in our book. But he couldn’t convince her to take less.
- Irfan, Muhammad et al. “Adaptogenic effects of Panax ginseng on modulation of cardiovascular functions.” Journal of ginseng research vol. 44,4 (2020): 538-543. doi:10.1016/j.jgr.2020.03.001
- Kim, Jong-Hoon. “Cardiovascular Diseases and Panax ginseng: A Review on Molecular Mechanisms and Medical Applications.” Journal of ginseng research vol. 36,1 (2012): 16-26. doi:10.5142/jgr.2012.36.1.16
- Lee HW, Lim HJ, Jun JH, Choi J, Lee MS. Ginseng for Treating Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Double Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trials. Curr Vasc Pharmacol. 2017;15(6):549-556. doi: 10.2174/1570161115666170713092701. PMID: 28707603.