The organ systems affected by drug use that are involved in women’s reproductive health are the Liver, Spleen and Kidneys (see section on TCM perspective on drug use). 

Disharmonies in menstrual regularity, and health can be improved by restoring balance to these organs through herbs, nutrition, acupuncture, bodywork and exercise.

Recommended diet for healthy menses>>

Foods for specific menstrual problems>>

Recipes for Women’s Health

Recommended diet for a healthy female reproductive system>> 

Amphetamines and women’s health – Listen to interview with Nadine Hennequin and Michele Leber>>

Back to Drugs, Alcohol and Nourishment Menu

  

  

Recommended diet for healthy menses>>

Avoid:

• Caffeine
• Alcohol
• Cold or frozen foods
• Refined sugars
• Hydrogenated fats (margarines, other butter substitutes, many processed foods such as biscuits)
• Polyunsaturated cooking oils
• Excessive consumption of fruit or raw foods in general

Influences on a woman’s menstrual cycle –

• Accumulation of steroid residues from consumption of non-organic poultry, eggs, meats & dairy products
• Suppression of thyroid activity (& its effects on the endocrine system) by Fluoride in our water
• Insufficient levels of antioxidant Vitamin E (essential for smooth menstruation) destroyed by chlorine in our water
• Oral contraceptives & Intrauterine devices (IUD’s) can lead to sluggish vital energy (Qi) & blood circulation in the uterus

Ensure a diet plentiful in the following –

Back to top>>

 Foods for specific menstrual complaints:

Cramping & Pains

                       Calcium, Magnesium, Essential Fatty Acids (as listed above)

Menstrual pain associated with cold & deficiency:

Increase consumption of warming foods such as oats, black beans, black pepper, basil, dill & caraway                                                  Avoid cold & raw food, & cooling fruit (eg. Citrus)

Menstrual pain associated with heat & excess:

Increase consumption of cooling vegetable foods such as celery, lettuce, spinach, chard, kale, mung beans, millet, carrot, parsley & spirulina micro-algae

Reduce consumption of rich tonic foods such as red meat, eggs, dairy products & refined sugars

Absence of Menses:

Associated with deficiency:   Increase consumption of nourishing foods such as brown rice

Back to Top

Recipes for Women’s health

Blood-enriching salad

This salad is a simple wonder at those times of the month where one can feel a little more noticeably light-headed, when getting up quickly and having a little trouble falling asleep.  It is also useful to nourish the blood, post-period.  Beetroot is calming, circulation-promoting, blood-purifying and beneficial for the liver.  Coupled with carrots, it helps to regulate the female hormones.  Broccoli is a rich source of iron, B vitamins and chlorophyll. A satisfying lunch, this dish can be made from the previous meal’s steamed and roasted vegetables.  The dressing is best made fresh. (Serves 4)

1 med or 2 small beetroot, steamed, peeled, cut into wedges

1 small head of broccoli, cut into flowerettes, lightly steamed

150g green beans or snow peas, blanched for 10 to 30 secs

1 large carrot, chopped, lightly steamed

1 small eggplant, wedged, salted, lightly oiled, roasted

1 small sweet potato, wedged, lightly oiled, roasted

1 tomato or cherry tomatoes, wedged or kept whole

1 tsp sliced red onion

Large handful Asian salad leaves mix, rinsed, well drained

1 tbsp fresh basil or oregano leaves, torn or sliced

Juice of 1 lemon

Cold-pressed unrefined extra virgin olive oil

1 small garlic clove, grated

Pinch of Macrobiotic Sea salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Combine all cooled salad ingredients.

For the dressing, place the lemon juice in a small jar and add the equivalent amount of extra virgin olive oil, half of the garlic, a tiny pinch of salt and some cracked pepper.  Add the oregano, if using.  Shake well and taste.  Add more garlic here, if desired.

Drizzle dressing onto salad and gently toss to combine.

 Enjoy with a slice or two of crusty rye sourdough bread toasted, rubbed with a garlic clove.

 Back to Top

Foods for a healthy female reproductive system

Turmeric         

•                         1/4 –1/2 tsp daily
•                         Warming & bitter
•                         Reduces uterine tumours & fibroids
•                         Reduces menstrual pain
•                         Relieves Liver congestion & protects it from toxins
•                         Facilitates digestion of protein

Eggplant

•  Cooling & sweet
• Treats congealed blood & tumours of the uterus
• Aids in releasing repressed emotions & their effects on the Liver & uterus

Job’

s tears

•                Variety of barley, often sold as pearled barley in an Asian grocer (smaller & tighter), also contained in Bonsoy organic soy milk.
•                         Asparagus  -  in abundance from now until January (50g daily)
•                         Detoxifies & promotes urination for fluid retention
•                         Promotes blood circulation
•                         Abundant in Vitamin E antioxidant

Food : Chives, Garlic, Vinegar, Basil, Peach kernel, Spring onion, Leek, Ginger, Chestnut, Rosemary, Cayenne, Nutmeg, Kohlrabi White pepper, Aduki bean, Sweet rice, Spearmint, Black fungus

*  Avoid wheat products, as wheat promotes tissue growth – seaweeds, on the other hand, resolve masses

Back to Top >>

Traditional Chinese Medicine approach to amphetamines and women’s health

Nadine Hennequin (TCM practitioner and AOD clinician) interviews Michele Leber from Windana.

Listen to interview>>> 

Back to Top