Moon Cycle.
Every girl will experience puberty and that's a fact. But, did you know that a normal cycle should not be painful? With the proper diet to balance hormones every girl and woman can achieve a smoother cycle.
Often times we ignore our painful cycle because we perceive it as a normal process one goes through every month until we hit menopause. If you manage your diet and your emotional health you will have a smoother painless cycle. Your cycle tells you a lot about your reproductive health.
In Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) our reproductive health depends on the Kidney, Spleen, and Liver. At the same time, these three organs also rule menstruation and menopause. Having a healthy menstruation means you will have a healthy fertility and menopausal phase later in life.
Every girl will experience puberty and that's a fact. But, did you know that a normal cycle should not be painful? With the proper diet to balance hormones every girl and woman can achieve a smoother cycle.
Often times we ignore our painful cycle because we perceive it as a normal process one goes through every month until we hit menopause. If you manage your diet and your emotional health you will have a smoother painless cycle. Your cycle tells you a lot about your reproductive health.
In Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) our reproductive health depends on the Kidney, Spleen, and Liver. At the same time, these three organs also rule menstruation and menopause. Having a healthy menstruation means you will have a healthy fertility and menopausal phase later in life.
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I cannot talk about the cycle without including “Yin, Qi and Blood”. Blood is part of “Yin” which nourishes the body including the joints, muscle tissues and tendon and brain matter. Qi moves the blood and blood moves the Qi. One cannot exist without the other. This all starts with a healthy diet so the body can make blood and Qi. It is a cycle of life.
The Kidney houses the “Essence” or “Yin” in TCM. A healthy Spleen depends on a healthy diet of nutritious and warm cook food. Why warm and cook food? That is because the Spleen is very sensitive to cold and dampness. When the Spleen is exposed to too much cold or coldness for a long period of time, its’ function becomes weak and slow. This will cause both digestion and absorption issues.
It is vital for the body to absorb the right nutrition so the Spleen can make blood. When the Blood is produced it is transfer to the Liver to store the blood so one can have a cycle. If there is not enough blood, one will have a scanty cycle. If there is too much heat in the blood, one will have a long cycle and if one have emotional issues, one will have a painful cycle. The reason is, when the “Qi” is not moving, it will not move the blood as Qi and blood have a very close relationship. When “Qi” is stagnated, it causes bloating because it can’t move the energy of the spleen, therefore it will produce dampness (bloating) and pain.
Here are some suggestions for a pain free cycle. As you practice these guidelines, your cycle will get better each month. These guidelines are to preserve the “Yin” and to help you with a smoother cycle:
It is about prevention. It takes awareness and a little work each day but the reward is abundant health. Alternative medicine is a way to prevent diseases as well as dealing with chronic issues.
The Kidney houses the “Essence” or “Yin” in TCM. A healthy Spleen depends on a healthy diet of nutritious and warm cook food. Why warm and cook food? That is because the Spleen is very sensitive to cold and dampness. When the Spleen is exposed to too much cold or coldness for a long period of time, its’ function becomes weak and slow. This will cause both digestion and absorption issues.
It is vital for the body to absorb the right nutrition so the Spleen can make blood. When the Blood is produced it is transfer to the Liver to store the blood so one can have a cycle. If there is not enough blood, one will have a scanty cycle. If there is too much heat in the blood, one will have a long cycle and if one have emotional issues, one will have a painful cycle. The reason is, when the “Qi” is not moving, it will not move the blood as Qi and blood have a very close relationship. When “Qi” is stagnated, it causes bloating because it can’t move the energy of the spleen, therefore it will produce dampness (bloating) and pain.
Here are some suggestions for a pain free cycle. As you practice these guidelines, your cycle will get better each month. These guidelines are to preserve the “Yin” and to help you with a smoother cycle:
- Eliminate cold and raw food 1-2 weeks before your cycle. This step will make a huge difference in your cycle as cold/raw food can cause painful cycle
- Avoid damp forming food such as cheese, dairy (unless you can digest it)
- Eat warm and cook food as well as drink warm beverage or water
- Go to bed by 10 – 10:30pm, this will preserve your “Yin”
- Process your emotions and not hold on to it, it can cause “Qi” stagnation
- Do not exercise during your cycle, especially hard work outs. Walking is perfect
- Last but not least, herbs can help with all these symptoms
It is about prevention. It takes awareness and a little work each day but the reward is abundant health. Alternative medicine is a way to prevent diseases as well as dealing with chronic issues.
Karen Chan received her Masters in Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine from ACCHS in Oakland, California. With a passion for preventative care and nutrition, she has been helping her clients in the East Bay achieve a more balanced and healthy lifestyle since 2009.
4287 Piedmont Ave, Ste 106C, Oakland, CA 94611 || (510) 384-9226
4287 Piedmont Ave, Ste 106C, Oakland, CA 94611 || (510) 384-9226
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