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Traditional Chinese Medicine
(TCM) has been treating
fertility successfully for
over two thousand years, long
before Assisted Reproductive
Technology (ART) was a glimmer
in anyone's eye. Since more
and more couples are
encountering the very
emotional and frustrating
road-block of infertility,
it's important to understand
the three organs that play a
major role in fostering a
healthy, fertile body.
In TCM, your body, mind and
spirit are an integrated
system. Thus, you are a whole
unit. In your body, all of
your organs operate together
as a system. Yes, you have
individual organs that have
specific functions, but the
overall function of any organ
is to support a healthy, vital
system. When you balance the
Liver, Kidneys/Adrenals and
Spleen/Pancreas you provide
your body or system with the
healthy equilibrium it needs
for accessing fertility.
Let's look at each of these
organs in this way:
* What the organ does in
the body (the primary function
according to TCM vs. Western
Medicine:
* How to recognize
symptoms of imbalance
* How to correct imbalance
* Why the corrections are
important to enhance fertility
Liver
Function: The Liver is
responsible for the smooth
flow of energy and blood
throughout the entire body.
The Liver is also responsible
for detoxifying everything
that goes through the body
(food, liquid, toxins,
emotions,
pollutants...everything!) The
Liver also plays a key role in
digestion, hormone balance,
and normal menstruation.
Symptoms of imbalance:
Endometriosis, fibroids,
ovarian cysts, painful
menstruation (cramps, PMS,
blood clots), irritable
bowels, headaches, restless
sleep (especially between 1:00
and 3:00am), irritability,
anger, frustration,
impatience, stress.
How to correct imbalance: The
Liver responds well to a
balanced diet free of
chemicals, toxins, and
overindulgence. The Liver is
able to smooth out your energy
flow with regular stress
reduction opportunities (deep
breathing, body movement,
fresh water, castor oil packs,
cleansing, acupuncture,
meditation).
Why important: The energy in
your reproductive system must
be flowing for conception and
birth to happen. Your inner
terrain must not be a toxic
waste dump or new life will
have a difficult time growing.
As well, all the nutritional
supplements you might be
taking, work inefficiently in
a toxic environment.
Spleen/Pancreas
Function: The Spleen and
Pancreas is a combined organ
TCM. The Spleen is
responsible for receiving
food, transforming the food
into nutrients, and
transporting the nutrients via
your blood to your entire
system. The Spleen is
responsible for ample blood
supply in your body.
Symptoms of imbalance: Poor
appetite, afternoon fatigue,
sugar/carbohydrate cravings,
loose stools, lethargy,
obsessive or over thinking,
feeling stuck.
How to correct imbalance: The
Spleen thrives on regularity,
is greatly burdened by
overeating, is weakened by
improper foods (most
especially excess
carbohydrates) and needs a
balance of macronutrients to
support healthy function in
the body.
Macronutrients are: Proteins,
Carbohydrates and Essential
Fats. Micronutrients, or
vitamins and minerals, are
then extracted from our intake
of macronutrients.
Why important: The Spleen is
the organ that nourishes your
entire system. Equally as
important as not allowing your
inner terrain to be a toxic
waste dump, is giving your
inner terrain healthy
nutrients from which to
function. If your Spleen is
burdened with excessive blood
sugar and/or insufficient
nutrition, then your hormone
balance suffers. This
directly affects your body's
ability to conceive.
Kidneys/Adrenals
Function: The Kidneys and
Adrenals are also a combined
organ TCM. The Kidneys are
responsible for reproduction
and birth. The health of the
Kidneys determines egg quality
and sperm quality. The
Kidneys support the Liver and
Spleen. The Kidneys are the
battery pack of your system.
An unhealthy Kidney function
(according to TCM function),
renders conception difficult.
Symptoms of imbalance: Lower
back pain or ache, tired or
injured legs/knees/ankles,
frequent urination, lack of
vitality, easily cold or hot
flashes, frequent feelings of
fear, stress, overworking,
decreased sexual desire.
How to correct imbalance: The
Kidneys absolutely need enough
sleep, preferably
uninterrupted. Balancing work
with rest is vital to the
Kidneys. Explore ways to
re-direct excess feelings of
fear to feelings of trust,
hope and inner peace.
Why important: It is during
sleep that your body
regenerates repairs and
revitalizes. Getting enough
uninterrupted sleep is a
direct contribution to your
fertility. Not overworking
gives the Kidneys a chance to
recover from the energy it
requires to work. The adrenal
glands are unbelievably
overworked by having to
secrete adrenaline hormones to
counteract your responses to
stress all day long. Finding
ways to respond to your life
with more calm and less
"fight-or-flight" will take
the burden off the adrenals,
which in turn, supports the
balance of your entire hormone
system.
There are 12 main organ
systems in TCM, yet you have
plenty to focus on with just
these three. If you will
diligently begin supporting
these three organs, you will
do quite a bit to get yourself
closer and closer to your wish
of being a parent. I wish you
a successful fertility journey.
By: Laurie Morse, L.Ac.
www.MyFertilitySuccess.com
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