WHAT IS PMS? 

For a lot of women, the time before menstruation may be filled with intense physical and emotional discomfort initiated by chemical-hormonal changes in the body. Nontheless, this condition and cause deserves a further look.

PreMenstrual Syndrome (PMS) symptoms can be dreadfully disturbing. However, they can be remedied and equilibrium can be established. In truth, an expert master herbalist, with a long established practice, apprenticed in multiple modalities of herbology including Chinese medicine, can promptly remedy PMS and impact the basic causation, naturally. It is reasonable to expect initial relief within 2 hours unless the individual has a long term illness. With chronic situations, a realistic expectation would be 45-90 days.

PMS Imbalances fall into three categories:

1. Mild Menstrual symptoms – symptoms do not interfere with daily activities.
2. Moderate Premenstrual symptoms – symptoms obviously disrupt daily function.
3. Severe Premenstrual Imbalance – extreme symptoms which interrupt
   many activities of daily living (ADL).

Click here for more PreMenstrual Syndrome information.The actual condition is the result of blood pollution and coagulation or toxic clogging. Most likely, because the the internal organs have become tired, the liver isn’t filtering the blood and the spleen doesn’t have the energy to quicken the blood as usual. Any stress or extreme life habit can disturb them easily. The above link goes to solutions that reverse this stress and aging process.

Additional PMS FACTS 

• Scientific research has not determined the specific cause of PMS. All the same, PMS is understood to be connected to both neuro-psychological and hormonal factors. The common element between the factors is the blood and its quality.
• {PMS is most prevalent among women in their late 20s to early 40s, with at least one child, or with a past history of either postpartum depression or an emotional disorder}.
• Pre-Menstrual Syndrome, during the child-rearing years, effects an estimated 75% of the female population.
• 5 – 7% of women have been determined to suffer from severe PMS.
• 50 – 60% of women suffering from extreme PMS also experience emotional imbalances – depression, anxiety, compulsive behaviors, insomnia, and migraines.
• Women, with the usual menstrual cycle, can also be affected by PMS.
• PMS may happen in women with normal progesterone and estrogen levels.

Technorati Tags: anxiety, cramps, hormone imbalance, insomnia, palpitations, PMDD, PMS, Pre-Menstrual Syndrome

Do you want a real solution rather than all the make-money quick formulas?

I  know what I have to say may sound arrogant but its time for a master herbalist to call this for what it is. Most of the menopause products are created based on 3 processes:

• a single supplement/herb wonder
• a combination of past researched supplements/herbs with an addition of the latest fad herb
• in most cases a newbie manufacturer/distributer copies another company’s product that is selling well

The result is that it is difficult for the consumer to determine what works.

So how do you know what works?

You do not know the ins and outs of the herb supplement industry. Anybody can produce testimonials but long term repeatable, sustainable results are very challenging to produce. Even the research that is presented is not the full story but rather a spin on the research to move you to buy a particular product. In most cases, the manufacturer may truely believe they have a formula that will work based on misinformation on a herb’s benefits.

MASTER HERBALISTS NEED AT LEAST 10 YEARS of PRACTICE 

The time element is critical to allow the practitioner to get the kinks out and test his/her knowledge

Herbalists who have studied and worked with clients over 10 years or more begin to know what is successful. In my opinion, an herbalist needs to know, in-depth, about other herbal systems in order to appreciate what formulas and single herbs work. What is taught in our traditional Chinese herbs and herb medicine schools is only a beginning knowledge and needs to be tested or, better yet, graduates need long term apprenticeship before they are ready to correct imbalances with their clients. Medical doctors rely on their Physician’s Desk Reference for information on herbs which is truely a beginning base source. I will tell you this, to start with, that one herb or formula is not going to work for all. They may work for a population or a group of people who have a similar constitution but not everyone. Black Cohosh is a Chinese herb but is not appropriate for menopause. Most discoveries about herbs come from Chinese herbal medicine but revealed to the American public in an incomplete manner. The American manufacturers share the info about an herb as a solution for everyone who has a symptom. Nevermind, all the body of Chinese medicine and theory that understands that there are different body types or constitutions that may accompany those symptoms.

MYTH OF BLACK COHOSH 

Black Cohosh is used to treat fever in Chinese Medicine not hot flash or surge of heat stemming from the liver overheating. Yet, Black Cohosh is touted as a base for alot of American herbal formulas. Many women who use will report that the benefit either wears off rapidly or there wasn’t a benefit at all. The manufacturers seem to not listen, read or not comprehend the vast body of knowledge on herbs for this condition. There are better choices of Chinese herbs which have proven to be effective for hundreds of years on millions of patients. Most Chinese master herbalists understand that after millions of subjects there isn’t much need to research what is obvious, tried and proven. Its appropriate to apply the right formula to the right constitution and symptoms, not just the symptoms.

The right herbs for menopause will primarily raise the body’s energy and nourish the blood with a result of normalizing the body’s thermostat. Indirectly, because the underlying imbalance is recalibrated, all the menopause symptoms listed under this syndrome will begin to dissapate within 2 hours if the correct formula is chosen. For myself, it still gives me a charge every time my clients remark on the relief they have been given. You might want to look at the ingredients or the menopause herbs I use in my formulas that work everyday.

Mark Hammer C.M.H., Master Herbalist with Longevity Mountain   

Technorati Tags: chinese herbs, herbs, hot flash, insomnia, Menopause, night sweats, traditional chinese herbs, women's issues, womens needs