by Robin Dipasquale, ND Chair, Botanical Medicine Department, Bastyr University Medical Herbalism 11(3):1.3-5 The cervix is an extension of the lower end of the uterus into the vagina. Cervicitis is a deeper and more serious pathology than simple vaginitiis. Inflammation of the cervix may be infectious or non- infectious. Differential diagnosis and determination of the cause, through appropriate physical and laboratory analysis, is necessary to determine appropriate treatment. Cervical examination, pap smear and culture and serological tests to determine infectious agent may all be necessary. Causes of the symptoms may vary widely in their seriousness. See table 2 on page 3. Supportive natural treatments The following treatments may be useful for primary treatments or supportive for conventional therapy. Pelvic rest throughout the treatment period or longer, depending on the case Dietary alterations to acidify the vaginal environment Fasting or modified fasting, including a detoxification diet Identification and elimination of food intolerances (serum testing or elimination/rechallenge diet.) Inverted yoga postures: bridge, shoulder stand, plow, half dolphin or handstand, full dolphin or handstand, or just lying with legs and pelvis up the wall. This will enhance blood flow from the lower extremities and pelvic area and decrease congestion Constitutional hydrotherapy Pelvic therapies Contrast sitz baths, with or without herbs Castor oil treatments applied to the lower abdomen area, over the uterus and the pubic bone Suppositories Vag
Pak. Availabl from Eclectic Institut in
semi-solid form in a jar or from Wise Woman
Herbals in suppository form. It is a relevant
treatment for licensed practitioners; however,
it can have a strong and potentially intense
effect on the body due to the essential oils.
The semi-solid form would be 1-2 tsp. on a
homemade tampon and inserted with the help of a
speculum. The suppositories would be 2
suppositories inserted lying against the cervix,
left in place 24 hours. Anhydrous magnesium sulfate Golden Seal (Hydrastis canadensis) Essential oils of thuja, tea tree, bitter orange Vitamin A Ferric sulfate and ferrous sulfate Cabsil. Not sold over the counter, available from Casil directly. This company does not interact much by phone and requires pre-pay on orders. The phone number in Philadelphia is 215 627-6260. calcium oxide barium oxide sulfur kelp Lactoein (in a base of vegetable oil) Vagistatin, from Health Concerns, Oakland, California. One capsule inserted vaginally daily for seven days on, then seven days off. Isatis (Ban Len Gen and Da Qing Ye) Pheilodendron (Huang Bai) Sage (Dan Shen) Artemesia (Qing Hao) Houttuynia (Yu Xing Cao) Cnidium fruit (Shi Chuang Zi) Agrimony (Xian He Cao) Lactobacillus species Herbal Vaginal suppository ( Wise Woman Herbals, Creswell, Oregon) Achillea millefolium (Yarrow) Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower) Mahonia aquifolium (Mountain Grape) Usnea
spp. (Usnea) Arctostaphylos uva ursi (Bearberry) Althea officinalis (Marshmallow) Calendula officinalis (Marigold) Symphytum officinale (Comfrey) Allantoin Vitamin A Vitamin E Cocoa butter Vitamin A, Vitamin E, or the two combined Calendula or Vitamin A / Calendula combined Herbal Vaginal Formula (Bezwecken, Portland, Oregon) Commiphora myrrha (Myrrh) Echinacea spp. (Purple Coneflower) Usnea thalactroides (Usnea) Hydrastis canadensis (Golden Seal) Althea officinalis (Marshmallow) Geranium maculatum (Cranesbill) Achillea millefolium (Yarrow) Douches Many herbs and substances can be used in a douche to assist in the healing of the cervix. Here are a few. Symphytum officinale (Comfrey) Plantago major/lanceolata (Plantain) Nymphaea odorata (White pond lily) Rumex crispus (Yellow dock) Berberis aquifolium (Oregon grape) Calendula officinalis (Marigold) Lavendula
officinalis (Lavender)
Chlorophyll VM 120 (ferrum and ferrus sulfate) Cervical painting There are numerous substances that can be used on the cervix. Here are a few. VM 120 (ferrum and ferrus sulfate), astringes Melasol diluted tea tree solution) Chlorophyll Iodine (careful with sensitivities) Aminocerv from Milex (800) 645-3912 H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) + chlorophyll + light Internal Therapies The condition will call for certain herbs, however, the individual person will also act as your guide in the selection of herbs in a constitutional formula to promote their healing. Constitutional herbal prescribing is a tool used in bringing the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual together. See Table 3 on page four for a list of herbal therapeutic categories to consider. Following are two useful formulas Dr. Christopher’s Formula, to be taken internally, for conditions of leukorrhea, prolapsus uteri, relaxed vagina, and inflammation of the cervix. 1/2 ounce Nymphaea odorata (White pond lily) 1/2 ounce Symphytum officinale (Comfrey) 1/2 ounce Ulmus rubra, U fulva (Slippery elm) 1/2 ounce Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry) 1/2 ounce Dioscorea villosa (Wild yam) 1 ounce Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) 1/4 tsp. Capsicum frutescens, C. minimum (Cayenne) Simmer all except cayenne for 20 minutes in one quart of water. Strain over the cayenne while hot, cover and allow to cool, sweeten to taste, store in cool place. Dosage:
2 ounces 3-4 times/day Tori
Hudson’s Formula, from the cervicitis chapter in
the book Gynecology and Naturopathic
Medicine by Tori Hudson. For chronic
cervicitis, she recommends 1/2 tsp. 2 drams Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) 1 dram Usnea spp (Usnea) 2 drams Echinacea spp (Purple Coneflower) 1 dram Hydrastis canadensis (Golden Seal) 2 drams Ligusticum porterii (Osha) Tissue Salts Calcaria fluorica - connective tissue strengthener Kali muriaticum - anti-inflammatory, especially when tissue is excessively secreting Kali sulphuricum - anti-inflammatory, especially when tissue is secreting yellow exudate Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements Vitamin A 25,000-50,000 lU/day or beta carotene 150,000-300,000 lU/day Vitamin C 3-5 grams/day Folic acid 5-10 mg/day (this is very high) Vitamin E 400 lU/day Zinc 15 mg/day, may want 1 mg copper with this Essential fatty acids — 1 tbsp. flax oil/day and/or fish oil 600-1200 mg/day EPA/DHA combined Probiotics — a good quality Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidus product, 5 billion organisms Commercial immune enhancing supplement formulas Prevention Avoid multiple sexual partners Use safer sex practices Avoid use of cigarettes, recreational drugs and other substances that compromise the immune function Avoid
use of oral contraceptive pills, antibiotics
Enhance the immune function Avoid use of perfumes, spermicides, lubricants, tampons, or any other substance introduced to vagina that could cause irritation Wear cotton underwear and loose clothing Pay attention to genital hygiene Keep the foundation of wellness in place, which includes: schedule in and maintain time for self reflection get adequate sleep eat whole foods/ healthful diet minimize stress exercise regularly Emotional and psychological considerations The
physical effect of emotional issues merit
investigation in cases of cervicitis, if a woman
wishes to explore that area, a history of incest
and/or sexual may be present.
Materia Medica Nymphaea odorata : White Pond Lily by Robin Dipasquale Synonyms: Nymphaea alba, Nuphar alba, Water-lily, white pond lily, sweet pond lily, water nymph Asian species: Nymphaea lotus (N. rubra, N. stellata); Nelumbo nucifera (Nymphaea nelumbo, Nelumbium speciosum); Nuphar japonicum, Nuphar pumilum Part used: rhizome (gather in the fall), seed, flower for EO Taste: mucilaginous, slightly pungent, slightly bitter Constituents: Tannic acid and Gallic acid - anti microbial and astringent Alkaloids
- bitter taste, typically the most potent
and [potentially] toxic aspect of a plant. May
act on the CNS Mucilage, sterols, flavonoids, glycosides also present. Actions: Antiseptic, astringent to mucus membranes, removes toxins from the tissue, not overly drying, styptic, demulcent, vulnerary - healing to skin wounds and ulcerative conditions, tonifying - improving tone and function, anodyne, anti-inflammatory - internally and externally Culpepper says this plant is under the influence of the moon, indicating cooling, moistening, and yin promoting properties. Preparations and their dosages according to Dr. Christopher decoction - 1-2 tbsp. or more fluid extract - 1/2-1 fluid tsp. (30-60 drops) infusion - 2-4 tbsp. 3-4 times/day between meals powder - 2 grams (1/2 tsp.) tincture - 1/2-1 fluid tsp. (30-60 drops) Both Michael Moore and Professor John King suggest larger doses of the decoction - 2-8 cups/day - plus douche In addition to application with a douche, White pond lily can be used internally, as a gargle, or poultice. Juliette de Bairacli Levy states that the preparation of the root is to slice it, place in cold water, heat gently for 5 minutes (in order to preserve the mucilage properties, do not bring to a boil ). Applications Keep in mind the cooling and moistening actions. inflammation of the uterus, prolapse of uterus, relaxed vagina - internal po dosage plus vaginal injection leukorrhea - decoction or infusion as vaginal injection catarrh of the bladder, lingering congestion (decoction) kidney disorders (decoction) prostate irritation, chronic with gummy discharge (decoction) mouth
and throat subacute and chronic inflammation
periodontal disease, thrush, canker sores,
tonsillitis, pharyngitis poultice of roots and leaves topically, powder of root with flax seed ground and slippery elm, or decoction or infusion as a gargle. ulcerations including venereal ulcers (powdered root dusted on the surface) stagnation and swelling in lymphatic structures sore eyes, opthalmia ( infusion as a wash) wounds, cuts - leaves bruised and applied directly sunburn - leaves or flowers wll decrease heat and swelling menstrual cycle complaints, can clear pelvic congestion, alleviate PMS and ease menstrual flow used to pacify the pita dosha in ayurveda in TCM, aids the liver, lung, and stomach meridian and in controlling bleeding Homeopathic proving showed the following results: Mentals: excessive moral sensibility, pain on witnessing the suffering of animals, great impatience at slightest contradiction. Physical weakness, restlessness, diminution of strength, headache, weariness in stomach, slow digestion, wind colic, diarrhea in early a.m., impotence or excessive sexual desire, sexual exhaustion, aggravated from sex, especially in males, nocturnal emissions. Matthew Wood speaks of Nymphaea odorata and its actions being related to the TCM diagnosis of Kidney Yin Deficiency. Fluid is Yin and a deficiency of fluid would result in the inability of the body to cool and moisten itself. This excess heat condition can bring about irritation, over excitement, night sweats, diarrhea, and loss of sexual fluids. Weakness and debility of the isolated area or of the whole being would result. The Menomini Indians believed the Nymphaea odorata and other pond lilies belong to the spirit of the underneath, the underworld. The underwater horned serpent is the symbol for the primal waters of the world. The Menomini Indians believed the water lily generated the fog hovering over lakes. This is representative of the water lily bringing the forces from below and the forces from above together to make visions of importance. The
water lily is able to bring together the earth
energy where it has its roots, the air element
where the leaves and flowers reside, and the
water element, the pathway of the stems. In our
bodies, the integration of the earth element
from our root chakra with the air and ether
element from the higher chakras may be assisted
by the water lily through balancing the water
element. The heart, which resides along the
pathway, must be open.
Copyright 2001 Paul Bergner 91 |
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