– by Mikiala Christie BA, R.TCM.P, R.Ac, Health Within TCM & Acupuncture and Donna Randall, DFR Enterprises Incorporated –
Years before entering menopause, the author in this duo decided to make use of only natural remedies, including humour, to ease the symptoms of menopause. Along the way she met the herbalist of this duo, but for some strange reason (perhaps menopause mush mind) did not seek out the services of said herbalist. As for the humour part of the mix, the author spent much time laughing when not crying, and entertaining lots of women (and some men) with her dramatic stories about menopause, which ultimately transformed into a book called Menopause or Lunacy … That is the Question.
Now inching toward 15 years of menopause, the author (Donna Faye Randall) has consulted the herbalist (Mikiala Christie) for help with dry eyes, a symptom of the later stages of menopause, who agreed to answer some questions about menopausal symptoms that weave through the aforementioned book, and specifically covered in three scenarios. As a result we have the wise, calm herbalist advising the chaotic menopausal author and, by extension, everyone affected by menopause.
To start, Mikiala read and responded to the scenario entitled “Hot Flashes – Yes? No? Can’t Remember?”
Yes, the dreaded hot flashes – the main reason women come in to see me. According to Chinese medicine, the body is composed of hot (yang) and cold (yin) elements. Our body temperature constantly fluctuates between the two extremes, in order to maintain balance. The degree of severity of your hot flashes later in life reflects the degree of stress you experienced earlier in life. Stress taxes our adrenal glands and this is a problem because the adrenal glands also provide a backup supply of hormones during peri-menopause and menopause. If they are depleted, you no longer have that backup supply and your body’s ability to maintain balance is diminished. The good news is that you can replenish the adrenals with better nutrition, rest and meditation. Acupuncture and a customized Chinese herbal formula can also be extremely helpful and can start you off in the right direction for a smoother menopause.
Next up for Mikiala was “From Zero to Full-Time Menstruation and Back Again”
Menstrual cycles do become erratic and heavy during the time leading up to menopause (peri-menopause). There are many causes for heavy bleeding, according to Chinese medicine. Clinically, I mainly see women who have heavy bleeding and problems with middle thickening weight gain at the same time. These two factors point to a problem in the spleen-pancreatic system. I will often prescribe herbs that can both regulate blood sugar and the level of bleeding. Herbs such as dry fried ginger can help “dry” the blood or gently clot it so that the bleeding is not so heavy.
Last but not least, Donna challenged Mikiala with “The Chairs are NOT the Issue,” which finds the author not yet knowing her menopausal status and reacting highly emotionally to painting her chairs once again on her own.
The emotional rollercoaster is also typical and again points to how much a woman depleted her body earlier in life. It all comes down to balance, and in my clinic I try to determine what is physically out of balance. Sometimes it is the heart; sometimes the liver. Acupuncture can help calm the flight or fight response and help you see things more clearly. Donna was right to sit for a moment with her feelings around her chairs. Instead of disregarding her tears or anger, stopping for a moment and thinking about why she was feeling the way she was feeling was the best response. In eastern traditions, the organs have an intelligence of their own. We understand this when we say “gut reaction.” Listen to your body as if you were listening to a child in your care. The answers are there if you stop and focus.
