The Origins of Using Dong Quai to Combat Menopause Symptoms
Although Dong Quai is now used around the world to combat ailments, its origins as a herbal remedy go back many hundreds of years ago to its homeland of China. Here it was cultivated on vast plains by wise medicine men who used the plains as kind of communal members-only allotments.
These age-old herbalists were very protective of the precious Dong Quai and would only harvest their crop before sunrise in the early morning mist. As they drifted silently through this thick haze they were able to go about their work undetected.
Selecting only the ripest plants with the purest healing power they filled their bamboo woven baskets before carefully creeping back to their respective villages; with their much coveted healing secrets still intact. Read on to learn what the ancient Chinese medicine men knew about the secrets behind Dong Quai's healing powers.
How Dong Quai can help you
Hormones are vital part of your body. They help to regulate lots of functions, like your menstrual cycle and your sodium and fluid retention. During menopause your delicate hormone balance is disrupted, which can result in many of the symptoms of menopause. This is where Dong Quai may be able to help.
Dong Quai is an estrogenic herb, this means that it contains plant compounds that are similar to estrogen at a molecular level -these plant compounds are called phytoestrogens-. Because of this resemblance, phytoestrogens may be able to mimic the effect estrogen has on your body, balancing your hormone levels and thereby easing your menopause symptoms. However, there are risks associated with consuming estrogenic herbs.
The bad side of Dong Quai
Like all treatments, Dong quai comes with its own list of potential side effects, the most common include increased photosensitivity, headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and enlarged breasts in men. On the other hand, it is necessary to know that estrogenic herbs may also encourage the growth of breast cancer. But there are alternatives.
Click on the following link to learn about non-estrogenic herb with no known side effects that could help combat you menopause symptoms.
