Pelvic Congestion in Women

1. Pelvic Congestion in Women Dr Mary Bove ND

2. Pelvis congestion - a dysfunctional state of the pelvic circulation and movement which can manifest as many symptoms, syndromes and disease states of the female reproductive system. • As the term implies the pelvic region of the body becomes congested, engorged, and stagnant be it with lymph fluids, blood, inflammation, emotions, traumas, and energy. • The normal movement of the pelvic region becomes compromised and lack of vitality sets in, leading to dysfunction and disease

3. Disease states, Signs and Symptoms associated with Pelvic Congestion • fibroids, dysmenorrhea, heavy bleeding, endometriosis, PMS, labial varicosities, painful intercourse, vaginal discharge, abdominal water retention, low back pain, infertility, irregular menses, bladder issues, and constipation

4. Female Pelvic Health is an integrated balance between the physiological functions of the organs and tissues of the pelvis, the women’s emotional attitudes, her self-image, past traumas in her life, and lifestyle practices to support pelvic vitality

5. Botanical medicines • physiological malfunctions of the organs, tissues and body systems while offering • tonic qualities for building and replenishing stressed areas of the pelvis and entire body • reaches into the energetic realm to offer support in release of emotion, tension, memory from the pelvic region • open the channels for better pelvic movement, circulation of blood and lymph, and energetic circulation.

6. Pelvic Decongestants This group of plants acts to • decrease congestion in the pelvic region, • increases circulation of fluids to and from pelvic region • balancing tissue, muscle, and vascular tension • increases vitality of the organs and tissues

7. Pelvic Decongestants • Used in formula for fibroids, painful menses, heavy menses, prolapsed uterus, prolapsed vaginal walls, endometriosis, PMS, labial varicosities, painful intercourse, vaginal discharge, abdominal water retention, low back pain, infertility, irregular menses, bladder issues, and constipation

8. Combine with • circulatory stimulates such as capsicum, ginger, cinnamon, xanthoxyllum, rosemary

9. Combine with • Anti-spasmodic and nervine herbs to relax the muscular tissues in the pelvis region, but also to relax the whole body, so as to bring a generalized relaxed state to the whole person. • Consider aromatic herbs with pleasant flavors such as melissa, rose petals, lavender flowers, holy basil, hops, or linden flowers.

10. Uterine tonic • play a very important role in the treatment of pelvic congestive conditions • tonics feed and support normal function of the reproductive organs and tissues • act more slowly, given over a period of time to bring about a long lasting and regulating effect • use tonic plants throughout the menstrual cycle for the symptoms of pelvic congestion acting to change the tissue state over several months • many uterine tonic herbs also have decongesting action along with antispasmodic activity

11. Botanical Pelvic Decongestants • Anemone pulsatilla- Windflower, Pasque Flower • Angelica sinensis • Cimicfuga racemosa-Black Cohash • Viburnum opulus- Cramp Bark, Highbush Cranberry • Viburnum prunifolium - Black Haw • Alchemilla vulgaris- Lady’s Mantle • Leonurus cardiaca - Motherswort • Mitchella repens - Squaw Vine

17. Mitchella repens

18. Alchemilla vulgaris Lady’s Mantle

19. Leonurus cardiaca Motherwort

20. Vaginal Steams, Sitz Baths, and Topical Pelvic Rubs • Do not underestimate the power of these wonderful herbal preparations in the treatment of pelvic congestion in women. • They offer another avenue to use herbs to access this area for a woman while offering the beneficial aspects of essential oils, touch, massage, warm steam and water.

21. Vaginal Steam • use a cup of mixed herbs in 3 cups of boiling water. • Sit over the bowl of steaming infusion with a blanket wrapped around you and the chair to keep the steam from escaping. • Useful herbs to use might include mints, lemon balm, rose petals, calendula flowers, chamomile flowers, lavender flowers, pine needles, eucalyptus leaves, hyssop, oregano, thyme, holy basil, or raspberry leaves.

22. Herbal Sitz Bath • is a bath in which the water covers the hips and lower abdomen of the woman when she sits in the tub. • A strong infusion is made from 3 tablespoons of herbal mix, (see above vaginal steam for a list of herbs) to 3 cups of boiling water steep 10 minutes, strain out the herb, add to the bath water. • Sit in bath 15 to 20 minutes.

23. Topical Pelvic Rubs • are made from a combination of essential oils, castor oil, sesame oil and a small amount of herbal tincture. • One of my favorite recipes is a mix of 2 ounces castor oil, 4 ounces of sesame oil, 1 ounce of lobelia oil, 5 drops of nutmeg essential oil, 5 drops peppermint essential oil, 5 drops lavender essential oil, and 5 drops of fir oil, 5 mls of capsicum tincture. • Shake well before application. Apply over lower abdomen before bed.

24. Becoming a woman, you feel the moon Tug at your blood, And you begin to sense The mysteries of the new body. John O’donohue “To Bless the Space Between Us”