Endometriosis is a common cause of infertility for women. There are many methods of treating it, and here we will discuss a natural therapy for this often painful disease.

Endometriosis occurs when tissue cells from or resembling the uterine lining grow outside of the uterus, usually within the pelvic area, but sometimes spreading to other areas of the body as well. This displaced tissue swells and bleeds with the monthly moon cycle, just as if it were uterine tissue. This can cause pain, nausea, heavy periods, painful intercourse, and unfortunately, infertility. Diagnosis is sometimes difficult, as the symptoms imitate other female maladies, such as fibroids.

The actual cause of this disease has not been pinpointed. It has been difficult to determine what causes a cell or cells to become misplaced within the body. There are many theories, none of them conclusively proven. However, there are several risk factors that have been documented. These include excessive alcohol, excessive caffeine, hormone imbalances, excessive estrogen within the body, a deficiency in progesterone, stress, hypoglycemia, and a deficiency in needed minerals within the body, as well as hereditary predisposition. Dioxin and PCB absorption into the body is also a major risk factor. Dioxins come from bleaching agents, included in everything from our diet (processed foods) to tampons.

Herbal therapy has proven to be very beneficial in treating endometriosis, when surgery or emergency intervention is not indicated. It does not always completely cure endometriosis, however, given the nature of the disease, and should always be coupled with sound nutritional and spiritual support. It is not a fast-acting therapy, and should be continued for a length of time for maximum benefit.

The diet should be changed to one that is as natural as possible. Animal fats also absorb dioxins, so do your best to avoid fatty meats. Try to use red meats only once or twice per week, if at all, using lean fish and chicken as replacements. Eat plenty of fresh greens and whole grains, as well as soy and other beans, especially bean sprouts. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, fried foods, refined sugars, and processed foods. Nutritional daily supplements should include bee products, vitamins E, C, A, and D, (if you can't seem to get enough of these in a natural diet), bioflavanoids, flaxseed oil, and evening primrose oil. It is often helpful to begin the herbal treatment with a light fast of about three days or so, to help cleanse the body and support the liver during treatment. The liver deals with the excess estrogen that is believed to be a cause or major contributing factor to this disease, so the liver needs to be supported and cleansed regularly during treatment.

Herbal therapy is usually recommended as a two part treatment. This is to accommodate the differences of hormone levels and other factors within the female body during a normal menstrual cycle. It is normal to stay on this herbal treatment for a minimum of three months, and continuing up to one year or more, depending on how long the problem has existed.

From the first day after the end of your moon time to the last day of the second week afterwards, you should take the following combination every day:
4 capsules vitex
2 capsules blue cohosh
2 capsules milk thistle
2 capsules wild yam root
2 capsules dandelion root
2 capsules pau d'arco

From the second week to the end of your moon time, you should take the following combination every day:
2 capsules vitex
4 capsules cramp bark
4 capsules yarrow
2 capsules skullcap
1 capsule pau d'arco
1 capsule dong quai

Bear in mind that the above is a GENERAL suggestion only, for maximum effectiveness you should have a regimen that is matched to your specific individual body and its needs. Seek the guidance of a trained certified professional if you do not have the training yourself to do this.

You should also get daily exercise, beginning with mild exercise, depending upon your level of pain, and working your way up to more strenuous stretching exercises. Many women find external applications of very warm castor oil fomentations several times per week over the pelvic area to be highly beneficial. Relaxation, visualization, and meditation exercises are also recommended, along with relaxing warm baths that include lavendar oil.

Herbal therapies can help greatly reduce the pain and discomfort that accompany endometriosis, although there are no guarantees. If they provide little to no relief, however, then you should speak with your doctor about surgical techniques that may be necessary.

Information within this article is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not meant to diagnose nor treat. Seek guidance from a health care professional.