Speaking of too much Yin. . .

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) addresses the common issue of estrogen dominance in modern women’s lives. TCM philosophy involves understanding specific syndromes, signs, causes, and targeted interventions. Let’s look into three TCM syndromes, their potential causes, TCM herbal formulations, acupuncture points, and dietary recommendations for each.

Syndrome 1: Liver Qi Stagnation

Liver Qi stagnation in Traditional Chinese Medicine as akin to a cell phone that’s not updated and lacks virus protection. In today’s fast-paced living, our bodies can experience an “energy slowdown” in the Liver, similar to a phone that hasn’t been updated and is vulnerable to glitches. This stagnation might manifest as irregular periods, mood swings, breast tenderness, or immunity issues – clear signals that our internal system could use a “software update” and some protective measures. Addressing Liver Qi stagnation becomes a way of providing both an update and virus protection for our bodies, ensuring smoother functioning in the dynamic landscape of modern life.

Signs & Symptoms of Stagnation in the Liver:

• Irregular Menstruation
• Breast Tenderness
• Mood Swings
• Allergies

Potential Causes According to TCM:

• Emotional Stress
• Dietary Irregularities, processed foods, greasy & sugary food
• Toxic Environment: air and home chemicals
• Reliance on too many artificial prescription medications for too long.

TCM Herbal Formulas:

• Xiao Yao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder)
• Chai Hu Shu Gan Tang (Bupleurum Powder to Spread the Liver)

Acupuncture Points & Explanation:

• Liver 3 (Taichong): Soothes Liver Qi, alleviates emotional stress.
• Pericardium 6 (Neiguan): Calms the Heart, addresses mood swings.

Dietary Do’s and Don’ts Based on TCM:

• Do: Include sour foods to smooth Liver Qi (e.g., vinegar, citrus).
• Don’t: Consume excessive spicy, artificial or greasy foods, as they may exacerbate Liver Qi stagnation. Watch excessive or prolonged Rx usage.

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Syndrome 2: Spleen Qi Deficiency with Dampness

Think of Spleen Qi deficiency with dampness in your body as a glitch in the computer-like system where the Spleen acts as the central hub. Similar to a computer struggling with too much data, the Spleen’s job of building blood, moving it around, building muscle, and keeping us focused can get disrupted. Dampness, in this analogy, is like having too much data that causes issues, leading to symptoms such as bloating and irregular digestion. Fixing this imbalance is crucial, much like troubleshooting a computer glitch, to keep everything running smoothly in our body’s operating system.

Signs & Symptoms :

• Bloating, fatigue, hypo-somnolence, brain fog
• Digestive Issues, loose stools
• Weight Gain, sluggish cycles

Potential Causes According to TCM:

• Standard American Diet
• Lack of Physical Activity
• Living in damp environments

TCM Herbal Formulas:

• Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction)
• Shen Ling Bai Zhu San (Ginseng, Poria, and Atractylodes Macrocephala Powder)

Acupuncture Points & Explanation:

• Spleen 6 (Sanyinjiao): Harmonizes the Spleen, resolves dampness.
• Stomach 36 (Zusanli): Strengthens the Spleen, aids digestion.

Dietary Do’s and Don’ts Based on TCM:

• Do: Opt for warm, easily digestible foods like cooked grains and root vegetables.
• Don’t: Avoid raw, cold, or overly damp-producing foods.

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Syndrome 3: Kidney Yang Deficiency

Kidney Yang deficiency in Traditional Chinese Medicine is like a heater losing its warmth in the body’s system. Just as a heater provides essential warmth in a space, the Kidneys play a crucial role in maintaining the body’s core warmth and vitality. When Kidney Yang is deficient, it results in symptoms such as feeling excessively cold, fatigue, digestive issues, low libido and a chronic lack of energy. Addressing this imbalance becomes crucial, similar to fixing a heater to ensure a steady and comfortable warmth in the body’s internal space.

Signs & Symptoms:

• Feeling excessively cold
• Digestive issues, loose stools
• Chronic Fatigue, Low Libido, Low T
• Hair loss, premature greying of hair
• Hearing loss
• Stiff, swollen joints, low back pain

Potential Causes According to TCM:

• Genetic factors,
• Chronic inflammation
• Environmental exposure
• Reaction to long term prescriptions drug use
• Aging process

TCM Herbal Formulas:

• You Gui Wan (Right Restoring Pill)
• Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill from the Golden Cabinet)

Acupuncture Points & Explanation:

• Kidney 7 (Fuliu): Tonifies Kidney Yang, strengthens the lower back.
• Spleen 9 (YuanSpring): Supports the Spleen and Kidney connection, for renewal.

Dietary Do’s and Don’ts Based on TCM:

• Do: Include warming foods like ginger and cinnamon, nourishing broths, and lean proteins.
• Don’t: Avoid excessive consumption of raw or cold foods, and limit intake of dairy products.

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Understanding and addressing what estrogen dominance means in TCM helps create a tailored approach based on individual constitution and symptoms. Before beginning any new TCM regimen, it is advisable to consult with a qualified TCM practitioner for personalized guidance.