Sunday, January 18, 2009

another study on Chinese herbs and fibroids

This one shows good results for a different formula than the traditional Cinnamon and Poria that I have mentioned elsewhere. The different formula is San Jie Xiao Liu Dang, see the page I linked to in order to see the components.

These comments about this study from the same page are interesting:

Many Chinese and Western practitioners of Chinese medicine routinely attempt to treat any and all uterine myomas with Zhang Zhong-jing’s Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan (Cinnamon Twig & Poria Pills) based on the assumption that all uterine myomas are a species of concretion and conglomeration associated with blood stasis. However, in clinical practice, not all uterine myomas correspond to the traditional Chinese diagnosis of concretions and conglomerations, nor due all patients with uterine myomas present clinical signs and symptoms of blood stasis. While the Chinese authors of this study have stuck with the common contemporary Chinese wisdom that all uterine myomas are associated with some element of blood stasis, they have, nevertheless, recognized that many patients with uterine myomas also present signs and symptoms of spleen vacuity, liver depression, phlegm, and damp heat, and that the main clinical symptom of uterine myomas is often menorrhagia. Therefore, they have composed a formula that fortifies the spleen and supplements the qi, rectifies the qi and transforms phlegm, clears and eliminates dampness and heat, and stops bleeding as well as quickens the blood and scatters nodulation. I believe that it is because this formula treats more of the disease mechanisms and actual patterns presented by patients with uterine myomas that it achieved a better effect than Gui Zhi Fu Lin Wan in the above study.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

HI- I read your post on the Chinese herbs of the cinnamon and piora(sp)??I am lost !! SO it did help ? If so I am taking this right now but a diferent brand should I be looking at other brands and comparing the amounts?Thanks much-

Fibroid Shrinker said...

First of all, I would only take Chinese herbs under the care of an acupuncturist who can make sure that they match your body's situation.

Take a look at the page I linked to, right after the part I excerpted, the commenter raised some questions as to whether the people getting the cinnamon and poria got the same concentration as the people who got the other.

There has been other research showing really good results for cinnamon and poria, so if your acupuncturist feels it's a good match for you I wouldn't worry, but if you take it for awhile and don't get any shrinkage I would show your acupuncturist this article to give him/her some ideas for other alternatives.

Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Hello! I just started treatment with a TCM practitioner, and it looks like the formula she prescribed is similar to the one you quote; it's: Guie Zhi Fu Ling Pian. My question: when you say try it for a while and see if you get shrinkage - how long is "a while"? How long do you recommend staying on the formula?
Thanks much!
Cynthia

Fibroid Shrinker said...

Hi Cynthia,
These formulas can take awhile. Assuming your practitioner decides you should stay on this formula, I would say try 4 months or so, and then have an ultrasound to see the impact (or if you can't do that, see if you feel differently / your periods are different) If it's going to work for you, you should see some change by then.
Good for you for trying herbs, and good luck!

Anonymous said...

I m using cinnamon and poria tea pills.I am finding my periods full of clots after I started using it.I am not seeing any practitioner and want to know if it normal to see some skin type material during periods.

Fibroid Shrinker said...

I'm not qualified to give medical advice but from what I have read clots are what one is trying to get away from because they are a sign of blood stagnation.

I would not recommend taking Chinese herbs without the advice of a qualified acupuncturist/herbalist. Because if the herbs are not a good match for your individual condition/constition, they could do more harm than good.

Lerato said...

Hi- the last time I check I was having a 6cm fibroid; the symptoms was very strong. I was menstruating everyday with big cloths. My gynecologist said I should stop taking contraceptive because it was making the fibroid worse; she prescript me pills to stop the bleeding but it did not help. I found out about Chinese herbals online and I went to their clinic here in Pretoria; South Africa, the practitioner was asking how big is the fibroid and what are the symptoms. I explain to him everything, he said 6cm is quite big and it might take long for the fibroid to shrink or it might not shrink at all. I did not want to do surgery as I never had a child before and I am only 31 yrs old; well I took a chance and buy the Chinese medicines that he was recommended for me, after two weeks I begin to see changes, heavy menstruation stops; no longer painful sex. My husband was very please about the results, I am still continuing with the Chinese medicine and I am only going for check up with my gynecologist in June; but I am sure the fibroid is been reduced because I feel different now.

Fibroid Shrinker said...

Hi Lerato -- Thanks so much for sharing your story, and I'm so glad to hear that the Chinese herbs are giving you good results! Please keep us posted on further progress!

Anonymous said...

Hello, my acupuncturist recommended this Chinese herb you speak of to help along (speed along) a natural miscarriage (my baby's heart stop beating at 8 weeks). My OBGYN wanted to do a D&C (surgical) but I opted to let this leave my body naturally. Have you heard of this herb being used for this method?

Thank you.

Fibroid Shrinker said...

Hello Anonymous
So sorry to hear about your loss.
I haven't heard about the herb being used for this purpose, but it does make sense as it would be stimulating to the uterus.
Wishing you the best.

Anonymous said...

This is awesome and I commend you for your post. Undoubtedly, it will help a lot of people looking for an alternative solution to their problem. My acupuncturist has recommended a different solution to the problem. In any event, I will see whether it works or not.

DR

Fibroid Shrinker said...

Hi Anonymous
Thanks, and please do keep us posted on what you're doing and if it works!

Anonymous said...

Pls can legato give us the name of the chinese herb she used. I ave a multiple fibroid and am scared of surgery. Actual am seen a accuherbal Dr that prescribe GUI zhi Fu Lang wan and one other one dat look like a ball in an egg shell, but am not sure if it's working.

Anonymous said...

I am 39 with multiple fibroids and want to have kids. a friend's wife started using tiens products, where in (far North?)Limpopo can i get hold of an agent or a shop selling this or similar products?

Fibroid Shrinker said...

Hi Anonymous
Sorry I'm not sure where to get Tiens, perhaps check their website?

Anonymous said...

I have a fibroid,d bigger one is in my womb,another one at my urether and some smallest particles around the womb as well. Am scared and can't go for surgery. I want to try the Chinese herbs please help me. Thank you

Fibroid Shrinker said...

Hello Anonymous,So sorry to hear about your fibroids. Please visit an acupuncturist and they can prescribe Chinese herbs that are exactly suited to you individually.

Valdoria said...

I would like to advise my TCM medicine doctor about this product that helps with the spleen, liver depression, etc.. Please advise which product you are referring to.

Thank you.

victoria said...

Hi Lerato
I'm diagnosed with the exact same problem.
Do you mind telling me the name of the Chinese herbs you used?

I live in Windhoek Namibia
hope to hearing from you soon
Best regards
Victoria