I think that cellulite and fibroids have the same root causes

Poor lower-body circulation and resulting accumulation of toxins.
Interesting articles here and here on Ayurvedic approach to cellulite.

great source of info on ayurvedic approach to fibroids

Link here. Worth checking out, very comprehensive.

oil pulling for detox

I'm trying a new Ayurvedic detox technique, oil pulling.  Let's see how it works!
Background here.
How-to here.
I'm experimenting with different oils, including Uncle Harry's Oral Swish, sesame oil and coconut oil.
And here's some additional info, with important point of drinking water afterwards.

Ashwaganda and fibroids

I am now using the Zyto daily (was able to purchase my own) and now what is coming up for me is Ashwaganda, an ayurvedic herb.

Looking it up, this page on the Weston Price Foundation site has a comment that mentions its usefulness for fibroids -- and also has some other great information including about usefulness of vitamin A, paleo diet (which I have been doing), etc.

This page discusses how Ashwaganda is good for the thyroid, which we know can be helpful for fibroids.  This page discusses how it's useful for symptoms of estrogen dominance.  This page also discusses its usefulness for fibroids. So let's see how it goes!

article on ayurveda for uterine fibroids

Click here.

fibroids are due to iodine deficiency combined with gross lymph congestion

So says this Ayurvedic practioner in this article.  I've been spending the past hour poking around his site, lots of great stuff there!

ayurveda for fertility

Some interesting ideas in this post.

fibroids -- kapha accumulations in the tissues

I decided to look for another source of the organice Kanchanar Guggul, since the one I used before takes so long to ship.  I found this one.

I thought this description of its function was very interesting:

Kanchanar Guggulu is a traditional Ayurvedic formula used for kapha accumulations in the tissues. As kapha moves deeper within the system, it may manifest as swollen lymph nodes, cysts or growths. Powerful decongestants such as kanchanar, triphala and trikatu are mixed with guggulu to break down and eliminate hardened kapha. This detoxifying blend supports the proper function of the lymphatic and digestive systems, aiding in the prevention of further kapha imbalances.


About 4 years or so before my fibroids were first diagnosed, I had swollen lymph nodes -- so am guessing that was an early warning system.  Wish I had seen an Ayurvedic doctor then!  The thing I can't understand, is that whenever I do one of those dhosha quizzes I am always some combination of Pitta and Vata, so then how is it that my Kapha got out of whack?  I may need to consult an expert for more info, but I am already seeing so many medical people don't think I can really easily add another right now!
 
Here is an interesting page on Ayurveda and fibroids, with lots of  recommendations (not very easy to follow!)
 
This page has Ayurvedic ointments aimed at reducing kapha accumulations.  Something to consider...
 
 
 

ayurvedic remedies for fibroids

Found this video on the web, look at it then click on part 2 below to see the second part.

 

In it an Indian physician talks about her experience using Ayurveda to shrink fibroids.  (It's in Hindi with subtitles!) She gives a couple of home remedies. 

 

One is for dealing with the bleeding, and includes cumin seed powder, coriander seed powder, cobra's saffron powder, and rock sugar.  Also talks about putting 100x washed ghee (Shata Dhota Ghruta) on your stomach below the navel.

 

For shrinking them, in video 2 she prescribes Kanchnar Guggul tablets plus a home remedy of fennel, wild celery seed, Bharangi, and hogweed extract.  She says it works but works slowly -- takes a few months for 1 cm shrinkage.

 

So of course now I have to google all the things that she mentions.

• cumin seed powder -- here's a page on its role in Ayurveda, which mentions it's helpful for menstrual difficulties
• coriander seed powder -- did find a lot of pages mentioning it as helpful for menstrual difficulties
• Cobra's saffron -- info here
• I found the 100x washed ghee here and am going to order some -- sounds like it's good for your face too.
• Kaanchnaar Guggul (there seem to be various spellings) -- now this one looks really good, info here.  It specifically focuses on the lymphatic system which is one of my big issues, and also helps with thyroid balancing which seems to be an issue for many fibroid sufferers.  I'm going to buy from this site which has an organically cultivated version, and have my BioSet practitioner check it to see if it's a match for me.
• Fennel -- have heard that these are estrogenic so not so sure I think that's a good idea
• Wild Celery seed -- info here, which does mention anti-tumor effect
• Bharangi - info here but couldn't find any indication of it being used for fibroids
• Hogweed extract -- info here, including mention of antifibrinorytic activity which would presumably be helpful for fibroids

While poking around I also found this Ayurvedic clinic that sounds wonderful, in both Santa Barbara and Berkeley (which is not far from me)  Have always wanted to try Ayurveda, but then again am wary of trying too many things at once...  Maybe just go for a massage?

 

Also found this other page with other Ayurvedic ideas for fibroids. I'm wondering if this is really compatible with the Chinese approach I am taking, and also thinking that like Chinese medicine it would be better to see a specialist perhaps.

an Ayurvedic on-site treatment program for fibroids

information here.

Ayurveda for fibroids case study

See article here, which includes discussion of specific herbs.

examble of ayurveda shrinking fibroids

This article has an interesting example of ayurveda helping to shrink fibroids.

The description of late nights, too much alcohol, wrong kind of foods does indeed describe my Sex and the City type gal lifestyle for part of the time where my fibroids were growing...

treatment of uterine fibroids in Ayurveda

Interesting paper on this topic.

Personally I find Ayurveda hard to understand and overwhelming, but it is supposed to be very helpful for fibroids.

fragrance for fibroids? Aveda Chakra 2 spray

The other day I was reading a magazine and saw an ad for a series of chakra themed fragrance sprays from Aveda. They have one for each chakra. I immediately thought that I should get the one for chakra 2 -- as readers of this blog will know, that is the chakra related to fibroids.

I picked some up yesterday. It's based on Ayurvedic principles and contains sandalwood, orange, and geranium. The fragrance is exotic and throughout the day I felt compelled to keep smelling the spray I had put on my wrist. Today I had my acupuncturist check it for me on her machine, and the value for me was sky-high.

So, here's something that smells nice that supposedly can help contribute to balancing the chakra that is related to fibroids. It certainly can't hurt!

Ayurfood Lentil Khichadi

I have bought a bunch of Ayurvedic cookbooks but I have to admit I find them rather intimidating and I have only made a few things from them. Plus the recipes usually take a lot of potchky (fuss) as my grandmother would say. Which is a shame because Ayurveda is a holistic medicine system with deep roots, and it is said can help a lot with fibroids. And those Ayurvedic recipes I have made have for the most part been quite yummy.

So I was delighted to find in the packaged food area of Whole Foods a new product line of pre-packaged Ayurvedic foods by a company called AyurFoods. All you need to make a nourishing Ayurvedically balanced meal all there in one package. I tried the Khichadi and the Lentil Khichadi. The Khichadi was a bit too salty for me but the Lentil Khichadi was really amazing with just the right balance of spices. Warm and comforting and easy to make; you can also dress it up with some fresh vegetables.

Something perfect to keep in the cupboard for lunch or any other meal in a pinch. A vegan dish with a good amount of protein, the Lentil Khichadi is ideal for fibroid shrinkers. Khichadi is an Ayurvedic dish mean to rest the body, and is used as part of cleansing -- the Ayurfoods site even has info on how you can use it for a cleanse (although I don't think I could eat this 3 meals a day even though it's delicious!)

easy menu idea for fibroid fighters

One of the biggest challenges I have had in my fibroid fighting is figuring out what meals I can make that are delicous and easy (and pass muster with my boyfriend) while still being ok for fibroid fighting.

Came up with a good one last night.
Bought a bunch of cauliflower, broccoli, brussel sprouts, and carrots. Lots of crubiciferous vegetables! Spread them on a cookie sheet and drizzled with olive oil and roasted about 35 minutes in a 45 degree over till soft and starting to carmelize. Yummy.

Then I found a new way to serve turkey. For fibroid fighters it's best to avoid meat, but if you do have it then turkey is the best one because it's light and non-fat and also is the only fowl that is ok for kaphas in Ayurveda. (Fibroids are a symptom that your kapha is out of whack, so if you have fibroids you are supposed to eat a kapha diet even if you are a vata or pitta).

At Whole Foods at the meat counter they had turkey sausage (made from hormone-free free-range turkey, natch!) sold with no casing, like hamburger. I made it into little patties, sauteed in olive oil, threw in some pearl onions. Then I drained off the oil, and poured in a half jar of arrabatica pasta sauce and simmered.

Was a delicious dinner and my boyfriend gave it a thumbs-up (he didn't even miss not having a starch!)

Yoga specifically for fibroids

I picked up the quirkily-titled book Yoga for a Healthy Menstrual Cycle and got a terrific surprise -- a yoga routine designed especially for fibroid-fighting! There was also general text about dealing with fibroids, from a yoga/ayurvedic point of view.

Also in the book are yoga routines to do when you have PMS, during your period, and during your period when your flow is heavy. Several of the poses specifically are about increasing circulation to the pelvic area.

This book is Iyengar style yoga, which means you need props. This ended up being a bit of an investment, as I bought a yoga bolster, two yoga blankets, two blocks, a strap, and a sandbag. I probably could have gone with another bolster but I made do with some stuff I had lying around.
Also for those of you who do yoga, there were some good suggestions in this book about what yoga poses to avoid during your period. No inversions, as they interfere with the way the blood should be flowing.

cinnamon

Cinnamon is an herb that is said to be good for fibroids, used in both Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. Here is a page that discusses the properties of cinnamon, which include improving pelvic blood flow. http://www.herbalist-alchemist.com/HA%20News/march.htm

Although I am getting an herbal formula from my acupuncturist, I also am trying to incorporate anti-fibroid herbs into my diet whenever possible. Cinnamon is one example. This morning for breakfast I cut up an apple, spread the pieces on a cookie sheet, sprinkled heavily with cinnamon, and baked for 20 minutes in a 350 degree oven. This gets some cinnamon in my diet, is easy, and also is a way to eat a healthy fruit that is cooked. And delicious!