Foods 'n' Herbs

Menopausal Problems

Women when reaching around 50 years old, their ovaries will be making less and less estrogen and progesterone, until the menstrual cycle tapers off and finally stop. Estrogen is needed to keep skin smooth and moist, arteries unclogged and proper bone formation. The symptoms of menopause are hot flashes, dryness of skin and vagina, insomnia, mood swings, depression, bone loss and osteoporosis. Women going through menopause are more vulnerable to diseases and disorders. For those who have been taking Hormone Replacement Therapy to combat the symptoms are only to find that they are plagued with new problems such as breast cancer, uterine and ovarian cancers.

Chinese medicine sees the many menopausal symptoms as problems due to kidney yang or kidney yin deficiency (i.e. yin-yang imbalance). Kidneys govern the reproduction system and are the source of vital energy and life essence. Treatments are to nourish yin, reinforce kidneys, or to warm yang. Dong quai, ginseng, fennel, licorice, raspberry, wild yam, lily bulb are herbs commonly use to combat the many menopausal symptoms.

Dietary advice for menopausal women are to consume more soy milk for natural plant-based estrogen, bone soup for calcium and to avoid high phosphorus foods which compete with calcium absorption. Avoid foods that are rich in cholesterol. Eat a diet that is low in animal fat, protein and dairy products, and high in complex carbohydrates. Low impact exercise such as yoga, hiking and weight lifting can help to slow down bone loss and to improve quality of sleep.

The following are two tried-and-true recipes which are very effective, easy to make and delicious. 

SYMPTOMS:

THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS:

Tonify energy and blood, lubricate internal dryness, and invigorate spleen, stomach, lungs and kidney.

PER SERVING:

• Chinese Yam (shan yao)  - 15gm

• Dried Longan fruit (long yan rou) - 25gm

• Rice (Glutinous) - 100gm

• Red date - 10gm

• Honey

1. Rinse all ingredients.

2. Cut yam into small pieces and cook together with longan, rice and red date with adequate water (2 to 3 cups) over medium high heat to make congee. Stir regularly to prevent burning. 

3. When congee is done (about 30 minutes), add honey to taste and serve warm.

USAGE: 

Take as desert after meal.

(Recipe No. MP 01)

SYMPTOMS:

Irritability, insomnia, dreaminess, palpitation and absent-mindedness, missing period and of irregular quantity.

THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS:

Enrich blood, nourish yin and moisturize dryness, clear away heart fire and tranquilize the mind.

PER SERVING:

• Dry lily bulb (bai he) - 40gm

• Processed rehmannia (shu di) - 40gm

• Egg - 2

1. Rinse herbs. Boil eggs and remove shell.

2. Put all ingredients in a pot with adequate water (about 2.5 cups).

3. Cook with medium heat for one hour to one cup of water left.

4. Add a bit of honey to serve.

5. Drink soup and eat eggs.

USAGE:

Not suitable for people with weak digestion and loose bowel.

(Recipe No. MP 05)