Here is a list of more frugal fixes for females with fibroids (some I use daily and intermittently), and their said effects on shrinking/breaking down uterine fibroids:
***Although this list highlights my personal suggestions of frugal fixes, there are a myriad of other herbs/vitamin supplements that claim to shrink fibroids. Research, and trial and error (under a Physician's care and done with caution) is the key in finding what will work for YOU.
Apple Cider Vinegar - ....or, ACV as it is affectionately referred to is highly acidic. and offers a great means by which the body can relieve itself of toxins and fat. I have also read that it helps in breaking down the fibroid (made of fibrin) over time. In addition, ACV helps to alkalize the body, which promotes a less acidic (toxic) internal environment. Remember, fibroids are a result of a toxic, imbalanced system. I use Apple Cider Vinegar with salads that I eat everyday (sometimes alternating with balsamic), and I use it with fish and seafood preparations that call for wine.
Recommended dosage: two tablespoons with water or apple juice, daily.
Molasses - Although being seriously sweet and flexible to be used as a substitute in many cooking/baking recipes, molasses is one of the healthiest things for a woman to ingest. It's full of Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Calcium, B6 and Potassium. All of these minerals and vitamins are essential to the body when the aim is to shrink fibroids. However, as opposed to having a more direct affect on the fibroids, molasses is good at helping in the regulation of menstruation (stopping heavy periods), and replenishing iron that is lost.
Recommended dosage: Unfiltered is best, one tablespoon per day
Lemon Juice - Chocked full of Vitamin C, lemon juice works similarly to Apple Cider vinegar in that when taken with water, it also promotes internal alkalinization buy driving toxins out of the body. It stimulates the liver, and helps maintain blood sugar levels. With relation to fibroids, lemon juice assists the liver in expelling excess estrogen from the body - remember, fibroids come about when there is too much estrogen floating around.
Recommended dose: (use fresh lemons when possible) a fourth of a wedge of lemon with hot or warm water.
Green Tea - Provides added hydration, is full of vitamins and minerals, a potent antioxidant, and has high levels of alkaloids. More importantly, with respect to fibroids Green Tea contains epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which has been shown to inhibit the growth of fibroid cells (causes them to stop growing).
Recommended dose: Check with Physician first before using. Green Tea Extract is more potent than drinking a cup or two of tea everyday, and works faster.
Gelatin -A great source of Folic Acid (B9), which is essential in aiding the body in getting rid of estrogen excess, as well as a good source of protein.
***Folic Acid is also good for hair and nails, so you may see increased growth in both over time when drinking gelatin.
Recommended dosage: I dissolve two to three tablespoons of powdered gelatin in 8 oz. of warm or hot water. However, I read where some take up to half of a packet of gelatin. Research all the facts. Drink daily as an alternative to plain water or Green Tea.
Milk Thistle - This herb is used to support the liver, which expels estrogen from the body. The better your liver works, the healthier you can become internally because all the junk is being filtered out. When it stays in the system, hence cometh the fibroids.
Recommended dosage: Consult a Physician first before implementing into your regimen.
Vitamin D - Shown from a recent study to shrink fibroids in rats, Vitamin D contains a compound that stops or slows down the growth of fibroids. (I do know that by taking it on a regular basis, Vitamin D stopped my hot flashes) If there has been any affect on my fibroids, it is hard to gauge because I am also taking Chinese herbs with my Acupuncture regimen. So we will see.
Recommended dosage: Get some sun throughout the week on a regular basis. This is the best source of Vitamin D, and you can't overdose from being in the sun too long. Darker-skinned people need to be exposed to sunlight longer to get sufficient amounts of Vitamin D than lighter-skinned people.
Also, drink Vitamin D3 reinforced milk and juices (although the amount of Vitamin D in these products is not equivalent to what you would get from the sun).
You can also take Vitamin D3 supplements (as opposed to Vitamin D2). Please consult your Physician before implementing into your supplement regimen.
Garlic - (My favorite fix) Garlic helps to boost the immune system due to its high antioxidative properties. It can also, slowly inhibit fibroid cell growth.
Recommendation: Garlic is more powerful when eaten in a raw state: chopped, minced, sliced. When cooked, it loses some of its antioxidative power, but is still good for the body. Use as a regular seasoning with meals.
Tumeric - I heard about Tumeric when I first started my fibroid journey. Actually, there was a Doctor on a talk show who mentioned that Tumeric was good for shrinking fibroids - so I did research. I use it in my vegetable broth a couple of times each week when I do a short-term fast. It detoxifies the body, as well as supports the liver. Again, when the liver is functioning optimally, it can get rid of the excess estrogen which promotes the growth of fibroids.
Recommended dosage: First consult a Physician before implementing into your healing regimen. Check out side effects! (Amongst other things, it can cause insomnia if you take too much - half of a teaspoon is fine with 8 - 10 oz. of liquid).
Vitex - Recommended by Hippocrates (460-375 B.C), the Father of Medicine himself, for what he termed "uterine stones". "Researchers believe that Vitex works by regulating the pituitary gland, the one that tells other glands how much of each hormone to make. The hormone in question here is estrogen, on which Vitex has a regulating effect. Vitex needs to be taken for six months for its full benefits to be felt." http://www.women-health-info.com/133-Fibroids-natural-remedies.html
I tried Vitex early on in my fibroid journey, but it caused me to menstruate for several days outside of my regular cycle. At that point, I was borderline anemic, and didn't need anything that was going to make me bleed more. I stopped taking it after about two weeks.
Recommended dosage: Consult a Physician first before implementing.
Siberian Ginseng (Eleuthero Root) - This root has been used in Chinese medicine for over 3000 years. It promotes circulation and reduces heavy bleeding, helps the body sustain energy levels, and supports the adrenal gland, which helps the body handle physical and mental stress.
Recommended dosage: Please consult a Physician before implementing into supplemental regimen.
Gerson Therapy - This method was designed by Dr. Max Gerson in response to an alternative, non- surgical treatment for cancer (and other degenerative diseases). It helps the body restore and regenerate itself through raw foods, vegetable and fruit juices, coffee enemas and natural supplements. The Gerson Therapy diet platform can be used for detoxing the body, which, in turn will help shrink uterine fibroids. Feel free to check out the link above.
Vitamin E - Another powerful antioxidant, Vitamin E protects the body from free radicals which can cause cells to degenerate quickly. When that happens, the body becomes vulnerable to disease. According to Dr.Tori Hudson, Naturopathic Physician, Researcher, and author of Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine: Alternative Therapies and Integrative Medicine for Total Health and Wellness, "free radicals can promote fibroids". http://www.livestrong.com/article/390051-vitamins-for-fibroid-tumors
In addition, Dr. Andrew Weil, the former U. S. Surgeon General (and current Integrative Physician) recommends taking Vitamin E for uterine fibroids in his Condition Care Guide. I take Vitamin E only every so often, as I do with other Vitamins I take (except for Vitamin D and Vitamin B), because I focus on getting as much nutrition as possible through food. A great source of Vitamin E is wheat germ.
Ladies, as you go along your fibroid journey, remember Pfeiffer's Law:
"For every drug that benefits a patient, there is a natural substance that can achieve the same effect."
This is Part 2. Part 1 is here.
Happy Health!
K
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