Endometriosis 

A condition where the endometrium (womb lining) grows in sites outside the uterus eg: the ovaries, fallopian tubes, ligaments and bowel or bladder.  Once in place, the edometrial tissue responds to the natural hormone cycle and sheds blood within the body cavities causing inflammation and pain. 

American research suggests a higher incidence of allergic related symptoms in sufferers, particularly digestive allergies.  Certain nutritional deficiencies may also be experienced, suggesting that the body’s ability to process excess oestrogen may be a contributing factor.

DIETARY ADVICE and self-help
Follow a low animal fat diet (arachidonic acids) and high in essential fatty acids (EFAs) such as Linoleic and linolenic acids (grape, sunflower, soya bean, evening primrose, walnut, starflower, safflower, flax seed and sesame oils, black currant oil, grapeseed oil, pumpkin seeds, apricots).

There is good evidence to suggest that low doses of evening primrose oil are of value for reproductive imbalance such as PMS, higher doses are reportedly more effective for reproductive damage (inflammation, pain). Other sources of essential fatty acids such as flax, borage, or black currant seed oil are important for a rounded intake of healthy oils, but these do not act as quickly in women with endometriosis. For this reason, higher doses of the more expensive EPO may have to be used for the short term.

Soybeans are high in oestrogen-like plant compounds, genistein and daidzein.  These prevent your body from taking up the more harmful forms of oestrogen circulating in your blood. Phytoestrogens take the place of the bad oestrogen, binding to the cell's oestrogen receptor sites and prevent more harmful estrogens from binding to these receptors.  They also protect the body from pollutants that chemically mimic oestrogen.
Bean sprouts supply more genistein (the more active of the two phytoestrogens) than soybeans. As beans germinate, their genistein content increases. If the sprouts have fungi, the genistein content may increase as much as one hundred times.
Pinto beans, yellow split beans, black turtle beans, lima beans, anasazi beans, red kidney beans, red lentils, black eyed peas, mung beans, adzuki beans and fava beans are other sources of these important phytoestrogens.
Flaxseed contains generous amounts of compounds called lignans that is believed to help control endometrial cancer.  Flaxseed might be particularly helpful for anyone who is not a vegetarian,  Vegetarians have high blood and urine levels of lignans.  Consuming meat suppresses lignans substantially. Flaxseed helps to supplement this deficit.
Peanut (Arachis hypogaea)  Peanuts contain many of the healthful substances as soybeans and other beans. Many people prefer the taste of peanuts to soybeans.  The papery red membrane surrounding Spanish peanuts is a source for oligomeric procyanidins (OPCs), substances that may help control hormone dependent cancers and possibly endometriosis.
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa):  Alfalfa sprouts contain phytoestrogens. Use them liberally on salads. Eating them also reduces the risk of contracting cancer. (Do not consume alfalfa if you or your family has a history of lupus.)

If you have endometriosis, eat as much edible beans as possible as often as possible. Eat salads made of bean sprouts. Take bean soups, baked beans, and Mexican foods rich in beans such as burritos.

 (source http://www.holisticonline.com/Remedies/endometriosis/endo_nutrition.htm)  

EXERCISE
Vigorous exercise has been shown to reduce the effects of endometriosis while general exercise and massage will improve circulation bringing more oxygen to the blood and help relax the uterus.

USEFUL NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS - please consult a qualified practitioner first

High potency multivitamins, especially the B complexes, vitamin C and minerals such as zinc, magnesium, and selenium.

DL-phenylalanine as a natural pain killer (inhibits the breakdown of endorphins therefore increasing the longetivity of the body’s own pain relieving mechanisms).

Recommended supplements

Table adapted from http://www.holisticonline.com/Remedies/endometriosis/endo_nutrition.htm

HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS - please consult a qualified practitioner first.

Some herbal preparations may help if the disease has not progressed too far. 

Preparations which reduce gonadotrophin levels and ovarian steroids helping to minimise cyclic hormonal changes are particularly useful and are best administered by a qualified herbal practitioner.  These would include:

Anemone and ginger for pelvic pain.

Chamomile tea to maintain endocrine balance.

Blue flag root, Burdock root, Hawthorn berry, Pulsatilla, Vervain, Dandelion root, Wild yam, Black haw, Parsley piert, Marigold, Butternut, Goldenseal and Ginger

(Bartram 1995 Herbal Medicine, p168).

ESSENTIAL OILS - please consult a qualified practitioner first

One of the conventional drugs used to treat endometriosis is Danocrine, used to suppress oestrogen, which is similar to the hormone testosterone.  While studies are not conclusive in using essential oils effectively for endometriosis, it would be logical to select a blend of testosterone-like and oestrogen suppressing oils for therapeutic use, avoiding the hormone oestrogen stimulating oils.  However, the actual hormonal effects of essential oils have yet to be proved.   Massage techniques will undoubtedly help with pain and discomfort and will help to promote the body's own natural defence mechanisms to alleviate endometrial tissue build-up.  Antispasmodic or muscle spasm relieving essential oils applied as massage or in a bath may be also be of benefit, coupled with advice on diet, exercise and lifestyle to help complement any conventional healthcare, dietary or herbal preparations.

IMPORTANT - This information and is not intended to be in place of diagnosis or treatment.  Endometriosis needs the careful consideration of your GP and you must inform them if you intend to take supplements or consult a complementary health practitioner.  

Jane Ellwood Dip(HE) RNLD MIFPA October 2001
Email jane@aromacaring.co.uk
www.aromacaring.co.uk

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