In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), leiomyomas or myomas, commonly known as uterine fibroids, fall under the larger category of Zheng Jia. These benign (noncancerous) tumors develop in the muscle tissue of the uterus and are believed to be caused by an obstructed blood flow.
The condition affects a large percentage of women during their reproductive years. Most women with fibroids experience absolutely no symptoms. However, some may experience heavy periods, painful periods, infertility, or other pregnancy-related complications.
A diagnosis is made through an ultrasound, MRI, or CAT scan. Some fibroid tumors can virtually go undetectable, whereas others can rapidly grow during pregnancy or when estrogen and progesterone levels are affected. However, the detected mass can also shrink when using anti-hormone medications or upon reaching menopause.

The Role of Chinese Medicine in Treating Fibroids

When Qi (energy), blood, or damp phlegm are in excess or a deficit and combine with the hot, cold, or acidic environment in the uterus, it may result in fibroids.
If you've been diagnosed with this condition and are wondering about the next step, Chinese medicine can effectively address fibroids, and their associated symptoms. It takes a holistic approach to treat Zheng Jia conditions, including uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, and endometriosis.

Acupuncture for Uterine Fibroids

Acupuncture, a popular form of alternative medicine, involves the insertion of fine needles around the site of the fibroid to stimulate the flow of energy (Qi) and reduce the proliferation of abnormal cells. This study also suggests that women who had regular acupuncture sessions saw a significant reduction in the volume of their fibroids.

Herbal Therapy for Uterine Fibroids

In another study, more than half of the participants experienced a reduced size or complete disappearance of their fibroids. How? With herbs! Chinese herbal medicine uses specific herbs to restore the body's natural balance and treat the underlying causes of fibroids. Some commonly used herbs for fibroids include Dong Quai, Chinese Skullcap, and Rehmannia since these have anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties and can reduce the size of fibroids while relieving symptoms.

The Bottom Line:

Uterine fibroids are a common condition, and many women often seek alternative and holistic approaches to managing their fibroids. If you're looking to find relief from your fibroids without Western medicine intervention, TCM may be the way forward. Here at Restorative Acupuncture, we have a proven record of resolving fibroids with TCM. Schedule an appointment with us today to develop a personalized treatment plan and get onto your healing journey.

Health and wellness brands or services incorporating Traditional Chinese Medicines require herbs to carry out their practices or produce herbal products. You will find tons of companies on the market delivering herbs for healing and wellness purposes. But brands that pay attention to the quality and efficacy of the herbs often choose herbs with exceptionally low levels of impurities, such as bacteria, mold, and yeast.

 But how do you know if the herbs you buy contain extremely low contaminants? Before purchasing, there are a few things you should look out for or keep in mind. They include finding the origin of the herbs, how they are stored and filtered, whether the company follows a "kill step" to achieve specific microbiological limits or incorporates the holistic process to ensure the freshest and cleanest herbs possible, and more.
 
The following also talks about steps taken by the best herbal company to produce clean herbs. Continue reading.
 
It sources herbs directly from farms.
 
Most herbs you find on the market are sold through wholesale herb markets or intermediaries, and both expand the handling and storage time of the herbs. Note that the longer the herbs are stored, the more opportunities for bacteria, mold, and yeast to grow.
 
The best company that offers herbs and herbal products controls the quality of raw herb ingredients right from the planting and harvesting process. It purchases natural herb materials directly from farms. After harvesting, it sends the herbs to the best processing facilities to wash, dry, and process them using Pao Zhi techniques.
 
It provides better storage for the herbs.
 
The best herbal company works with the best supplier in China, the land where most of these herbs incorporated in TCM come from. Once dried, herbs are packaged, transported, and stored in the supplier's facility with at least two warehouses for incoming materials. One is a temperature-controlled warehouse for most raw materials, and the other is a refrigerated warehouse for herbs with high sugar content or are otherwise more prone to decay. A sample of each batch is tested for microbiological before they are accepted into production.
 
It incorporates high-temperature decoction.
 
When the herbs reach production, they are decocted in pure water to extract the active chemical components. The decoction time and temperature (100℃ or higher) used for extraction can significantly kill microorganisms.
 
It follows the best extraction method.
 
The extraction liquid is transported through a sterile, closed pipeline between separation, concentration, and spray dry processes. It ensures the air temperature in the dry spray chamber is between 160° C and 190° C, making it uninhabitable to microorganisms.
 
It uses a clean production environment to collect the dry powder extracts.
 
A clean production environment is used to collect the dry powder extracts. The cleanroom is strictly regulated for airborne particulates and pressurized to ensure impurities flow out of the room rather than in.
 
The herbs undergo immediate and final testing before they are used for other processes.
 
Again, the herbs are sampled, and laboratory tested to ensure the microbial levels meet pharmaceutical standards before they are permitted to continue in the production process.
 
After granulation and packaging, the finished herbal extracts are tested according to international standards. The microbial tests are executed in a national-level laboratory certified by CNAS to ISO/IEC17025 standards.
 
These are the steps taken by the best herbal company to ensure its herbs are clean and meet and exceed China's standards for pharmaceuticals and US standards for dietary supplements.