menopause Archives

Women’s hormonal health covers a wide range of wellness issues, including menstrual cycles, fertility, perimenopause, menopause, breast and reproductive organ health, bone density, cardiovascular health, and even overall health topics like energy, mood, and sleep. While there are various pharmaceutical treatments available, many women prefer natural remedies to support hormonal balance and overall wellness.

Because of their wide-ranging health benefits, reishi mushrooms are gaining recognition as part of a whole health plan for women’s hormonal health. When picking a reishi supplement, make sure to get the whole mushroom, including the fruiting body and not just the mycelium (root-like structure) for most of the following benefits.

Understanding Reishi Mushrooms

Reishi mushrooms, known as ling zhi and nicknamed the “mushroom of immortality,” have been used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). These mushrooms are rich in bioactive compounds, including triterpenes, polysaccharides, and sterols, which are believed to be the main contributors of their therapeutic effects.

Let’s delve deeper into the key points of how reishi mushrooms can positively impact women’s hormonal health.

Reduces Stress

In today’s fast-paced world, stress is almost a “standard setting,” and chronic stress can both cause and aggravate a wide range of health issues, including those involving women’s hormonal health. Reishi mushrooms have adaptogenic properties, which means they can help the body adapt to stressors and reduce their negative effects. One of the main reasons that reishi has long been revered and used by TCM doctors is its effect of supporting a calm state of mind. By balancing cortisol levels and supporting the adrenal glands, reishi mushrooms play a vital role in reducing feelings of stress and helping to regulate the hormones.

Improves Sleep Quality

Sleep is crucial for hormonal health, as it allows the body to regenerate, heal, and balance hormones. Unfortunately, hormonal imbalance with menstrual cycles and with perimenopause and menopause can disrupt a good night’s rest.

While they are not sedating, reishi mushrooms contain bioactive compounds that have calming and soothing effects on the body, promoting better sleep quality. By reducing anxiety and inducing a relaxed state, these mushrooms can help women achieve a more restful and rejuvenating sleep.

Supports Reproductive Health

For women looking to support their reproductive health, reishi mushrooms can be highly beneficial. Xenoestrogens are estrogen-like compounds commonly found in cosmetics, plastics, food packaging materials, and pesticides. These chemicals are problematic in both men and women, so it’s important to find ways to minimize exposure, such as avoiding heating food in plastic containers and making sure to properly clean produce that has been sprayed. By supporting effective detoxification by the liver, reishi mushrooms help eliminate xenoestrogens from the body.

Manages Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a hormonal disorder that affects many women, causing irregular periods, painful periods, fertility issues, weight gain, male-pattern hair growth (hirsutism), acne, and other complications. Reishi mushrooms can be a valuable addition to the management of PCOS. Their hormone-balancing properties, anti-inflammatory effects, and ability to support the liver can all contribute to alleviating PCOS symptoms and improving overall hormonal health.

Further, because PCOS causes the ovaries to produce too much testosterone, things that combat that help to reverse many of the symptoms. Research has shown that reishi mushrooms significantly reduce an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase, thus preventing the conversion of testosterone into the more potent dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

Support to Address Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a painful condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus. It often causes heavy periods, pelvic pain, and fertility challenges. Reishi mushrooms’ anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce the inflammation associated with endometriosis. Additionally, reishi’s ability to balance hormones and support the immune system can contribute to minimizing symptoms and improving overall well-being for women dealing with this condition.

Helps with Infertility

Infertility can be an incredibly challenging journey for many women. Reishi mushrooms have been studied for their potential to improve fertility outcomes. These mushrooms can enhance blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, support hormone regulation, and reduce inflammation, all of which contribute to a healthier reproductive system and increased chances of conception.

In addition, because common causes of infertility include PCOS, endometriosis, and chronic stress, managing these conditions helps improve fertility outcomes.

Reduces Symptoms of Menopause

Menopause is a natural phase in a woman’s life that brings about significant hormonal changes and accompanying symptoms. Reishi mushrooms can aid women in navigating this transition. Their adaptogenic properties help reduce insomnia, mood swings, and anxiety commonly experienced during menopause.

Boosts Breast Health

Maintaining breast health is essential for women’s overall well-being. Reishi mushrooms possess antioxidant properties that help neutralize harmful free radicals and reduce oxidative stress. This antioxidant activity can be beneficial for breast health, as oxidative stress is often associated with an increased risk of breast conditions. Incorporating reishi mushrooms into a well-rounded lifestyle can contribute to maintaining optimal breast health.

Queen Reishi

Reishi mushrooms offer a multitude of benefits for women’s hormonal health, from reducing stress and improving sleep quality to supporting reproductive health, aiding fertility, and assisting hormonal transitions. Reishi mushrooms are a powerful ally in women’s hormonal well-being, so let’s add another nickname to this healing herb, Queen Reishi.

Menopause is the permanent cessation of menstruation, a process that corresponds with a decline in ovarian function. It occurs roughly between the ages of 48-55. Menopause itself it is a natural, physiological process, and for some women the process is relatively uneventful. For others, however, the process is not so easy. When women seek treatments for menopause, it is not for menopause itself but rather for what’s called perimenopausal syndrome – a relatively new term for a group of symptoms associated with menopause. Most of the symptoms are linked to the drop in estrogen production with declining ovarian function.

These symptoms can begin as early as 10 years prior to menopause itself. Though symptoms vary depending on the individual, commonly experienced symptoms include:

Vaginal dryness
Hot flashes
Anxiety
Worry
Depression
Insomnia
Heart palpitations
Tinnitus
Irregular menstruation
Water retention

How does Chinese Medicine view Menopause?

In Chinese Medicine, the reproductive system is primarily under the domain of the Kidney system. The Kidney system governs not only the kidney organs but also the bones, marrow, the brain, ears, as well as the reproductive system. We are born with what’s called Kidney Jing or Congenital Essence, which is akin to that of our DNA; it predetermines, to a certain extent, our individual constitution. Throughout life we also gain and/or lose what is called Acquired Essence. If the kidneys were a gas tank, acquired essence would be the gas itself – it is that which fuels us and it is ours to use and refill. We can deplete or replenish this life energy depending on our lifestyle choices. Menstrual blood is a fluid that is considered part of Tian Gui, which governs fertility and is derived from Kidney essence. As the Kidney essence depletes with age, there is the subsequent drying up of the menstrual blood. With this new stage of life the body has to rebalance itself, and Chinese medicine is rich with tools to support women through this process.

Emotional Balancing During Menopause

Since the Kidney system is related to our hormones, it ties into how we feel. As estrogen levels drop and hormone levels change rapidly, many women experience subsequent changes in their mental emotional state. Some women experience either increased anxiety, sadness, worry or depression – and many experience a roller-coaster of them all.

While we know that hormones affect our emotions, it’s also important to know that our emotions affect our hormones, too – it’s a two way street. The good news here is that we can equip ourselves with tools to help achieve a more balanced emotional state and feel much better in our day to day life.

DIY Tools for Emotional Balance

Rather than feeling helplessly run by hormones and emotions, there are small lifestyle changes that can make a huge difference in helpIng to temper extreme highs and lows and regulate one’s emotional state. Below you will find tips ranging from natural supplements to nutritional recommendations to seeking out what brings you joy.

Helpful Herbs

Ling Zhi / Red Reishi mushroom. Indications include: Sadness, depression, anxiety, insomnia,forgetfulness, fatigue, restlessness, weakened immune system, dry cough. Red reishi is an adaptogen which works to balance the nervous system, easing stress and promoting calm. Pick up a supplement that uses naturally cultivated red reishi, and specifically the fruiting body of the red reishi as it contains the highest medicinal compounds.
Gou Qi Zi / Goji Berries. Indications include: dry eyes, dizziness, tinnitus, blurred vision,vaginal dryness. Yes, these delicious berries are used as an herb in Chinese medicine – food is medicine! Sprinkle into soups, desserts, teas or trail mixes – or enjoy them as a snack on their own. Most health food stores have a supply of goji berries, and I recommend going organic if you can, as non-organic goji berries often contain dye to make them a brighter red colour.
Lian Zi / Lotus seed. Indications include: Insomnia, irritability, anxiety and palpitations, anxietyand sweating. Lotus seed is excellent for calming the mind. You can pick these up at most grocery stores in Chinatown. Boil or steep the lotus seed and and drink as a tea. Lotus seed may increase the risk of constipation, in which case discontinue use.

Though the above herbs are gentle, safe and can be taken long term, it is always advised to speak with your practitioner or doctor before taking herbs, especially if you are currently taking other meditations.

Acupressure

Acupressure is a Chinese Medicine technique, essentially administering self-massage on particular acupuncture points.

A beneficial point for emotional balance during menopause is KI 1 on the sole of the foot (see image). This is the first point on the Kidney meridian. As mentioned, the Kidneys are the root of yin, yang, essence and they govern the reproductive system. Self massage or acupressure on KI 1 is excellent for calming fears and anxiety. Acupressure on KI 1 is especially helpful right before bed, as it promotes a peaceful sleep.

To apply acupressure, gently push into the area with your thumb for a few seconds, then release pressure for a second or two, then apply the pressure again. Do this for 3-5 min bilaterally (on each foot).

Food as Medicine

We now know that what we eat affects our endocrine system and as such it is essential that we learn how to best use nutrition to nourish our body and mind during different stages of life. TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) uses food as medicine and has specific nutritional recommendations that can be applied to support the body through perimenopause and menopause. During perimenopause, women tend to present with symptoms that, from a Chinese Medicine diagnosis, point towards either a Kidney Yin deficiency or a Kidney Yang deficiency. There are also women who present with a mixed pattern.

Below contains a summary of Kidney Yin vs Kidney Yang symptoms and the foods that can be eaten to support these systems. If you are someone who experiences a little of column A and a little of column B, by all means enjoy foods from both lists.

Kidney Yin Deficiency with Deficient Heat Pattern
Symptoms: Vaginal dryness, hot flashes, night-sweats, anxiety, depression, palpitations, depression, palpitations
Recommended foods:
To nourish Kidney Yin and clear deficiency heat, include foods from the following:
• Eggs, seaweed, dates, chlorella, watermelon, celery, cinnamon, bone marrow, squash, sweet potatoes, fish oil, walnuts, chestnuts and sesame seeds
Avoid or reduce: caffeine, alcohol, hot spices, refined sugar.

Kidney Yang Deficiency
Symptoms: Depression, cold hands and/or feet, lower back pain, weight gain
Recommended foods:
To tonify Kidney Yang as well as nourish Jing / Essence, include foods from the following:
• Black sesame seeds, black beans, organ meats, bone marrow, royal jelly, fish oil, ghee, fennel, walnuts, chestnuts
Avoid or reduce: caffeine, alcohol, refined sugar and cold, raw foods.

Move your Qi

Qi is essentially our vital energy, and when qi is not flowing properly throughout the body we get what TCM calls Liver Qi Stagnation. This could look like anything from depression to irritability to rage, aches and pains in the body and/or trouble with digesting what we eat. It can also create heat in the body, which can rise upwards resulting headaches, or neck and shoulder tension.

To move qi, engage in daily exercise for at least 30 minutes. It doesn’t have to be fancy exercise, nor do you have to join an expensive gym, nor do you have to do high impact or complicated cardio. Even walking for 30 min a day counts as moving qi. If you can, pick an activity that you enjoy, as you’re more likely to stick with it.

Find Joy

Speaking of joy, remembering that it’s a two way street between hormones and emotions, it is important to surround yourself with what brings you joy. What brings you true joy? If the first thing that comes to mind is caffeine or a sugar related product, that’s okay but dig a little deeper here, as caffeine and sugar really just trick your brain into thinking it’s happy via a temporary sugar rush (a chemical reaction that will only create more peaks and crashes, essentially feeding the roller coaster!). So dig deeper with this question. What are the activities that you truly enjoy? What nourishes your spirit? When do you feel the greatest sense of calm? Find what these things are for you, and incorporate them into your life as often as humanly possible.

Mind your Mind

We are not our thoughts, yet we are often slaves to them. Learning to see our thoughts for what they are – just thoughts – allows us to detach from them and re-train the neural pathways of reactivity. This takes time and patient practice, but the good news is that it’s not complicated. Set aside even 10 minutes a day to sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes and observe your thoughts. When a thought comes into your mind, try not to engage in it but rather label it, without judgement, as simply ‘thought’ and then let it drift away like a cloud. See over time how the space between thoughts widens. This is where we make space for the new; this is where we change.

Further Support

It is the aim of this article to offer tools you can use at home and everyday. However, there may be times when you’d like or require extra support. As a TCM practitioner I can speak to the benefits of acupuncture and herbal medicine, as time and time again women leave my clinic after an acupuncture session reporting that they feel much more emotionally balanced (usually phrased more like, “I feel soooo much better, thank you!”). Acupuncture works to balance the autonomic nervous system and I also often prescribe custom herbal formulas in order to help nourish the Kidney Yin and Yang. Seeing an acupuncturist or Chinese Medicine practitioner regularly can be of enormous benefit. And don’t forget about the importance of preventative medicine! I recommend any woman over the age of 35 consult a TCM practitioner to learn how they can start now, preparing their body and minds for healthy and joyful menopause.

The suggestions in this article are not meant to replace advice from your doctor. If you experience severe symptoms during perimenopause, please visit your family doctor.

Tag Archives: menopause

Reishi for Women’s Hormonal Health