Copyright © 2005 Willingness Works
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been treating fertility
successfully for over two thousand years, long before Assisted
Reproductive Technology (ART) was a glimmer in anyone’s eye. Since
more and more couples are encountering the very emotional and
frustrating road-block of infertility, understanding the three
organs that play a major role in fostering a healthy, fertile body,
is more vital than ever.
In TCM, your body, mind and spirit are an integrated system. Thus,
you are a whole unit. In your body, all of your organs operate
together as a system. Yes, you have individual organs that have
specific functions, but the overall function of any organ is to
support a healthy, vital system. When you balance the Liver,
Kidneys/Adrenals and Spleen/Pancreas, you provide your system –
your body – with the healthy equilibrium it needs for accessing
fertility.
This article reveals the following key information about each of
these organs: 1. What the organ does in the body (its primary
function according to TCM vs. Western Medicine) 2. How to recognize
symptoms of imbalance 3. How to correct imbalance 4. Why these
corrections are important to enhance fertility
THE LIVER FUNCTION: The Liver is responsible for the smooth flow of
energy and blood throughout the entire body. The Liver is also
responsible for detoxifying everything that goes through the body
(food, liquid, toxins, emotions, pollutants… everything!) The Liver
also plays a key role in digestion, hormone balance, and normal
menstruation.
SYMPTOMS OF IMBALANCE: Endometriosis, fibroids, ovarian cysts,
painful menstruation (cramps, PMS, blood clots), irritable bowels,
headaches, restless sleep (especially between 1:00 & 3:00 am),
irritability, anger, frustration, impatience, stress.
HOW TO CORRECT IMBALANCE: The Liver responds well to a balanced
diet, free of chemicals, toxins, and overindulgence. You can help
your Liver smooth out your energy flow through the regular use of
stress reduction methods (deep breathing, body movement, fresh
water, castor oil packs, cleansing, acupuncture, meditation).
WHY IMPORTANT: The energy in your reproductive system must be
flowing for conception and birth to happen. Your inner terrain must
not be a toxic waste dump or new life will have a difficult time
growing. As well, any nutritional supplements you may be taking
cannot work efficiently in a toxic environment.
THE SPLEEN/PANCREAS FUNCTION: The Pancreas is viewed in TCM as
being part of the Spleen. The Spleen is responsible for receiving
food, transforming the food into nutrients, and transporting the
nutrients via your blood to your entire system. The Spleen is
responsible for ample blood supply in your body.
SYMPTOMS OF IMBALANCE: Poor appetite, afternoon fatigue,
sugar/carbohydrate cravings, loose stools, lethargy, obsessive or
over thinking, feeling stuck.
HOW TO CORRECT IMBALANCE: The Spleen thrives on regularity, is
greatly burdened by overeating, is weakened by improper foods (most
especially excess carbohydrates), and needs a balance of
macronutrients to support healthy function in the body.
Macronutrients are Proteins, Carbohydrates and Essential Fats. Our
bodies extract Micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) from the
macronutrients we eat.
WHY IMPORTANT: The Spleen is the organ that nourishes your entire
system. Equally as important as not allowing your inner terrain to
become a toxic waste dump, is giving your inner terrain the healthy
nutrients they need to function. If your Spleen is burdened with
excessive blood sugar and/or insufficient nutrition, then your
hormone balance suffers. This directly affects your body’s ability
to conceive.
THE KIDNEYS/ADRENALS FUNCTION: The Kidneys and Adrenals are also a
combined organ according to TCM. The Kidneys are responsible for
reproduction and birth. The health of the Kidneys determines egg
quality and sperm quality. The Kidneys are the battery pack of your
system. They support your Liver and Spleen. Unhealthy Kidney
function, according to TCM, makes conception difficult.
SYMPTOMS OF IMBALANCE: Lower back pain or ache, tired or injured
legs/knees/ankles, frequent urination, lack of vitality, easily
cold or hot flashes, frequent feelings of fear, stress,
overworking, decreased sexual desire.
HOW TO CORRECT IMBALANCE: The Kidneys absolutely need enough sleep,
preferably uninterrupted. Balancing work with rest is vital to the
Kidneys. Explore ways to redirect excess feelings of fear toward
feelings of trust, hope and inner peace.
WHY IMPORTANT: It is during sleep that your body regenerates
repairs and revitalizes. Getting enough uninterrupted sleep
directly contributes to your fertility. Not overworking gives your
Kidneys a chance to recover from the energy they require to work.
The adrenal glands become unbelievably overworked when they have to
secrete adrenaline hormones to counteract your responses to stress
all day long. Finding ways to respond to your life with more calm
and less “fight-or-flight” will take the burden off your adrenals,
which in turn, supports the balance of your entire hormone
system.
Even though there are twelve main organ systems in TCM, you now
have plenty to focus on with just these three. If you diligently
begin supporting these three organs, this will help you move quite
a bit closer to realizing your dream of becoming a parent. I wish
you a successful fertility journey.
Laurie Morse is a board certified acupuncturist, and wrote the
above article. She is the author of the “My Fertility Success”
eBook, providing skills and exercises helping women turn on their
"fertility switch." The Director of Holistic Health Services in San
Diego, CA, Ms. Morse helps women and couples achieve successful
pregnancy, as a licensed acupuncturist, and through her ebooks,
audio CDs, workshops and teleclasses. For more information visit:
http://www.MyFertilitySuccess.com
