There’s a promising new study suggesting that Chinese herbs are an effective treatment against endometriosis, a disease that threatens fertility and effects an estimated 5.5 million women in the US. This is exciting news, since women who suffer from endometriosis are generally given two treatment options – powerful medications with side-effects, or surgery. Most feel they have no choice, particularly if they are facing infertility (and some don’t, depending on the stage of their disease).

For years I’ve been referring patients with early-stage endometriosis to acupuncturists, and I know they’ve been helped. I hope the word gets around about this latest study, as I believe it’s the first of its kind in the English language, and it will be the first that many women hear of this treatment option. For the right patient, Chinese herbs can mean significant improvement with no side-effects and no surgery.

The sun is peeking out this afternoon, but when I came to work this morning it looked like another drizzly, overcast, damp day. We’ve had a string of them – most of the last 6-7 weeks have been damp. And that makes me think of the impact damp weather, and dampness in general, has on our health.

“Dampness” doesn’t have a place in conventional medicine; we don’t diagnose it, and don’t acknowledge its effects on the body. However, we all know people who get joint pains when it’s damp out (and we probably remember a grandfather or other elder who could predict a storm coming because their joints ached). Sinuses are highly susceptible to damp weather – I’ve been busy treating sinus problems for the past 6 wks. Allergies can definitely get worse, either from damp mold being kicked up into the atmosphere, or from swelling of the mucous membranes.

Particularly mold allergies go off the charts in weather like this. I think allergy and sensitivity to molds (including candida, which is a yeast) are very widespread to begin with. A prolonged period of dampness like the one we’ve had causes mold to grow in the garden, the carpeting, and the old wood of a home or garage – and doctors like me end up with a waiting room full of allergy sufferers.

In fact, damp weather makes most inflammations worse. Inflammation anywhere in the body involves swelling, as fluid comes into an inflamed area and brings the body’s immune cells with it. So sinusitis, arthritis, skin infections like eczema, and even urinary infections can kick up when it’s damp out. We treat all of these conditions with anti-inflammatory medicines, including steroids. All of these medications work by stopping the flow of fluid and immune cells into inflamed areas.

Chinese Medicine recognizes dampness as a condition. In that ancient system of medicine, “dampness” is the name given to inflammations, swelling, allergic reactions, and bloated bowels. An acupuncturist recognizes that humid days naturally worsen these disorders, and will prescribe certain dietary treatments: http://acupuncture.rhizome.net.nz/Deficiency/Dampness.aspx

Other natural remedies include Vitamin C and quercitin, a bioflavonoid that lessens allergic reactions. Also bromelain and other proteolytic enzymes are helpful in lessening the swelling of tissues; these should be taken between meals, since they’re not digestive enzymes.

And when all else fails … I hear that real estate is cheap in Phoenix.