Archive for the ‘Dr. Rose Paisley’ Category
|Rediscovering Yourself in Motherhood
Tuesday, April 19th, 2011
by Dr. Rose Paisley
Nature Cures Clinic physician
This article is one in a series titled “Mindful Parenting.” Scroll to the bottom of this page to see links to more articles in the series.
To get the most out of motherhood, it’s essential to build a strong foundation for health. When you experience optimal health, it benefits the whole family.
Hormone shifts and nutrient deficiencies are a common result of months — and sometimes years — of being on the go and not making time to care for you. As a result, you get fatigue, irritability, low libido, weight gain, blood sugar imbalances and vitamin deficiency. The good news is that many of these deficiencies and imbalances can be restored with a little TLC.
That feeling of depletion is often a combination of the following:
Stress – Simple stressors, both good and bad, take a toll on normal hormone regulation. Primarily, adrenal function is compromised with chronic stress and the results are dramatic for some. Stressors like interrupted sleep, insomnia, skipped meals, anxiety around family dynamics, lack of exercise, and managing the home cumulatively wear on the adrenal glands. The good news is that many of the stressors are things that we can manage and improve on with a little practice and patience (with ourselves and our family).
Adrenal fatigue is common clinical presentation that results from months or years of elevated cortisol, a hormone that is secreted naturally under stressful circumstances. Symptoms include, but are not exclusive or limited to; low libido, fatigue, anxiety, difficulty losing weight, dry skin, gastrointestinal upset, blood sugar imbalances, irritability and fatigue.
Poor diet – Nutrient deficiencies can and often do result from relying on convenience foods, a dislike for cooking and poor food quality available in grocery stores. Many moms are just not sure where to start. As a result women become deficient in some of the following:
Protein = Blood sugar imbalances, Type II diabetes
Vitamins – Vit D, B vitamins, Folic acid, Vit A, Vit K = bones, energy, immunity, prevention
Minerals – Magnesium, Calcium, Iodine, Zinc = mood, bones, energy, immunity, hormones
Essential fatty acids = Anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular support, mood support, brain and nerve health
Food sensitivities – Many people these days are discovering that when they eat certain foods they don’t feel so hot. Foods such as wheat, dairy, nuts, corn, sugar, eggs and soy can result in a myriad of symptoms and dis-ease, including:
Inflammation
Fatigue
Dysbiosis
Headaches
Mood swings
Sleep disturbances often result in an impaired circadian rhythm, which can contribute to blood sugar imbalances, poor immune function, adrenal hormone shifts, sex hormone shifts, weight gain and poor mood.
Hormonal shifts – Post delivery and in some cases years after delivery, women experience hormone changes. Imbalances in estrogen, progesterone, prolactin, thyroid hormones, cortisol, and neurotransmitters can all create an unfamiliar state of being that is difficult to interpret and care for when you have your attention on your family.
So what can we do about it?
Three-legged stool – When I suspect a woman is out of balance, primarily in the peak of motherhood, I often approach her well being by paying special attention to balancing her hormones, healing her belly, and caring for her musculoskeletal system.
The Key to balancing hormones is to first identify where the imbalance exists. Usually if one is off there is a cascade response. I often start with the adrenal glands. They are easy to support and impact the whole body in a positive manor. I consider the following:
1) Blood work or salivary studies to identify imbalances
2) Address adrenals with specific nutrients and herbs
3) Ensure vitamin D levels are normal
4) Herbs that balance mood, anxiety, adrenals, hormone tonic – Adaptogenic and nervines
5) Nutrition – predominantly whole foods and eliminate food sensitivities
6) Exercise – restorative and daily
The belly is essential for two reasons:
1) You are what you eat
2) Hormones, inflammation, and immunity are all primarily dictated by the health of the gut.
To deal with this we work on 5 R’s: remove, replace, reinoculate, repair, and rebalance.
Remove:
1) Identify food sensitivities – Allergy elimination diet
2) Antacids and H2 blockers
Replace:
1) Enzymes, HCL, apple cider vinegar – stimulate gut function
Reinoculate:
1) Maintain healthy eco system –probiotics, fiber, and protein – improved immunity, less GI discomfort, better absorption
• Loss of commensal bacteria increases NF Kappa gene – inflammatory cancer promoter
Repair:
1) Eat a whole foods diet rich in vegetables – “Eat food, not too much, primarily vegetable” Pollan
• 7-9 servings of fruits and veggies – can decrease all cancer risk by an average of 45%
• Combination of a whole foods diet and exercise decreases breast cancer death by half
• Clean meat – “you are what you eat eat” Pollan – if you are thinking of switching to organic think more about quality of life, cage free, grass fed – think animal product. Improved Omega 3 to 6 fatty acids
• Mediterranean diet – reduces inflammation, reverses insulin resistance, reduction in CV dz.
• Whole grains – low glycemic index, high fiber, high in B vit and folic acid,
• Protein – nuts – rich in minerals Mg, Cu, K, omega 3, plant sterols, fiber
2) Medicines that cool the inflammation – glutamine, aloe, herbs
3) Stress reduction
Rebalance:
1) Quality time with family, modeling for your children, joy of cooking and eating, a happy digestive tract and improved quality of life allows one to feel rebalanced.
Musculoskeletal System – Exercise is essential to hormone balancing, prevention of cardiovascular disease, glycemic regulation, cancer prevention and digestive support. Create time or enjoy with your family.
• Variability – flexibility, strength, and cardio – the body adapts very quickly in an effort to conserve energy. If you want to see change you have to make change.
• Have fun – play, do activities that you enjoy.
• Nature nurtures – fresh air, sunshine, a deeper connection to the earth and beauty in nature have all been shown to improve health and perception of health.
• Recent studies in cancer, heart disease, and longevity all show that 30 minutes, 6 days per week result in significant risk reduction. Specifically a 50% decreased risk of dying of breast cancer, 65% reduction in cardiovascular disease, 75% increase in successful aging.
Other things to consider:
Labs: A great way to evaluate health is with a provider that looks at functional lab values. Meaning where is the ideal range for optimal physiologic function? An ideal preventative profile includes – CBC, Lipid profile, complete Metabolic Panel, TSH, Free T3, Free T4, ferritin, Vt D 25-hydroxy, Cardio CRP and Homocystein. Sometimes it is appropriate to consider other labs like, food sensitivity testing, salivary hormone profiles or vitamin and mineral status. Most often you will need a naturopathic physician to order and interpret these types of labs for you. Remember, one step at a time! Typically, you do not need to spend thousands of dollars evaluating labs to restore balance in your life.
Herbs: Aswaganda, rhodiola, maca, passion flower, lemon balm, licorice, hops, oat straw, Siberian ginseng, red clover, vitex, motherwort, hawthorn berry – all restorative and potent. Consult with your ND or herbalist for combining and safety.
Mental/Emotional: Ensure that you are caring for yourself every day. Mindful parenting means to listen and attend to your needs and model self-worth to your children.
Counseling, yoga, massage, community, participating in a community that shares a common goal centered on abundance and ascending are all excellent ways to regain balance in your life. Women thrive on community, for centuries we have gathered and made change in the world. A ritual that is getting further and further from our reach as we become buried in everyday life, bills, consumption, our children’s enrichment, social schedules, jobs and so on.
Intimacy: Libido is often low during parenthood. Sometimes true for men and sometimes true for women. It is difficult to find energy, time and privacy even when you are in the mood. What is essential to remember is that if one partner is having an issue with wanting more intimacy than it is an issue…there needs to be a discussion to avoid developing resentment. Begin the conversation and then make the effort. You can start with identifying the source of the problem through a discussion, with your partner, girlfriend, therapist or doctor.
Some of my favorite restorative remedies:
• Favorite Elixir: 1 part apple cider vinegar, 1 part ginger powder, 1 part water – mix and store – drink ½ tsp before meals. Great for heartburn too – use as needed.
• Favorite restorative tea – Rhodiola, lemon balm, maca, licorice, ginger – mix equal parts, 1 tbl/ 2 cups of water, bring to boil, remove from heat, add herbs and steep for 10 min.
Yogi teas – Women’s Energy, Detox tea
Traditional Medicinals – Everyday Detox
• Favorite daily detox – 2tbsp of ground flax/day with a huge glass of water and a huge plate of Beets and Greens
• Favorite Exercise – Dancing with my family in the living room
• Favorite Relaxation – Castor Oil pack – rub castor oil over belly and soak in a hot tub with Epsom salts. Drink ginger tea while soaking. Take a cold rinse after.
• Favorite digestive support – Probitotics or cultured food – kombucha, sour kraut, kim chi
More resources for you journey towards balance:
Feeding The Whole Family – Cynthia Lair
Three Bowl Cookbook – David Scott and Tom Pappas
On Rice – Rick Rodgers
Almost Meatless – Joy Manning and Tara Mataraza Desmond
Nourishing Traditions – Sally Fallon
www.naturecuresclinic.com
www.cookusinterruptus.com
www.emersonecologics.com
THANK YOU!!
“Remember to laugh – it’s an instant vacation from anything holding you down. Remember to smile – it immediately alters your state of mind; and remember to love – it has the power to change the world.” – Kathryn Budig
Dr. Rose Paisley is available for remote consultations. Find out more about the service by visiting Dr. Paisley’s practitioner page.
See other articles from Dr. Paisley’s “Mindful Parenting” series:
Mindful Parenting: A Balanced Approach
Sex Lies & Motherhood: Tips for a Healthy Libido and Better Birth Control
Image courtesy Diganta Talukdar
Tags: Dr. Rose Paisley, motherhood, Nutrition, nutrition deficiencies, Women's health
Posted in Articles by our Doctors, Dr. Rose Paisley | Comments Off
Mindful Parenting: A Balanced Approach
Wednesday, March 9th, 2011
by Rose Paisley, ND
This article is the first in a series of articles by Dr. Paisley about mindful parenting. Stay tuned for more to come!
Mindful parenting is a practice; it is an awareness of our connection to our children, our environment, and to ourselves as individuals – a practice that will result in a more peaceful, grounded and fulfilling existence. As mindful parents we are better equipped to cultivate an environment for healthy child development. Healthy development here refers to a child who grows into the body she was born with – regardless of genetic and environmental influences that may interfere with “perfect health” – with a strong sense of self, capability and identity. In order for a child to thrive in her present existence she must feel safe and capable. Enabling her to make choices that nurture her mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health is a great gift.
Parents come in many forms; birth parents, adopted parents, foster parents, siblings, grandparents, friends and so on. The emotional, financial, spiritual or physical climate at home will often dictate the level of stress and therefore the level of connection and awareness. In other words, the more stress in the environment the more patience and practice the mindful parent will need. The “health” of the home and the parent will usually determine how naturally this practice will come.
Parenthood is one of the most difficult jobs – as you know, it can wear your down and blur your vision – obscure your view of the happenings inside your body, mind, as well as the world around you. It is easy to get lost, and is therefore critical that you find ways to rebuild and conserve energy so that you can navigate through life with joy as you immerse yourself into parenthood.
My goal is to remind you of ways to celebrate in everyday life.
Simple things like a five-minute dance party with music that YOU love while getting ready for school or work, throwing on a fun hat or a bright color when you go out, telling your kids a silly joke as you say good bye, or taking a bath with your babes. My personal favorite way to celebrate with people I love is to sit at the table and eat together. At our house when we sit for dinner we tell “a thorn and a rose” which means to tell each other one bad thing and one good thing that happened in our day. Remember to find ways to honor and celebrate your hard work and your relationship with your children.
In my practice, some of the most burnt out and sick patients are parents. Typically these people are mothers – being the milkmaid and the ultimate hostess can, after all, take a toll. Increasingly, men are taking a beating as well; as more men are staying home with the kids and are sharing the responsibilities of homemaker they are realizing the magnitude of the job. Regardless, the sleeplessness, constant changing, feeding, inconsolable crying, body fluids, scheduling, staying out after curfew, puberty, sex, drugs…it can all seem overwhelming at times.
Many of us want to run away. Instead, try and celebrate. Pay attention, lean in, be clear and present – be unwavering. Children generally crave two things, love and boundaries. Take these overwhelming, crazy, confusing situations and turn them into opportunities to nurture yourself and satisfy their craving. Specifically, tell your children when a behavior is unacceptable and create a consequence, walk away and collect yourself for a moment, say no, ask for help, and so on. Parents are often too tired, afraid, consumed, or distracted to enforce a discipline and be consistent; as a result children get mixed messages. It is difficult for children to learn when the instructions are ambiguous and always changing. Try a little less multitasking, focus in on the situation, collect energy and decide how to handle the struggles.
For example, lets say your two year old asks for something sweet while grocery shopping, you say no, and they begin to throw a temper tantrum. What do you do? You still have more things on your list, your kid is trying to exert some power, and you don’t want to cave. Step one; offer an alternative, “How about some fruit or nothing?” They still get to choose but they do not get a sweet (because you already said no). If that doesn’t help and she is still crying, she needs to be told that her behavior is inappropriate and that she needs to turn it around or you are leaving. Put an end to the negotiation as quickly as possible — you are in charge. If you have to, leave.
By responding the same way every time she will learn that it is not okay to freak out when she doesn’t get her way. Eventually, the behavior will change. When you give in to her request to quiet her she will work that angle for months, or even years to come. Be unwavering and you will ultimately be more efficient and able to make more time for you — imagine that.
Learning to celebrate during the most difficult times is not only rewarding, it positively impacts your child’s development. Another way to celebrate is to embrace your struggles as they are. Try to avoid blaming the source, criticizing yourself or losing hope. Stay with what is right in front of you. Humans waste so much time and energy being angry and afraid during struggles.
I am not saying that we shouldn’t be emotional. I am saying that even when you are really struggling, if you pause, you can see the problem for what it is, recognize the emotional response, and then channel your energy toward solutions or maybe even just seeing how the problem unfolds. So often struggles are out of our control, so try to make room to let them simply pass. Celebrate your power by steering clear of the blame game and facing the fear. You may even find humor – especially during the little ridiculous times like traffic jams and mouthy road rage.
You can also celebrate by modeling humility. Your children see you navigate through life day in and day out and eventually, they see you struggle. It is then that our children learn about difficult times, emotionality, problem solving and coping mechanisms. Sometimes you freak out and other times you gracefully juggle the problems; regardless of your response, pay attention.
Where is the joy in those moments? I believe it is in the resolution and the acknowledgment; and in the bigger picture it is in the food you prepare, the bedtime stories, the interactions with each other, the color of your sweater, or the time you took for yourself for just five minutes to regroup, to breathe. These tiny offerings are little parties. They may not seem like much individually and may not even be noticed during a temper tantrum, a headache, danger or sickness. However, the reflection of the cumulative will be beautiful and is something to celebrate.
Our children begin absorbing information from the moment of conception. They are collecting data from every person the meet, food they taste, television shows they watch, Internet waves they surf and trees they climb. In the early stages of life — conception through young childhood (5-8 years) — most of their choices are made for them (such as food, water, shelter, adventure, media exposure, social influences, spirituality). As they grow older they begin to develop into what is sometimes referred to as the “memory stage.”
Children begin to form memories, morals, values and opinions – especially opinions of themselves. They begin to make choices and express themselves based on early experiences and choices as well as from his or her constitutional make up (their hard wired personalities).
What we caregivers hope for is that our children will learn, from those experiences, the qualities that Arlen Harder refers to as “the highest qualities of the human spirit — such as honesty, kindness, gratitude, forgiveness, courage, beauty and integrity.” The best we can do is demonstrate those “highest qualities.”
We can also do our best to provide a safe and loving physical, mental and emotional environment for a kid to be themselves — a place where they can feel safe expressing their feelings, making mistakes, taking risks, sharing ideas and expressing love. Because we cannot possibly control, or would want to control, every experience and exposure, we must teach them to be media savvy. We must sit with our children and discuss what they are watching, reading, and listening to, not so we can take it away or criticize it but so that we can have a provocative discussion. Again, we must strive to provide a safe place where our children can be themselves.
Now take a deep breath and redirect. I have an exercise: recognize that when we pay attention, I mean really pay attention; we are fully aware of our surroundings and present in the moment. Now lean into the experience, like on a cliff against a strong wind. Teetering on the edge with trust. At this point we are most courageous and connected to the experience, we have nothing to learn, only our own inner wisdom to draw on for guidance.
In this courageous and grounded place we are able to clearly and conscientiously care for ourselves, guide and care for our children, and contribute to our community, simply because we are clear. Free from distractions, fears, insecurity, burden AND responsibility. It is the place of truth, love and ability.
Now you have visualization, a meditation if you will, to guide you through your daily rigmarole. Take a deep breath and jump into the moment with your entirety.
Over the next several months, I will be presenting a series of articles that can be used as a leaping point for becoming a more mindful parent. These articles are not step-by-step, how to guides – you already have all that you need to be a mindful parent, so trust yourself.
Treat the ideas as a pallette that you can paint your own masterpiece from. Not only will you become more engaged with your child, you will be a model for your child that you can be truly proud of, and you will have a good time doing it (mostly). I firmly believe that our experiences guide our development. Let us grow.
The colors on the pallette are those of nutrition, communication, movement, intimacy, play and choice. The canvas is modeling. In other words, we caregivers are going to model our goals, morals and values, for ourselves and for our children. The colors mentioned above are a metaphor for the foundation of healthy growth and development.
Ideas for modeling:
Nutrition: my practice as a physician has been built heavily on my passion for nourishing and TASTY food. Primarily because I love to eat, I love gardens, I love knowing where food comes from and I LOVE food as medicine.
The number one thing I hear from patients is that they do not have time to eat well. I want to debunk that belief by saying, if something is important to you, then you make time. If it is merely a necessity, then you have to plan ahead and work it into your schedule, so that its just part of the routine. I feel that nutrition is BOTH important and necessary.
Simple things you can do to make nutrition mindful and manageable:
• Shop the perimeter of the grocery store to ensure that you are eating whole food (and saving money).
• Shop with your children and let them eat in the store, start in the produce section. Teach them early and expect appropriate behavior. Treat it as a privilege. Enjoy the praise from other shoppers as your babes request tomatoes, string beans, and cucumbers.
• Build menus with your kids, let them choose and discuss their favorite foods. If all they mention is junky food, search for a recipe that offers a healthy version of that food. For example, homemade pizza is cheap, easy, delicious, and can be loaded with lovely ingredients. Pizza is also easily modified to meet the needs of a special diet. Try not to criticize their choice, simply model the joy and nourishment of that food.
• Continue to try new flavors, discuss cultures and ways of life associated with food. Try a new veggie, fruit, recipe or spice every week.
• Remember, set boundaries and encourage choice by making foods they like and offering something new and nutritious. One rule that we have at our table is “eat one bite of everything and all of one thing”.
• Eat as a family as often as possible. At least one meal a day!
Remember, you are the provider, not a short order cook, and your job is to offer healthy food. Like bamboo, be strong AND be flexible. There will always be days where you don’t have it together, go with that. Make breakfast for dinner, order in and have a picnic, let them cook with your help — your kids will love it! You can make excellent choices while still being flexible.
Communication – listen, express, reflect, absorb, engage, and think. Try to harness your reactions and acknowledge theirs. Discuss inappropriate responses regardless of who made them. Ask questions. Express love, gratitude and appreciation.
Play – be joyful, have fun, relax, let loose, be silly, imagine and create. Let you children guide you – THEY are the experts. Open your heart and remember what it means to play. Turn off the TV, video games, and computers and engage in age-appropriate play. It can be as simple as singing a song to your toddler and as involved as an official game night. Channel in to the age of your child.
Intimacy – self-esteem, love, courage, awareness, consideration and personal space. A healthy relationship with your body, your childrens’ bodies and intimacy is a core requirement for healthy sexual development. If you are insecure or anxious about the subject, begin to explore ways of freeing yourself from those fears. Whether you read books, seek out a counselor or a support group, become the expert — have your children learn about their bodies and sex from you, not their teachers or other grownups — they can be a second opinion. If you want your children to come to you with their problems you need to show them that you can actually speak to the subject knowledgeably, compassionately and with open ears.
Movement – daily breathing, stretching and sweating. A strong, healthy body will always set a great example!
Choice – responsibility, integrity, power. As parents, we need to be able to go with the flow, let go of some of the control, let the children guide us at times — especially with play, movement, intimacy and sometimes choice. In many situations it is their job to choose and our job to provide the choices.
Regardless of the behavior that we are modeling, we must remember that our kids are watching. Therefore, we must practice what we preach. A singing teacher once told me, “Don’t be afraid to sing to your children even if you can’t sing. If you want your kids to sing, you sing, if you want your kids to read, you read.” Her words have always stuck with me.
One of the hardest parts of modeling is when you do something that you are not proud of, like yelling, cursing, gossiping or judging. In my opinion, this is where it gets good — the thing I love about being a jerk is how I deal with it. It is what I say to my children, friends, husband and co-workers in response to myself that really matters – that is where the magic happens. Remember to be real and transparent.
Simply put, demonstrate to your kids that everyone makes mistakes. How you handle and learn from them is what’s important. Exemplify that it is okay to admit when you are wrong, be willing to laugh at your behavior and be willing to apologize. Demonstrate humility and self-love at every opportunity.
Mindful parenting is hard work, is ever changing, and incredibly rewarding.
The ultimate goal of mindful parenting is to have a more satisfying parenting experience, allowing for a strong sense of self and a well-developed child. Many parents are working very hard to do right by their children and as a result, the parents suffer, which can actually be harmful to the children in the long run. Always strive for a healthy balance of self-care and child-care.
With this in mind and in practice, parents are better equipped to join the community with their children and make a difference in the world.
Image courtesy Greg Livaudais
Tags: Children, Dr. Rose Paisley, kids, mindful parenting, natural health, Nutrition, parenting
Posted in Articles by our Doctors, Dr. Rose Paisley | 3 Comments »
Sex, Lies & Motherhood: Tips for a Healthy Libido and Better Birth Control
Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011
By Dr. Rose Paisley, ND
__________________________________
Face the facts, once the kids come along the amount of time, energy, and desire to get back in the sack with your partner is non-existent for many. Common causes of low libido include fatigue, pain, hormone changes, stress, and the family bed. Come join Dr. Rose in a discussion about ways to bring your body back into balance and restore your sexual vibrancy (or maybe even find for the first time). A quick Q&A about birth control will also be appropriate, don’t ya think?
Having low sexual desire is the most common sexual issue among women, reported by 10-51% of women surveyed. One large survey reported that 43% of women experience some type of sexual dysfunction. It is key to determine weather you struggle with arousal or orgasm.
Intercourse frequency – highly misrepresented in the media – may be high among 18-29 year olds, averaging 10-12 times per month in one study. But frequency drops among coupled women to 4-7 times per month in the 40-50 year old age range, and less than twice a month in over 70 couples. So what’s normal? If you or your partner feel that there is room for more intercourse/intimacy, then you should take time to discuss it.
What causes low libido?
- Hormones – often a combination of hormonal shifts as opposed to one simple culprit.
- Decreased estrogen – during lactation and menopause – vaginal dryness, pain, less vitality
- Decreased progesterone – secondary to stress and estrogen dominance -low libido water retention, fibrocystic breasts, depression, wrinkling skin, vaginal dryness, irregular and sometimes heavy periods.
- Elevated cortisol during chronic stress – drop in estrogen and progesterone
- Elevated prolactin – lactation – libido increases around ovulation which is suppressed for at least 4 monoths with full-time breast feeding
- Underactive thyroid – lowers sex drive, elevates cortisol, many other symptoms
- Decreased testosterone – possible connection between low male hormone levels and sex drive. However, large population studies have failed to demonstrate clear correlation between male or female hormone levels and sex drive. This may relate to the insensitivity of tests to measure the levels. Some women who receive testosterone and/or DHEA (testosterone precursors) have reported improvement clinically.
- Hysterectomy – supposed no change on libido if ovaries remain – clinically, 50% of women reported lower sex drive. Maybe due to loss of uterine contractions with arousal, nerve damage and the trauma of surgery mentally and physically
- Anemia – common side effect of heavy periods and fibroids – decrease overall energy and stamina.
- Weight – BMI that is too high or too low all impair normal physiologic function.
- Pain – Vaginal dryness, birth trauma, scarring, muscle spasms, energetic, or mental/emotional.
- Fatigue – general fatigue cased by lack of sleep, work, homemaker – all can lead to lack of desire. For women in established relationships, the desire for emotional closeness trumps raw sexual desire. While the majority of women are capable of arousal, 40% of women in one large study reported little or no desire to initiate sexual activity.
- Psychological – lack of desire due to giving all the time, depression, anxiety, past trauma – consider a need to be seduced. Also, body image especially secondary to media images, partners looking to porn, trauma, and weight can all impair your desire to initiate and receive intimacy. Your partner’s response, patience, and approach are essential.
- Medications –anti depressants, anxielitics, sleep aids, bp, diabetes
- Abuse – drugs, alcohol, history of physical abuse
Where to begin?
Seek medical care to ensure there are no medical conditions that are contributing to the problem. When seeking treatment, consider a variety of opinions, including alternative practitioners, to increase a holistic approach. Consider the natural remedies below. Explore alternative testing such as salivary studies of adrenal function and women’s hormonal levels, nutritional profile and amino acid studies (especially with mental emotional imbalances).
Treatments
Natural remedies work not by instilling desire, but by balancing hormones, increasing circulation and nourishing the nervous system. To increase sex drive, you essentially have to enhance your overall well being, thus facilitating the natural urge for physical and emotional intimacy.
Herbal Remedies
- Damiana – leaves have been used as an aphrodisiac and to boost sexual potency by the native peoples of Mexico, including the Mayan Indians and is used for both male and female sexual stimulation, increased energy, asthma, depression, impotence and menstrual problems.
- Maca- this root has favorable effects on energy and mood, may decrease anxiety and improve sexual desire. Maca has also been shown to improve sperm production, sperm motility, and semen volume. Maca is consider a great adaptogen.
- Rhodiola- is a remarkable herb that has a wide and varied history of uses. It is thought to strengthen the nervous system, fight depression, enhance immunity, elevate the capacity for exercise, enhance memory, aid weight reduction, increase sexual function and improve energy levels. It has long been known as a potent adaptogen.
- Muria Puama – Used to improve psychological and physical aspects of libido and sexual function, menstrual cramps and PMS, neurasthenia, to tonify the nervous system and for treating cases of mild exhaustion. Helps with gastrointestinal and reproductive disorders, stress and trauma. Called the “Viagra of the Amazon.”
- Ginseng- An adaptogen, which means it increases resistance to physical, chemical, and biological stress and builds energy and general vitality
- Oat Straw – Known as avena sativa, has been shown to have many health benefits, including libido enhancement, detoxification and energy boosting, among others.
Use liquid extracts or make a tea of the listed herbs, which are available in most health food stores:
Tincture: Combine 20 drops of each extract in one-quarter cup of warm water or juice. Take 3x/day for 4 weeks. Discontinue if there is no result. Consult with your doctor if you are on medications or have chronic illness.
Tea: mix 1 tbl of combined dried herbs to boiling water. Turn off heat and steep covered for 10 min. Drink 4 cups/day X 4 weeks. Discontinue if no change.
Nutritional – a balanced diet improves weight, muscle mass, energy, hormone balance, and mood. High quality whole foods diet including fruits and vegetables, whole grains, protein, and fats daily. Servings vary depending on body type, desires, weight, health status, however, some general rules apply; eat protein with every meal including veggie proteins, aim for 30- 60g/day to stabilize blood sugar and maintain energy. Eat high quality fats to nourish brain and tissues and balance hormones, essential fatty acids – avocado, nuts, seeds, coconut oil, olive oil, canola (cook at appropriate temperatures). Vegetables – 5-9 servings/day – dark leafy greens, bright red, yellow and orange veggies are the richest sources of nutrients per serving. Whole grains including brown rice (black, wild,), whole oats, quinoa, whole wheat, buck wheat, bulgur and amaranth are rich in nutrients, protein, and have a lower glycemic index which would other wise be removed in a processed form (bread, pasta, instant).
Romantic foods:
Pomegranate: Mix 1 fennel bunch, thinly sliced stalks and bulb, 1 orange, sliced into wedges (skin removed), 1 whole pomegranate (skin removed), 20 pine nuts, 15 mint leaves in a medium-size salad bowl, combine cut-up fennel and orange slices.
Strawberries: Fresh strawberries and grapes eaten off the stem are cliché but very romantic especially with wine and chocolate.
Exercise – having a healthy BMI and well-developed muscle tone improves overall health. Better self-image, increased stamina and energy, mood support – a recent study found 75% improvement in depression and anxiety with exercise compared to 50% with meds.
Other Treatments
Daily movement – even 20/day min can turn your mood around, increase energy, reduced chances for heart disease, cancer and diabetes significantly.
Physical Therapy – restore vaginal health with kegals, trigger point therapy, acupressure, massage to reduce scarring and improve tone.
Mental/emotional – Essential for behavioral modification and identification of underlying causes.
Therapy – couple counseling, intimacy specific. Therapy works – in one landmark trial combining behavioral and sex therapy, 74% of women had improved sexual and marital satisfaction for over a year after treatments ended.
Yoga –improves stamina, flexibility, and core and pelvic muscle strength, which have obvious physical benefits during lovemaking. Enhance your connection to the muladhara (root) chakra at the perineum and the base of the spine. Also build a connection to the svadisthana chakra of the hips, sacrum, and genitals. Awareness of both areas can make you more receptive and help stimulate your libido in the present moment. When you are fully present in the act of making love and not thinking about other things or focusing on the orgasm, you will feel more connected to your partner which will enhance the emotional connect, which women often crave.
Yoga Practice: Sit up straight on the floor. Breathe deeply. Using your hands, hold the soles of your feet together, and pull heels to within 12 cm of your body. Gently bounce knees up and down, 2-4 cm, for two or three minutes. Hold perineum into our body (lifting as if stopping the flow of urine). This bonda or hold brings tone, awareness and blood flow to the pelvic floor.
Quality alone time with partner – Probably the most important thing you can do for your libido is create quality time. Regardless of the cause, if you are having less alone time with your partner you can forget how much you enjoy each other AND forget how to be intimate with each other. Long breaks in intimacy can create partners to feel embarrassed and insecure. Further, long periods of alone time create resentment. When you create special dates and time to be close it helps partners to be more patient with the your process. Find ways to be intimate even when your libido is low, it will make it that much easier to rediscover your sexuality once the issue is addressed.
Lubes and toys – often women need a little help, whether it’s for vaginal dryness or foreplay. If you are running out of ideas or your relationship lacks zest, tools can be invaluable. Ideally you get there with a few laughs.
Reading Resources
Balch, Phyllis, 3rd Edition, Prescription for Nutritional Healing
Chase, Kristen, 2010 The Mominatrix’s Guide to Sex: A No-Surrender Advice Book for Naughty Moms
Goldstein, Andrew and Brandon, Marianne, 2009 Reclaiming Desire: 4 Keys to Finding Your Lost Libido
Hoffmann, David, 1996 The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal: A Safe and Practical Guide to Making and Using Herbal Remedies
Jeon, Arthur, 2005 Sex, Love and Dharma: Finding Love Without Losing Your Way
Page, Linda, 2004 Healthy Healing: A Guide to Self-Healing for Everyone
Raykeil, Heidi, 2005 Confessions of a Naughty Mommy, How I Found My Lost Libido
Zeer, Darrin, 2006 Lovers’ Massage: Soothing Touch For Two
http://www.sheboptheshop.com/
http://www.goodvibes.com/main.jhtml
Image courtesy Miss Turner
Tags: Dr. Rose Paisley, family, libido, parenting, sex
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Drug Herb Interactions: Pulling weeds
Monday, November 8th, 2010
by Dr. Rose Paisley, ND
Nature Cures Clinic physician
According to a 2008 survey collected by The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 38% of Americans are choosing Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). The Survey included 23,393 people, of diverse ethnic/racial, age, and economic backgrounds. While 23,000 is only a small peek into the nation’s population, it does represent a portion of the 34 billion dollars spent on CAM in 2007, which is 1.5% of total health care expenditures in the United States. We live in an exciting time when traditional therapies that were thought to be ineffective or “woo woo” by western or allopathic medicine are becoming researched, validated, and integrated into mainstream medicine. We now have an opportunity to choose a health care plan that may actually prevent disease and encourage a better quality of life.
Even culinary herbs can be "low dose" herbal remedies.
There are responsibilities that come with participating in a holistic health care plan, primarily because you are in charge of the direction that you take — and you can get lost. For starters, natural medicine is readily available. There are an overwhelming array of products to choose from in every grocery, health food and drug store. While there are many qualified practitioners now available to guide the consumer, such as naturopathic physicians, herbalists, chiropractors and acupuncturists, we are at the same time being inundated with advice from invisible sources that may not be accurate or safe. Mixing drugs, herbs and food can be dangerous if done haphazardly.
Naturopathic medicine is rooted in identifying a unique and individualized diagnosis and treatment rather than a one size fits all approach.
Running to the store to grab an herb, supplement, or pharmaceutical to treat an ailment may not always result in the desired outcome.
The media is abuzz with concern for safety and efficacy regarding herbal medicine. It would be a mistake, however, to ignore the demonstrated benefits of traditional herbal medicine due to fear. With so much information available, both good and bad, we need to pull the weeds. First, plant medicine has a very rich history and in the case of drugs such as digoxin and pseudoephedrine – it is the origin of medications that are being prescribed by mainstream medicine. Also know that, people are ingesting very low “doses” of herbs in the form of seasoning, herbal tea, and remedies that are not typically considered a therapeutic dose, everyday. Most people do not consume enough to cause harm, even when taken in combination with a pharmaceutical.
We also need to consider that our bodies are very different from one another and just because a medicine is found to have “no side effects” or “safe” does not mean it will be true for you. This is true with synthetic as well as natural medicines. Herbal remedies are traditionally harvested conscientiously, used in a whole plant form, and “prescribed” by a practitioner or herbalist who is well versed in the use of herbs; but when products are bought right off the shelf, willy nilly, from unknown sources, it’s a case of buyer beware.
Therefore, finding a provider to help you sort through the products and information is key to developing a safe and effective care plan.
According to a 1998 Meta analysis published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, adverse drug reactions (ADR) account for 100,000 deaths per year, making ADR one of the leading causes of death in the United States. The reactions range from mild to severe for more than 2 million people each year. This data certainly suggests that ADR’s are a serious clinical issue. Even the less drastic reactions, such as change in mood, loss of appetite, and nausea may seriously diminish quality of life.
Most herb reactions produce mild symptoms of rash or upset stomach. Herb-Drug Interactions (HDI) are typically also very mild. The more serious include the herb enhancing or decreasing the efficacy of the pharmaceutical. The most serious risk exists in the realm of anesthesia-related HDI interactions. Adding to the complexity and possibility for HDI, phytochemists continue to find herbs elusive. They are able to determine certain effects on the body, both positive and negative, and identify many of the constituents but, for most plants, the mechanism of action is unknown. Hence, the risk for HDI certainly exists but the severity, danger, and risk remains individualized, dose dependent, poorly documented, and deserves more attention from researchers.
I have great respect for the power of herbs. While I am curious and versed in the science of herbal medicine, I am most passionate about the energetic properties of herbs. The energetic property is the thing that grabbed the attention of ancient healers in the first place, and for me it is most intriguing and comforting. Often the appearance, the smell, or the taste is attractive, but so is the way plants make me feel when I meditate on the wisdom and the healing power of nature. I use plants regularly, for nourishment and healing with my patients and with my family.
My approach to the use of herbal medicine in my practice is guided by traditional practices, science, and some general rules that I learned in medical school:
1. If someone is taking any drug and wishes to take herbs as well, it is best they seek the advice of a professional trained in herbal therapy.
2. I am very careful with drugs that have a narrow therapeutic window such as digoxin, warfarin, anti-rejection drugs, and many anti-HIV drugs
3. I am always cautious with the following patients: the elderly, those with impaired health, liver and/or kidney function, those with metabolic and/or biochemical abnormalities, and those who are potassium depleted.
4. I recommend taking drugs and herbs at different times of day. Always separate them by at least an hour, preferably more.
5. I recommend that patients stop all herbs about one-two weeks prior to surgery and discuss a pre/post operative plan with your CAM provider.
6. I research any herbal supplement I wish to prescribe to see if there are known (not-speculative) HDI.
7. I instruct my patients to report any suspected HDI to me.
8. I remind my patients that some drugs require careful control for their effects to be maintained, such as antihypertensive and anti-diabetic drugs, and that herbs can change the metabolism of these drugs, decreasing and/or increasing their efficacy.
9. The use of antioxidants (including herbs) in conjunction with chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer is controversial. I use herbs that may compliment therapy and always recommend discontinuing herbs 48 before and after chemotherapy.
10. I use reliable sources for HDI and I take into consideration the potential HDI according to the level of evidence behind them.
11. I take into consideration that HDI will be dose-related.
12. I always educate patients about buying by quality herbs and supplements.
If this information has sparked your curiosity or inspired you to learn more, please do not hesitate to inquire with Dr. Paisley. She offers online consultations through Nature Cures Clinic. Call 503-287-4970 to set up an appointment, or you may also e-mail Rose from her bio page on the NCC website.
image courtesy: word ridden
Tags: Dr. Rose Paisley, drug-herb interactions, herbal medicine, herbal safety
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Food For Thought
Wednesday, April 14th, 2010
by Dr. Rose Paisley
Nature Cures Clinic physician
My daughter Lola’s elementary school has been working towards building an edible garden. The goal is to bring the classroom outdoors, bring beauty to the campus, and eventually bring the harvest into the school lunch program. Through the process of preparing soil, planting seeds, watering, weeding, and harvesting, the students will be able to take a life-skills approach to math, reading and science. I am thrilled, grateful for my community, and very inspired.
Lola and I have been discussing the garden quite a bit, even more so lately because of a contest. The kids and their parents have been asked to come up with a name for the garden, and to design the gate. We decided on “Food for Thought.” We thought that was pretty clever. Together we drew some sketches of the food for thought concept. While we worked we talked about the importance of good food and food as medicine. I explained, for the hundredth time, that proper nutrition is essential for brain development, that it can dictate mood and behavior and support cognition, and that fresh meats, fruits, and vegetables are the source of the vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, fiber, and carbohydrates that we need to grow. After a while we found ourselves smiling at a silhouette of two heads facing one another. The heads were filled with kids playing, learning, and gardening, all surrounded with a myriad of colorful fruits, veggies and flowers.
Tags: fruits and vegetables, gardening
Posted in Articles by our Doctors, Dr. Rose Paisley | 3 Comments »
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Tuesday, March 16th, 2010
In honor of Women’s Health Month, I felt it important to discuss a syndrome that, like women, is elusive, complex, and foolish to ignore. The syndrome is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
PCOS appears in between 4 and 12% of women seen in American clinics (1. 2) and in 20% of obese women (3). These numbers may be inaccurate, though, because of the variety and inconsistency of criteria for diagnosis in the past, and the myriad of subtle symptoms that go unreported or overlooked. Symptoms such as acne, mild facial hair or nipple hair, irregular periods, heavy periods, difficulty conceiving, or intermittent pelvic pain may seem unremarkable or easily treatable by themselves, but collectively, they point to a very important diagnosis.
This is disturbing because not only are we at risk for missing the mark on its prevalence, but we may also be missing the diagnosis of PCOS all together.
The possibility of misdiagnosing or ignoring PCOS has significant implications. There is increased risk for Type 2 diabetes, increased thickening of the endometrial lining and hyper-estrogen related cancers, and cardiovascular disease. Treatments typically include pharmaceutical hormone regulators such as oral contraceptives and metformin, as well as a recommendation for weight loss in the overweight or obese PCOS patient. While medications have been beneficial for some, many women are opposed to the use of prescription medications unless absolutely necessary. And women often do not like the side effects associated with these treatments.
More and more, women are asking the question, “Are there any alternative therapies?” The good news is that for many women the answer is yes. (more…)
Tags: alternative PCOS treatment, Diet, Exercise, Infertility, irregular periods, natural PCOS treatment, naturopathic PCOS treatment, Nutrition, Obesity, PCOS, polycystic ovarian syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome, Type 2 diabetes, Weight loss
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Friday, April 20th, 2007
“I was very satisfied with my experience. I was treated with the utmost respect and kindness,too. My doctor was Rose Paisley (I’ve also seen Greg Eckel) and they were both excellent practitioners.”
Tags: Dr. Greg Eckel, Dr. Rose Paisley, excellent practioners, kindness, treated with utmost respect
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Friday, April 20th, 2007
“Dr. Rose Paisley provided my ideal experience with a health care provider. She was warm, open, genuine and thorough. She helped me feel comfortable and welcome, and I completely trusted her knowledge and abilities. I have recommended her to many friends and coworkers. Thank you!”
Tags: Dr. Rose Paisley, genuine, helped me feel comfortable, open, thorough, trust, warm
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Naturopathic Approach to Diabetes
Thursday, November 10th, 2005
Listen to Diabetes Podcast
In this podcast, Portland naturopathic doctors, Dr. Rose Paisley and Dr. Greg Nigh discuss diabetes, a common disease that is plaguing the US. They’ll discuss the various forms of diabetes and the associated symptoms. They’ll tell you how the conventional world will treat this condition, usually with drugs, that will ultimately do more harm than good. They will then compare this with the naturopathic approach to treating it. There are many ways that a person can prevent this disease, as well as natural ways that the disease can be controlled, which they will tell you about.
Tags: blood sugar, Diabetes, Diet, Dr. Greg Nigh, Dr. Rose Paisley, insulin, type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes
Posted in Dr. Greg Nigh, Dr. Rose Paisley, Podcast | 1 Comment »