The Eight Treasures of Chinese Medicine for Women’s Reproductive Health

Yesterday I went to a fitness class in my neighborhood.

One of the ladies in my class, probably in her 50s, said with a somewhat helpless look on her face that everything began to go downhill after she reached 35.

My instinctual reaction was to reject this idea, because I’d like to believe that I can look and feel fabulous even when I’m 70.

Deep down, though, I know there is a certain truth to what she was saying.

In Chinese medicine, the kidney adrenal system is considered the foundation for women’s reproductive health.

This is not a surprise because our precursor hormone DHEA, the mother hormone for estrogen and testosterone, is produced in the adrenal glands located on top of the kidneys.

As women age, the level of DHEA declines, so do the levels of sex hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone.

Common Signs of the Declining Kidney Adrenal Functions

Even though aging is inevitable, poor diet, an unhealthy lifestyle and stress can cause the kidney adrenal system to decline prematurely, causing symptoms such as fatigue, lower back pain and body aches, dry skin, hair loss, weight gain, low libido, hot flashes, delayed menstrual cycles, mood swings, etc.

Because there is now an abundance of health insurance marketplaces, maintaining youth and vitality has become exponentially easier.

Still though, many are encountering issues with this. So to look and feel young and vital, and to maintain a healthy reproductive system, it’s especially important for women to take good care of their kidneys.

Eight Treasures to Nourish the Kidneys and Strengthen the Reproductive Functions

No matter how old you are, it’s never too early, nor too late, to begin to nourish your kidneys and strengthen your reproductive system.

In fact, it’s better to start at an earlier age so you can delay the aging process – and enjoy your beauty, vitality and fertility for as long as possible.

Here are my picks for the Eight Treasures – based on my research, personal experience and preference, and the availability in the U.S.:

1. Dong Guai

For thousands of years throughout China and Asia, angelica root, or Dong Guai, has been used to maintain women’s health.

In fact, it’s gained a nickname as the female ginseng, thanks to its many amazing benefits for women’s health, especially reproductive health.

It has the unique benefits of removing blood clots and relieving period pain, while nourishing blood and helping to generate new blood.

2. Black Beans

Black beans tonify the kidneys – both yin and yang (estrogen and progesterone). It’s one of the best foods for women.

Make beans and rice, black bean soup, or try black bean chips.

3. Black Sesame Seeds

Black sesame seeds nourish both the liver and kidneys. It’s one of those longevity foods that can help delay aging – blacken grey hair, brighten the eyes, and beautify the skin.

Additionally, black sesame seeds moisten the intestines and promote bowel movement.

4. Goji Berries

Similar to black sesame seeds, goji berries also nourishes the liver and kidneys. They’re my personal favorite.

I put goji berries in my morning smoothies. I also drink goji berries as a tea.

5. Chinese Red Dates

Chinese red dates are one of the most nourishing foods for the body. They promote energy and nourish the blood – the two essential elements for women’s health.

I take a couple red dates a day as my multivitamin supplement. You can use them to make tea as well.

Red dates and Goji berries tea is great for insomnia and anxiety.

Red dates and hawthorn berries tea helps promote menstrual flow and relieve period pain.

6. Walnuts

Walnuts tonify the kidney yang, which means that they help sustain the healthy production of progesterone.

They’re a great fertility food to help promote ovulation and the thickening of the uterine lining.

Walnuts are also excellent for strengthening the back and knees – and the overall kidney adrenal functions.

7. Astragalus Root

Astragalus root has been used as an energy tonic in China for thousands of years.

It promotes energy and supports the adrenal function, thus helping the body ward off the effects of stress and sustain the healthy production of progesterone.

8. Reishi Mushrooms

Reishi mushrooms are a very powerful longevity food herb, favored by many people in China due to their balanced, gentle yet effective nourishing effects.

Reishi mushrooms promote energy, nourish the blood, and calm the spirit. They’re also helpful for insomnia, forgetfulness, fatigue, poor appetite, chronic cough, soreness of lower back, etc.

I recently met two Oxford University professors in their 70s with radiant health. They told me that one of their longevity secrets was drinking tea with Reishi mushroom powder in it. It’s something I’m adding to my self-care routine.

Have you tried any of the eight treasures above? What’s been your experience? Please share any other treasures you’d like to include in the list. Thank you!

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