To eat or not to eat?

Placentophagy and its implications

placenta tree of life.png

The topic of Placentophagy is one that makes some people squirm and others excited. This postpartum practice is becoming more and more popular in mainstream media.

From a Chinese medicine perspective the use of dried placenta or Zi He Che, is categorized as yang tonifying. It is sweet and salty in taste, warm in temperature, affects the Liver, Lung, Kidney and possibly Heart meridians and is used at a dosage rate of 1,5 - 5gr. It is clinically used to tonify the Liver and Kidneys; to strengthen and augment Jing; to tonify qi; to nourish blood and to tonify lung qi. It is indicated for use in infertility, impotence, insufficient lactation, emaciation, wheezing and acute respiratory attacks and chronic or debilitating diseases. It is contraindicated if there are heat signs with Yin deficiency due to its yang nature, as well as toothache due to stomach fire. It is also deemed unnecessary unless there is a weakness or a true pathological factor exists. It also comes with a warning and is subject to strict quality control to ensure safety (Brand & Wiseman, 2008).

An article for developing skills associated with postnatal depression for midwives explains that due to the prevalence of placenta encapsulation midwives must be aware of the benefits and risks. According to Colls and Fannin (2013) placenta encapsulation may improve lactation, mood and prevent depression, possibly due to its rich sources of iron, B6 and corticotrophin-releasing hormone. A self-reported survey of 189 women who had consumed their placenta showed that majority of these women reported beneficial effects and would do it again (Selander et al, 2013).

On the contrary Beacock (2012) argues that placentophagy is unsafe, abhorrent and even a form of cannibalism. With such threats of blood borne disease these arguments are of importance.

 

The only review of placentophagy to date was completed June 2017, and recommends that placentophagy be discouraged (Farr et al, 2017). They note all the current evidence is anecdotal and that there was one case of a newborn developing B Streptococcus sepsis after her mother had ingested contaminated placenta capsules*. It was identified that although this case exists, a google search for 'placenta encapsulation' continues to rise. 


*B Streptococcus was not found in her breastmilk although it was ‘identical’ to that which was found on baby.

 

What might be the reason is the knowledge that all mammals routinely eat their placenta directly after birth, humans being the only mammal that does not (Kristal, 1980). It is known that the placenta contains high levels of prostaglandins, which may help the involution of the uterus (Duchesne et al, 1978); The small amounts of oxytocin in the placenta cause the smooth muscle around the mammary cells to contract and eject milk (Nakazawa et al, 1984); Animal studies also showed increased levels of serum prolactin, and lower levels of progesterone as well as an increased pain threshold for the mother after ingestion (Blank & Friesen, 1980; Krystal et al, 2012). So there are some positive correlations to its use.

Gryder et al, 2017 is the only randomized double blinded placebo-controlled trial to date. In this study the women ingested encapsulated placenta or placebo which was a beef capsule. They aimed to identify whether there were significant changes to maternal postpartum iron status after ingestion. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding their maternal iron status and noted that only 24% of the recommended daily intake of iron was available, although all the participants did maintain high iron levels across the study. Interestingly though the placenta pill contained 7 times more iron than that of the placebo.

Another study aimed to see whether encapsulated placenta actually demonstrated any nutritional benefits (Young, 2016). They found only trace amounts when compared to the RDA recommendations, iron 24%, selenium 7,1%, zinc 1,5% and copper 1,4%. They also found trace elements of potentially harmful substances; arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury and uranium, all of which were below toxicity thresholds.

In the review by Farr et al, (2017) their perspective is very clear, placentophagy should be discouraged. Their main justification for the harmful effects of placentophagy is the one case study of streptococcus mentioned above and possibility of inadequate heating processes that increase undue risks of HIV, hepatitis and Zika virus (Farr et al, 2017).
Although, there are certain precautions taken for women in certain states in America; For example if she wants to remove her placenta/‘medical waste` from the hospital she must test negative for infectious diseases and sign a specimen release form, it is also placed in a special biohazard bag, a positive step in terms of infectious disease control. 

From a TCM perspective after childbirth would more than likely be associated with all the particular indications for its use, but the TCM dosage is much lower (1,5-5gr) then the regular 33gr dosage used via encapsulation (https://www.motherrisingbirth.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Placenta-Encapsulation-Information-Packet.pdf.). Also additional herbs should be used in order not to create a further yin deficiency another huge factor for postpartum. Interestingly in the blog post referenced above they mention that RAW placenta is very cold in nature so more warming and tonfying herbs are added to the mix before encapsulation. This would seem to be counterproductive when from a TCM perspective once dried the herb is a full yang tonic. Awareness should be harboured when non-TCM practitioners are encapsulating the placenta and incorporating other herbal medicines.

From what is demonstrated here, caution must be taken with placentophagy. Preparation and consumption must be completed with the utter most care. The current literature does not demonstrate enough benefit to be promoted but the risk to discourage its use is so far quite low if used correctly. Increased knowledge and further evidenced based research is necessary.

 

At this stage, this practitioner says... Eat it if you want to, take the precautions to minimise risk of infection; be mindful if you start to present with heat signs such has flushes, insomnia, etc. (if you don't know, come in for a treatment). Remember we use placenta (Zi he che) as part of a formula, and generally in smaller doses then currently prescribed by your encapsulator. 

 

 

References

Beacock, M., (2012). Does eating placenta offer postpartum health benefits? British Journal of Midwifery, 20(7), 464-469.

Blank, M.S., & Friesen, H.G. (1980). Effects of placentophagy on serum prolactin and progesterone concentrations in rats after parturition or superovulation. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility, 60, 273-8.

Brand, E.,  & Wiseman, N. (2008). Concise Chinese materia medica. Taos, N.M.: Paradigm Publications.

Colls, R., & Fannin, M. (2013). Placental surfaces and the geographies of bodily interiors. Environmenta and Planning A. 45(5), 1087-104.

Duchesne, M.J., Thaler-Dao, H., & de Paulet, A.C. (1978). Prostaglandin synthesis in human placenta and fetal membranes. Prostaglandins, 15, 19-42.

Farr, A., Chervenak, F.A., McCullough, L.B., Baergen, R.N., & Grünebaum, A., (2017). Human placentophagy: A review. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (accepted manuscript) doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2017.08.016.

Gryder, L.K., Young, S.M., Zava, D., Norris, W., Cross, C.L., & Benyshek, D.C. (2017). Effects of Human Maternal Placentophagy on Maternal Postpartum Iron Status: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study. Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health, 62, 68-79.

Kristal, M.B. (1980). Placentophagia: a biobehavioral enigma (or De gustibus non disputandum est). Neuroscience and Biobehavioural Reviews, 4, 141-50.

Kristal, M.B., DiPirro, J.M., & Thompson, A.C. (2012). Placentophagia in humans and nonhuman mammals: causes and consequences. Ecology of Food and Nutrition, 51, 177-97.

Morrow, L. Placenta encapsulation, Retrieved 02 November 2017 from https://www.motherrisingbirth.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Placenta-Encapsulation-Information-Packet.pdf.

Nakazawa, K., Makino, T., Nagai, T., Suzuki, H., & Iizuka, R. (1984). Immunoreactive oxytocin in human placental tissue. Endocrinologia Experamentalis,18, 35-41.

Selander, J., Cantor, A., Young, S.M., Benyshek, D.C. (2013). Human maternal placentophagy: A survey of self-reported motivations and experiences associated with placenta consumption. Ecology of food and nutrition, 52(2), 93-115.

Young, S.M., Gryder, L.K., Zava, D., Kimball, D.W., & Benyshek, D.C. (2016). Presence and concentration of 17 hormones in human placenta processed for encapsulation and consumption. Placenta, 43, 86-9.

 

What can I expect from a Chinese medicine treatment?

You can expect to be....

  • Listened to
  • Cared for
  • Respected

All treatments are slightly different, the same way no two people are exactly alike. The most important aspect is that you feel looked after.

Most treatments range from 2 - 7 sessions depending on what is out of balance and how long you have had the problem. In Chinese hospitals people are treated every day untill they are better or with the change of the season to maintain health. In our western world we are lucky if we see someone twice a week for a few weeks. So taking these factors into account is some what necessary for your own expectations of treatment.

Expect to talk about things that are normally kept to yourself for example your bowel motions and/or your sex life. It is also useful to become acquainted with your current diet, energy ebs and flows, mood changes, sleep patterns, woman cycles, and your exercise regime.

Be prepared to  be laying down for 30-45 minutes, chances are you will receive moving cupping massage and/or acupuncture.
An acupuncture needle is incredibly thin. On insertion there can be a prick sensation, followed by a feeling of heaviness, ache/throb or electrical sensation. The needle should not feel sharp after it has been inserted. Sometimes needles are manipulated to create a sensation, other times they are left to work. 

Bad side effects of needling are rare but can include bruising or irritation around the site of the needle once removed. There is also a sensation of relaxation or tiredness that most people feel after a session. I'll often recommend that you take it easy after a session and refrain from exercise or excess working.

It is of the upmost importance that you feel you receive quality care in a respectful envirnoment. Everything that is said during your treatment is confidential.
 

 

 

 

How can Chinese Medicine help me?

Chinese medicine is all about balance. The sole focus for a practitioner of chinese medicine is to rebalance. So if you have any form of inbalance/ailment/illness in your body, mind or spirit seeking help from a chinese medicine practitioner can be effective.

From a scientific perspective (meta-analysis or systematic review)
"General international agreement has emerged that acupuncture appears to be effective for postoperative dental pain, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting. For migraine, low-back pain, and temporomandibular disorders the results are considered positive by some and difficult to interpret by others. For a number of conditions such as fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis of the knee, and tennis elbow the evidence is considered promising, but more and better quality research is needed. For conditions such as chronic pain, neck pain, asthma, and drug addiction the evidence is considered inconclusive and difficult to interpret. Reviews have concluded that while not free from serious adverse events, they are rare and that acupuncture is a relatively safe procedure.(1)"
These ailments have been researched under regimented controls and portray unbiased results.

Other ailments that people use chinese medicine for include: stress, emotional disharmonies, womens health including infertility both male and female, digestive problems, common colds, sleep disorders and fatigue.

The fact is traditional chinese medicine (TCM) has its roots in an ancient philosophical realm, a place where demons and ghosts were thought to be the cause of our evils. TCM has come a long way and whilst maintaining its essence it has molded into a model of 'whole' systems medicine. A system that aims to heal the mind, body and spirit. To find the underlying cause of an imbalance/ illness and treat it at its core. We do not focus on treating the symptoms. The medicines and treatments you receive continually evolve depending on an array of different factors, eg) the season, where you are in your cycle and what stage of life you are entering. 

The point in sharing this information is because it is difficult to know exactly what parts of the system are working more then others. Treatments in chinese medicine are very individual and are based around a completely different paradigm to the one we are using to 'understand' /research it. 
To construct randomised controlled trials of TCM, that cover all bias is extremely difficult. 
In the mean time practitioners like myself are going back to school to do this rigorous study to find a way to demonstrate the results that we see in our clinics every day.

So, how can chinese medicine help you?
It can help you gain a clearer picture of what is going on in your 'whole' body and give you control and tools to re-balance and maintain health from the inside out. It can also relieve your symptoms as a bi-product!

What do I see on your tongue?

When I then ask you to stick out your tongue you might start to think, ok now things are becoming a little bit weird.. But it wasn't very long ago that your local doctor would always ask you to see your tongue. 

Tongue diagnosis is another diagnostic method that chinese medicine practitioners continue to use today. Another part of the essence, of the medicine that we have maintained throughout the ages. 

Well, you say. What do you see?

When I look at your tongue, I have this map in mind. I notice whether there are any areas of the tongue that are out of balance. In general a very healthy tongue is pinky red, has a thin white coat that covers the whole area of the tongue, it fits comfortably in your mouth and it can reach the tip of your nose without straining.
It doesn't actually need to reach the tip of your nose but I hope you gave it a try! :)

The tongue is a very extensive diagnostic tool. It gives me a good idea of what is going on and what has been going on for the past couple of days/weeks/years. The first thing I notice is the colour and where the colour is different. For example more red at the tip would demonstrate more heat in the heart, or more red/orange on the sides more heat/disharmony in the liver.

I then look at the tongue coating, determining whether it covers the whole tongue body or if it is peeling off, it may even be peeling off in spots. I also notice whether the coat is coloured from thick white - light yellow - dark yellow - green - black. A thick white coat could demonstrate cold or dampness and yellow would mean heat.

I notice how your tongue moves. The movement of your tongue gives me an idea of how your psycosocial self feels. We call this the 'Shen', the shen can be likened to the spirit or the creative self. A tongue that wriggles around can tell me you're uncomfortable sticking your tongue out but it can also mean your spirit is currently our of balance.

I also notice whether your tongue is large or small in your mouth. All of these things add to your overall health picture and give me detailed picture of the different disharmonies that exist in you at this current moment. 

What do I feel in your pulse?

When you come for treatment I will check your pulse. I use three fingers on the radial pulse of both of your hands to build a picture of what is going on in your body. 

We use pulse taking to measure the different qualities of QI (energy) in different parts of the body. To understand this we must first understand qi. Qi in its most basic terms can be called energy, or life force, without it we are not alive. Qi incorporates all energy some examples include flesh, blood, nerve impulses, light, and emotions. Qi is in a constant flux, it cannot be destroyed but it changes in its manifestation. 

Therefore when I feel your pulse I am feeling for changes in the quality of the qi. These changes tell me where disharmonies may lie.

There are many ways to feel the pulse and identify imbalances or disharmonies of the qi. In basic terms the picture above demonstrates where I feel the pulse, and what organ systems I feel for.

The quality of the qi can be very different under each finger. As I feel the pulse I am feeling for these different qualities. I ask myself is the energy strong or weak, rapid or slow, deep or floating, regular or irregular. There are also other qualities for example fullness, choppy, wiry, slippery, thready, and/or thin. All of these different qualities help me to create a picture of what is happening within the body.

An example of what the pulse might feel like is when the lung energy is floating at the surface and the spleen energy is sunken and I must press harder to feel it. The floating energy of the lung could tell me that there is an external pathogen attacking the body, for example a common cold. The floating demonstrates that the body is trying to fight something on the surface, it therefore sends more qi there to defend the body.
The sunken qi of the spleen could mean that the digestive energy is weak, it could be something that is happening due to the external pathogen or it could be an underlying condition. Further diagnostic tools are needed to create the full picture, the pulse on its own only gives me half the picture.
 

Cupping is awesome! (said everyone who has tried it)

Have you ever thought about trying cupping? Maybe it is time you did.

This ancient Chinese medicine therapy has been brought to the publics’ attention due to its increasing popularity among celebrities and sportsman. Cupping is an ancient Chinese medicine therapy that involves the application of suction by creating a vacuum, typically done by using a fire cup on the skin of the affected body part (1). When performed properly adverse events are rare.
Cupping feels similar to a deep tissue massage, but instead of putting pressure into knots and tight muscles they drawer out creating a release sensation. There may be some discoloration where the cups were located. From my experience the depth of the colour often depends on how long the issue has existed or how long the cups are used for. It may look similar to a light bruise, but it should not hurt to touch. The discolouration slowly fades, usually taking between 1-7 days.

The technique has multiple therapeutic functions including warming, promoting circulation, relieving swelling, accelerating healing and alleviating pain (1-2).
In a systematic review of the treatment of pain cupping significantly improved lower back pain compared with usual care (2). In the most recent systematic review, cupping has demonstrated significant benefits in the treatments of herpes zoster (shingles), acne, facial paralysis and cervical spondylosis (age related wear and tear to the spinal discs)(3).

Are you in need of a good pain relieving treatment?

Get in touch today!

cupping-massage.jpg

1.      Chi, L., Lin, L., Chen, C., Wang, S., Lai, H., & Peng, T. (2016). The Effectiveness of Cupping Therapy on Relieving Chronic Neck and Shoulder Pain : A Randomized Controlled Trial, 2016(1).

2.      Lee, M. S., Kim, J. I., Lee, D. H., Boddy, K., & Ernst, E. (2011). Cupping for treating pain: A systematic review. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2011(January 2009). http://doi.org/10.1093/ecam/nep035

3.      Cao, H., Li, X., & Liu, J. (2012). An updated review of the efficacy of cupping therapy. PLoS ONE, 7(2). http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0031793

Spring has Sprung!

Up in the northern hemisphere the movement that comes along with the spring is here. The sun is showing his marvelous head more and more and the windy weather is spreading turmoil and bringing with it wonderful change and new beginnings. Everything starts to grow again and our spirit is once more renewed!

The icicles start to melt from our bones, the spring air starts to bring smiles to our faces and happiness in our hearts and all at the same time sends our stress levels up a notch.

We are now moving into the depths of the wood element with its associated liver energy, that can both give us stability and get blown out of control. As a practitioner I see an increase in runny noses and raging allergies. Along with some tummy associated problems and more and more chest congestion.

It's important to use this time to strengthen/soothe the liver by cleansing out all of that stored waste that kept us warm through the winter months. Green is the colour associated with spring and so no doubt the foods you should be stocking up on are fresh, leafy and young. It's also time to include a variety of juices containing citrus fruits, pears, apples, celery and carrots. Foods such as sprouts, beans and radish are welcomed.

So what are you waiting for put the spring back into your step, get stretching to bring you back down to earth, GET OUTSIDE and breathe, do your eye exercises - the liver is connected to your eyes and keeping them strong is of paramount importance right now.

eg) Clock eye-training

 

Create new beginings, start something, build the life you want to live!

Use the energetic pull surrounding you!

Opening new doors

The scariest part is just opening the door. It is all just sitting there waiting for you. Sometimes it feels awkward and you get uncomfortable and completely discouraged by both the voices in your head and the mildest lack of interest from a friend or loved one. 

But then you realise why the hell not! I'm going to open that door and just see whats on the otherside. I may even be pleasantly suprised and if not well there are plenty of other doors!

Come join in the fun!
NEW classes are ready NOW!
 

note: these are both level 2 classes  attempt them at your own risk.

Acceptance gives growth.

Sitting waiting for a possible flight cancellation should have been frustrating and irritating. However with a changed mindset to one of positive vibes and cool-calm focus, allowed for something called acceptance.

Yes unfortunately the flight was cancelled and yes the next flight is not for a few days. Meaning plans have changed, rules are broken, tanlines will remain and socks will stay on my feet. But I am now able to embark on the journey of the road less taken/unwanted, or more often then not the road that is a lot more bumpy. Nonetheless, the bumpy road is always one of growth. The kind of growth you hadn't expected and most definitely weren't hoping for, but in time (maybe a lot of time) this road will be one to appreciate.

Give way for good vibes and accept exactly where you are. Growth is bound to be on the new turned page, and if you aren't growing you're just dying.

 


Make room for change.

If today was your last would you hold onto the past or would you let it go?

To live each day as if it is your last is to make room for change. Accepting that what might be waiting around the corner could be the next best/worst thing life throws at you.

 It's up to you to catch it, laugh at it and embrace it!


Naturally avoiding pregnancy!

Not even one week ago I posted on facebook a link to Kindaras' blog post on birth control and contraception  #knowyouroptions. This blog post via Kindara is all about knowing your options to avoid pregnancy or even help you to fall pregnant naturally.

Now fast forward 5 days and there is an article in Metro a national newspaper here in Sweden that is shunning the idea and more importantly suggesting that the best way to avoid becoming pregnant is to take some form of pill or by using some sort of hormonal or copper spiral. 

The part of this story that really opens a very important issue is when the 'expert' suggests that the hormones that a female ingests via the pill (p-pill) are almost natural because they are created to act exactly the same as what our bodies make naturally. The thing is they are not. They are synthetic forms of hormones acting similarly to what we make naturally and therefore have similar but different effects. Note also that the pill has been around for the past 50years and research being done has found many correlations to different cancers and blood clotting.

The next point is that condoms are "not the safest method of contraception", which I guess most people can agree with, but if used correctly condoms are not only a safe method but also protect against infectious diseases, which are some of the most widespread diseases of our time! 

Then comes the take-home point, that women especially 'young girls' should not use 'natural cycles apps' or 'Fertility awareness methods' because "many women don't work like clockwork" and that "ovulation can be greatly affected by stress". These facts are very true I only need to think of my most recent infertility case to be aware of the effects a stressful society has on a women’s cycles. But these are not reason enough to suggest that we should not try to find balance and understand our cycles. That we should not learn to understand when we ovulate, and when we are safe to have sex without resulting in a pregnancy. This is even more imperative for young girls. 

The amount of women I meet that have no idea when they ovulate, have no understanding of what their cervical secretion means and have no idea of how there temperature changes throughout their cycle is mind boggling and incredibly worrying.

Why not educate young girls how to track their cycles? To understand the ebb and flow of their periods? To take control of their own bodies? To give us, the female the responsibility of our bodies! 
Why should we be so worried that they (young girls) won't understand and they might make a mistake? There are enough 'mistakes' every day to suggest that the current methods are not really helping against this.

 We all know that taking a pill every day at a particular time can be tough for some, and that using condoms at short notice even tougher for others, but how about being so aware and knowledgeable of your own body that the stress and pressure of the maybes are taken away?

It's up to you to decide how you look after your body. I just become disappointed that mass media doesn't even suggest to think for yourself, to understand your body. Instead molds us into beliving that the best way to look after our bodies is to give it synthetic hormones that cover any current problems and help us to forget that our body and our health are our responsibility. 

Take control of your body and #knowyouroptions. Education is the key ;) 

Flowing is the means to the end!

We are reaching a pivotal point in health history where it seems everything and nothing is at our finger tips. It is imperative that we see our body as a whole, as one entire entity, as a being that is connected in so many ways to everything around us. 

Facts and science will continue to change every day, but nature moves just as it is.
No hurry, no rush, everything gets done!
The sun will come up tomorrow and it will set today.
The moon slowly builds into its almighty fullness and then softly creep away.
Continuously, cyclically, around and around it goes.
No hurry, no rush, everything will flow!




Organic food... Just an idea..

A battle that is not worth the battle, it’s worth the life it gives. Growing food with a conscious effort for our earth and environment has to make a difference to our wellbeing whether it has been scientifically proven or not.

Most of the research we can get our hands on doesn't give us much hard evidence that organic food is actually better for us. The evidence could actually exist, but it may be watered down.

But if one was to suggest that you thought logically for a moment, this is what you might think…. 

If you were to grow something with your sole focus being to grow mass amounts of food, you’re not thinking about the environmental effects of your actions, or the effects on the soil that are being deliberately dosed in chemical pesticides to keep bugs and other animals away. You are however thinking that when you spray your pesticides you must be covered head to toe in chemical-resistant protective gear, so as to not be contaminated.

Compare this food creating source to one where soil is nurtured to work well systemically in a relationship with the earth around it, with the knowledge that a whole is greater than the sum of its parts. With a focus on design and synergy to minimize waste, human labor, and energy inputs to reach maximal benefits and even with all the fluff you can start to see why there is such a fuss around the latter source of creating food.


What food do you choose?

Growing organically is growing without the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers and free from genetic engineering. It is working WITH nature, using the natural resources of soil, air, water and sunlight to make the best foods. Allowing the food to ripen and grow to its potential, so we are able to get the most out of our food.

Plants that grow in healthy soils are healthy plants full of nutrients and have the natural resources to grow well. It surely has the same effect on our bodies?!

Something I feel most forget are that we are on a renegade against nature to find out how she works. Questions to ask yourself; How do you test the bioavailability (how much of the food we eat, the body uses) of a food source once it has entered the body? Is in-vitro testing really demonstrating the strengths or weaknesses this food has on the body? How can you see how much good stuff or nutrition is actually absorbed from particular food sources into the body? Should we count everything with numbers? Is there not more to food and health then what each part should and could do? Are we really equal to the sum of our parts or are we synergistically connected to each and everything? Too deep?!

Everything seems to come back to ‘scientific evidence’ the truth is the evidence exists. So while we wait for the numbers to come in lets connect ourselves to the cycles of nature and eat locally grown, seasonal, cared for foods. Foods that looks, smells and tastes like food, food that is produced with an eye on its environment, food that makes us feel good and energized, and food that our bodies want more of.

And live great, cared for, loving lives!


Organi cup - womens special

Searching for a way to take care of your monthly flow, that is environmentally friendly, economically friendlier and good for you?
 

Lets look at our bodies, firstly it is called a menstrual flow. Meaning it is meant to flow freely and leisurely out of your body. The flow should be as if someone turned on a tap and allowed it to drip for 4-6days and then turned it off. No pain, no discomfort, no clots, no darkness, this ideal is unrealistic for most, but it is how nature intended it. A clearing of the excess that was formed to house a baby. 

So what do we currently use to 'clean up' our flow,

  • Pads: The idea of pads is a good one it allows the 'flow' to flow and thanks to modern day business the sizes vary accomodating to different women and their needs, but alot of women find them uncomfortable/smelly and messy and have opted away from pads. 
  • Tampons: Are considered mess free and easy, but the focus on soaking and plugging the 'flow' is not ideal for the bodies natural process of clearing. Not only this but there is also the very real problem of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). Makes you wonder what might the tampon be releasing before it becomes a problem?
  • Menstrual cup: No soaking just collecting. Although it doesn't allow the 'flow' to move out of the body it does allow it to be taken care of without the toxic side effects, and the cleanliness and comfortable factors are in tact also.
     

When you crunch the numbers women spend around $7 a month on tampons and pads. That is around $84/ year and on average we 'flow' for around 42 years (between the ages of 12 and 54), so a minimum total, lifetime expense of $3500 per female is expected. When you look at it like that the cost seems okay, but when you look at the cost of a menstural cup, this cost is insane! A menstrual cup costs around $25 and lasts for about 10 years! That means what you would spend in one year just now, could be the cost for your whole lifetime of 'flow'.

If we are then to look at the environment, each month we use between 20-40 tampons and menstrual pads, per year this looks like 240-480 and in our lifetime of 'flow' we're looking at around 15 000 tampons and/or menstrual pads per female. That is an enourmously sick amount of landfill when you think that there are 3,418,059,380 women on our earth! 

waste-bin-with-tampons-and-pads3.png

So 51,270,890,700,000 used tampons and pads could exist on our earth within the next 42years!

This number really speaks for itself and should give us all an incentive to do something about the waste we are producing. So even if the menstrual cup sounds a little strange it is worth a try!  


Try it out today!

Are we all just like flies?

Ever watched a fly in a room, going around in cirlces like crazy. I am the person who tries to coerce them out of the room and out the window. The minute I come close they seem even more frenzied and after a while they find a place too high or hidden that I leave them alone. Then they wait just long enough before they begin buzzing and zooming once more.

I just saw a fly that has been named Gunnar (all the flies that are alone randomly in my house are Gunnar) but he has been in my home for about 2 days it may not be him this entire time but there has been a fly in the kitchen that stays there untill I start trying to show him the window when he hides again.

Anyway I just saw him find the door and the way he moved out was as if he was shocked to finally get out. He flew into the glass a few times then when he saw open sky he paused for just a moment then flew leisurely away. 

I wonder if that is what our lives are like. We fly around frenzied not listening to anyone especially those nurturing loving voices who are making suggestions for us to go outside and see the 'world'. We push and shove and make annoying noises disturbing people while they sleep, and right up untill the moment we get to the door and see the opening we are stressed and worried and frenzied. And then those who do manage to make it out the door are like "Oh thats right, this was the way" and seem to completely forget all of that stress and worry and frenzy and realise that they spent much too much life missing the calling of their lives. 

Think about this next time you feel the push to do too much!