Just wanted to share positive news. For the second time in a row, my Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herbs worked. I take a hormone panel again next week to ensure that the levels are getting back to the normal range.
I've had AF twice now with NO drug intervention - just herbs.
Dr. Giovanni Maciocia, an Italian doctor who studied in China and is working in the UK, created several formulae called "Women's Treasure." These formulae have several herbs to "assist" your body in righting itself. There's one or two main herbs and a bunch of "helper" herbs. I've looked up each one and it's properties to see what they are supposed to do. The mix is uncanny!
I've become a true enthusiast for TCM and have been reading Dr. Maciocia's books.
Cysters,
It's very hard to get in to seem my TCM because he's got so many patients. So I saw him, but it was 4 weeks before I could get the herbs. I was on the treatment and saw "something" in two weeks and "results" in six.
Here's what happened. I had gone off birth control pills and had a very scanty cycle the first month "on my own." Then I went through another 28 days, but no AF. I started the herbs on what would have been the first day after AF (if she had come).
For me the herb formulaes are:
Unicorn Pearl - 1st week after period
Clear The Palace - 2nd and 3rd week after period in conjunction with Progesterone cream
Harmonizing the Moon - 4th week (during period)
In the middle of the second week I started to bleed! (I figured the body was clearing out and starting over, so that's what we did with the herbs as well.) So this is the 4th week of the formulaes and I've got a strong AF going.
Six weeks after the start, I'm tracking! My TCM has treated two other ladies with PCOS - each with success. One just had a baby not long ago...
Now, as to how I get the Formulaes...I have an MD who also does TCM. He "prescribes" the herbs. It is my understanding that the distribution company will not send these formulaes out to anyone besides a doctor (TCM).
They are distributed in the US by East West Herbs, 6400 Hoolis ST Suite 10, Emeryville, CA 94608
They are manufactured for Chinese Herbs LTD under License by Healthpack LTD, Kingham Oxfordshire, OX7 6UP UK
Women's Treasure is a trade mark by Giovannie Maciocia.
The cost was about $22-27 per formulae and they have 100 tablets each. But because I take 2 Clear the Palace in the morning and 2 at night, it won't last as long as the others.
So, what you need to do is call/write either Dr Maciocia or the Distribution company to find the TCM in your area that uses/prescribes these formulaes.
Oh, I really hope you can find someone to help. I haven't had THIS MUCH hope for reversing the negatives of PCOS in a LONG time!
thank you for the information. I go to a TCM in my area, and do acupuncture and herbs. I have been doing acupuncture for 2 months and herbs for 4 weeks, I guess I am just getting impatient. I do believe it will work, I wanted to know how long it takes other people....
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Thanks for the information. I take a lot of TCM too. I don't see a TCM practitioner. I just take TCM herbs for general women's wellbeing and to help with ovulation and conception. They work very well for women in general but since I have PCOS, they help me to ovulate and conceive ( ave. 6months) but I end up with mc. Taking TCM with metformin seems to have worked this time though.
I went to Dr. Macocia's website, but it doesn't list the names of the herbs in his herbal formulae. I'm just wondering, is it listed in your herbal packet. The TCM that I take always lists every single herb and what it is for and I am curious if there is much difference in what we are both taking. Could you please list down the herbs you are taking? Thanks so much.
These formulae (mixtures) are patented special "concotions" by Dr. Maciocia. They aren't general wellness preparations, but are formulated to specially to address specific problems in women. What's so darn cool about them is that they're like "conventional" drugs (Metformin/Clomid) only...herbs.
Anuta, from my MD/TCM's experience, he's had all of his PCOS women respond within 1-2 months. The lady who wanted to get pregnant was pregnant in 3 months.
Please ask your TCM's to prescribe the "Women's Treasure" formulae, or go to a TCM who prescribes "Women's Treasure."
I have a listing of each of the herbs, but you want to be sure to get the right amount of each (not too much/little) and the amount that's right for YOU. (For instance, you might need Growing Jade rather than Unicorn Pearl).
I do not believe that trying to take the herbs individually would be as effective or effiecient as the mixtures (formulae).
The the TCM doctor that I had in Beijing would diagnose and call or write a note to the "drugist." The "drugist" mixed up the herbs and either made capsules, a tincture, or told me to make a tea. The drugist told me the amount to take, but he gave a "preparation" not a bunch of single herbs.
In his book, Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Chinese Medicine , Dr. Maciocia has a chapter on PCOS and lists of herbs and the amounts. If your TCM uses Dr Maciocia's reference material he/she can put together an appropriate mixture.
Here's a list of the herbs but not the amount for the mixtures I take. I researched each herb in each mixture. Obviously, I don't have the herbalist background of Dr. Maciocia, but I was none the less impressed by the number of herbs he has working together in each of these formulae.
The first name is the Latin/scientific name and part (rhizome, fruit, radix, etc). The name after the - is the Chinese name.
I trust Dr. Maciocia. Then again, his formulae's work for me.
Please see a TCM who will prescribe Women's Treasure. It has improved my health, attitude, and hope tremendously.
Cammie
Side note: Kimbryan, I'm sorry to hear about your mc. I'm convinced in my heart (not a feeling I get frequently) that one a TCM who prescribes Dr. Maciocia's formulae could help you. You would need a reference book to list all of the properties and uses of each of these herbs and their possible impact with differing amounts.
Women's Treasure - Unicorn Pearl
RHIZOMA POLYGONATI HUANG JING
FRUCTUS LYCII GOU QI ZI
RADIX GINSENG REN SHEN
RADIX ANGELICAE SINENSIS DANG GUI
RADIX REHMANNIAE PREP SHU DI HUANG
SEMEN CUSCUTAE TU SI ZI
RADIX DIPSACI XU DUAN
RADIX MORINDAE OFFICINALIS BA JI TIAN
COLLA CORNU CERVI LU JIAO JIAO
RHIZOMA ATRACTYLODIS MACROCEPHALAE BAI ZHU
RADIX PAEONIAE ALBA BAI SHAO YAO
PORIA COCOS FU LING
CORTEX EUCOMMIAE DU ZHONG
RHIZOMA CYPERI XIANG FU
HERBA LEONORI YI MU CAO
FRUCTUS SCHISANDRAE WO WEI ZI
RADIX GLYCYRRHIZAE PREP ZHI GAN CAO
MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE, POVIDONE, MAGNESIUM STEARATE, CROSCARMELLOSE SODIUM, ETHYLCELLULOSE
Womens Treasure Harmonizing the Moon
RHIZOMA CORYDALIS YAN HU SUO
SEMEN COICIS LACHRYMAJOBI YI YI REN
RADIX PAEONIAE RUBRAE CHI SHAG YAO
SCLEROTIUM PORIA COCOS FU LING
RHIZOMA SPARGANII SAN LENG
HERBA LYCOPI ZE LAN
FRUCTUS LIQUIDAMBARIS LU LU TONG
RADIX NOTOGINSENG SAN QI
RAMULUS CINNAMONI CASSIAE GUI ZHI
RADIX ANGELICAE SINESNSIS DANG GUI
RADIX LIGUSTICIC CHUAN XIONG CHUAN XIONG
CORTEX PHELLODENDRI HUANG BAI
SEMEN CUSCUTAE TU SI ZI
RADIX RUBIAE QIAN CAO GEN
RADIX REHMANNIAE PREP SHU DI HUANG
CORTEX MOUTAN RADICIS MU DAN PI
MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE, POVIDONE, MAGNESIUM STEARATE, CROSCARMELLOSE SODIUM, ETHYLCELLULOSE
Womens Treasure Clear the Palace
SEMEN COICIS YI YI REN
RHIZOMA PINELLIAE BAN XIA
RHIZOMA ATRACTYLODIS CANG ZHU
PORIA COCOS FU LING
RHIZOMA CYPERI XIANG FU
MASSA FERMENTATA MEDICINALIS SHEN QU
SEMEN CUSCUTAE TU SI ZI
RHIZ. ATRACTYLODIS MACROCEPHALAE BAI ZHU
FRUCTUS LIQUIDAMBARIS LU LU TONG
CORTEX PHELLODENDRI HUANG BAI
RHIZOMA ACORI TATARINOWII SHI CHANG PU
RHIZOMA CHUANXIONG CHUAN XIONG
HERBA LYCOPI- ZE LAN
PERICARPIUM CITRI RETICULATEAE CHEN PI
RADIX CYATHULAE CHUAN NIU XI
RADIX GLYCYRRHIZAE GAN CAO
MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE, POVIDONE, MAGNESIUM STEARATE, CROSCARMELLOSE SODIUM, ETHYLCELLULOSE
thank you for the information.
My TCM practitioner gives me a mixture, not individual herbs. The herbs in the mixture are specific to my individual diagnosis. I have only been taking herbs for 5 weeks, so its too early to complain. He makes the concoction himself (because I chose to take liquid tea. If I wanted to take gelcaps, he buys them from somewhere)
He diagnosed me with false cold and dampness, and he first concentrates on bringing my body into general balance, so that I could have a healthy pregnancy, and then he will concentrate more on my reproductive organs. He will change the herbal formula every month depending on my current needs and progress. His approach seems very well thought through, and I don' t think there is one panacea formula for every PCOS woman. From what I understand, your doctor's formula is also tailored to individual needs. After all, I was taking vitex, dong quai, lecithin, buckwheat, you name it, for 6 months on my own, and it worked magic for some women and did nothing for me.
My doctor said in the beginning that he will restore my period in 3 months. I have been doing herbs for about a month, and acupuncture for 2 months.... So there is still lots of time to see results, but as I said , I am really impatient and looking for reassurance that it does work, but takes time to work.... Thank you for your story
Did your doctor in Bejing prescribe that "woman's formula" or did he compose a formula himself like my TCM does? Did your Bejing treatment help you?
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Thanks so much for you list of herbs. I have a friend who's studying TCM so I will ask him. He's just done 5 years and is planning to go to China to one of those pulse taking schools so he shouldn't be too bad!
The reason why I gave up seeing a TCM practitioner is because the best one where I live only speaks Mandarin ( and mine is hopeless). He's a graduate of western medicine in Taiwan University and then went to study TCM in China. So he's pretty hot and very,very difficult to get an appointment with. And I can't possibly drag a translator with me every time I have an appointment and expect her to spend her weekends in a crowded clinic. Also I absolutely do not know how to say PCOS and all those hormone terminology in Mandarin. If anyone knows, please tell me! I just end up saying I have irregular periods etc., mc problems blah..blah...Major, major communication problem!
Dear Anuta,
You are SO RIGHT!!!
Whether it's herbal, alternative, or synthetic treatments, I do not beleive there is ONE pill or ONE treatment for PCOS.
I sincerely believe that the "cocktail" we take, herbal or synthetic or both, is what will balance us out. And restoring and maintaining the hormonal balance is my goal.
Like you I had taken a bunch of stuff on my own. I'd done a lot of research on each herb to determine the correct amount, but found little (until recently) on herb/drug interdictions. Now, I'm not real worried because a word famous herbalist has done the work for me. I still looked the stuff up though.
Like your TCM, mine said that he could restore my period within 3 months. (Imagine my surprise when it hit the second week!) But I'm pretty certain I didn't ovulate this month. Even without taking temps, the lining was too thin to have supported an ovulatory cycle. So, I'd say I still have 2 months to get this straightened out.
The doctor I went to in Beijing, I never talked to about PCOS. He was a government doctor and I admit, I didn't trust him at first and had language problems (much like Kimbryan). How do you translate, "I'd like to reduce or get rid of my estrogen dominance," with a male doctor and male translator? China still feels like a very male dominated society...that would have been too much for me. I went to the doctors there for cold/flu and weight loss. The pills they gave me worked.
The really cool thing, I realize in hindsight, is that the doctors at the clinic I went to were using the spiral bound version of Dr. Maciocia's book. (Oh to have the right information at the right time.)
I can VERY MUCH relate to the language barrier! It can be terrifying to be ill in a foreign country and have to take a translator to a government clinic. At least here we get to choose our doctors.
Your friend who studies TCM, is he going for certification? Where? Has he studied Dr. Maciocia's Fundamentals book?
Pulse and tounge diagnosis are two keys to TCM as far as I can tell. (I've started quite a bit of self study. I have no intentions of becoming a TCM, but like conventional medicine, I'd like to be a well informed consumer.)
I've thought that we should start a TCM doctor's list by area. What do you think?
I chose the liquid form mainly for the reason that I follow the laws of Kashrut (Jewish dietary laws), and the gelatin the gelcaps are made of is problematic in that way. Of course gelcaps would be a much cheaper and more convenient route, not to mention less foul-tasting.
Also, the tea form is absorbed quicker, but that's a side benefit.
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I know that it can be extraordinarily difficult to follow dietary laws of any sort not recognized by our mainstream society. (I'm Catholic and fast on Fridays in Lent, eat only fish in the evenings.)
I applaud your tenacity!
I hadn't considered the quicker absorption. With how hectic my life is, I was thinking about, as you mentioned, the foul taste in a "cup-full" quantity with breakfast. (Breakfast for me truely is a fast break somewhere around 10-1030 in the morning after I've gotten the basics "settled" at work.)
I'm quite happy with the tablets that I take. No foul taste and the fillers are MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE, POVIDONE, MAGNESIUM STEARATE, CROSCARMELLOSE SODIUM, ETHYLCELLULOSE...all within my dietary scope.
Does your TCM recommend dietary changes to improve the flow of qi in your system?
I specifically asked my TCM if I can do anything diet-wise to help my condition, but he didn't have any suggestions.
I am trying to follow the insulin-resistance diet, and I think it helped my exercise to finally result in some weight loss. Or maybe it was the herbs, since my TCM said that they will increase my metabolism.
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Try reading a book called Between Heavan and Earth which talks about TCM in general. It also has a chapter on diet used in TCM. There are several others, but they're less helpful than this book.
I don't want my diet to interfere with the work that the herbs are doing.
You could also let me know what your pulse diagnosis (for instance I have a kidney deficiency) is and I could look it up for you.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Works! 
