I had a cupboard stashed with over 40 different hebs at one point, so I figured I'd share my experience with this.
Out of everything I tried, a practitioner of oriental medicine helped me the most, combining acupunture and prescribed herbs. These practitioners are usually listed in the phone book under acupuncturists. Your first visit would likely be one and a half hours, and cost $85-115, then follow up visits would be less(around $50-60). I did get some relief from pain.
Some healthfood stores carry bulk herbs(mostly western). Marshmallow, slippery elm, chamomile are all good for the digestive tract. I did alot of research from books and internet searches...I also worked in a healthfood store for a while and tried everything I could get my hands on!
Papaya enzymes(papain) come in chewable tablets at the healthfood store, and can help with sour stomach, it is sometimes combined with bromelain(pineapple enzymes), that helps many with inflammation. These are the only enzymes I tried that I had success with.
No natural product has ever helped my inflammation and bloating.
...peppermint tea is also good for this. Uva ursi is a natural diuretic that helps with water retention...I was excited to try that one but it didn't work.
I have tried acidophilus, digestive enzymes, aloe vera juice, flax oil, herbal laxatives, homeopathic remedies, electromagnetic biofeedback and natural fibers(psyllium, apple pectin)..none of these were helpful to a point that was noticeable...some made my symptoms worse.
Senna and cascara sagrada are stimulant laxatives. These have helped many, but they caused me pain, cramping and severe bloating.
The prescription my acupuncturist she mixed for me included chinese rhubarb, a potent herbal laxative...this did help with constipation. Eventually, I felt it was damaging to my digestive tract, and possibly hard on my liver.
Absolutely nothing I tried other than acupunture helped with pain, and unfortunately this was short-lived.
I hope this helps a little...
Love,
Janet
>----- Original Message -----
From: "Robin Medici" <rcmedici@home.com>
To: "Multiple recipients of list ADHESIONS" <adhesions@forum.obgyn.net>
Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2001 11:24 AM
Subject: Re: Trying Chinese herbal therapy
> Thanks Teresa for responding
> No, I live in St. Louis MO...would your herbalist know anyone here? I
> was hoping maybe they had a network or organization and may be able to
> refer me to someone.
>
> I'm just so depressed today. I'm going into my doctor tomorrow (a new
> one...this will be my second visit). I spoke to him last night and he
> doesn't think it's diviticulitis (which I was thinking it is) but
> perhaps a small bowel obstruction. I feel like if someone poked my
> belly it'd explode and at least give me some relief. I'm not having
> severe pain but am so uncomfortable and bloated I'm just miserable.
> Thank god for mother's - mine is coming out to stay with me and take me
> in tomorrow. Even at 44 yers old I still want my Mom when I'm sick (:!!
>
> Well, enough venting - any info you or any "in the club" knows about is
> certainly welcomed!
>
> At Tue, 13 Feb 2001, Teresa Waldrop wrote:
> >
> >Dear Robin,
> >I know a great person that could help you in Memphis, TN. if that is near
> >you. If so let me know and I can get some information together and send
it
> >to you. Teresa
>> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: "Robin Medici" <rcmedici@home.com>
> >To: "Multiple recipients of list ADHESIONS" <adhesions@forum.obgyn.net>
> >Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2001 9:47 AM
> >Subject: Re: Trying Chinese herbal therapy
> >
> >> Wally
> >> What interesting information! Like all of us, I have to deal with the
> >> pain (and am having a bad day today but can work from home, thank
> >> heavens)and don't want to sbumit to surgery if I can find an
> >> alternative. I've looked up alternative medicine web sites but not had
> >> much luck - how did you find the herbalist in your area? Is there any
> >> way to check on their credentials? I'm very curious to explore this and
> >> would appreciate any information you can share!
> >> Robin M
> >>
> >> At Tue, 13 Feb 2001, Wally wrote:
> >> >
> >> >I have read with interest many of the messages on these message boards
&
> >> >other areas of this web site. Ihave suffered from extensive adhesions
> >> >for years and wasn't told that each surgery I had was creating more
scar
> >> >tissue!
> >> >
> >> >I had 4 c sections and last year a hystorectomy. Obviously my
problems
> >> >have increased & two weeks ago a laperoscopy revealed that my overies
> >> >are completely surrounded in scar tissue....the Dr couldn't find them!
> >> >There is also extensive scarring on my bladder reducing it's capacity
to
> >> >approx. 1 cup. My bowel has also been pushed up, and I suffer from
> >> >considerable pain.
> >> >
> >> >My Dr has said that I will probably require more surgery. Neitherof
us
> >> >want this, so I have started herbal treatment with a traditional
Chinese
> >> >Herbal Doctor. The herbal is totally discusting *grin* but if it
helps
> >> >me avoid surgery,or builds me up to cope with surgery better, I will
> >> >give it a good try.
> >> >
> >> >I have been taking it for a week, and find that I am coping better
with
> >> >my days, and have had a couple of nights with 8 hours sleep! Which is
> >> >amazing. I am not expecting a quick recovery, I am aware that this is
a
> >> >long term treatment.
> >> >
> >> >I have chosen to try this because of the success my husband has had
with
> >> >the same herbalist for intestinal problems. He has been off western
> >> >medication for 8 months now and his health is almost completely
> >> >restored.
> >> >
> >> >So......I guess my long winded message is......don't give up until you
> >> >have tried everything you can find. I will let you know how things
> >> >progress. I send everyone a warm smile and ask you to smile at
someone
> >> >else. A smile and positive attitude has always helped me cope. God
> >> >Bless & good luck to you all.
> >> >
> >> >--
> >> >You will never never know.......if you don't give it a go :)
> >> >
> >>
> >> --
> >> Robin M.
> >>
>
> --
> Robin M.
>