When talking about endometriosis, it is difficult to ignore its inflammatory component. Although it is not the only cause, it is one of the main causes of the many pains felt by women with endometriosis.
To alleviate this problem, our current pharmacopoeia is full of anti-inflammatory drugs (such as the all too famous antadys!). But there are other solutions, particularly in naturopathy!
We suggest you discover some of them in this article…
What is inflammation ?
A protection of our immune system
Even if we sometimes tend to demonise it a little too much, inflammation is above all a biological response of our body which, thanks to the support of our immune system, aims to protect us from an aggression. The factors that can trigger it are diverse: injury, infection, allergy, stress factors, etc. It is therefore not an enemy to be killed at all costs and is part of the arsenal that aims to keep us alive !
A reaction in several phases
1.The first stage orchestrates the neutralisation of the invader : thanks to the cells present in the tissues, which secrete pro-inflammatory substances such as prostaglandins, leukotrienes, histamine, the cytokines TNF- or interleukins 1 and 6.2.
2. A second one will bring peace to our kingdom : through mediators of inflammation resolution such as lipoxins, resolvins, protectins and maresins. Although we used to think this was a passive phenomenon, researchers at Harvard seem to have proven the opposite (soooo: we’ve got the power!).
When the saviour becomes the persecutor
Inflammation, when it is adapted, local and acute, is protective. However, when it starts to become maladaptive, general and chronic, it becomes aggressive for the body. In the case of endometriosis, the inflammatory process tends to go out of control for several reasons. We won’t have time to go through them all in this article, but the main one is this: endometrial tissues, by going to stay in places where they were never invited, trigger the awakening of our protective knights. And as long as these tissues squat, they will not stop fighting them! Sometimes to the detriment of the resources that the kingdom (our body, you know?) can allocate to them. In short, enough to cause a slight burn-out in the long term…
LUNA helps you :
LUNA’s Pillbox feature allows you to record your medication prescriptions (hormonal treatments, painkillers, others…) and to program notifications at the time you want to take it. LUNA records this information to allow you to follow the evolution of your quality of life and your pain, linked to your treatments in real time, and also… to never forget to take your treatment again 😊
How to relieve inflammation with Naturopathy ?
Now that you know a little more about what lies behind inflammation, I’m sharing some news that should delight you (and probably the reason you read this article): it is entirely possible to act on inflammation!
There are several strategies for doing this: reducing the inflammatory predisposition, modulating the reaction and promoting resolution. To work on each of these axes, naturopathy offers many tools. I suggest you discover some of them below.
Diet and micronutrition
If you suffer from endometriosis, you can’t have missed this recommendation: adopt an anti-inflammatory diet. If you want to know more about it, I recommend that you read the article I wrote here. To sum up: what is inflammatory for your friend/sister/colleague etc. may not be for you. Some foods are indefensible (such as certain sugars and ultra-processed foods); for others, it is advisable to put a little water in your wine (naturally!) and in particular to return to your sensations…
Also, among the micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), some will have a direct or indirect action on inflammation, notably :
- Vitamins A, C and E: as antioxidants, they can act on one of the consequences of inflammation, oxidative stress. Oxidative stress will also have the effect of maintaining the inflammatory state, which is why it should not be neglected!
- Vitamin D : because of its immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects, it supports the immune system in its daily battles.
- Omega 3: remember the mediators of inflammation resolution? Well, many of them are derivatives of these fatty acids.
- Palmitoylethanolamide : it is believed to regulate inflammation, but also tissue repair and pain perception.
- Zinc : a zinc deficiency would affect the immune response. On the other hand, a good intake of zinc would have an antioxidant effect on the body.
- Selenium: it also contributes to the proper functioning of our protective shields. Psst: with one Brazil nut a day, your selenium intake is guaranteed.
Each of these micronutrients can be found in the diet, but in the case of chronic inflammation, supplementation is often necessary. This is where nutraceuticals can help: There are many different laboratories/companies offering different supplements, with widely varying dosages, prices and qualities. A naturopath who has some interest in this subject will be able to help you choose the most suitable one(s), depending on your situation.
Also, certain molecules contained in food, such as polyphenols found in certain fruits and tea, OPCs (Oligo-Proanthocyanidins) in grapes, carotenoids in green vegetables, etc. will also act on inflammation and its consequences. So eat colourfully and preferably raw to keep all the benefits of your food on your plate!
The use of plants
In the immense bag of tricks provided by nature, there are many plants that can help regulate and reduce inflammation. One of the most effective is turmeric, whose anti-inflammatory effect is due to the curcumin it contains. But beware: sprinkling turmeric on your food or flavouring your latte will not be enough to treat the inflammation caused by endometriosis! And beware of supplements that contain piperine, as they can be harmful to your intestinal barrier.
In second place after turmeric, we can mention blackcurrant buds. Here again, there is no need to devour kilos of this little berry to try to reduce inflammation: it is the bud of the plant that interests us, not its fruit! Gemmotherapy, which extracts all the benefits of the bud and makes them available to us in liquid form, is therefore preferred.
Beyond these two stars, other plants can be used, notably for the synergy of effects they offer. For example, alchemilla has an anti-inflammatory side, but also dries out (useful for heavy periods!) and stimulates progesterone receptors. Chasteberry has a more hormonal effect (progesterone like), which while providing an anti-inflammatory effect, will work on the balance of the cycle. Be careful, however, with these two plants, I strongly recommend that you call on the services of a professional who knows them: you don’t play with your hormones, at the risk of upsetting your entire system!
Finally, it is also possible to use algae such as spirulina, whose phycocyanine content will help to work on oxidation. Certain mushrooms are also interesting for their immunomodulating effects, as is the case with reishi.
Other remedies
Apart from this non-exhaustive range of products, other supplements may be of interest to manage inflammation, such as :
- CoQ10 / NAC / glutathione / SOD, for their antioxidant effects.
- CBD, whose effect is not limited to inflammation but extends to the nervous system and pain management, including neuropathic pain.
Also, since stress is pro-inflammatory, it is important to find the right tools to manage it: breathing, meditation, massage, phythotherapy, etc. Here again, there is no lack of solutions! It is up to each person to find the one(s) that suit(s) her, accompanied by a professional who will be able to give her all the keys to guide her in her search for greater well-being.
The final word
As you will have understood, the range of naturopathic solutions is wide to help you deal with inflammation and alleviate the pain associated with it. Nevertheless, these treatments are no substitute for medical advice and follow-up. And each one requires the support of a professional in order to find the one(s) that suit(s) you as well as the supplements and the adapted dosage. All you have to do is find the naturopath who can help you in your search!
Written and scientifically validated by Manon Brucker
Sophrologist specialised in endometriosis in Marseille.
Formerly a consultant for the aeronautical industry, she left this professional life in search of more meaning, and reconnected with her deepest aspirations.
After extensive research and questioning about the body’s reactions to illness, she found answers in naturopathy, which provided her with solutions from a personal point of view.
Suffering from endometriosis, she decided to specialise in the accompaniment of women after a professional training as a Naturopath at the Euronature Institute.
Manon Brucker offers support to help women live better with their endometriosis, regulate their cycle or optimise their fertility naturally
read also : LUNA helps you: living better with endometriosis through naturopathy