Cervicitis

==**Definition:** == Inflammation of the uterine cervix.
 * IBIS:**

==**Etiology:** == The cervix may become inflamed from vaginitis; ectropion; STDs; forgotten tampons, spermicides, IUDs; abortion; or vitamin deficiencies (especially folic acid and vitamin A). == ==


==**Nutrition:** == eating principles: » acute: • increase fluids • short fruit or vegetable juice fast » chronic: • elimination/rotation diet, rotation diet, rotation diet expanded

therapeutic foods: • foods rich in Vitamins A, C, E, and B-Complex • foods that soothe the Liver and invigorate the Qi • for Damp-Heat, foods that clear Dampness and Heat • for Damp-Cold, foods that rid Dampness and warm • for Yin Xu (Deficiency), foods that nourish and tonify Yin

fresh juices: • carrot and spinach (Walker, p. 144) • lemon (Walker, p. 144)

specific remedies: • leukorrhea: 2 oz. fresh string beans cooked with 2 oz. raw brown sugar in a little water. Eat once per day for 7-10 days. (Butt and Bloomfield, p. 146) • douche with yogurt or insert acidophilus into vagina for yeast infections

avoid: • food intolerances • meat, alcohol, hot sauces, spicy foods, fried foods, fatty foods, rich foods, salty foods. smoking

==**Botanicals** == • Calendula officinalis: use internally and intravaginally to promote healing; douches, suppositories and other internal applications useful in reducing discharges, ulcerations and abscesses (Felter, pp. 262-263) • Hydrastis canadensis: internally and intravaginally for cervical erosions; specifically indicated for erosions of mucosal surfaces with poor circulation and soreness that is worse with pressure (Felter, pp. 418-419) • Sanguinaria canadensis (toxic): small or dilute doses intravaginally to relieve burning, itching mucous membranes (Felter, p. 615) • Thuja occidentalis (essential oil): diluted with other bland oil (almond, wheat germ) intravaginally (Nissim, p. 105) • Ulmus fulva: nutritive demulcent, soothes irritated tissues (Felter, p. 683)

==**Chinese Formulae** ==

Rule out gonorrhea. See also "Leukorrhea". • Er Miao San: Lower Warmer Damp-Heat (Yeung, p. 90; Bensky and Barolet, p. 195) • Ginseng and Longan C. (Gui Pi Tang): Spleen Qi Xu (Deficiency) with Heart Xue Xu (Blood Deficiency) (Hsu, 1980, p. 425; Yeung, p. 112; Dharmananda, 1986, p. 244; Bensky and Barolet, p. 255)

==**Acupuncture** == after assessing the person and palpating, consider these patterns: Damp-Heat in the Lower Warmer; Spleen Qi Xu (Deficiency) with Heart Xue Xu (Blood Deficiency); Spleen Damp; dysfunction of the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) and/or Ren Mai (Conception Vessel); Xu (Deficiency) of the Yang Qiao Mai (Yang Motility Vessel) and/or Shi (Excess) of the Yin Qiao Mai (Yin Motility Vessel)

» illustrative combinations: • UB-18, UB-20 and UB-23 if sore; UB-54/40, sacral ashi (tender) points, CV-4, CV-3, St-28, Sp-10, Sp-6, Lv-8 and Lv-3 for cervicitis due to Damp-Heat in the Lower Warmer (Ambrose) • sacral point ashi (tender) points, Lv-13, CV-4, CV-3, St-28, Sp-6, Lv-8 and Lv-3; ind. D over Lower Warmer for cervicitis due to Spleen Damp (Ambrose) • CV-3 and Sp-6: regulate the Qi function of the Lower Warmer and the function of the genital organs - Sp-6 sends Qi up; CV-3 sends it deep (Finkelstein, p. 84) • Lu-7 and Kd-6: open the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) which nourishes the Uterus and regulates menstruation; usually indicated by head and neck pain, abdominal distension, vaginal discharge and other symptoms of congestion • Sp-4 and PC-6: open the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) for which menstrual disorders are a symptom of Shi (Excess) and reproductive disorders are a general symptom of dysfunction • UB-62 and SI-3: open the Yang Qiao Mai (Yang Motility Vessel) which transports Yang and for which gynecological problems are a Xu (Deficiency) symptom • Kd-6 and Lu-7: open the Yin Qiao Mai (Yin Motility Vessel) which transports Yin and for which gynecological problems are a Shi (Excess) symptom

==**Homeopathy** == • Argentum nitricum: prolapsus with ulceration of os or cervix; granulations on cervix uteri with copious yellow corroding leukorrhea and frequent bleeding from points of ulceration • Arsenicum album: burning, throbbing, lancinating, restlessness and anguish with fear of death; great thirst; wants to be wrapped up; ulceration of cervix with fetid, acrid discharge • Calendula officinalis: chronic endocervicitis; ulceration of os uteri, cervix • Hydrastis canadensis: os uteri very tender; ulceration of cervix; leukorrhea, debility; cervix swollen, indurated and eroded • Kreosotum: corrosive itching within vulva; burning and soreness; leukorrhea yellow, acrid, odor of green corn • Lycopodium: chronic dryness of vagina; leukorrhea in starts, milky, bloody; < before a full moon; corroding; sensation of pressure through vagina when stooping • Mercurius corrosivus: leukorrhea of a yellowish white, with sweetish, nauseous smell; mucous discharge as thin as water • Mercurius solubilis: leukorrhea excoriating, greenish and bloody; sensation of rawness; itching of genitals< from contacting urine; leukorrhea < night; purulent leukorrhea > washing in cold water • Nitricum acidum: leukorrhea brown, flesh-colored, watery or stringy, offensive; leukorrhea staining yellow or leaving spots with black borders; white glairy leukorrhea followed by backache • Sepia: induration of cervix, burning, shooting, sticking pain, upwards extending; ulceration and congestion of os and cervix uteri; leukorrhea yellowish green with much itching; bearing down sensation, as if everything would escape through vulva; must cross limbs to prevent protrusion • Ustilago maydis: cervix bleeds easily, sensitive, spongy; yellow and offensive leukorrhea

==**Subtle Support** == • notes: A, C, C#, D, G, G#

• chords: A minor, D minor, D# minor, tonic (Gimbel, p. 116)


==<span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">**Mind/Body** == • Inflammation: fear; inflamed thinking; seeing red; anger and frustration about sexual conditions in one's life. (Hay, 1984, p. 170-1) • Female problems represent a rejection of the feminine principle; denial of the self; rejecting femininity. (Hay, 1984, p. 165) • Anger at mate; sexual guilt; need for punishment. (Hay, 1984, p. 187)

• Spleen ~ Pi governs digestion and manifests in the muscle tissues; resolves Dampness and Phlegm; governs the Xue (Blood) and holds it in the vessels; maintains upbearing; and relates to the ability to assimilate, stabilize, and feel balanced and centered. » Healthy expressions are fairness, openness, deep thinking, and reminiscence. » Spleen Xu (Deficiency) signs include slightness (deficient "form"); abundant elimination; morning fatigue; cold, wet feet (Seem, p. 28); abdomen taut and distended like a drum; craving for sweets; flatulence; nausea; mild edema; memory failure; heavy feeling in legs; easy bruising; pale lips; loose stools; muscular weakness; and, indirectly, obesity. » The excessive use of the mind in thinking, studying, concentrating, and memorizing over a long period of time tends to weaken the Spleen and may lead to Xue Yu (Blood Stasis). This also includes excessive pensiveness and constant brooding. (Maciocia, p. 241) Likewise, inadequate physical exercise and excess consumption of sweet and/or Cold foods will also deplete the Spleen. Environmentally, the Spleen is highly susceptible to attack from external Dampness and Cold. » Spleen Shi (Excess) signs include heaviness (excess "form"); large abdomen; great sighing; sadness; obsessions and nightmares (Seem, p. 28); abdominal pain; irregular appetite; stickiness in the mouth and on lips; red lips; chest congestion; fatigue; and constipation. Dampness Excess usually derives from Xu (Deficiency) of Spleen Yang and/or Qi.
 * Chinese psychophysiology:**

• Liver ~ Gan is the home of the Hun (Ethereal Soul); it relates to decisiveness, control, and the principle of emergence; stores and cleanses the Xue (Blood); maintains smooth flow of Qi and Xue (Blood); has an intimate relationship with the genitals and Lower Warmer; and reflects emotional harmony and movement.

• Kidney ~ Shen stores Jing (Essence) and governs birth, growth, reproduction, development, and aging, particularly the internal aspects of the reproductive organs; houses the Zhi (Will); expresses ambition and focus; and displays the effects of aging, chronic degenerative processes, and extreme stress.