Its not your fault! Infertility Solutions 2012

"Nature has got it all wrong: When you are younger, it should be harder to get pregnant, and as you get older it should be easier. When you are so ready, you can't do it to save your life. And when you are 21, you are so not ready, but you are ripe as could be. The eggs should become more developed the older you get, not die slowly from the day you're born. That's one thing God got wrong."

Halle Berry

Infertility is defined as a couple's inability to become pregnant after one year of regular, unprotected sex. Female infertility means the male is unable to impregnate the female because of female factors.

The most common causes of female infertility include:

• Tubal occlusion - This is the most common cause of infertility in women, and is the result of an obstructed fallopian tube. This makes it difficult for the fertilized egg to make the move through the fallopian tubes to implant into the uterus. Tubal occlusion is very often brought on by pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Most women with PID don't know they have it.
  
• Endometriosis - Endometriosis accounts for between 5-30% of female infertility cases. Endometriosis is a medical condition in which the tissue of the uterine lining is implanted and growing outside of the uterus, most often on the ovaries or the lining of the abdomen near the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. This can cause scarring and inflammation of the tissues of the pelvis.
  
• Hypothalamic-pituitary disorders - Approximately 30% of female infertility is caused by ovulation disorders. The hypothalamic-pituitary axis is the part of the brain responsible for ovulation, and disruption of it can cause deficiencies in luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone.
  
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) - Polycystic ovary syndrome accounts for under 10% of female infertility. This syndrome causes high amounts of androgens (male hormones), particularly testosterone, to develop. This heightened androgen production stops the ovaries from producing a mature egg. This inability to produce an egg causes the follicles of the ovary to swell with fluid and form into cysts. PCOS may also account for many problems involved in menstrual disorders, including lack of menstruation (amenorrhea) or infrequent menses (oligomenorrhea).
  
• Early menopause - Early menopause is premature ovarian failure, and results in the absence of menstruation and the early depletion of ovarian follicles prior to 40 years of age. A number of conditions are associated with early menopause including:
  
  1. Low levels of some growth factors produced by the ovaries
     
  2. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy
     
  3. Autoimmune disease, where the body produces antibodies that attack the ovary
• Elevated prolactin levels - This condition is called hyperprolactinemia. The hormone prolactin acts to stimulate breast milk production, and elevated levels in non pregnant or non nursing women can affect ovulation. Certain medications can elevate levels of prolactin. Elevated breast milk production should be discussed with a doctor.
  
• Luteal phase defect - Luteal phase defect is due to impairment in the development of the lining of the uterus in preparation for fertilized egg implantation, resulting from an insufficient production of the hormone progesterone.
  
• Benign uterine fibroids - These benign tumors exist in the wall of the uterus and can interfere with the contour of the uterine cavity, causing some blockage of the fallopian tubes or changes in the position of the cervix. This prevents the sperm from reaching the uterus, where it can fertilize an egg. Benign uterine fibroids are common in women in their 30s.
  
• Pelvic adhesions - Abdominal or pelvic surgery or infection can cause bands of scar tissue to develop which can restrict the movement of the ovaries and fallopian tubes, leading to infertility.
  
• Positive anti-sperm antibody - There is much scientific evidence that sperm antibodies in males and females cause infertility. Sperm antibodies are chemical substances in the semen, cervical mucus, blood and other body fluids that neutralize the purpose of sperm, which is to fertilize an egg.
  

Other causes of female infertility include:

• Anovulation
  
• Cervicitis
  
• Vulvovaginitis
  
• Intrauterine tuberculosis
  
• Pituitary tumors
  
• Mental disorder - stress, depression, anxiety, or grief
  
• Overweight
  
• Agenesis of the ovary - Turner's syndrome
  
• Agenesis of the uterus
  

Mr. Baby Maker,
Curer of Infertility,
Would you please hear our plea?
We're not asking for so much:
Just a sweet baby.

The Underlying Cause:

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, Infertility is considered a deficiency condition of the blood and body's energy. When the blood quality is weak then all of the organs are not able to perform their job. In particular, your glands are not able to send their messages through hormones in harmony with the rest of the body. In addition, the liver does not filter the blood while the spleen is not optimally moving the blood. When the blood is filtered and transport is in balance with the whole human body then the hormones will communicate, effectively. When the blood becomes sludge or the blood is unfiltered with a build-up of toxic blood components then communication, between glands, is slowed down or non-existent. It is not a matter that your hormones are deficient but rather the hormones are obstructed thus causing the body to be out of sync.

For a remedy to correct the blood pollution, the the spleen and liver must be energized and nourished. When they kick into optimal gear then the blood flows through the arteries, veins, capillaries and organs supplying quality and functional blood. Thus, the body's energy improves, the mood improves, pain ceases, improved sleep follows and so on.

This is a formula that has been developed over many generations of master herbalists until 500 years ago where it remains the most beneficial formulation for this condition. In fact, this formula was handed down to me by my mentor of 50 years experience. I have successfully provided this to my clients over the last 12 years.

Longevity Mountain provides Female Comfort Master Formula that corrects this condition, quickly.

Life's Greatest Lesson

I would gladly trade places
With the women I see.
The joy on their faces,
Why can't that be me?

They complain of stretch marks,
And sometimes of heartburn,
Their feet may get swollen.
Then stomachs in turn.

I would gladly trade places
With the women I see.
But instead battle daily
With Infertiltiy.

My months filled with charting
And days filled with meds.
I lie on white sheets
Of hospital beds.

But if I traded places
With the women I saw,
I'd miss life's greatest lesson
Trusting God with my all.

Susan Reardon

It is very important understand the reason behind this condition and what led to the eventual downfall of the human body. Usually, we find an individual will choose a lifestyle that causes imbalance. The imbalance will result in the body characteristics fitting into a particular body type. The primary sub constitutional conditions are easy to grasp. There are 6 basic body types:


cold <-----------------------> hot
damp <----------------------> dry
deficient <------------------> excess





Usually, all of us fall into one body type. Those in good health will sustain or reside in the center of each of these constitutions.

• For instance, (1), A healthy person will maintain his body temperature, neither too hot or too cold, ideal would be slightly neutral-warm.
  
• Secondly, (2), the damp type has system that has difficulty eradicating excess fluids which the person would benefit by eating diuretic foods
  
• Thirdly, (3), a deficient person needs to be determined what she is deficient of. Is it vitamins, minerals, energy, sleep, disregarding foods and variety that would assist balance, etc.

The primary goal is to move your constitution to the center or neutral. This is where healing takes place. This also is about you taking responsibility and participating in your treatment.

Here is where the master herbalist, specializing in traditional Chinese herbs, focusses because 90% of all imbalance stems from what we are putting in our mouths. Either it is too much of one food or foods from one constitutional type. Once you realize what your body type is then I recommend you consult a master herbalist with more than 10 years experience.

Here are foods that benefit the typical Infertile constitution. However, while most people with infertility are similar, it is extremely important to discern the differences so you can establish a fertile condition capable of supporting a fetus, as soon as possible. Please sit down and stay committed seriously and give the same respect you would any other practitioner. This process will take 3-12 months depending on your health status and commitment.

FOODS THAT BENEFIT FERTILITY:: Acidophilus, Bee pollen, Carrot juice, Cinnamon, Garlic, Ganoderm, Maitake, Micro-algae (chlorella, spirulina, wild blue-green) Rejuvelac, Seaweeds (irish moss, kelp, etc.), Shiitake, Saltless sauerkraut, Tumeric, YunZhi

QUICK LIST - Nourishing Foods - Deficient Body Type
Nourishing Fruits
Banana (cold)
Cherry (warm)
Date (warm)
Fig (neutral)
Jujube (warm)
Kumquat (cool)
Litchee fruit (warm)
Longon Fruit (warm)
Loquat (cool)
Mango (cold)
Melons (cold)
Orange Peel (warm)
Peach (warm)
Pear (cool)
Persimmon (cold)
Pomegranates (cool)
Red Bayberries (cool)
Star Fruit (cold)
Tangerine (cool)
Tomato (cold)
Watermelon (cold)
Nectarines (cool)
Blackberries
Pineapple (neutral)
Raisins (warm) Nourishing Protein
Azuki (warming)
Carp (cold)
Chestnuts (warm)
Chicken (warm)
Clam (cold)
Crab (cold)
Cuttlefish (neutral)
Dill seed (warm)
Duck (neutral)
Duck eggs (neutral)
Eel (warm)
Egg White (cool)
Egg yolk (neutral)
Kidney Beans
(neutral)
Mussel (warm)
Mutton (warm)
Peanuts (warm)
Pork (neutral)
Pork Marrow (cool)
Shrimp (warm)
Soy bean (neutral)
Sword bean shells
(warm)
Sunflower seeds
(neutral)
Water chestnut(cold)
Whole egg (cool)
Almonds
Walnuts (warm)
White bait (neutral)Nourishing Veggies
Asparagus (cold)
Bamboo shoot (cool)
Bitter Gourd "Wild
cucumber" (cold)
Carrot (neutral)
Celery (cool)
Chili Peppers (hot)
Fennel roots (warm)
Green bean (string)
(neutral)
Kelp (cold)
Lettuce (cool)
Lotus Plomule (cold)
Potato (neutral)
Rape (warm)
Sea Grass (cold)
Seaweed (cold)
Spinach (cold)
Sweet Potato (neutral)
Yam (neutral)Nourishing Misc.
Basil (warm)
Birds Nest (cold)
Brown sugar (warm)
Caraway seeds
(warm)
Cinnamon (hot)
Clove (warm)
Fenugreek seeds
(warm)
Garlic (warm)
Ginger (warm-hot)
Ginseng (warm)
Honey (neutral)
Pepper-red & cayenne
(hot)
Royal Jelly (neutral)
Tea (Green, Oolong,
Lapsang souchong,
black) (cold)
Rice (neutral)
Salt (Himalayan)
Coconut Milk (warm)
Vinegar (warm)
Licorice (neutral)
Wine (small amt.)
(warm)




















FOOD TO AVOID: greasy foods, spicy foods, no spirits (alcohol), meat excess should be limited to 15% on the plate, eggs, fried foods, salt, sweet food (anykind), flour, oil products, chemical ingredients or drugs. These excess foods create obstruction in the human body.

Avoid Processed foods: Artificial Sweeteners (try stevia), Coffee, Wine (beyond 1 oz. per day), Baked Beans (sugar), Baked Goods (doughnuts, cakes contain excess trans fats, sugars), Breakfast Cereals (sugar, processed grain, low nutrition), Campbell's Condensed Soups (hi sodium), pot pies (hi calory/fat), Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) foods, Hotdogs (unknown ingredients, sodium nitrate), Luncheon Meats (too many additives, sodium nitrate), Margarine (highly toxic), Ramen Noodles (no nutrients, excess sodium), Refined Vegetable Oils (corn, cottonseed, soybeans, safflower seeds and canola), Saltines (excess carb & sodium), Sausages & cured meats (too many additives, sodium nitrate), White & Wheat bread (no nutrition), White Pasta (extremely hi carb & sodium), White Potatoes (solanine-calcium depletion & arthritic pain), Chips & French fries, Cocktails (excess sugar/liver toxicity), Fruit Juice (loaded w/ sugar), Fruit Smoothie (loaded w/ syrup, make your own), Dairy products except goat's milk (pure mucous), Sodas (removes rust from metal, excess carbon dioxide, imbalances digestive system), Excessive Protein (loss of calcium, damages kidneys). These foods are usually found in the internal isles of your grocery store. Stay with foods on the perimeter walls of the stores. Even better, buy produce directly from sources where you know the quality of the farm production. This is hard to do but this is the only way to ensure your food is free from hormones, preservatives, pesticides and over 200+ versions of MSG.

If you need more help with this, feel free to call the Master Herbalist. He is a senior level practitioner with over 40 years experience in the health field. (713) 822-2655

Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.
Psalm 27:14

BAKED COD W/ SPINACH TOPPING

INGREDIENTS

Topping

• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 1 medium-sized yellow onion
• 1/2 pound spinach
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 2 tbsps butter
• pinch of salt and pepper

Fish

• 1.5 lb cod fillets
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 1 tbsp chopped dill
• 2 tbsps water
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp pepper

PREPARATION

Topping

1. Slice onion and chop spinach coarsely.
2. Heat the olive oil in a skillet on medium heat.
3. Sauté onions. Keep stirring until lightly brown.
4. Reduce the heat to low, add spinach and stir until soft.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
   
6. Add water, wine and butter.

As soon as the butter completely melts, remove from stove and stir in stuffing.

Fish

1. Preheat the oven to 450°F.
   
2. Whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper.
   
3. Add dill and stir together.
   
4. Coat cod fillets with the dill mixture and place in a pyrex dish.
   
5. Pour the topping over the fillets.
   
6. Add water and bake for 12 - 15 minutes.
   

By Om Paramapoonya




HALIBUT WITH RED PEPPER and GREEN OLIVES

NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS

Serves 4 / Fish is a terrific source of minerals, including potassium, iodine, zinc and copper, plus the omega-3 fatty acids, all of which are low in the diets of women with PMS. Halibut also contains vitamin B3, which helps metabolize sugar and stabilize menstrual symptoms related to carbohydrate cravings, plus ample amounts of magnesium, which helps maintain the brain chemistry that regulates PMS emotions.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, preferably organic
  
• 2 onions, sliced
  
• 2 cloves garlic, sliced
  
• 2 ripe tomatoes, cored and chopped
  
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced
  
• 3/4 teaspoon herbal sea salt, divided
  
• 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
  
• 6 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
  
• 1 - 1-1/2 pounds halibut fillet
  
• 1 lemon, cut in half
  
• 1/2 cup pitted green olives or 2 tablespoons capers
  
• 1/2 cup homemade salt-free stock or purified water
  

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large skillet, heat butter and add onions, garlic, tomatoes, and red pepper. Sauté on medium-high for 2 minutes. Stir frequently. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon herbal sea salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and stir again. Cover and cook on medium-low for 10 minutes.

2. Position broiler shelf several inches from heat source. Preheat broiler.

3. Drizzle 1 teaspoon olive oil into a nonglass baking pan. Rinse halibut under cold, running water and pat dry. Place halibut in pan and squeeze half the lemon over it. Season with the remaining 5 tablespoons olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon herbal sea salt, and a pinch of pepper. Place under broiler and cook until fish begins to flake and is tender when a fork is inserted, 8-10 minutes.

4. Stir tomato/red pepper mixture. Add olives or capers and stock or water and stir well. Cook another 1-2 minutes, uncovered.

5. Using a large spatula, remove cooked halibut from baking dish and place on a large serving platter. Top with red pepper and olive mixture. Cut remaining half lemon into wedges and place on platter. Serve hot with brown rice or potatoes.

SOS for INFERTILITY: Whole-Food Solutions for Premenstrual Syndrome by Lissa G. De Angelis and Molly Siple (Plume, 1999).




INFERTILITY COOKIES

"A different version of Chinese chews. A no bake cookie that is easy to make and delicious!"

• PREP TIME 15 Min
  
• COOK TIME 3 Min
  
• READY IN 25 Min
  
• Original recipe yield 8 dozen
  

INGREDIENTS

• 4 cups semisweet chocolate chips
  
• 2 cups peanut butter chips
  
• 1 (8 ounce) bag plain sea-salted potato chips
  
• 2 1/2 cups dry-roasted almonds & cashews

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large pan, melt chocolate and peanut butter chips for about 5 minutes on low-medium.
   
2. Stir every 30 seconds after the first minute until chips are melted and smooth.
3. Slightly crush the potato chips before stirring into the mixture along with the nuts.
   
4. Drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper and let stand until chocolate is set, about 15 minutes.
   
5. Store at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

Recipe by Mark Hammer

"The plants whose father was the sky,
whose mother the earth,
Whose root the (heavenly) ocean
-may those divine herbs aid thee
in obtaining a son!"
Atharva Veda

Sarah's Story
the wife of Abraham
Sarah is married to Abraham. She is unable to conceive, although married for many years. Eventually she is not only unable to conceive but beyond childbearing years. (ie she is old as well...)

Ironically she is married to Abraham who has been promised descendants that will number like the stars in the sky and the sand on a beach. A great promise and yet for Abraham and Sarah, the fulfilment seems beyond all reach.

It is at this point that The Lord comes to Abraham once more.

"Then the LORD said, I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son. Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him.

11 Abraham and Sarah were already old and well advanced in years, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing.

12 So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought,
After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?

13 Then the LORD said to Abraham, Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Will I really have a child, now that I am old?'

14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son.

And the result??? Not long after this Sarah and Abraham's son Isaac is born, one of the great patriarchs of the Jewish people.

"For nothing is impossible with God" (Luke 1:37)
What does the story of Sarah teach us?
God is faithful to his promises. What he promised to Abraham and Sarah he was faithful in fulfilling. God does not make this exact same promise to each of us but we do learn something else from Sarah's story:
God is the giver of life and he can bring about miracles. We do not know what God may be doing in our lives - even when it seems like he is not doing anything at all.
God can surprise us!

The Miracle of Life

Before you were conceived, I wanted you
Before you were born, I loved you
And before you were here an hour
I would have sacrificed everything for you

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
Maya Angelou

"To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

"I hope we can be happy where we are, be grateful for our blessings now, here accept that challenge that is ours and make the most of it, and not be envious of others."
Ezra Taft Benson

"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties tomorrow of its strength"
Corrie Ten Boom

"To achieve the life you want, you must first give up the life that you have."
Carolyn Myss

"The jump is so frightening between where I am and where I want to be...because of all I may become I will close my eyes and leap!"
Mary Anne Radmacher

Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away....

"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain."

"You can't have a testimony without a test"

Mark has been a long term student of herbal traditions from around the world. Any attempts to leave this passion has always resulted in his finding his way back to the health restoration field. Whether it be his own need to keep his balance or those around him, his eventual surrender to the healing way has always offered the most joy and most of all, smiles.

• SENIOR MASTER HERBALIST-CHINESE MEDICINE
  Mark provides Traditional Chinese Medicine assessment, herbal remedies and food therapy. His remedies usually provide relief in 2 hours unless a severe chronic case is presented.
  
• SIFU - TAI CHI (Yang Style)
  Sifu Mark teaches the Short Form (24 steps), Intermediate Form (42 steps), TaiChi Sword (32 steps), TaiChi Fan, Long Form (108 steps)
  
• SPIRITUAL LIFE COACH
  Mark focusses on the Body-Mind-Spirit connection related to physical imbalances.In addition, Mark has been meditating over 35 years which has resulted in his providing a comprehensive spirit coach program-assessment, spiritual grounding & protection, ascension, enlightenment, "Finding Your Life Purpose" and "Cleansing Your Soul Grid", etc.

Mark has over 35 years of health field experience. His primary emphasis is on chronic pain, heart, digestive, respiratory, allergy, hormonal, tumor, weight loss problems, women's needs and the MIND-BODY-SPIRITUAL CONNECTION.

Phone: 832-691-5333

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This reference is a list of dietary supplements and is not intended to diagnose, cure, prevent or treat any diseases. The information here is not provided by medical (allopathic) professionals and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your physician before beginning any course of treatment. However, billions of people have used these products without complication. These herbal formulas have been used in conjunction with allopathic medical regimen, successfully without interference in the restorative process. Complications in the use of herbal remedies has occurred when manufacturers unkowledgeable in the practice of herbalism but more focussed on the profit aspect have provided product too high in concentration. Hopefully, more master herbalists trained in Chinese, Ayurvedic, Tibetan, North and South American herbology can share the more subtle rather than gross practice of herbalism. Appreciatively, more allopathic physicians and institutions are embracing the wonders of natural herbal medicine in their practices.