How can a good ol' fashioned Thanksgiving have anything in common with Traditional Chinese Medicine? Yams are the answer! The Chinese culture has used food for medicine for centuries in which yams have been the solution for many women's health issues. Both traditionally and today yams successfully support fertility, alleviate hot flashes, and assuage menstrual spasms.
How can yams help such an array of female disorders? There is a current rise of research supporting this age old therapeutic food.
In acupuncture, yams are known to support the yin deficit. Yin comprises the feminine, nurturing essence. Our yin hormones are estrogen and progesterone.
A recent study from the Journal of American College of Nutrition demonstrated the effect yams have on estrogen levels. After frequent, daily consumption of purple yam, there was a 26% increase in estrone and a 27% increase in estradiol in blood serum. Estrone is the form of estrogen we need the most during our menopausal years and estradiol is what we need during our reproductive years. Here’s the link if you’d like to read more of the study:
So the next question is are yams and sweet potatoes the same? They are not. BUT traditional Chinese medicine food regimens recommend both. Herbal therapies as well as medical hormone therapies do favor wild yam, so if you are looking for more than a dietary boost, I would be happy to discuss your options with you either in person if you're in the Winter Park/Orlando area or over the phone if you're not. But for the sake of a delicious Thanksgiving meal, both yams and sweet potatoes are in!
You’ll want to avoid recipes that have processed sugar and marshmallows, but you can use stevia or raw honey to sweeten your dish instead: http://www.bunsinmyoven.com/2013/11/11/honey-cinnamon-roasted-sweet-potatoes/.
If you’re looking for something with fun and flare, you can find a curry blend or Mexican mix. Here's a zesty, chili blend of sweet potato and quinoa:
http://www.wellplated.com/sweet-potato-quinoa-black-bean-salad/.
I make sweet potato chips weekly for snacks, so if you'd like that recipe for an every day treat, I'd be happy to share! I just ask that you help spread the word on natural options for hormonal balance by sharing this article. Then you can reply to this post and I'll email it over to you. My focal desire is to empower women with hormonal and emotional health without all the side-effects, so stay posted for more to come!
Yours in health,
Crystal Nix, DC, CAc