Eliminating foods which are high in omega-6 fatty acids which increase the inflammatory response may be useful.Karen Brabec recalls the story ruefully. This underscores the importance of receiving treatment by educated practitioners trained and experienced in herbology. The roots of comfrey contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids or PAs which are harmful to the liver. The plants themselves have different constituents. The cultivated comfrey is a large plant with purple or blue flowers. The wild comfrey is a small plant with yellow flowers. These two plants are very dissimilar in appearance. uplandica x) the x means that the plant is a hybrid. On further review there are two species of comfrey: the first is wild comfrey ( Symphytum officinale) and cultivated comfrey ( S. Use of comfrey ( Symphytum uplandica x ) also known as Russian comfrey, has been questioned due to the incidence of liver damage. Oatstraw is an excellent nervine herb which both nourishes and tones the nervous system. Oatstraw ( Avena sativa), comfrey ( Symphytum uplandica x) and linden ( Tilea europea) are typically used in pelvic floor dysfunction. The use of nourishing herbal infusions is used to calm nerves, ease muscle spasms, and reduce pain. MAM is a therapy described as a “noninvasive, external massage which guides internal abdominal organs into their proper positions for optimal health.” Additional information on this technique can be found at (Accessed 5/21/14). Weekly sessions are recommended until pain is relieved. The use of whole body massage, Mayan Abdominal Massage (MAM) or electromagnetic therapy relaxes the pelvic muscles and normalizes the nervous system. The tip of the tongue touches the front teeth to complete an energy path according to Ayurvedic practice (author’s personal experience). The patient is taught to breath in through the nose for four counts, hold the breath for seven counts, and then breathe out with a rush through the mouth. Andrew Weil at the University of Arizona’s Integrative Medicine Program. A popular breathing technique used by the author is the “4-7-8” breathing exercise taught by Dr. These exercises often involve holding the breath and then exhaling to a counted measure. Deep-breathing or breathing exercises are used to consciously slow down breathing and to focus on taking regular, deep breaths. Caution must be used in patients who are suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder or acute mental illness as this can trigger reemergence of negative images. This technique is also called visualization. Guided imagery can be self-guided or delivered by a practitioner either present or on an audio device. In this technique negative images are replaced with pleasant ones.
![symphytum uplandica x symphytum uplandica x](http://gallery.nen.gov.uk/assets/0606/0000/0495/100_2008.jpg)
Guided imagery also uses focus as a means of relaxation.
![symphytum uplandica x symphytum uplandica x](https://theediblegardennursery.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/golden-variegated-comfrey-870x870.jpg)
Many patients will find that combining a healthy diet with herbal support can decrease many of their pelvic floor symptoms and lead to an improved generalized well-being.
![symphytum uplandica x symphytum uplandica x](http://www.dorsetnature.co.uk/images/wildflower2/wf-320a4.jpg)
Dietary supplements can also be used in patients whose diet is less than ideal. Referral to a registered dietitian can also be of benefit to those patients who need additional guidance, or coaching in order to improve compliance with implementing the needed dietary changes. The use of an elimination diet is also used for selected patients. In the authors’ clinic the recommendation for a Mediterranean diet is given. The use of probiotics in selected patients can also help to regulate bowel function. The use of fiber supplements along with appropriate fluid intake can regulate bowel movements in many patients. By assisting the patient to obtain an optimal weight and stable blood glucose level, improvements in both mood and digestion can be seen. Addressing nutrition to improve pelvic floor function will not only benefit the pelvic floor but also the entire body as a whole. Many patients with chronic pelvic dysfunction/pain also have complaints of bowel dysfunction such as bloating, constipation, flatulence, and irritability. This section will address common nutrition as it relates to the health of the pelvic floor. The cornerstone of any therapy or health plan should rest firmly upon nutrition.