HERBS for WOMEN'S LIFE CYCLES

HERBS ARE NATURE'S MEDICINE . . . and taking herbs for various WOMEN'S LIFE CYCLES are very important to creating a balanced and harmonious lifestyle. Because our bodies go through such profound changes during menses, pregnancy/childbirth and menopause, the comfort and ease of our life cycles (especially pregnancy and labor) can be facilitated with herbs specifically suited for the woman's feminine essence.

OUR GUARDIAN ANGEL: RED RASPBERRY 

Herbs are amazing, healing tools because herbs 
are whole foods.  Whole foods nourish each 
and every cell in your body. 

Every woman should drink 1-3 cups of red raspberry tea daily. It is a specific tonic herb for the entire reproductive system, regardless of our age (after the onset of the menses).  Following are herbal Suggestions for various stages (pre and post) of Pregnancy/ childbirth.  To alleviate symptoms of jaundice, anemia, constipation and toxemia: alfalfa and red raspberry leaves.

Red Raspberry

To reduce acidity and help with iron assimilation: borage, nettle and clover leaves. As a general tonic: comfrey.

To tone uterine muscles: red raspberry, apple peels, mint, blackberry and peach leaves (also reduces morning sickness).

To aid during childbirth: basil, lavender, nutmeg, red raspberry; squaw vine (taken during last two weeks).

To expel the placenta: chammomile, angelica root, pennyroyal, basil. Afterbirth, to restore the blood: alfalfa, comfrey; to heal placenta site: comfrey, plantain; to stop excess bleeding: yarrow, shepherd's purse, nettle.

Blue Cohosh

Other birthing herbs: blue cohosh, lobelia, squaw vine, sassafras.

Breastfeeding: bayberry, milkwort, chammomile, fennel, hops, blessed thistle, lavender. To increase milk production: fennel seeds, alfalfa, borage, anise/star anise seeds.  To decrease milk: mugwort, sage, mullein, comfrey – for sore breasts use these as a leaf compress or tea. 

Golden Seal

For vaginitis or yeast infection, use Golden Seal, chamomile, sage, comfrey: these may also be taken together. For severe conditions drink 1 cup 1-3 times per day, otherwise one cup every other day. 


As a mild, general tonic to soothe the nerves during menses: clover, chamomile, valerian root and mugwort. 

Parsley

Parsley can be taken to increase menstrual flow (and also to relieve cramps) along with tansy and true unicorn root.





To decrease the menstrual flow: cranesbill, white pine bark, yarrow, white oak bark, juniper berries, bay leaves, black cohosh, skullcap, rue and pennyroyal. 

Penny Royal

Do not take cohoshes (blue and black), pennyroyal or tansy in excess and avoid pennyroyal and rue during pregnancy as they may cause miscarriage. 

Also avoid juniper berries and parsley with kidney problems or inflammation. 

Blessed Thistle

A general tonic for menopause: Blessed thistle, mugwort, rye, sage; to soothe the nerves: hops, valerian root, chamomile and lemon balm; to relieve menopausal symptoms: wild yam, fenugreek, gotu kola, licorice root and sarsaparilla. For best results make a tea combining one herb from each of these groups with an herb high in minerals (dandelion, alfalfa or borage).

AVOID DURING PREGNANCY: tansy, pennyroyal, rue, angelica.

Always look up the herbs for further explanations of each herb and their specific uses.

Suggested reading: The Way of Herbs, by Michael Tierra.