Tag Archives: Menses

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Vitamin E

Useful For:  Decrease in risk for hayfever, supports healing, good for skin and hair, increases heart health, regulates blood pressure.  As an antioxidant, it helps to protect against cancer.  It can also assist with lessening the effects of female hormonal issues (hot flashes and difficult menses).

Herbal Sources:  Alfalfa, Bladderwrack, Dandelion, Dong quai, Flaxseed, Nettle, Oatstraw, Raspberry Leaf, Rose Hips

Food Sources:  Wheat germ, whole grains, expeller-pressed vegetable oil, nuts and seeds, dark green leafy vegetables, sweet potatos, and brussel sprouts

Warnings:  High dosage Vitamin E (600-800 IU) should not be done without the oversight of a medical professional if you are on blood-thinners, have a bleeding disorder, or a Vitamin K deficiency.

 

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Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)

Name:  Black Cohosh

Latin:  Cimicifuga racemosa

Other Common Names:

Family:

Parts Used:  Root

Vitamins/Minerals:

Used for:  As a natural supplier of estrogen, black cohosh is an herb that is useful for a wide variety of female issues.  The research studies have focused primarily on its use for menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, vaginal discomfort, and osteoporosis.  It also assists with incidences of menstrual migraines.  It is also useful for pms, assisting with a wide range of symptoms, and helping to ease painful menstruation.  It is useful during labour, facilitating effective contractions.  Also assists with the recovery after the child is born.  It is said to ease false labour pains, but overall I do not suggest using at all during pregnancy until labour has begun.

Use in tandem with:  Red Clover

Directions & Warnings:  Do not take this herb if you are pregnant or planning on becoming so.  Do not give this herb to children.  Also, if you begin having headaches after taking black cohosh, it is likely a sign that your estrogen levels are fine and you should use something else.  Sarsaparilla and Ginseng are decent substitutes.  Over 50 years of studied use in Germany have yielded no sign of toxicity, side effects, or drug interactions.

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Catnip

Name:  Catnip

Latin:  Nepeta Cataria

Other Common Names:

Family:  Mint

Parts Used:

Vitamins/Minerals:  Calcium

Used for:  Can be used for easing menstruation, relieving colic, and to relax you into sleep.    Also falls into the category of herbal pain relief, working by soothing and strengthening the nerves and muscles, rather than by deadening nerves.  Also acts as a muscle relaxant and antispasmodic, and can assist with cramps and spasms.  Good choice for herbal vinegars, due to the amount of calcium it contains.  More commonly used for cats, to make them act somewhere between happy and a bit crazy.

Use in tandem with:

Directions & Warnings:

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Pennyroyal (Hedeoma pulegiodes)

Name:  Pennyroyal

Latin:  Hedeoma pulegiodes

Other Common Names:

Family:

Parts Used:

Vitamins/Minerals:

Used for:  Good as a poultice for burns.  Works on uterine muscles to promote contractions, and is a good tonic for menstrual problems.  It is a powerful emmenagogue, however, and should not be taken while pregnant or trying to become pregnant.  The oil can be helpful for headaches, if the scent is inhaled.

Use in tandem with:

Directions & Warnings:  Not for use during pregnancy or while attempting to become pregnant.

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Cramp Bark

Name:  Crampbark

Latin:

Other Common Names:

Parts Used:  Bark

Vitamins & Minerals:

Used for:  This is one of the rarer herbs that can be used for the female reproductive system.  It relaxes the ovaries and uterus, meaning that it can both help to stop a miscarriage, and ease a rough period.  It is also a stimulant to the kidneys, increasing their ability to clean the body.  The relaxant and anti-spasmodic effects are not merely useful for the uterus, so this herb can be used in preparations for other muscular issues as well.  This herb can also be used in pain preparations, as it has rejuvenating effect on the nervous system, strengthening and easing it over time.

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Red Raspberry (Rubus Idaeus)

Name:  Raspberry

Latin:  Rubus Idaeus or Rubus Strigosus

Other Common Names:

Family:  Rosaceae

Parts Used:  Leaves and Berries

Vitamins & Minerals:

Used for:  This herb is considered to be one of the best for later on in pregnancy, and can be used to tone and condition the uterus, regardless of whether or not you are pregnant.  However, it is also a blood thinner, and I do not suggest that anyone with a history of miscarriage utilize this until the pregnancy is well established.  After birth, raspberry will help to increase milk supply.  It is also used to help combat post-partum depression.  Fresh raspberries steeped in vinegar are a heart tonic.

Use in tandem with:

Directions & Warnings:  Raspberry is a blood thinner, and should be used with caution if you utilize prescription blood-thinners.