Name: Blue Cohosh
Latin: Cauophyllum thalictroides
Other Common Names:
Family:
Parts Used: Root/Rhizome
Vitamins/Minerals:
Used for: Primarily useful during childbirth, it helps to stimulate the uterine muscles and dilate the cervix. Antispasmodic and antirheumatic. Strangely, it can help to avert later term miscarriages. Helps to deal with the symptoms of menopause.
Use in tandem with:
Directions & Warnings: Usage during pregnancy or labour should be supervised.
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.
Name: Alfalfa
Latin: Medicago Sativa
Other Common Names:
Family:
Parts Used:
Vitamins/Minerals:
Used for: Alfalfa is a fairly deep rooted plant, and thus picks up trace minerals from the soil. Because of this action, it can be used as a cover crop, and then some of it plowed under to doubly enrich the soil. It contains essential digestive enzymes and amino acids. It is quite rich in vitamins, and can be used as a tonic infusion for regular use, although the taste may be a little “green” for many. It can be used as a blood thinner, and a detox herb. Some athletes use it for increasing endurance and energy. As alfalfa is one of the vitamin rich tonic herbs, it can be used to assist in a variety of conditions, as malnutrition or lacking in specific nutrients can make just about any condition worse. Alfalfa is also a galactagogue, which means that it assists in increasing the production of milk while nursing. It can also be used as a gentle substitute for estrogen after menopause. There are also signs that it helps to maintain normal cholesterol levels.
Use in tandem with:
Uses for Pets: Arthritis, blood disorders
Directions & Warnings: None known