CHAPTER 4
Living Twenties to Perimenopause
LIVING is the time frame from your twenties to the close of your reproductive years. You are moving through your days with intention, new directions, ideas, and creation. You are hopeful, and the dreams of your future are almost tangible. Your body is heightened in form and function, ready to adjust and compensate for everything you do. Your central nervous system, heart, digestion, and hormonal processes are at their height of function. Your liver is capable of handling almost anything that comes its way, making detoxification thorough and complete. Stress is still moderated by the adrenal glands, and optimal physical function is easier to achieve. Although youth has a way of making you feel invincible, know that how you take care of your body now will determine how well it functions in the years to come.
Living is the phase that most of my interns, staff, and new herbal students are in when I meet them. I refer to them as the herbal-enthusiastic youth who are reclaiming their bodies and the wisdom of herbal medicine. Perhaps you too are reading this and feeling the excitement of what herbs and herbal medicine have to offer. Maybe with each page you read, you are remembering the connection to plants you had as child—for instance, when you climbed a tree, picked a pretty flower, or joyfully played in the grass. You remember the sense of healing and connection to your body that nature offered. Remembering the feelings connected to plants and the healing they offer gives you hope and connection to yourself and your body. Time and time again, I hear the same story from new herb students. They say it’s as though they already know the information when they learn about the herbs and their potential. For many, it’s a natural transition into using herbs regularly.
As we reach our twenties, we have gained experience and knowledge about ourselves and our bodies. We typically know what works for our bodies and what doesn’t, even if we haven’t mastered how to consistently choose correctly. A helpful concept to consider for the Living phase is the theory of the seven-year health cycle for women. It has been studied by many healing philosophies, including Chinese medicine and biodynamic emotional healing practitioners. Using a framework of human development in seven-year increments can teach us what about our bodies is growing, being developed, or in decline depending on where we are in our life. Such insight gives us the opportunity to use herbal medicine to support wherever we are in our life cycle. By working with the body’s natural cycles, we can feel and be our best any stage of life. The Living cycle flows through the reproductive years, when many women decide to conceive and have children. Knowing this cycle is helpful when considering conception and caring for children.
THE ENERGETIC THEORY OF THE CYCLES OF THE FEMALE
Cycle One
The first cycle begins at birth and is complete at age seven. Our growth and sustainability are focused on basic needs of care, food, and love. These are the foundations of survival. The first organs to be completely developed in utero are the kidneys, because processing nutrients and eliminating waste are necessary for survival. According to Chinese medicine philosophy, at the time of conception some energy (known as jing) is taken from both the mother and the father to create the child. The health of this energy is dependent on how healthy the parents are. If both parents are relatively healthy, there is adequate energy to spare, and the child starts off balanced and in good health. If they are not, the child may start life deficient in energy, which can cause initial developmental struggles or weakened health at any time of life.
As we continue to make strides in the field of genetics, you can also think of the word energy as genetics. As we now know, genes and their expression can be turned on or off depending on the state of our health. Another way to conceptualize this is to think of this energy as a person’s constitution. I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “She has a strong constitution.” The prenatal energy is the constitution, the foundation. What happens to children after birth is the accumulation of postnatal energy. This is gained through what they eat, the love they receive, the conditions they live in, and their overall health. All this postnatal energy contributes to the health of the child and eventually the adult. As I mentioned above, the kidneys filter out waste and retain nutrients. In essence, the kidneys train us to hold onto what is vital and release what is not. Being able to do this is important throughout life.
Using herbs throughout the first seven years not only supports the developing systems of the body but also creates nourishment in a unique way. Children use an exorbitant amount of energy on a daily basis. Ensuring they have all the nutrients they need to reach their fullest potential can be challenging. Herbal syrups, teas, and glycerin drops offer additional options when eating regularly becomes a struggle. With my daughter, tea parties became a regular occurrence beginning at age two. Having tea as a normal part of her routine made it easy to incorporate it into her diet when needed. For example, when she was “too busy” to eat and I didn’t feel like battling to get her to, we’d compromise on tea. I would make her a cup of mineral tea: alfalfa, nettle leaf, dandelion leaf, barley, and a bit of honey. Not ideal, but as any parent can attest, it’s better than nothing when your kid just won’t eat. Each spring I’d make a nettle leaf, dandelion root, and catnip syrup to support her liver and digestive system. It’s not that anything was wrong, but the energy of spring is a great time to support the liver, and supporting the liver and digestive system is doing what I do best—preventive medicine. Another great way to use herbs with kids is herbal candy. You can mix different combinations of powdered herbs with honey and nut butter. Simply roll this mixture into little balls and store them in the refrigerator.
From ages seven to fourteen, a whole new world begins to form around children. They will often start to explore outside their normal comfort zone and be able to do things physically that they weren’t able to do before. On the inside, their kidneys are now vital and strong. New systems are getting more development attention. As the body grows, the sense of self, what a child likes and doesn’t, also grows. The opportunity for independent thinking increases, and the reproductive system is slowly coming into maturation. Hair, teeth, and bones are also growing stronger. Baby teeth are often lost around ages six and seven, a sign that a child is vital and healthy. According to educational theorist, social reformer, and philosopher Rudolph Steiner, the loss of teeth indicates a shift in focus away from body awareness to the beginning of mental capacity. One example of this is the shift from kindergarten, which is often focused on play, to first-grade brain learning, such as reading and math.
This is a wonderful time to introduce children to herbs and making herbal medicine. I often start with teaching them how to make a lip balm or a salve. Most children enjoy hands-on activities that result in an end product they can use. Having the lip balm after making it themselves can inspire them. Teaching them how to make tea and encouraging them to blend different herbs together makes for a fun afternoon as you try out different mixtures. As with anything you do with kids, give them the keys for success. Use herbs such as mint, chamomile, catnip, lemon balm, rose petals, and lavender, which all have a relatively pleasant flavor. Growing up with herbs as a part of their home medicine gives children an advantage as they age. They are often more knowledgeable and confident in caring for themselves as adults.
Cycle Two
The next cycle begins at age fourteen, and the most apparent development is in the reproductive organs. If they haven’t already, girls often are experiencing menarche, hormone regulation, and breast development. Again referring to Chinese medicine philosophy, a girl’s energy and blood are strong at this age, and her capabilities are limitless if given the opportunity. From the ages of fourteen to twenty-one, girls are experiencing an extremely important time of physical, emotional, and mental development. Because she is young, her physical health is often vital even if her resources are less than ideal. The impact of what her surroundings offer will be profound at this time and have the potential to shape who she will become. If she is given a positive opportunity, a positive environment, and/or the knowledge of how to communicate and express herself, she will have an incredible foundation for her future. Young women at this stage have a growing need to create personal and private space. Seeking self-identity within the world they’ve known their whole life—primarily the family unit—balanced with developing their identity in the outside world via dating, expanded social activities, and school can make this stage overwhelming and confusing to a young woman. Using herbs to support her menstrual cycle and emotional well-being will not only ease this cycle but also help encourage healthy cycles for years to come.
Cycle Three
At the exciting age of twenty-one, young women are often living busy lives, and their fertility energy is considered fully developed. Ovulation and menstruation are typically well established. Cultures around the world picture the maiden as a young, round, soft woman aged twenty-one to twenty-eight. I like to use the word full because it encompasses what this time offers her. Fertility, or being fertile, gives us the perception of being full. But it’s not just a physical fullness; she is also full of dreams, creations, and hopes for the future. I often hear of young women who don’t wish to get pregnant having birthing dreams at this age. A pregnancy or baby dream often indicates the creation of something new in one’s life. Philosopher Tony Crisp says it so well: We start to build the foundations of our careers and intimate relationships with a driving energy that we hope will gain us entry and respect in the larger world. Perhaps a young woman has just started working full-time, has taken on the responsibility of a new project, or has made a relationship commitment to another person. These are all new steps into adulthood and are the defining nonphysical aspects for this time.
Drink herbal teas daily to support your life during this phase. If you notice something out of rhythm, try to identify it. Ask yourself questions and do your best to determine what might be causing the change you feel. Try using herbs in new ways, perhaps as tinctures or syrups. Ensuring your reproductive and digestive systems are balanced and functioning well throughout this time will promote health down the road.
Whatever routines you establish from ages twenty-one to twenty-seven will create who you are at twenty-eight. Try your best to have regular exercise, positive outlets for fun, and balanced eating habits. At twenty-one years old, I ate a lot of ramen noodles and McDonalds. I was poor, and these foods were easy and cheap. No one really taught me how to cook as a child, but when I moved to Seattle at age twenty-five, I was determined to try. I remember walking around the produce section in awe of the number of vegetables I had never seen before. I chose kale and beets to take home with me. Although the first several attempts at cooking them weren’t very tasty, I definitely felt better after eating them than I did after eating a meal from McDonalds. By age twenty-eight, I had two years of cooking disasters and successes under my belt. (One downside to being poor is that even if what you cook tastes awful, you have to eat it!)
Cycle Four
Age twenty-eight is a good time to take a moment and reflect on your physical health. If you are experiencing a physical symptom regularly, it’s time to explore practitioner-guided care. This could mean headaches, digestive upset, insomnia, menstrual irregularities—basically anything that is a deviation of normal function. I’m continually surprised at what woman consider normal these days. Having a headache twice a week isn’t normal, folks. Seek health care and get some relief. Many of us learn to live with daily health inconveniences without realizing they can change. The first step is to achieve body awareness and become the expert in how and what affects your body. When does the symptom occur? What makes it worse? Better? Pay attention and be your own health detective.
Cycle Five
At ages twenty-eight to thirty-six, we’re often faced with a persistent desire to create change if change is needed. This could be a small change in your routine or diet or a big change in your relationship or job. If the winds of change are calling, I urge you to follow your heart. Remember, you can always come back. The cost of not listening to what needs to be changed in your life will take its toll over time.
Use herbs to help you feel your best and to help you see clearly what you want for yourself. When your body is free of toxins, your brain thinks without resistance and your heart can guide you to your truth. Establish supportive herbal routines. Perhaps each month you might focus on one area of your body, such as the heart, hormones, or respiratory system. Have a daily tea or tincture to support whichever system you are working with. Use herbs in ceremony as you work through what is and what isn’t working in your life. Reflect upon the moon and sip on rosemary and damiana to entice your dreams to share the secrets of your subconscious.
I remember being a young child and thinking that thirty-five was so old! But as a woman of thirty-five, you have often reached a whole new level of self-empowerment and physical strength. This is the age at which it is important to begin regular self-care of the physical body. Self-care is also considered preventive care. Care for your skin by washing and moisturizing regularly. Care for your heart and circulatory system with regular cardiovascular exercise and dry skin brushing. Care for your soul with scheduled massages, facials, or a walk in your favorite woods. This is an interesting age, and it is the time I often see new patients in my office. I call it the “all of a sudden” phase, because symptoms see to arise out of nowhere. This is when I educate the patient on how the body works. It isn’t that all things suddenly quit working; it’s more that you’ve reached a tipping point and the body now must pick and choose which areas to focus on. Symptoms tend to arise in the areas that are now getting less attention.
A common example is a new food allergy. A patient may come in complaining that suddenly she can no longer eat cheese without gas and bloating. Nine times out of ten, the patient’s body has always struggled to digest cheese but was able to compensate for years. As the body ages, it can no longer make such compensations. As inflammation increases, the digestive system loses its ability to digest properly. As a result, new symptoms arise.
Another example is the rise in insomnia as we age. In Chinese medicine philosophy, sometime between the ages of thirty-five and forty-two is when your energy resources begin to dissipate. This means that unless you do healthy things to fill up the reserves, aging has the potential to accelerate. If you’ve had stress in your life for a while and haven’t done anything to replenish yourself, your adrenal glands have most likely been overexerted. Over time, one of the side effects of the adrenals losing their reserves is ineffective cortisol release. This can affect sleep patterns. If you make healthy living a priority, you can perpetually fill up your vital energy and decrease the aging process.
My top tips to accomplish this?
1. Hydrate.
2. Eat loads of vegetables daily.
3. Drink teas made with nourishing tonic herbs.
4. Exercise.
THE LIVING PHASE
The entire Living phase is a prime opportunity to use herbs to promote health and healing. I’ve also found that learning and using herbs at this time of your life creates a deeper connection to your body. Those who begin their herbal journey during the Living phase will, more often than not, use herbs again and again throughout their lives.
It’s important to create balance during the Living phase. If you are experiencing obvious hormonal imbalance, now is the time to address it. The earlier we course correct hormones, the easier it is. The longer you wait, the longer it takes to shift the body back into balance. Looking into your future, think about caring for your body like a temple. Honor it and care for it, and it will provide for you.
From the ages of twenty-one to forty-two, one woman can be lucky and sail through on the winds of health while another will struggle with symptoms of imbalance. The conditions I see most commonly during the Living phase are fibroids, ovarian cysts, PCOS, endometriosis, heavy bleeding, fertility and conception concerns, pregnancy, and postpartum issues. Bladder complaints, stress, general fatigue, and other topics are included in the “Support” chapter of this book. Many women also experience menstrual irregularity, spotting, and PMS during this phase, so please see the “Dawning” chapter, as these are covered there.
As a doctor, woman, and friend, I’ve had many personal conversations about pregnancy. I feel strongly that it is every woman’s choice to have children or not. The decision to have children, no matter how many, is a personal choice, just as is the decision to not have children. Woman live powerfully fulfilled lives in either case and should not be judged for the choices that best reflect who they are and what they want in life. To lift up our womankind, be kind and not judgmental regarding the choices others make.
With each of the following conditions, I will provide easy recipes for making your own herbal medicine at home. As a reminder, herbs are powerful medicine and always need to be used with knowledge and wisdom.
FIBROIDS
Let’s just say it: Fibroids are annoying. They are one of the first “diagnoses” that may women encounter, often identified during an annual physical exam when they are not even aware of them. If untreated, fibroids can grow and eventually lead to increased menstrual bleeding, pregnancy implantation issues, pain during sex, backache, and digestive issues. Although benign, meaning they aren’t cancerous and rarely become cancerous, they are frustrating. No one should have to suffer through any of their symptoms, and sex should be pleasurable, not painful. The one consideration with herbal treatment of fibroids is that there is minimal success in completely shrinking those of significant size. There is noted success with inhibiting growth and greatly reducing smaller fibroids, but both require diligence and consistent treatment as part of daily life.
There are three types of fibroids: submucosal, intramural, and subserosal. Submucosal fibroids grow into the uterus. They can take up space in the uterine cavity, cause heavy bleeding, and interfere with conception. Intramural fibroids grow between the inside and outside of the uterus, actually in the uterine muscle. Subserosal fibroids grow on the outside of the uterus, where they can often be felt during an abdominal/uterine exam.
Determining the cause of fibroids can be complicated because it is most likely more than one element. In today’s world, women are subjected to much more that affects our bodies and hormones than in previous decades. Phthalates, xenoestrogens, food preservatives, higher stress loads, poorer water quality, some types of birth control, lack of estrogen, African-American decent, and prolonged sitting have all been linked to fibroids.
In addition to the recipes that follow, you might consider some other natural treatments as well. Refer to chapter 1 for details on each.
• Digestive enzymes between meals; the idea is that the enzymes will target the fibroid and aid in breakdown.
• Mayan abdominal massage to reduce pelvic stagnation.
• Acupuncture and moxa to reduce pelvic stagnation.
Stock your herbal pantry with the following for fibroids:
Black Cohosh root
Burdock root
Cinnamon bark
Dandelion root
Fennel seed
Ginger root
Licorice root
Nettle leaf
Orange peel
Oregon Grape root
Shepherd’s Purse
Turmeric root
Vitex berry
Wild Yam root
Yellow Dock root
Fennel
TEA TO HALT FIBROID GROWTH
I’ve yet to see herbal medicine alone completely dissolve uterine fibroids, but I have had some success with inhibiting growth.
2 ounces (56 g) dried burdock root
1 ounce (28 g) dried dandelion root
3/4 ounce (21 g) dried yellow dock root
1 ounce (28 g) dried Oregon grape root
1 ounce (28 g) dried wild yam root
1/4 ounce (7 g) dried ginger root
11/2 ounces (42 g) dried orange peel
3/4 ounce (21 g) dried fennel seed
YIELD: 8 ounces (224 g)
Combine all ingredients; store in a glass jar. Make medicinal strength (see here) and drink 3 cups daily for 12 weeks.
FIBROID GROWTH HALTER TINCTURE
Here’s another optional treatment to consolidate efforts to stop fibroid growth.
Note: Replace licorice root with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) rhodiola and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of slippery elm bark if you have hypertension.
2 tablespoons (30 ml) black cohosh root tincture
11/2 tablespoon (25 ml) licorice root tincture
11/2 tablespoon (25 ml) vitex berry tincture
11/2 tablespoon (25 ml) turmeric root tincture
1 tablespoon (15 ml) nettle leaf tincture
YIELD: 4 ounces (120 ml)
Combine all ingredients in a 4-ounce (120 ml) amber dropper bottle. Take 2 dropperfuls 3 times per day between meals for 8 to 12 weeks. Do not take with food.
EXCESSIVE BLEEDING TINCTURE
Sometimes fibroids can cause excessive menstrual bleeding. If you are noticing flooding, or prolonged bleeding, give this tincture a try.
4 teaspoons (20 ml) shepherd’s purse tincture
2 teaspoons (10 ml) cinnamon bark tincture
YIELD: 1 ounce (28 ml)
Combine all ingredients in a 1-ounce (28 ml) amber dropper bottle.
DOSAGE: 1 to 2 dropperfuls every 20 minutes until bleeding greatly reduces; not to exceed 6 to 8 doses per 24 hours.
FIBROID HORMONE BALANCE TINCTURE
This hormonal tonic targets fibroids and the excess hormones that often create them.
2 tablespoons (30 ml) burdock root tincture
2 tablespoons (30 ml) vitex berry tincture
1 tablespoon (15 ml) black cohosh root tincture
1 tablespoon (15 ml) wild yam root tincture
11/2 teaspoons (7.5 ml) dandelion root tincture
11/2 teaspoons (7.5 ml) yellow dock root tincture
11/2 teaspoons (7.5 ml) Oregon grape root tincture
11/2 teaspoons (7.5 ml) ginger root tincture
YIELD: 4 ounces (120 ml)
Combine all ingredients in a 4-ounce (120 ml) amber dropper bottle. Take 1 dropperful 3 times per day for 8 to 12 weeks.
ESSENTIAL OIL BLEND
This blend is to be used topically on the abdomen over the uterus in an effort to reduce fibroid growth.
50 drops cypress essential oil
50 drops frankincense essential oil
25 drops basil essential oil
15 drops thyme essential oil
1/2 teaspoon (3 ml) apricot essential oil
YIELD: 2 teaspoons (10 ml)
Combine all oils in a 5 ml glass European essential oil dropper bottle. Rub a small amount on the abdomen over the uterus each night for 4 to 6 weeks.
OVARY ISSUES
Our ovaries direct our reproductive hormones and process in a delicate dance every month. Supporting their function and the hormones that influence them is one way to improve reproductive health.
Stock your home herbal pantry with the following for ovarian health:
Alfalfa leaf
Blue Cohosh
Burdock root
Chamomile flowers
Chickweed
Corn Silk
Crampbark
Gravel root
Nettle leaf
Peppermint leaf
Poke root
Slippery Elm bark
Vitex berry
White Peony
Wormwood
Ovarian Cysts
These painful fluid-filled sacks arise on the ovaries and can grow to impressive size. Some grow and shrink each month with the hormone fluctuations; others grow and grow until bursting. I’ve had many patients end up in the Emergency Room with intense pain from ovarian cyst rupture. This pain is severe, and I would never question a woman’s discomfort in such a situation.
HERBAL INFUSED CASTOR OIL
Topical application is one way to treat any condition. Castor oil’s anti-inflammatory actions pair well with the following herbs to reduce pain and occurrence of ovarian cysts.
1 ounce (28 g) dried chickweed
1 ounce (28 g) dried crampbark
1/2 ounce (14 g) dried poke root
16 ounces (475 ml) castor oil
8 ounces (235 ml) olive oil
YIELD: 1 to 2 cups (235 to 475 ml)
Preheat oven to 170°F (77°C). In a glass baking dish, cover herbs with castor and olive oils. Bake for 4 hours. Strain and store in a container of your choice. Apply 1 to 3 teaspoons (5 to 15 ml) twice daily to the abdomen above the ovaries.
HORMONES TARGETED: OVARIAN CYSTS
Reducing estrogen levels and pain, as well as supporting optimal ovarian function, is the focus of this blend.
3 tablespoons (45 ml) vitex berry tincture
3 tablespoons (45 ml) blue cohosh root tincture
3 tablespoons (45 ml) white peony root tincture
YIELD: 4 ounces (120 ml)
Combine all ingredients in a 4-ounce (120 ml) amber dropper bottle. Take 1 dropperful 3 times per day.
POTASSIUM BLAST TEA
Theories abound that cysts are easily created when potassium is deficient. This tea will provide some needed potassium to make it more difficult for them to form.
1 ounce (28 g) dried corn silk
1 ounce (28 g) dried nettle
1 ounce (28 g) dried alfalfa
2 ounces (56 g) dried burdock
3 ounces (84 g) dried peppermint
YIELD: 8 ounces (224 g)
Combine all ingredients; store in a glass jar. Make medicinal strength (see here) and drink 2 cups daily for 4 to 8 weeks.
Corn Silk
PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)
PCOS is diagnosed when a woman shows multiple cysts on an ovary or ovaries. This can happen due to hormone imbalance, ovary dysfunction, or the use of birth control. The symptoms can vary, but the most common are menstrual irregularities, absence of menstrual cycle, acne, weight gain around the middle, excessive hair loss or growth, fertility issues, mood disorders, and/or blood sugar/insulin disorder. Treatments that get the ovary back to regular function are best.
PCOS TINCTURE
This was the formula I was prescribed when I was diagnosed with PCOS. It was my first experience with herbal tinctures, and I’ll never forget it. The taste was intense, but my body began to crave it. Although I also utilized acupuncture, made dietary changes, and stopped smoking, I know this tincture did its part in reestablishing my ovulation function.
1/3 cup (80 ml) vitex berry tincture
3 tablespoons (45 ml) false unicorn root (Chamaelirium luteum) tincture
YIELD: 4 ounces (120 ml)
Pour both herbal tinctures into a 4-ounce (120 ml) amber bottle; shake gently to mix. Take 1 teaspoon (5 ml) twice daily for 8 to 12 weeks.
TOPICAL OIL FOR PCOS
Combine the following oils for topical application. Utilizing both essential oils and herbal oils, this blend strives to regulate hormones that support natural ovulatory function.
1/2 ounce (14 g) dried motherwort leaf
1/2 ounce (14 g) dried cleavers leaf
1 cup (235 ml) olive oil
4 ounces (120 ml) castor oil
20 drops clary sage essential oil
10 drops geranium essential oil
10 drops ylang-ylang essential oil
10 drops lavender essential oil
YIELD: 1 cup (235 ml)
Preheat oven to 170°F (77°C). Place herbs in a glass baking dish and pour enough olive and castor oils over them to cover by 1 to 2 inches (3 to 5 cm). Bake for 4 hours. Allow to cool, and then strain into a storage container. Add essential oils and shake gently. Apply daily to the abdomen over the ovaries.
PCOS CAPSULE SUPPORT
If capsules are your preference, these are for you. They support ovarian function, with the added benefit of working through the digestive track, which is often compromised in PCOS patients.
1 ounce (28 g) vitex berry powder
1/4 ounce (7 g) wild yam root powder
1/4 ounce (7 g) yellow dock root powder
1/4 ounce (7 g) Oregon grape root powder
1/4 ounce (7 g) blue vervain leaf powder
YIELD: 200 capsules
Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Use the mixture to fill empty vegetable capsules. Take 2 capsules twice daily for 6 to 12 weeks.
ENDOMETRIOSIS
Endometriosis is a complicated disease that can have devastating effects on a woman. This condition can be limited to the reproductive organs, or it can make its way to almost any organ it chooses when left to its own devices. Pain is the key symptom here: worsening pain with menstruation, bowel pain, or pain with sex. Because many other conditions present similarly, prompt diagnosis is important and is often accomplished by pelvic examination and or ultrasound/scanning.
Stock your home herbal pantry with the following for endometriosis:
Burdock root
Dandelion root
Dong Quai
Elderberry
Hawthorn berry
Horsetail
Milk Thistle
Motherwort
Plantain
Poplar buds (fresh)
Prickly Ash
Red Raspberry
Saw Palmetto berry
St. John’s Wort
Turmeric
Vitex berry
Milk Thistle
GENTLE MOVER TINCTURE
When we think of endometriosis, we often think of stagnation. This blend works to gently move the blood to reduce adhesions and pain. If you are experiencing excessive bleeding, try this formula in small doses initially. You may need to leave out the dong quai and motherwort because they move blood so well, but in the small amounts here, I find them more helpful to leave in. If you notice an increase in menstrual bleeding, replace them with 4 teaspoons (20 ml) of red clover.
2 tablespoons (30 ml) prickly ash bark tincture
4 teaspoons (20 ml) elderberry tincture
4 teaspoons (20 ml) blueberry tincture
4 teaspoons (20 ml) milk thistle tincture
2 teaspoons (10 ml) dong quai root tincture
2 teaspoons (10 ml) motherwort tincture
2 teaspoons (10 ml) dandelion root tincture
YIELD: 4 ounces (120 ml)
Combine all ingredients in a 4-ounce (120 ml) amber dropper bottle. Take 1 dropperful 3 times per day.
TOPICAL ABDOMINAL CARE FOR ENDOMETRIOSIS
Using castor oil to reduce inflammation can significantly alleviate the discomforts of endometriosis. As previously discussed, the castor oil is absorbed through the skin; when herbally infused, it can possibly provide potent healing.
16 ounces (475 ml) castor oil
8 ounces (235 ml) olive oil
1 ounce (28 g) fresh horsetail leaf
1/2 ounce (14 g) fresh plantain leaf
1 ounce (28 g) St. John’s wort flowers (fresh)
1 ounce (28 g) poplar buds (fresh)
YIELD: 3 cups (705 ml)
Place all ingredients in a slow cooker and set on low for 1 week. Strain mixture and store in an amber glass bottle. Apply twice daily to the abdomen.
Horsetail
ENDOMETRIAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY SUPPORT CAPSULES
These capsules are another herbal approach to reducing inflammation and endometrial clot formations that can lead to the adhesions of endometriosis.
1/2 ounce (14 g) saw palmetto berry powder
1/2 ounce (14 g) turmeric root powder
1/4 ounce (7 g) prickly ash bark powder
1/4 ounce (7 g) burdock root powder
YIELD: 100 capsules
Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Fill empty vegetable capsules with the mixture. Take 4 capsules twice daily.
MENORRHAGIA (HEAVY BLEEDING)
Whether you are experiencing a prolonged menstruation cycle or an excessive menstrual cycle, you need to reduce flow. Excessive bleeding can result in vitamin and mineral deficiencies, anemia, shortness of breath, and fatigue.
Stock your home herbal pantry with the following for heavy bleeding:
Blue Cohosh root
Cayenne
Cinnamon
Crampbark
Ginger
Mistletoe leaf
Motherwort
Shepherd’s Purse
MENORRHAGIA INHIBITOR TINCTURE
Heavy menstrual bleeding can leave you exhausted and weak. When enough is enough, reach for this herbal hemostatic.
1/3 cup (80 ml) shepherd’s purse leaf tincture
2 tablespoons (30 ml) blue cohost root tincture
2 teaspoons (10 ml) cinnamon bark tincture
10 drops cayenne tincture
YIELD: 4 ounces (120 ml)
Combine all ingredients in a 4-ounce (120 m) amber dropper bottle. Take 1 to 2 dropperfuls every 20 minutes for up to 4 hours to decrease or stop menstrual bleeding.
SHOCK TEA (Courtesy: Dr. John Christopher)
Dr. John Christopher, an herbalist and naturopathic physician, made herbal medicine his lifelong study. His accounts of treating various people and conditions are amazing, and I’ve used this formula often to nip excessive menstrual bleeding in the bud.
1 cup (235 ml) warm water
2 tablespoons (40 g) honey
1 tablespoon (15 ml) apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon (5 ml) cayenne powder
YIELD: 1 serving
Stir all ingredients together; drink.
HEAVY DAYS TEA
Usually at some point in your menstrual bleeding, there are 1 to 2 heavier days. Drink this tea the day before and throughout those days to decrease excessive blood loss.
1 ounce (28 g) dried mistletoe leaf
1 ounce (28 g) dried blue cohosh root
1 ounce (28 g) dried crampbark
1 ounce (28 g) dried ginger root
YIELD: 4 ounces (112 g)
Combine all ingredients in a glass jar. Use to make tea as needed.
Blue Cohosh
CALM BLEEDING FOMENTATION
Sometimes a little self-care can go a long way. Use this poultice on heavy cramping/bleeding days to provide relief and reduction for both.
1 ounce (28 g) dried shepherd’s purse leaf
1 ounce (28 g) dried saw palmetto berry
1 ounce (28 g) dried crampbark
1 ounce (28 g) dried mistletoe leaf
1/4 ounce (7 g) dried cinnamon chips
YIELD: 1 treatment
Mix all ingredients. Place 8 tablespoons (36 g) in a muslin bag. Submerge in 4 cups (950 ml) of water and simmer on low, covered, for 30 minutes. Turn off the heat and let sit, covered, for another 30 minutes. Saturate a cotton cloth and place on your abdomen for 15 to 30 minutes covered with a warm towel.
FERTILITY
Truth be told, this section could be a whole book unto itself. There are so many helpful ways in which herbs can support the woman from conception to postpartum. The history of herbs in pregnancy is profound, and the gentle ways in which herbs can work truly support every woman through this rite of passage.
Stock your home herbal pantry with the following for fertility:
Alfalfa leaf
Angelica root
Black Cohosh
Burdock root
Chamomile
Dong Quai root
Ginger root
Kelp powder
Licorice root
Maca root
Oat Straw
Partridgeberry
Passionflower
Peppermint
Rose petals
Sassafras bark
Schizandra berry
Skullcap
Spirulina powder
Vitex berry
Wild Yam root
See the Dawning chapter for hormone regulation support to normalize menstrual cycles. If it doesn’t happen quickly or easily, trying to conceive can switch from an exciting time to one filled with stress. Unfortunately, this raises hormones that inhibit conception. Supporting the reproductive system with hormone-balancing herbs and ensuring stress levels remain low are important. This is easier said than done; I myself experienced challenges when trying to conceive my second child. If your mind begins to take over, drink the Calm Vessel Tea (see next page) and do your best to stay positive.
FERTILITY TEA
This blend is packed with fertility-loving herbs.
2 ounces (56 g) dried vitex berry
2 ounces (56 g) dried burdock root
1 ounce (28 g) dried angelica root
1 ounce (28 g) dried dong quai root
1 ounce (28 g) dried sassafras bark
1 ounce (28 g) dried licorice root
1 ounce (28 g) dried orange peel
1/2 ounce (14 g) dried ginger root
1/2 ounce (14 g) dried black cohosh
1/2 ounce (14 g) dried wild yam root
YIELD: 10 ounces (280 g)
Combine all ingredients; store in a glass jar. Make medicinal strength overnight (see here) or simmer 1 to 2 teaspoons (1.5 to 3 g) in 12 ounces (355 ml) of water, covered, on low for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain and drink 3 cups per day for 6 to 12 weeks to prime your body for conception.
HAPPY OVARIES CAPSULES
Ensuring that our ovaries are getting the nutrients they need is just as important as having our hormones in check.
1/2 ounce (14 g) maca root powder
1/2 ounce (14 g) vitex berry powder
1/4 ounce (7 g) spirulina powder
1/4 ounce (7 g) kelp powder
1/4 ounce (7 g) dong quai root powder
1/4 ounce (7 g) schizandra berry powder
YIELD: 200 capsules
Combine all ingredients; use mixture to fill empty vegetable capsules. Take 2 capsules, 3 times per day.
THE DESTRESSED CONCEPTION TINCTURE
Trying to make a baby should be a fun and exciting time. Keep things in perspective and take this tincture daily to help support the emotional process.
2 tablespoons (30 ml) partridgeberry tincture
2 tablespoons (30 ml) skullcap tincture
4 teaspoons (20 ml) chamomile tincture
4 teaspoons (20 ml) passionflower tincture
4 teaspoons (20 ml) rose petal tincture
YIELD: 4 ounces (120 ml)
Combine all ingredients in a 4-ounce (120 ml) amber dropper bottle. Take 1 dropperful 3 times per day.
CALM VESSEL TEA
There are times I truly need a moment of calm, yet I just can’t seem to slow down enough to get it. Drinking this tea helps a great deal in my efforts to get there.
1 ounce (28 g) dried oat straw
1 ounce (28 g) dried skullcap
1/2 ounce (14 g) dried chamomile flower
1/2 ounce (14 g) dried alfalfa
1 ounce (28 g) dried peppermint
YIELD: 4 ounces (112 g)
Combine all herbs; store in a glass jar. Make by the cup as needed: Steep 2 teaspoons (3 g) in 12 ounces (355 ml) of boiling water, covered, for 10 minutes.
PREGNANCY
Once you find yourself pregnant, your feelings can swing widely. Pregnancy can be emotionally and physically draining, but herbs can support you safely throughout.
Stock your herbal home pantry with the following for pregnancy:
Alfalfa leaf
Ashwagandha root
Basil
Calendula flowers
Catnip
Chamomile flowers
Clove fruit
Comfrey leaf
Elderflowers
Fennel seed
Geranium leaves
Ginger root
Lavender flowers
Lemongrass
Nettle leaf
Orange peel
Peppermint
Red Raspberry leaf
Rose petals
Rosemary leaf
MORNING SICKNESS HERBAL ICE POPS
I find that ice pops seem to cut nausea off at the pass. Infuse the herbs and then freeze them for relief from morning (or anytime) sickness.
1/2 ounce (14 g) dried ginger root
1/2 ounce (14 g) dried lemongrass
1/2 ounce (14 g) dried catnip leaf
1/2 ounce (14 g) dried berries (raspberries, strawberries, or cranberries)
YIELD: Varies depending on ice pop molds
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Pour 3 quarts (3 liters) almost-boiling water over the herbs and cover. Let steep for 1 hour. Strain and pour into ice pop molds; freeze. Enjoy as needed.
NAUSEA RELIEF TEA
Here’s another delicious way to combat the ongoing struggle of nausea during pregnancy.
1/2 ounce (14 g) dried basil
1/2 ounce (14 g) dried ginger
2 ounces (56 g) dried peppermint
YIELD: 3 ounces (84 g)
Combine all herbs; store in a glass jar. Make by the cup as needed: Steep 1 to 2 teaspoons (1.5 to 3 g) in 10 ounces (285 ml) of boiling water, covered, for 10 minutes.
Ginger
YUCK MOUTH REFRESHER SPRAY
There is something about fresh breath that improves any situation. Use as needed for a little freshening up or at the onset of nausea to help temporarily reduce it.
1 ounce (28 ml) distilled water
10 drops peppermint and spearmint or cinnamon and clove essential oils
YIELD: 1 ounce (28 ml)
Pour water into a 1-ounce (28 ml) bottle with an atomizer; add essential oils and shake well.
MOM-TO-BE TEA
Maintaining our nutrient intake through tea is an excellent way to get B vitamins, calcium, and trace minerals. The tea is absorbed right through the digestive track and into the bloodstream to nourish ourselves and our baby and to tone the uterus as it grows and prepares for labor.
1 ounce (28 g) dried nettle leaf
1 ounce (28 g) dried lemon balm leaf
1/2 ounce (14 g) dried red raspberry leaf
1/2 ounce (14 g) dried alfalfa leaf
1/4 ounce (7 g) dried ashwagandha root
YIELD: 31/4 ounces (91 g)
Combine ingredients; store in a glass jar. Place 3 tablespoons (13.5 g) of tea in 16 ounces (475 ml) hot water. Cover and let steep overnight; strain in the morning. Drink 1 to 2 cups per day for 10 to 12 weeks before due date.
PREGNANT BELLY OIL
Massaging your growing belly is an excellent way to connect with your baby. With the right combination of oils and herbs, you can also reduce stretch marks and overstretching of skin. Apply daily for best results. Some women love to slather it on; others prefer just enough to soak in to soften the skin. How much you use will determine how long it will last.
2 ounces (60 ml) coconut oil
2 ounces (60 ml) rosehip oil
2 ounces (60 ml) grapeseed oil
2 ounces (60 ml) calendula oil
40 drops frankincense essential oil
20 drops orange essential oil
10 drops ylang-ylang essential oil
YIELD: 8 ounces (235 ml)
Mix all ingredients together; store in an 8-ounce (235 ml) bottle. Label and keep in a cool, dark place.
TUMMY TROUBLES TEA
Constipation is no stranger when changes in hormones are occurring. This gentle tea will help reduce bowel stagnation, reducing the promotion of hemorrhoids.
2 ounces (56 g) dried catnip leaf
1 ounce (28 g) dried chamomile flowers
1/2 ounce (14 g) dried fennel seed
1/2 ounce (14 g) dried ginger root
1/4 ounce (7 g) dried cloves
YIELD: 4 ounces (112 g)
Combine all ingredients; store in a glass jar. Steep 1 to 2 teaspoons (1.5 to 3 g) in 1 cup (235 ml) of boiling water, covered, for 8 to 10 minutes.
HERBAL SACHET FOR SLEEP
Some women sleep well during pregnancy; others struggle to get the rest they need. Having a sleep sachet next to the pillow can assist with relaxation and deeper sleep for some. Try mixing these or other herbs you like into the sachet; lay it next to or under your pillow while you sleep.
1/2 ounce (14 g) lavender flowers
1/2 ounce (14 g) rose petals
3/4 ounce (21 g) comfrey leaf
1/4 ounce (7 g) orange peel
1/8 ounce (3.5 g) geranium leaves
YIELD: 1 sachet
Combine all herbs and stuff them inside a cloth pouch. You can make a sachet pouch out of almost any type of fabric. Cut two rectangles of fabric to the same size and pin them with right sides together. Stitch hems on three sides and then turn right side out. Fill the pouch with your herbal combination and stitch the remaining side closed.
HERBAL BATH FOR PREGNANCY
Extremely hot baths are not advised during pregnancy, but I think I would have been a hot mess without the ritual of my nightly relaxing bath. It gave me a moment to connect with the baby, myself, and what lay ahead.
2 ounces (56 g) dried rose petals
2 ounces (56 g) dried lemongrass
2 ounces (56 g) dried rosemary leaf
2 ounces (56 g) dried jasmine flowers
YIELD: 8 ounces (224 g)
Combine herbs; store in a glass jar until needed. Put 6 to 8 tablespoons (27 to 36 g) in a muslin bag and add to the bath as the water is running. Keep the bathroom door closed to keep the aromatic steam in the room.
PREGNANCY MASSAGE OIL
Having your partner or friend offer mini back, foot, or hand rubs can really make a difference in your pregnancy experience. Don’t forget your partner during pregnancy! Offering to give your partner a little massage is a great way to say thank you for all his or her support.
1 ounce (28 g) dried rosemary leaf
1/2 ounce (14 g) dried chamomile flowers
1/2 ounce (14 g) dried rose petals
2 cups (475 ml) jojoba oil
40 drops rose essential oil
YIELD: 2 cups (475 ml)
Preheat oven to 170°F (77°C). Place herbs in a glass baking dish and pour enough jojoba oil over them to cover by 1 to 2 inches (3 to 5 cm). Bake for 4 hours. Allow to cool and then strain into a plastic squeeze bottle. Add rose essential oil.
PERINEUM STRETCH OIL
Many midwives recommend perineum massage daily during the last 6 to 8 weeks of pregnancy to help prepare for labor. Place one or two fingers on the opening of the lower vaginal canal and apply gentle pressure downward and then in a sweeping motion side to side in a U shape. This can help prepare the body for labor and is thought to reduce vaginal tearing.
1/4 ounce (7 g) dried lavender flowers
1/4 ounce (7 g) dried rose petals
1/4 ounce (7 g) dried elder flowers
1/4 ounce (7 g) dried comfrey leaf
1 cup (235 ml) grapeseed oil
60 drops rose essential oil
YIELD: 1 cup (235 ml)
Preheat oven to 170°F (77°C). Place herbs in a glass baking dish and pour enough grapeseed oil over them to cover by 1 to 2 inches (3 to 5 cm). Bake for 4 hours. Allow to cool; strain and store in a lidded container of your choice. Add rose essential oil and shake gently. Use enough oil to lubricate the fingers for an easy gliding motion.
Rose
LABOR SUPPORT
I’ve had two children vaginally, and while I’d love to say I was one of those glorious goddesses who walked in the woods and sipped my herbal tea until I was ready to push, I was not. Labor rocked me. Beforehand, I prepared an entire labor kit to use for various things I might encounter. It included contraction regulators, pain supporters, herbs to encourage the cervix to ripen, an herbal soup packet to make and sip if my energy waned, and relaxation blends. I did get the chance to sip the soup, and I definitely utilized the pain tincture, but labor after my second pregnancy was so fast that most of it went by the wayside. Even so, I enjoyed being prepared and felt supported each day before the birth when I looked over my herbal allies.
Stock your home herbal pantry with the following for labor:
Ashwagandha root
Astragalus root
Black Cohosh
Blue Cohosh
Catnip leaf
Crampbark
Fresh Ginger root
Lycii berry
Motherwort leaf
Red Raspberry leaf
Schizandra berry
Skullcap leaf
CONTRACTION INITIATION TEA
Only drink this tea if you are 40 weeks or more pregnant. Black cohosh is also helpful throughout labor if contractions stall.
3 tablespoons (72 g) black cohosh root
3 tablespoons (72 g) blue cohosh root
YIELD: 2 pints (946 ml)
Put blue cohosh in a pint jar (473 ml) and black cohosh in another pint jar. Fill both jars with hot water; allow them to steep for 4 hours or overnight. Strain and drink 6 ounces (175 ml), alternating jars, every 30 minutes for 4 hours. If you become nauseated, discontinue.
TEA TO ENCOURAGE THE OPENING OF THE CERVIX
When labor draws near, this tea can help open the cervix.
1- to 2-inch (3 to 5 cm) piece fresh ginger
2 tablespoons (9 g) dried red raspberry leaf
YIELD: 1 cup tea
Simmer fresh ginger in 1 quart (946 ml) of water. Turn off the heat and add 2 tablespoons (9 g) red raspberry leaf. Steep 1 to 2 hours. Drink 6 ounces (175 ml) every 20 minutes for 4 hours to encourage regular contractions and opening of the cervix once labor has begun.
LABOR PAIN SUPPORT TINCTURE
“Mind over matter,” they say, but there was no way I could have meditated my way out of labor pain! This tincture allowed me a bit of reprieve and a moment to get my feet back on the ground.
1 tablespoon (15 ml) skullcap tincture
1 teaspoon (5 ml) catnip tincture
1 teaspoon (5 ml) crampbark tincture
1 teaspoon (5 ml) motherwort tincture
YIELD: 1 ounce (28 ml)
Combine all ingredients in a 1-ounce (28 ml) amber bottle with dropper. Take 2 dropperfuls as needed throughout labor, typically every 60 minutes but can be every 1 to 2 hours.
HERBAL SOUP PACKET
Simmer the following herbs with vegetable or chicken stock for a nourishing and supportive broth to drink during labor.
1 whole astragalus root
1/2 ounce (14 ml) tincture schizandra berries
1/2 ounce (14 ml) tincture lycii berries
1/2 ounce (14 ml) tincture ashwagandha root
32 ounces (946 ml) vegetable or chicken stock
YIELD: 32 ounces (946 ml) soup
If you’d like to make this ahead of time, combine the dried ingredients and store in a glass jar in the pantry until ready to use. Then, simply add to the stock and simmer for 1 to 2 hours, covered. Drink 8 ounces (235 ml) throughout labor to offer strength and nutrient support.
POSTPARTUM
Healing after labor can be as challenging as being a new mother. Luckily, our hormones are riding high, which eases the discomfort somewhat, but we still need to be cognizant of self-care during this time. Ask for assistance! As the new mother, no matter if this is your first child or your third, having support can create time for you to care for your body in its time of need. Having the following formulas on hand before labor is advisable.
Stock your home herbal pantry with the following for postpartum:
Anise seed
Arnica flowers (fresh)
Astragalus root
Basil leaf
Beet powder
Blessed Thistle leaf
Calendula flower
Comfrey leaf
Elderberry
Fennel seed
Fenugreek seed
Goat’s-Rue
Hop flowers
Motherwort leaf
Nettle leaf
Nettle leaf
Oat Straw
Poplar buds (fresh)
Red Raspberry leaf
Rose petals
Rosehips
Rosemary leaf
Schizandra berry
Skullcap
St. John’s Wort
St. John’s Wort (fresh)
Vitex berry
Yellow Dock
POSTPARTUM SITZ BATH
Using herbs to heal the perineum and vaginal tearing will enable you to be more mobile and increase your overall comfort level. See here for more on sitz baths.
1 ounce (28 g) comfrey leaf tincture
1 ounce (28 g) calendula flower tincture
1 ounce (28 g) basil leaf tincture
1/2 ounce (14 g) rose petal tincture
1/2 ounce (14 g) rosemary leaf tincture
YIELD: 4 ounces (112 g)
Combine all ingredients; store in a glass jar. Steep 5 tablespoons (22.5 g) in 1 quart (946 ml) of water for 2 to 4 hours or overnight. Strain the herbs out and save them for a second infusing if desired. Warm the infusion and add to sitz bath basin. Add 1 to 2 quarts (946 to 1892 ml) warm water if desired and submerge the perineum twice daily, if possible, for 7 to 10 days.
HERBAL BLOOD BUILDING SYRUP
If excessive blood loss occurred during labor, your stores need to be replenished. The herbs in this formula are traditionally used for blood building and iron fortifying.
1/2 ounce (14 g) dried yellow dock
1/2 ounce (14 g) dried rosehips
1/2 ounce (14 g) dried beet powder
1/4 ounce (7 g) dried anise seed
1/4 ounce (7 g) dried elderberry
1 to 2 cups (340 to 680 g) honey
YIELD: 4 cups (940 ml)
Gently simmer herbs in 4 cups (950 ml) water over medium-low heat until water is reduced by half. Strain, add honey, and stir until completely dissolved. Take 2 teaspoons (10 ml) twice daily.
POST-DELIVERY RECOVERY TINCTURE FOR STAMINA
Labor is exhausting. Having a newborn is exhausting. This blend helps gently support you without stimulating your baby, if you’re breastfeeding.
2 tablespoons (30 ml) astragalus root tincture
2 tablespoons (30 ml) schizandra berry tincture
1 tablespoon (15 ml) nettle leaf tincture
1 tablespoon (15 ml) calendula flower tincture
1 tablespoon (15 ml) elderberry tincture
1 tablespoon (15 ml) comfrey leaf tincture
YIELD: 4 ounces (120 ml)
Combine all extracts in a 4-ounce (120 ml) amber dropper bottle. Take 1 dropperful 2 or 3 times per day.
MOTHER’S FLOW TEA
Relax, stay calm, and try this formula to support breast milk production.
1 ounce (28 g) dried goat’s-rue
1 ounce (28 g) dried fennel seed
1 ounce (28 g) dried fenugreek seed
1/2 ounce (14 g) dried nettle leaf
1/2 ounce (14 g) dried red raspberry leaf
1/2 ounce (14 g) dried blessed thistle leaf
1/8 ounce (3.5 g) dried hop flowers
YIELD: 4 ounces (112 g)
Combine all ingredients; store in a glass jar. Make medicinal strength (see here). Drink 3 cups daily for 8 to 12 weeks.
MOTHER’S FLOW TINCTURE
If you’d prefer your breast milk production assistance in tincture form, this recipe is for you.
2 tablespoons (30 ml) goat’s-rue tincture
4 teaspoons (20 ml) fennel seed tincture
4 teaspoons (20 ml) fenugreek seed tincture
4 teaspoons (20 ml) blessed thistle leaf tincture
2 teaspoons (10 ml) nettle leaf tincture
2 teaspoons (10 ml) red raspberry leaf tincture
2 teaspoons (10 ml) hop flower tincture
YIELD: 4 ounces (120 ml)
Combine all ingredients in a 4-ounce (120 ml) amber dropper bottle. Take 2 dropperfuls 3 times per day.
C-SECTION TOPICAL TREATMENT
Caesarians are tough to heal from. This treatment aims to reduce swelling and tenderness.
1 ounce (28 ml) poplar oil
1 ounce (28 ml) arnica oil
1 ounce (28 ml) St. John’s wort oil
1 ounce (28 ml) comfrey leaf oil
25 drops rose essential oil
YIELD: 4 ounces (120 ml)
Combine the first four oils in a 4-ounce (120 ml) bottle and then add the rose essential oil. Shake gently to combine. Apply 3 times per day around the incisions.
POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION TINCTURE
The rise and fall of hormones throughout and after pregnancy can greatly affect the mother’s personality. I often see women who believe they are incapable of bonding with their baby, yet after using hormone-balancing herbs and treatments, they realize the chemical imbalance in their body, not their lack of love, was to blame. Herbs may not always help postpartum depression, but they are a good place to begin.
1 tablespoon (15 ml) motherwort leaf tincture
1 tablespoon (15 ml) vitex berry tincture
2 teaspoons (10 ml) St. John’s wort tincture
2 teaspoons (10 ml) skullcap tincture
2 teaspoons (10 ml) oat straw tincture
YIELD: 2 ounces (60 ml)
Combine all ingredients in a 2-ounce (60 ml) amber dropper bottle. Take 1 dropperful 3 times per day for 1 to 2 months. If symptoms worsen or do not diminish, please consult your natural health care provider.
Throughout the Living years, may you be blessed with health, happiness, and prosperity. Use your strength to take you beyond your dreams and use herbs to support you along the journey.