A woman's medicine chest: ten herbs for women's unique needs - The Herbalist

Vegetarian Times, July, 1996 by Judith Benn Hurley

Since even before recorded history began, women have been handing down the secrets I of herbal healing. Herbs, like nature in general, have long been associated with feminine energy, and in cultures around the world, women used their intuition to guide them in gathering medicinal plants and developing herbal medicines for their families and communities.

With the rise of Western medicine during the 20th century, women in this country lost touch with this tradition of healing. In the past few years, however, women have begun to rediscover their heritage. finding that learning to use herbs can become a source of empowerment in the pursuit of a preventative and natural lifestyle. Much of the folkloric wisdom about the uses of herbs is now backed by modern scientific research. Herbs have been shown to benefit women in a variety of ways, such as strengthening reproductive organs; providing nutrients of special concern, like calcium and essential fatty acids; and balancing hormones.

What follows is an overview of some herbs that have proven to be especially useful for women. Some you'll want to use when you have a particular condition, such as morning sickness. Others are ones you may want to use frequently in cooking or as a beverage tea. This is by no means a comprehensive list; there are many more herbs especially suited to women's needs.

Keep in mind that even though most herbs are safe, some of the more potent ones may have side effects; before going on an herbal regimen, it's wise to consult with a health practitioner trained in the use of botanicals or to at least read about the herb in books written by practicing herbalists. For a detailed discussion of women's health conditions and herbal remedies for them, you may want to read Herbal Heading for Women, by Rosemary Gladstar (Fireside, 1993). It's a wonderful reference to both the science and art of herbal healing.

BLACK COHOSH

AT AN 1849 CONFERENCE that the American Medical Association held on Native American medicinal plants, practitioners reported the first research on black cohosh. Findings revealed that the root of the herb contains volatile oils and plant-based hormones that act as anti-inflammatories, soothing menstrual cramps and hormone-related headaches. I know of women who claim it is so effective against menstrual pain that they won't leave home without it.

Herbalists recommend black cohosh tincture or capsules. General dosage is 1/4 teaspoon of tincture in cup of warm water, as needed, or one capsule as needed. Pregnant women should not use black cohosh during the early trimesters, because it can cause premature contractions; herbalists often use it at the end of pregnancy though, to stimulate labor. (Do not try this yourself without consulting a health-care practitioner.)

DONG QUAI

THIS SWEET AND EARTHY HERB, the root of Chinese angelica, has been found by Chinese medical research to contain volatile oils and plant hormones that reduce menstrual cramps, regulate the menstrual cycle, relieve constipation due to PMS and menopause, banish PMS bloat, soothe PMS- and menopause-induced anxiety, and--when combined with evening primrose oil (see dosages below)--relieve hot flashes.

Because dong quad may stimulate bleeding, pregnant women should not take it. Women with uterine fibroids also should not take dong quad, as the herb may cause heavier bleeding. Dong quad is available at natural food stores, herb shops or Chinese markets in capsule, tincture or tea form. Chinese herbalists often recommend taking it for two weeks on, then two weeks off, beginning with ovulation and stopping at the end of the period. Capsules generally contain 520 ma. of dong quad, and herbalists advise taking one to two capsules, one to three times a day with meals. For tincture, a standard dose is 1/4 teaspoon in cup of warm water, one to three times a day. To make tea, boil one piece of sliced, dried root in 2 cups of water until the liquid has been reduced to I cup, the dose for the day. The root may be used to make tea a second time; after that, you can add the root to soup stocks, or to the cooking water for such sweet grains as millet.

EVENING PRIMROSE OIL

DOZENS OF CLINICAL STUDIES have been done on oil from the seeds of this North American herb. It's been found to relieve PMS-related breast tenderness, hormone-induced headaches, irregular hormone production and menopause-related indigestion, hot flashes and fatigue. The component responsible for this wide range of positive effects is gama-linolenic acid, which helps the body form certain fatty acids that are anti-inflammatory and beneficial to the heart. Although borage and flax seed oils also contain gama-linolenic acid, evening primrose oil is more effective because it has a higher amount.

Herbalists recommend taking evening primrose oil in capsules, which are available at natural foods stores and some pharmacies. The recommended dosage is anywhere from 500 ma. to 1,500 ma. a day, depending on what level is effective for you; refrigerate the oil to prevent it from turning rancid. Note that heavy alcohol consumption and a diet high in saturated fat (found mainly in animal foods) may prevent the gama-linolenic acid from doing its job.