🌱 Shatavari Root: Shatavari root is also known as "she who has many husbands" and the ''Queen of Herbs''. It has a long history of use for supporting women as a tonic adaptogen and nutritive that promotes both physical and mental health. It helps to improve the body's defense mechanisms and enhance longevity. It is also used to alleviate menopausal symptoms and depression (1). Studies have shown its effective use for protecting against a variety of stressors (2, 3). It has been used to support lactating women and improves the quantity and quality of breast milk (1). It works as a menstrual cycle regulator and has immunomodulating properties. Shatavari is believed to increase fertility in females and helps in conception by restoring hormonal balance in the body of females which is important for conception. It also balances the pH levels in vagina, which increases the chance of pregnancy by creating a proper environment for sperm motility (4). Shatavari assists with alleviating fatigue, vaginal dryness and dry skin. It is a diuretic with demulcent qualities that soothes urinary and gastric irritation. It can be used to soothe inflammation of the urethra and bladder as well as gastric ulcers (5). It has no known interactions or precautions.
🌱 Cramp Bark: This is likely the best uterine nervine herb there is. It is incredibly effective for relaxing uterine muscles and alleviating menstrual cramps. Its also valuable in cases of threatened miscarriage due to nerve stress and uterine tension and can be used to ward off early labor. It is especially useful for painful and difficult menstruation and for nervous afflictions. Valerianic acid in cramp bark (also in valerian root) provides relaxing qualities that are specific to the reproductive system. Cramp bark's high tannin content makes it good in case of excessive bleeding and it is very often used as a remedy for heavy cycles. It is safe used long term with no known side effects.
🌱 Red Raspberry Leaf: This herb has been recognized for a long time as a powerful uterine tonic. Scientific studies and traditional uses confirm its role as an exceptional aid in both pregnancy and childbirth. Fragarine, a main constituent in raspberry leaf, tones and relaxes the pelvic and uterine muscles. It is also a rich source of vitamins and minerals including calcium, iron and potassium. Its astringent properties make it an excellent choice as an herb for excessive menstruation and the high mineral content are valuable to women in all phases of life but especially during monthly cycles. This herb also has no contraindications or known side effects and is safe used long term.
🌱 Nettles: You guys may know I love nettles. They are a powerhouse of nutritive qualities and incredibly valuable. As a general female tonic there are few substances that surpass nettles. They are used to enrich and increase milk flow and aid in restoring and rebuilding energy. Nettles help reduce water retention and bloating, are a remedy for excessive bleeding and its vitamin K content helps prevent hemorrhaging. The vitamins and minerals in nettles are easily used by the body and its one of the best sources of digestible plant based iron there is. Nettle leaf is also high in calcium, vitamin A and chlorophyll. This is another safe herb for use for all ages and no known side effects with extended use.
🌱 Ginger Root: I used fresh ginger root glycerite in this blend and it has several purposes here. Its ability to improve circulation, support women's reproductive problems and soothe digestive disturbances makes ginger an excellent addition to this extract. It also adds a delicious flavor. Ginger has the ability to direct blood flow to the pelvic area and relieve blockages. Its antispasmodic properties serve to soothe and relax the smooth muscles and alleviate menstrual cramps. You can also create an effective poultice of ginger and placed directly over the pelvic area to relieve pain and cramping.
🌱 Dandelion: I used dandelion in this extract for its diuretic properties to alleviate water retention and bloating. Dandelion leaf is a specific herb for kidney and urinary problems and one of the safest diuretics there is. Unlike synthetic diuretics, however, dandelion leaf does not deplete the body of potassium. In fact, they are high in potassium. It is high in plant estrogens and an outstanding healing herb. It is very effective for menstrual bloating, PMS and breast tenderness. The leaves support kidney function to eliminate excess water and toxins. They are high in vitamins and minerals such as A, C, Iron, Calcium and potassium. This is yet another herb with no known toxicity reported and safe for all ages and stages.
🌺 PMS is a general term used to refer to a broad array of symptoms including water retention, depression, nervousness, irritability, swollen tender breasts, cramps, menstrual pain, joint pain, acne, cravings and more. All of these stem from an over-sensitization to sex hormones produced by our bodies. In this extract I endeavored to ease as many of these as I could without using any harsh herbs with side effects or contraindications.
🌺 For many this time of the month brings about intense anxiety in anticipation of how it will disrupt daily life. (Oftentimes the recurrence of painful symptoms is due to past abuse.) These symptoms indicate an imbalance of hormones estrogen, prolactin, adrenal and thyroid hormones. Your monthly cycle shouldn't and doesn't have to be so horrible. Mine used to be heavy for days and days, intense cramping, swelling and inflammation, back and hip pain and it was terribly irregular. I won't go into my personal history here but in the past years, I've gotten things much more manageable. Hopefully I can help you too and this extract is just a start. I also highly recommend drinking NORA tea daily.
🌺 Much of this is reliant on liver health, actually. Estradiol and estrone are the potentially detrimental components of estrogen. They are typically converted into estriol by the liver. This is what combats the negative effects of estradiol and estrone. Liver health and healthy endocrine glands (adrenal and thyroid in particular) are crucial for this process. If the liver is not in good working order, it becomes overburdened and inefficient. Its not able to handle the levels of sex hormones released during menstruation and ovulation. This results in a self poisoning system that is congested with excess hormones, most notably estrogen components, that wreak havoc within the system and lead to PMS and reproductive problems.
References:
1. Romm, Aviva. Botanical Medicine for Women's Health. Elsevier Health Sciences, 2017.
2. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1573(199906)13:4%3C275::AID-PTR510%3E3.0.CO;2-S
3. https://nopr.niscpr.res.in/handle/123456789/23889
4. Bharati, Jaya, and Satish Kumar. "Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus)." Phytobiotics and Animal Production. International Books & Periodical Supply Service, Delhi, India (2019): 567-590.
5. Winston, David and Maimes, Steven. Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina and Stress Relief. Healing Arts Press. 2007
