For years women have been using herbs to help regulate their menstrual cycles, prevent miscarriages, improve fertility, deal with symptoms of menopause and help with many other gynecological problems. Herbs enable women to participate in their own well-being. There are some herbs that can help strengthen the female organs while others can help with actual problems. Of course before starting any herbal regime, always consult with your doctor.
The first herb we'll look at is Ginseng, Panax quinquefolius, which can help with hormonal imbalance, therefore being good for women who are beginning to experience the symptoms of menopause. It also helps raise your energy to help fight feelings of fatigue, a common pre-menstrual symptom. The Native Americans have used Ginseng for a fertility aid. There are a few ways you can take Ginseng, you can make a tea out of 1 teaspoon of the dried herb, use up to 12 drops of the tincture in a warm cup of water, or lastly you can chew on the dried root, just a tiny bit of it will do. It shouldn't be taken with Vitamin C, as Ginseng can neutralize the effects of it. Ginseng should also not be used while pregnant.
Next is Chaste Berries, Vitex agnus-castus, which can help regulate your menstrual cycle by inducing it. Chaste Berries also decreases bloating and breast tenderness. When ceasing the use of birth control pills, it is especially useful, as it can help get your hormones back to normal. During menopause it can help with hot flashes and night sweats. Finally, Chaste Berries can help bring in milk for women who are lactating. You can use the berries either in a tea or tincture.
Cramp Bark, Viburnum opulus is an obvious choice for women who experience cramps during or before their menstrual cycle. It is an antispasmodic, which decreases cramps. It is also a sedative and an astringent, so it is good for after childbirth if you experience spasms and it can also help prevent miscarriages. It can also be taken as either a tea or tincture.
Nettle, Urtica dioica is wonderful tonic for women. It is very high in vitamins and minerals, such as, iron, magnesium, potassium, calcium and Vitamins A, C and K. It is wonderful to take before, during and after your period to help replenish lost minerals. It is also very good to take while breastfeeding to help the mother and baby get the vitamins and minerals they need. It is recommended to take while in your last trimester for the Vitamin K, which helps prevent hemorrhage. Women who are experiencing menopause can use the calcium that Nettle has to help prevent osteoporosis. It also helps with mood swings. You can make a tea, tincture or powder the herb and take in a capsule.
Red Raspberry, Rubus idaeus, is the last herb we'll look at. This herb is also an incredible tonic for women. It has many vitamins and minerals as well, Vitamins B, C and E and iron, potassium, calcium and phosphorus. Red Raspberry has been taken for years to help strengthen the uterus, and is highly recommended to be taken while trying to conceive and while pregnant. Since the herb is also an astringent it can help with excessive bleeding during your menstrual cycle. The herb is best taken as a tea, but it can be mixed with other herbs to make a tincture.
You can use these herbs individually or mix them together, better yet, experiment, if you love Lavender or Peppermint throw it in, if you've found another herb that's good for your condition, throw it in. Here is one of my favorite mixes, this one helps regulate your menstrual cycle, mix 2 Tablespoons of Peppermint, 1 Tablespoon of Motherwort, Chaste Berry, and 1/2 tablespoon of Horehound. Take a teaspoon of the mix and steep it in a cup of hot water for 10-15 minutes.
A few things to keep in mind when experiencing PMS or even the beginning of menopause, it's all the flow of life and instead of fighting it or getting angry that it's "that time of month" again or you're transitioning to another stage of your life, embrace it. Exercise and a good diet also goes a very long way in helping you stay healthy, take a walk every day to keep the blood flowing and your bones strong, eat some dark green veggies to get your calcium, which can help fight off osteoporosis. Be pro-active in taking care of yourself, not only your body but your mind, and take a minute everyday to just appreciate yourself, give yourself a hug and be proud that you are a woman!

 

Elder is a remarkable plant, you can use its leaves, flowers, bark and berries. I especially enjoy using Elder Flowers, Sambucus canadensis, in quite a few of my tea mixtures. I will also look at the uses for Elder Berries, Sambucus nigra. Elder has been around for centuries, and over the years more uses have been discovered, much of which we will look at here.
The Elder Flowers are great to naturally sweeten up a tea and also goes great with mints; they are an ideal addition to almost any tea. The flowers are also very good for congestion. If you have a cold make a tea with some Elder Flowers, Hyssop, a tiny bit of Goldenseal powder and Peppermint, not only should it help with congestion, it is also great tasting. A good mix to take when you get the first inclination of the flu is Elder Flowers, Peppermint and Lavender. Take a 1/2 tablespoon of each herb and then steep in a pint of boiling water for at least a half an hour, strain, drink and get into bed, you should wake up feeling better and have a head start on knocking the flu out.
In the past Elder Flowers Water was used as a skin treatment. It was a very common thing for women to have it in their toiletries. It was used to clear the skin of freckles, lighten skin and hair, and also treated sunburn. You can make your own Elder Flower Water by filling up a mason jar with flowers; fill it aabout 3/4 of the way up. Then pour boiling water over the flowers, make sure the water is covering them. Place the lid on it, and let it sit for a few days. Afterwards you can bottle and cork it. It can also help with eye irritation. Mix a 1/2 tablespoon of Elder Flower and a 1/2 tablespoon of Eyebright to a cup of boiling water, let it cool, drain, dip a washcloth into the mix and place over eyes.
Elder Berries have been used for making wine and preserves. Making a tea out of the berries has also been known to help with diarrhea. Making syrup out of the berries is very helpful for sore throats and, like the flowers, help with fighting influenza. You can also use the syrup for bronchitis and it helps induce perspiration. To make a syrup heat up a pint of water and add 1/4 tablespoon of Elder Berries, 1/4 tablespoon of Slippery Elm, 1/4 tablespoon of Marshmallow Root, and 1/4 tablespoon of Hibiscus Flowers. Let the mixture simmer, covered for a half an hour. Strain, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of honey, bottle and store. This syrup is great for sore throats, dry or wet coughs and general chest problems.
These are just a few uses of the Elder plant, and I didn't even cover the leaves or bark. I believe John Evelyn said it best , 'If the medicinal properties of its leaves, bark and berries were fully known, I cannot tell what our countryman could ail for which he might not fetch a remedy from every hedge, either for sickness, or wounds.'