Herb-Of-The Week / Menopause / PMS

I have to overcome my reluctance (shyness) about posting things
peculiar to female issues. Many women seem to be suffering from a lot
of the same concerns so I will cover a few concerns.

[[[ UTI ]]]

I'm assuming that most women already know about Cranberry Juice for
UTI. Not cranberry juice cocktail. But 100% cranberry juice which can
usually be purchased at health food stores. Pure cranberry juice is
very, very tart. It may have to be diluted with water or white grape
juice or something. Again, use 100% juice. Cranberry juice COCKTAIL
contains FAR too much sugar usually in the form of high fructose corn
syrup. Sugar is the last thing you need for an infection. Drink plenty
of water to flush the system. Drink water before and after sex to
produce a continuous stream of urine to wash out any germs. Avoid
airtight clothes and pantyhose. Try 100% cotton. Drink cranberry juice
EVERYDAY. Avoid excessively acidic foods such as orange juice and
grapefruit juice (and other citrus fruits). Avoid tomatoes, alcohol,
chocolate and coffeee. Coffee is sorta acidic and has also been linked
to repeated attacks.

[[[ YEAST ]]] (Candida)

Again, the first and foremost preventive measure is to wear 100%
cotton panties so you can "breath" down there.

Secondly eat plenty of yogurt with live active cultures. Avoid the
fancy yogurts with their fruits and EXTREMELY high amounts of corn
syrup and/or sugar. The FDA recommends less than 10 teaspoons of sugar
daily. Some of these yogurts excede that in ONE serving. Yeast feeds
off sugar. Use plain yogurt with LIVE and ACTIVE cultures. Some
yogurts contain live cultures; but not live and active. Let yours have
LIVE AND ACTIVE cultures of acidophilus and bifodophilus bacteria.
This restores the proper balance of "good" bacteria to "bad" bacteria
in our bodies. Think of your body as an African safari. If the
predators such as the lions, leopards and cheetahs out-number the
antelopes and gazelles then the results can be disastrous. The same
thing happens within our bodies. Yogurt helps restore the balance of
"good" bacteria. Even though this is a very, very basic explanation it
is a good analogy. The details are far more expansive than this; but
the documented and proven fact remains that yogurt is very effective
towards preventing yeast infections. Always avoid the sugary and
flavorful yogurts. Use plain yogurt with live active acidophilus
cultures and add your own honey, nuts and fruits.

Acidophilus is also available in supplement or pill form and is
commonly used to treat yeast infections, improve digestion, and
alleviate diarrhea. It is sold in the refrigerated section in health
stores or the health section of the grocery store. They are called
probiotics. Recent studies indicate that acidophilus may offer some
protection against colon and breast cancer by discouraging the
reabsorption of estrogen back into the blood stream.

Nettle or Stinging Nettle is another herb that has been used
effectively against yeast infection. It is mostly/commonly used for
hayfever and allergies. But as you know, most herbs have more than one
use. For instance nettles may be used to control excessive menstrual
flow AND because it's rich in iron it'll replace the lost iron and
prevent anemia by helping produce more red blood cells. Nettle
increases milk flow in nursing mothers. It seems to me that nettle is
a overall good herb for women. One last thing. If you're diabetic;
nettle may help because it lowers blood sugar.

<<< In case you're thinking of growing your own; never eat raw nettle
- it may cause kidney damage.>>>

A diet low in sugars, and refined foods is needed for avoiding yeast
infections. In one study, steering clear of sugar AND EVEN ARTIFICIAL
SWEETNERS resulted in a sharp reduction in the occurence and severity
of yeast infections. Women who have a yeast infections all the time
should limit their intake of sugar, fruit juices, and refined
carbohydrates (white flour as in cake, doughnuts, white bread, pasta
etc.). Once you acquire a taste for whole wheat and whole grain bread
and pancakes and waffles - you may never go back!!.

[[[[ MENOPAUSE ]]]]

In America menopause is usually combated with HRT or Hormonal
Replacement Therapy. It is still debatable as to whether or not this
causes breast cancer. There MAY be less controversial ways of handling
menopause.

It has been stated on more than one occassion by more than one doctor
that:

".....If possible, women should follow their mothers' lead and letting
it naturally pass. Menopause is a short-term phenomena like puberty.
You wouldn't think of interfering with puberty, would you?..."

But ... some herbs that are said to help are...

BLACK COHOSH is the natural alternative to HRT. It has been used
effectively in Germany since 1956 and is approved by the Commision E,
the German equivalent of the FDA. There were no side effects reported
in their studies. The German studies indicate that it CAN however be
used with women who have a history of endometriosis, uterine fibroids,
liver disease, pancreatitis, gall-bladder disease and even breast
cancer. Black cohosh is known as a phytoestrogen - a substance that
acts like estrogen but is not in fact estrogen, thus cuasing none of
the side effects associated with estrogen.

<<<<women. >>>>>
<using black cohosh.>>

In the USA Black cohosh can be found at any health food store and many
drugstores and grocers that have health sections. It is claimed to be
effective against all of the symptoms associated with menopause (i.e.
depression, anxiety, nervousness, heart palpitations, night sweats,
hot flashes, sleep disturbances etc.)

RED CLOVER has been used for thousands of years to treat acne, eczema,
and psoriasis. Recent research shows the herb also works as a natural
estrogen replacement. It contains phytoestrogens (plant estrogens)
called isoflavones and coumestrol, which can reduce hot flashes and
cholesterol levels and even help protect bones. Preliminary research
also shows that red clover can help prevent vaginal tissue atrophy and
help maintain healthy lubrication.

[[[[ PMS ]]]]

CHASTE TREE or VITEX was used in the days of old as a form of birth
control; hence the name - chaste tree. It alledgedly decreases the
libido. Makes you not WANT to "do it", but ironically it increase
fertitlity. Nowadays herbalist use it to manage PMS and menstrual
irregularity. It is supposed to relieve the breast tenderness that
accompanies PMS. Now, in the 21st century, there is an
over-the-counter version of vitex that is used to treat infertility.
During a study, after taking vitex for three months, most of the women
either achieved pregnancy or had a normal menstrual cycle. Here's an
old method of birth control that probably got a lot of young women in
trouble. At any rate, like most herbal things, it is not a short-term,
fast acting herb. To straighten out an irregular cycle will take months.

DANDELION LEAF might help relieve the breast tenderness of PMS. Don't
use it everyday - because it acts as a diuretic, it might cause mild
dehydration. Just take it on the days when your breasts feel tender.
Also, don't take it if you are already taking other diuretics and
don't take it if you're pregnant or nursing. It may not be good for
people with gall bladder problems either. You can purchase Dandelion
Leaf in capsule form at your local health food store or herbal store.

An unrelated but useful piece of information is about the root of the
dandelion. Dandelion ROOT is good for the liver and may be used for
hepatitis and alcohol related liver damage.

DONG QUAI - In traditional Chinese medicine, DONG QUAI is often
referred to as the "female ginseng." Dong Quai helps promote normal
hormone balance and is particularly useful for women experiencing
premenstrual cramping and pain. It is used for abnormal menstruation,
suppressed menstrual flow, painful or difficult menstruation, and
uterine bleeding. Many women take 2-3 grams of Dong quai capsules or
tablets per day.

Dong Quai is generally considered to be of extremely safe. It may
cause some fair-skinned persons to become more sensitive to sunlight.
Persons using it on a regular basis should limit prolonged exposure to
the sun or other sources of ultraviolet radiation. Dong Quai is not
good for pregnant or lactating women.

Until next time remember, most illness (upwards of 80% according to
experts) can be attributed to FOUR important factors that can eaken
your immune system and your ability to fight off disease. In this order:

1. INADEQUATE REST - Research continues to prove, that no two ways
about it, good quality sleep has proven to be the singlemost important
factor in determining or influencing your health.

2. INABILITY TO DEAL WITH STRESS - If you run around all day like a
chicken with it's head cut off, it will increase your chances of
getting ill and will aggrevate, tremendously, any illness that you
already have, no matter what it is. Anxiety, depression, anger, guilt
or also STRESS factors. LEARN TO FORGIVE AND LET GO.

3. INADEQUATE OR IMPROPER NUTRITIONAL HABITS. There are a lot of
practicing vegetarians lately and some load up on the white sugar,
white flour, starches, processed and refined foods. Many whole
foods/alternative medicine type practioneers believe we should be
eating at least 5 times as many fruits and vegetables as meats. Most
experts agree that most diets are seriously deficient in the amounts
of fruits and vegetables that we should be eating to remain healthy.

4. INADEQUATE EXCERCISE - A sedentary lifestyle that does not include
enough excercise will catch up with you. FIND SOME KIND OF PHYSICALLY
ENGAGING ACTIVITY EVEN IF IT'S ONLY WALKING!

LEGAL DISCLAIMER - Required by the FDA.

The statements on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and
Drug Administration and these statements are not intended to diagnose,
treat, cure or prevent
any disease.

Until next time,

Q