Herbal Medicine II - The Reproductive System

Question 1

The Reproductive System:

Answer 1

In traditional cultures plant healing was often the realm of women. This was particularly so for female reproductive health (gynaecology):
* This has led to an impressive range of natural approaches for treating female reproductive disorders and supporting female fertility, gestation and childbirth.
* Shatavari is the foremost Ayurvedic herb for female reproductive problems and is particularly renowned as a sexual tonic and adaptogen.

Question 2

Emmenagogue:

Answer 2

Emmenagogue: Stimulates menstrual flow, generally by increasing blood flow to the pelvis and / or stimulating uterine contractions.
* Motherwort leaf and angelica root can be used if menstrual flow is absent, scanty, or clotted.
* 2 tsps infused 3 x daily.

Question 3

Galactagogue:

Answer 3

Galactagogue: Increases breast-milk production.
* Fennel seeds not only increases breast-milk production, but minute quantities of volatile oil (carminative) are provided to the infant, helping infantile colic.
* 1 tsp infused 3 x daily (taken by mother).

Question 4

Anti-spasmodic:

Answer 4

Anti-spasmodic: Relieves smooth muscle spasm.
* Cramp bark is a uterine relaxant, decreasing pain associated with uterine contraction and is specific for mild to moderate period pain.
* 1 tsp decocted 3 x daily a few days prior to and during menstruation.
* For more serious pain e.g. endometriosis, qualified herbalists only use stronger Jamaican dogwood (restricted herb).

Question 5

Uterine astringent:

Answer 5

Uterine astringent: Reduces heavy bleeds.
* Ladies mantle is an astringent herb with a long history of use for heavy periods. Beth root (birthroot) was traditionally used to reduce bleeding following childbirth.

Question 6

Female hormones balance:

Answer 6

Female hormones can be balanced via the pituitary gland, the master gland of the endocrine system:
* Agnus-castus fruit (in small doses) can restore balance when there is menstrual irregularity related to low progesterone and / or an oestrogen dominant state, such as absent, short, long or erratic cycles and PMS (especially with mastalgia).
* The herb can play an important role in treatment for PCOS, and in pre-conception strategies.
* Dose: 15 drops of tincture in water once daily.

Question 7

Herbs for the menopause:

Answer 7

Herbs for the menopause:
* Sage leaf is a traditional remedy for hot flushes and excess perspiration and to support associated nervous system symptoms such as altered mood and cognition. 2 tsps infused 3 x daily.
* Black cohosh root has oestrogen-modulating effects and has shown benefits for vasomotor and psychological symptoms.
* 1 tsp decocted 3 x daily.

• Shatavari root is a general female tonic, enhances libido and has demulcent effects for dry, inflamed tissues including vaginal tissue.
• 1 tsp decocted 3 x daily (in India 1–2 tsps of powder are taken in hot milk at night).

Question 8

Fertility

Answer 8

Fertility is best supervised by a qualified herbalist, however two Indian Ayurvedic herbs stand out for general support:
* Shatavari root for women, means ‘she who has one hundred husbands’!
* Ashwagandha root for men, means ‘strength of a horse’!
* For both herbs: 1 tsp decocted 3 x daily, OR 2 tsps powder in warm nut / dairy milk at night.
* In fertility programmes both partners need to engage in vitality / fertility strategies.

Question 9

Male reproductive health:

Answer 9

Male reproductive health:
* Apart from virility and fertility (both addressed using ashwagandha root), a key concern for men is the prostate gland, which begins to enlarge after the age of 50 and can eventually interrupt the flow of urine.

• Both saw palmetto fruit and nettle root help to reduce prostatic enlargement by decreasing hormonal stimulation of prostate tissue growth (via enzyme inhibition). Saw palmetto also reduces inflammation, oedema and smooth muscle spasm in the prostate.
• 1 tsp decocted 3 x daily.

Question 10

Formula for painful periods:

Answer 10

• 2 parts cramp bark - uterine antispasmodic.
• ¼ part ginger improves circulation to uterine area & reduces inflammation.
• Dose: 1 heaped tsp (decocted) per cup, 3 cups daily. Can also be applied topically to the lower abdominal region.
• Note: This may not be strong enough for severe pain e.g. endometriosis, which may require Schedule 20 herbs (practitioner use only).

Question 11

Formula for heavy periods:

Answer 11

• 1-part ladies mantle leaf - uterine astringent.
• 1-part raspberry leaf - uterine astringent.
• Dose: 1–2 heaped tsps (infused) per cup, 3 cups daily.
• As well as having an anti-haemorrhagic effect (stems bleeding when taken internally), both herbs act to tone uterine tissue. Ladies mantle also reduces inflammation and is typically used for heavy periods associated with pain.

Question 12

Formula for absent or light period:

Answer 12

• 1-part angelica root - warming ‘blood mover’, emmenagogue.
• 1-part yarrow leaf - emmenagogue.
• 1-part motherwort leaf - emmenagogue.
• ½ part ginger warming ‘blood mover’, emmenagogue.
• Dose: 1–2 heaped teaspoons (infused) per cup, 3 cups daily.