Enhancing the Natural Woman

Herbalists have relied on plants as medicine for centuries, and now increasing evidence demonstrates that herbs can offer gentle relief through the many phases of a woman’s life. It is highly unlikely that women can breeze through the effects of menstrual cycles, hormone imbalances, menopause, osteoporosis, or other female issues without any unpleasant symptoms. Some turn to conventional therapy, which uses pharmaceutical hormones, but typically such treatments have only temporary effects and fail to address the cause. Fortunately there are natural therapies that help to alleviate women’s complaints by supporting the body’s hormonal cycle and restoring a natural rhythm. Here are some herbs that can help women through the inevitable situations of womanhood.

Evening Primrose has gained widespread attention, specifically for its essential fatty acid (EFA) content. Evening primrose oil (EPO) contains essential fatty acids that are essential to good health because our bodies cannot manufacture them, and thus we must get them from food or dietary supplements.

Evening primrose oil is rich in gamma linolenic acid (GLA) and linoleic acid (essential fatty acids), and these fatty acids are especially important because they are the building blocks for prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are hormone-like compounds that regulate many activities in the body, including cardiovascular function, brain and nervous system functions, skin health, and inflammatory problems.

One study shows evening primrose oil alleviates breast pain in women who have both cyclical and noncyclical pain. Another study finds evening primrose oil to be just as effective as the drug bromocriptine in relieving cyclical breast pain, without the side effects of drug therapy. Researchers believe high levels of saturated fat cause breast pain, which makes breast tissue overly sensitive to normal levels of estrogen. Supplementation of evening primrose oil appears to restore the balance of fatty acids in breast cells and hormone receptors, making them less sensitive to estrogen.

Most people use evening primrose oil for the treatment of pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS). Women with PMS may have impaired abilities to convert linoleic acid to gamma linolenic acid. A deficiency of gamma linolenic acid has led researchers to believe it could be a factor in PMS symptoms. Since evening primrose oil contains significant amounts of gamma linolenic acid, researchers have studied the plant as a potential way to reduce symptoms of PMS. While the results of clinical trials on evening primrose oil are mixed, most of the findings are positive and promising, and many doctors feel it is worth a try.

Historically, Chastetree Berry (Vitex) was believed to suppress libido and inspire chastity, which explains one of its common names, chaste tree. An herb that has been used traditionally for centuries continues to relieve women of menstrual disorders. Hipprocrates used it, and now modern day scientists are very impressed with its effects on women’s gynecological health.

Women who suffer from pre-menstrual syndrome and other menstrual irregularities may not produce normal amounts of the hormone progesterone during the second half of their cycle. Chastetree berry stimulates the pituitary gland, which regulates the body’s hormones, to produce more luteinizing hormone, which leads to a greater production of progesterone. When levels of progesterone are low, the balance between progesterone and estrogen is abnormal, thus creating menstrual problems, such as heavy periods and PMS.

Chastetree berry helps to re-establish normal levels of estrogen and progesterone during a woman’s menstrual cycle. Studies show that using chastetree berry over a period of several months increases progesterone levels and relieves typical PMS symptoms, including cramping, bloating, headaches, and breast tenderness.

Excessive levels of prolactin, another hormone, can cause menstrual irregularities, infertility, and breast tenderness. Chastetree berry inhibits prolactin secretion in women with high levels of this hormone. In one clinical study, low progesterone levels and high prolactin levels were diagnosed as the cause of infertility in 62% of 753 women.

Chastetree berry is not a fast-acting herb. Health practitioners recommend taking the herb for 6 months to 1 year. (Consult with your practitioner if you take hormonal drugs and to determine the proper dosage).

It is well known by now that women in Asian cultures suffer far less from the effects of menopause than women in Western cultures. This difference is thought to be the benefit from the isoflavones found in the soy rich, Asian diet. However, soy is not the only plant with isoflavones, nor is it the most robust source.

Of all the research that has been conducted on soy’s isoflavone content, red clover contains more phytoestrogens than soy, with biochanin A, daidzein, formononetin, and genistein being the most active. Phytoestrogens are plant-derived, hormonally active compounds that relate in structure to estrogen. As estrogen levels decline during menopause, health problems for women rise. Many women experience hot flashes, night sweats, and they are at a higher risk of heart disease and osteoporosis.

Today, studies show that the phytoestrogens in red clover may exhibit estrogenic effects in menopausal women when the natural estrogen levels of the body decline. Recent evidence reveals that red clover’s isoflavone content may help improve heart health by lowering cholesterol levels and increasing arterial flexibility by relaxing the smooth muscle lining of the arteries. Preliminary research also suggests that red clover may increase bone mass and decrease the incidence and severity of hot flashes during menopause.

Red clover is generally recognized as safe. It should not be used during pregnancy or in combination with blood-thinning drugs. If you take hormonal drugs, consult with your health care practitioner before you use this herb. Look for a red clover supplement made without harmful solvents, flowing agents or excipients to ensure the purest product.

Most women eventually suffer from menstrual complaints, whether it’s cramping, bloating, headaches, or any of the difficulties associated with menopause. Another formulation by Hanna Kroeger, Female Balance™, contains: black cohosh, anise seed, yellow dock, and ginger root, which have been used for centuries by herbalists as well as by modern day physicians for female complaints.

Traditional folk herbalism heralds black cohosh as one of the great female herbs for supporting healthy menstrual and menopausal transitions. Thanks to research, physicians and herbalists in Germany now prescribe this herb to regulate the female reproductive cycle. Anise has a folklore reputation for relieving spasms that often accompany menstruation, harmonizing digestion, and supporting healthy elimination. Traditional herbalism credits black cohosh, anise, yellow dock, and ginger with providing nourishment, reinvigorating the body, and having benefits for the liver. Herbalists believe the liver regulates blood flow and hormone levels during the varying phases of the monthly cycle and during menopause.

The human papillomavirus or HPV, is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections that can cause severe health problems. It infects both men and women through direct skin to skin contact, yet it is not transmitted by blood. HPV is most often a “silent infection,” meaning your body shows no obvious signs of infection. For reasons not yet understood, your body can fight the virus for many years before any obvious signs occur.

Men are not generally tested, so examination of the genital area is important to detect any visible genital warts. Women, on the other hand, are tested regularly by pap smears. A pap smear can detect any change in cervical cells and can identify if the person is at a high or a low risk of developing cervical cancer, the second most common malignancy in women. Researchers believe HPV may lead to cervical cancer. Regular pap smears are necessary in order to detect a potential problem at an early stage. An abnormal pap smear does not necessarily mean cervical cancer, but that further testing needs to be done in order to determine the safety of a woman’s health. Cervical cancer can be easily treated in its early stages, however, if left untreated, the outcome could be detrimental.

Natural therapies show promise in helping men and women deal with HPV. Master Herbalist Hanna Kroeger formulated PA Forumula for those concerned about this virus. The combination of blue flag, blue malva, blue vervain, papaya leaves, and mullein create a wonderful blend of herbs that have been used traditionally to support female and male reproductive systems and to rid the body of growths and warts. These herbs maintain healthy bowel and kidney function, hormones, natural resistance, and venereal health. They also help regulate the liver, gall bladder and digestion, which were thought to send energy to the reproductive organs and speed blood cleansing of toxic wastes.

If it’s not Thanksgiving, most people associate cranberries with urinary tract health. That is because cranberry has long been recommended for urinary tract infections (UTIs). This type of infection can affect both men and women, yet women are more likely than men to get them. Urinary tract infections are infections of the kidney, bladder, and urethra, which cause uncomfortable symptoms, such as frequency of urination, urgency of urination, and burning in the urethra during urination. If left untreated, these kinds of infections can worsen and lead to more serious health problems.

Clinical studies confirm that cranberry helps to prevent urinary tract infections. In addition, a limited amount of research shows that cranberry may help relieve symptoms and decrease the frequency of urinary tract infections for women who are prone to them. Researchers believe bacteria usually trigger a urinary infection, especially the Escherichia coli bacteria (E. coli), which may cause over 80% of all infections. Scientists reveal that the proanthocyanidins and fructose, two major constituents found in cranberry, prevent bacteria from adhering to cells lining the wall of the bladder, thus reducing the risk of infection. In one study, cranberry juice inhibited adherence of 60 percent of all E. coli bacterial strains tested. Due to this evidence, scientists finally recognize that cranberry is beneficial in the urinary tract, which is what herbalists have valued for centuries.

Commercially available cranberry juice contains a high amount of sugar that may bother some people. Unsweetened cranberry juice is available at health food stores, although it is very sour tasting. Cranberry is also available in capsule form, which is very convenient (and no sour taste).

Women cannot postpone the effects of womanhood, but they can ease into them more naturally. Herbs offer a holistic approach and symptom relief for women who want to enhance their well being and happiness when dealing with feminine issues. Herbalists have used plants for centuries, and today scientists validate the use and safety of herbs as effective treatments for life’s ailments.

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