Menopause, like puberty, is a period of transition and metamorphosis. It consists of three stages: isolation, fusion and emergence. Each stage provokes new energies and new perceptions of ourselves. Each stage has different demands, different tasks, and different needs.
Wise woman ways such as simple ceremony, compassionate self-care, and daily use of garden plants can greatly benefit women going through menopause. Let me share with you some of my favorite herbs for relieving hot flashes, insomnia, and other Shift pains. They are easy to find; You may already know them as weeds! These plants, and their precautions and contraindications, are described in detail in my book. NEW years of menopause, the wise woman’s way. Check it out before deciding whether or not to use any of these green allies to help you through your menopausal years.
Calcium Intake during and after menopause must be high to maintain health. But the calcium in pills can’t be compared to the calcium in plants when it comes to keeping bones healthy and flexible. Bones are made of a dozen minerals in addition to calcium (potassium, manganese, magnesium, silica, iron, zinc, selenium, boron, phosphorus, sulfur, and chromium), all of which are found in abundance in the roots and leaves of the edible weeds. and herbs. Eating grass is my preferred way of preventing osteoporosis and ensuring freedom from heart disease, depression, headaches, leg cramps, and joint pain.
There are dozens of calcium / mineral rich plants to choose from, such as the scented leaves of sage, peppermint, lemon balm, bergamot, rosemary and thyme; cooked or fresh vegetables of lamb quarters, amaranth, dandelion, chicory, comfrey, nettle, chickweed, parsley, watercress, kale, collard greens, and cabbage; the flowers of the red clover; and the roots of the dock, the dandelion, the chicory and the burdock.
To obtain the maximum extraction of the mineral richness, I cook with these herbs, drink them as infusions and soak them in vinegar.
Algae they also have incredibly generous amounts of calcium and minerals. I make a practice to eat seaweed like kelp, dulse, Y nori daily, as condiments, and seaweed as wakame, hijiki, arame, Y kombu once a week, cooked with carrots or in soup. I give my goats seaweed in the form of powdered seaweed and my plants in the form of a liquid emulsion. This is why we all have shiny hair, sleek skin, sparkling eyes, and lots of energy.
Hormones they are a hot topic for menopausal women. To help me with hormonal rises and falls, I prefer to use plant tinctures rich in plant hormones (phytosterols) rather than prescription hormones (estrogen replacement or hormone replacement), which actually raise the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis, contrary to advertising. and they are related to an increase in breast and uterine cancers. Women whose blood is rich in plant hormones have the lowest cancer rates in the world. Plants rich in phytosterols include dong quai roots, ginseng, wild yam, black cohosh, black hawk, dandelion; hop flowers, yarrow, red clover; nettle leaves, sage; chaste tree berries / seeds / hips / vitex, fenugreek, roses.
Favorite herbs for menopausal women include the following:
Oat straw infusionAvena sativa) strengthens nerves, helps reduce emotional distress, promotes deep sleep, keeps bones and heart strong, and strengthens libido. The tincture is a stronger sedative but does not nourish the bones or the heart. Oatmeal for breakfast is a great way to “take in” this herb, but avoid pills and capsules. Oatmeal baths are exceptionally soothing.
Nettle infusionUrtica dioica) strengthens the adrenal glands, relieves anxiety, increases energy, helps prevent night sweats, collects blood, and protects bones and heart. Eating cooked nettle is another great way to reap its benefits, as is nettle vinegar. I avoid freeze dried, encapsulated or dyed nettle, because I believe that all of these forms are ineffective and expensive.
Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) – tincture from the cups of fresh flowers – is a favorite of menopausal women, their daughters and their mothers. A few drops (up to 25 at a time) will calm emotions, ease heart palpitations (and strengthen the heart), reduce the severity of hot flashes, increase vaginal lubrication, moderate and eliminate PMS and menstrual cramps. Motherwort vinegar is a fantastic and tasty tonic, thank goodness. The tea is violently bitter and disliked by 99 out of 100 women, including me, yuck!
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) – anywhere, in any form – is an excellent liver fortifier, the control center for hot flashes. Dandelion improves digestion, especially calcium, helps relieve headaches, and ensures that the liver provides a constant supply of blood sugar. Dandelion wine (from flowers) is the fanciest way to take this remedy, but cooked leaves and vinegars (as well as pickled parts) from the roots and / or leaves are also excellent nutritious digestives. The tincture, especially root, is considered the strongest medicine, but it does not contain bone-building nutrients, making it less ideal than the other forms.
Here are some surprising facts about menopause:
- The Grandmother Hypothesis holds that “menopause, like a large brain and an upright posture, is one of the essential traits of the human being that allowed us to colonize the world.”
- Menopause is not a recent phenomenon, but an ancient feminine mystery, with special gifts for the woman who uses her energies wisely.
- Estrogen is not one hormone, but many, and our bodies continue to produce estrogen throughout our lives. The adrenal glands, fatty tissues, and perhaps the uterus produce estrogens.
- Hormone levels in a woman’s blood are never higher than when she is in menopause.
- Herbal hormones (phytosterols or phytoestrogens) are usable by the body and, unlike prescribed hormones, protect against breast cancer.
Legal note: This content is not a substitute for conventional medical treatment. Any suggestions made and all herbs listed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, condition, or symptom. Personal instructions and use should be provided by a clinical herbalist or other qualified healthcare professional with a specific formula for you. All material in this document is provided for general information purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Contact a trusted doctor if you need medical attention. Exercise self-empowerment by seeking a second opinion.
