Childbearing Year

A question about red clover

Hello,

I have been taking red clover dried blossoms as an infusion tea a few times

a day. I may be pregnant and am wondering whether it is safe or recommended

to take during pregnancy. I have had 2 miscarriages this year, so I want to

be safe (I am forty years old and have a 2 year old daughter). Thanks so

much for your time.

G.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

G., I do not know that Red Clover would support a miscarriage.  It is certainly not used to help one who intends to miscarry.  And for the general population, if using it to help conceive, I would encourage one to keep drinking the blossom infusion until you are sure you have conceived, then gradually switch over to Red Raspberry leaf and Nettle infusions.  However if you have concern I would prefer you make the decision.  If you miscarry you may think it was the Red Clover.  And each knows her body more intimately than someone else.  I personally see this herb as wonderfully nourishing, and later nourishing to your abundant breast milk as well :)

I would also love to invite you to our Wise Woman Forum and Email groups accessed through www.wisewomanweb.com for more ideas and support.

Please let me know if I can help further.  I hear you wish to be pregnant and so I wish a blessed pregnancy and child for you too :)

Blessings,

Karen Joy

karenjoy@herbshealing.com

www.wisewomanweb.com

A question about post-chemo induced menopause fertility

Hello,

This may sound strange, but I am wondering how I can restore at least in part, some of the chemo induced menopause? I have your book, "Breast Cancer, Breast Health, The Wise Woman

Way", but I have not seen any books that seriously deal with the subject of restoring fertility after cancer (in my case, early stage hormonally negative breast cancer at age 42) for the purposes of conceiving a child.  My husband is 43 and as far as I know, healthy in terms of his fertility.  His sperm

count was tested around 2000 and it was at normal average range. 

I have had secondary fertility before 2002, was diagnosed with mild endometriosis at age 40.  I had a successful birth and delivery at 33.Doors keep closing in terms of adoption so I am revisiting this as

an option once again. I like foraging in my yard for green plants.  I notice that when I eat salads of: dock weed, lambs quarters, primrose rosette leaves, sorrel, and dandelion leaves, that my nails grow in thicker and stronger. My mother says this is a genetic tendency--she has the same thing, but the

bad upshot of not assimulating your minerals correctly is that your teeth enamel begins to mysteriously erode at the gum line.  AS you said on the internet site, capsules really don't do it and I find it strange but true, even though I take calcium citrate, magnesium citrate, boron, etc. I have to admit that I just turned 48 so maybe this is all just a wild goose chase. 

I noticed you mentioned chasteberry and I think you said rasberry leaf.  I have noticed when I was perimenopausal (right before chemo eliminated that stage) that vitex helped to even out my hormonal cycles.  I take it now, I think it's doing something--in capsule form.  I also take Black Cohosh

capsules.  Without Black Cohosh, most likely, I would be suffering flashes 24-7.  As it is, I seem to need more of it, as I have lost a little of the fat tissue around my hips from a few supplements I've been taking over this past summer.  I'm still experiencing vaginal dryness more now, that I've lost the extra weight.  Vitamin E doesn't seem to be helping any more.Still, glad that I did lose some of the stubborn fat, on an otherwise, slender frame--before, I looked a little like the woman that swallowed the doughnut on the billboard ads. Even though I am glad that I did lose the weight (and with it subsequent loss of even more residual hormones, paltry though they may be), I would like to see if the possibility exists that I could turn a seemingly cut and dried situation around, if not for fertility sakes, then perhaps at least for preservation of bone and teeth sake.

I also noticed that you have mentioned tinctures over capsules, in terms of potency, i.e. Vitex.  I haven't tried comparing this.  I have a whole cabinet filled with capsules.  I have been accumulating books about foraging for wild edible plants, although I've mostly confined my activities

to my front yard, which seems to have quite the variety, I am still not very knowledgable with what I can do in terms of: plants that would help strengthen a flagging fertility.  It's really amazing how the hormonal levels (which I was taught to regard as 'the enemy' as a breast cancer patient)can be linked to an overall healthy state of the body, in various ways.  Certain books have step by step instructions to making a tincture. However, who has vitex growing in their front yard in northeastern CT?!

I've taken this 2:16 alpha hydroxy metabolic hormone ratio.  My two separate hormonal pathways are in a good range, however, their ratio means that my estrogen tends to take the 16 metabolic pathway over the 2 pathway, inferring that my body is more likely to be receptive to estrogen cancer cells, or something like that.  I'm not too concerned because my aim is still: I'd like to restore more of what I had before it disappeared, for me, literally overnight after fourth A/C chemo treatment, and I know

what kinds of foods help to preserve the breast health, i.e. cruciferous veggies and ground flax seed; naturally fermented foods.  I make my own kefir and kombucha.  The latter, I am attempting to make again, because I noticed when I was drinking it, it seemed to assist the flagging estrogen levels.

I've tried looking on the more standard medical sites and there's a paucity of info regarding people in my status.

Thanks for any more info,

C.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hello C, so nice to hear from you.  It sounds you most wish

Susun's thoughts on this.  She does not have internet to be able to

correspond through email but would love to hear from you through her

FREE herbal/health hotline at 845-246-8081 on Tuesday evenings,

7:30-9:30PM Eastern time, through October 23rd.

I know you have her Breast Health book... do you have her New

Menopausal Years the Wise Woman Way book?  she does speak about

restoring fertility even once one is into menopause.  You can read a

bit here http://www.menopause-metamorphosis.com/An_Excerpt-104-

cessation_menses.htm  and here http://www.susunweed.com/

Article_Fertility_After_Forty.htm - sounds like you may have read the

latter.  And yes it is Vitex and Red Clover (not raspberry) she

speaks of most for fertility herbs.  I work with tinctures myself so

also prefer them  to the capsules.  Vitex is a nice landscaping plant

and you may find some in your area!!  Besides the tincture can be

made just the same from the dried berries in this case, as many of us

have done.

I do not know if you can get pregnant.  It sounds like it has been a

few years since you last bled.

I hear you want what you once had.  We can never go back, but with

your focus on health you certainly can nourish your health and

vitality and watch it grow - I am confident of that!

I hear you read and think much about how to care for your health.

This is wonderful!!  I too support you, as I hear you saying, on

focusing most on overall good health with foods and food-like herbs.

I would also love to invite you to our Wise Woman Forum (http://

www.herbshealing.com/wisewomanforum.htm) and Email Discussion Group

(http://groups.google.com/group/Herbal-Healing) for more ideas and

support.

Please let me know if I can help in any way further.

We welcome you to join our Weed Wanderings ezine mailing list at

http://www.herbshealing.com/WeedWanderings.htm !

Blessings,

Karen Joy

karenjoy@herbshealing.com

http://www.wisewomanweb.com

*disclaimer applies for all health-related emails - http://

www.susunweed.com/A_copyright_disclaimer_privacy.htm#2

*email correspondence may be used to share with others - all names

changed and contact info deleted for anonymity - http://

www.wisewomantradition.com/wisewomanweb/

Explore the Wise Woman Web:

http://www.herbshealing.com Herbal Medicine and Spirit Healing the

Wise Woman Way

http://www.ashtreepublishing.com/bookshop Books for women's health

and well-being

http://www.menopause-metamorphosis.com Your body knows more about

menopause than your doctor does.

http://www.breasthealthbook.com Breast Cancer? Breast Health! the

Wise Woman Way

http://www.healing-wise.com Q & A with Susun Weed

Conception after 40 and seizure disorder

Q)
Dear Susun,

I have seen your article regarding childbirth after forty and plan

to follow

your advice. I thought I'd ask you a few questions specific to my

situation

to see if you have any other advice.

I have recently had a yearning to have another child--I have two,

five years

old and almost 3. had no problem getting pregnant with them,

though an

earlier pregnancy was ectopic (they believe, never could find the

baby on

ultrasound--gave me methotrexate to expel any tissue remaining). I

will be

44 in Dec but still feel very healthy and fit. My biggest vice of

the past

couple years has been 2 or 3 cups of coffee a day and I have for

the past 6

months been working out vigorously. If I were indeed to start

trying again,

I would focus on doing all I can nutritionally to conceive a

healthy child

and would prob cut back a bit on the exercise. I will also take

the herbs

you recommend.

I have a seizure disorder and take one of the safest meds out

there--lamotrigine. Both of my children are healthy and bright and I

breastfed both--still am breastfeeding the almost 3 yr old once a

day or so.

Question finally is, anything else you think I should take given my

health

issue (very well controlled--2 grand mal seizures with first

pregnancy early

on but forgot to take my meds, none with second and only one since

bc of med

lowering and other extenuating circumstances. I guess I am scared

that I am

"tempting fate" bc I already have 2 healthy children and worry my

age will

make another pregnancy more high risk somehow, though I look and

feel

young! My husband and myself would find a baby with challenges

difficult to

say the least, although I feel bad saying that.

Any words of wisdom or advice for additional herbs to take?

Thank you,

A)
Any of us at any age take that risk. If you are wishing a child I

encourage you to consider what is too much to handle, are they things

that can be tested for early in conception, and if you found specific

issues what would you two choose at that point? Besides what Susun

writes in the article I do not have further herbal suggestions to

change your percentage risk. I imagine this is a hard decision, I

wish I could help more.

Blessings,

Karen Joy

karenjoy@herbshealing.com

http://www.wisewomanweb.com

Q)

I am 44 and in good health and am trying to get pregnant--have tried for only 3 mos. My naturopath who I trust and think is a great doctor--after talking with me today at my visit, "prescribed" 1 tsp of phytoest diluted in water 2 times daily on day 1-14 of menstrual cycle and 1 tsp twice daily of phyto progest on day 15-28 of cycle along with prenatal vitamins, omega 3's, lunaception and something called pregnenolone, to help me conceive. Was wondering if those supplements (specifically the phytoest and phytoprogest by Wise Woman Herbals which is what he sold to me) IN YOUR OPINION make sense for someone looking to get pregnant at 44. I have no known issues with fertility and have a 3 and a five year old currently, although periods seem lighter than before (when younger) and I have some spotting before it starts which I don't recall Also my premenstrual symptoms-sore breasts, irritability, etc. seem to have gotten "lighter" for lack of better word. Cycles are usually somewhere between 28 and 33 days I know you can't diagnose, treat, etc. My children took 3 (1st) and 1 mos (2nd) respectively to conceive so I'm now over that timeline but I am older!!

as I said, I do trust him very much but just remembered I had emailed you and thought I'd ask..........

any info would be helpful

Thanks

A)
hello again!

First, I am curious about the pregnenolone, after reading here:

http://www.bodyandfitness.com/Information/Womenhealth/Research/pregnenolone.htm

"Due to its antagonistic effects on the GABA receptor in the central nervous system, pregnenolone therapy may be contraindicated in people with a history of seizures. Pregnenolone may inhibit drugs used to increase GABA activity (i.e., neurontin); these drugs are frequently used in the treatment of epilepsy and depression."

I do not see any harm at first glance with the herbs listed in the Wise Woman Herbal product, HOWEVER myself feel odd about using things that are so vague, besides I like one herb at a time. I do not see online if these are tinctures, oils, etc. and how the are used. I myself like to know what plant, how and when harvested, exactly how prepared, etc. before even deciding if safe or not. Those products are as foreign to me as a bottle of vitamin tablets.

So you ask me if it all makes sense for someone looking to get pregnant. It makes sense understanding how some think about it, yes. To me and my approach to health, no. Especially as I see nothing "wrong" needing "fixing" as it sounds you are wonderfully fertile and healthy, just older. And even if I did feel you needed assistance this would not be at all the route I would go.

HOWEVER, part of helping one along one's path is following intuition, whether it makes sense or not. It feels good sometimes to trust someone and add things to our life, whether they make sense or not. I hear you trust this person. That means a lot in my opinion :)

I am not sure if this helps or not. I am glad you asked, and am happy to share my opinion any time. As well I am very happy to support you on the path you choose for yourself, whether or not it is the one I would choose for myself. We are all unique. Besides I will be curious to hear how you are doing.

love and blessings,

Karen Joy

Q)
Dear Susun,

I have seen your article regarding childbirth after forty and plan

to follow

your advice. I thought I'd ask you a few questions specific to my

situation

to see if you have any other advice.

I have recently had a yearning to have another child--I have two,

five years

old and almost 3. had no problem getting pregnant with them,

though an

earlier pregnancy was ectopic (they believe, never could find the

baby on

ultrasound--gave me methotrexate to expel any tissue remaining). I

will be

44 in Dec but still feel very healthy and fit. My biggest vice of

the past

couple years has been 2 or 3 cups of coffee a day and I have for

the past 6

months been working out vigorously. If I were indeed to start

trying again,

I would focus on doing all I can nutritionally to conceive a

healthy child

and would prob cut back a bit on the exercise. I will also take

the herbs

you recommend.

I have a seizure disorder and take one of the safest meds out

there--lamotrigine. Both of my children are healthy and bright and I

breastfed both--still am breastfeeding the almost 3 yr old once a

day or so.

Question finally is, anything else you think I should take given my

health

issue (very well controlled--2 grand mal seizures with first

pregnancy early

on but forgot to take my meds, none with second and only one since

bc of med

lowering and other extenuating circumstances. I guess I am scared

that I am

"tempting fate" bc I already have 2 healthy children and worry my

age will

make another pregnancy more high risk somehow, though I look and

feel

young! My husband and myself would find a baby with challenges

difficult to

say the least, although I feel bad saying that.

Any words of wisdom or advice for additional herbs to take?

Thank you,

A)
Any of us at any age take that risk. If you are wishing a child I

encourage you to consider what is too much to handle, are they things

that can be tested for early in conception, and if you found specific

issues what would you two choose at that point? Besides what Susun

writes in the article I do not have further herbal suggestions to

change your percentage risk. I imagine this is a hard decision, I

wish I could help more.

Blessings,

Karen Joy

karenjoy@herbshealing.com

http://www.wisewomanweb.com

Q)

I am 44 and in good health and am trying to get pregnant--have tried for only 3 mos. My naturopath who I trust and think is a great doctor--after talking with me today at my visit, "prescribed" 1 tsp of phytoest diluted in water 2 times daily on day 1-14 of menstrual cycle and 1 tsp twice daily of phyto progest on day 15-28 of cycle along with prenatal vitamins, omega 3's, lunaception and something called pregnenolone, to help me conceive. Was wondering if those supplements (specifically the phytoest and phytoprogest by Wise Woman Herbals which is what he sold to me) IN YOUR OPINION make sense for someone looking to get pregnant at 44. I have no known issues with fertility and have a 3 and a five year old currently, although periods seem lighter than before (when younger) and I have some spotting before it starts which I don't recall Also my premenstrual symptoms-sore breasts, irritability, etc. seem to have gotten "lighter" for lack of better word. Cycles are usually somewhere between 28 and 33 days I know you can't diagnose, treat, etc. My children took 3 (1st) and 1 mos (2nd) respectively to conceive so I'm now over that timeline but I am older!!

as I said, I do trust him very much but just remembered I had emailed you and thought I'd ask..........

any info would be helpful

Thanks

A)
hello again!

First, I am curious about the pregnenolone, after reading here:

http://www.bodyandfitness.com/Information/Womenhealth/Research/pregnenolone.htm

"Due to its antagonistic effects on the GABA receptor in the central nervous system, pregnenolone therapy may be contraindicated in people with a history of seizures. Pregnenolone may inhibit drugs used to increase GABA activity (i.e., neurontin); these drugs are frequently used in the treatment of epilepsy and depression."

I do not see any harm at first glance with the herbs listed in the Wise Woman Herbal product, HOWEVER myself feel odd about using things that are so vague, besides I like one herb at a time. I do not see online if these are tinctures, oils, etc. and how the are used. I myself like to know what plant, how and when harvested, exactly how prepared, etc. before even deciding if safe or not. Those products are as foreign to me as a bottle of vitamin tablets.

So you ask me if it all makes sense for someone looking to get pregnant. It makes sense understanding how some think about it, yes. To me and my approach to health, no. Especially as I see nothing "wrong" needing "fixing" as it sounds you are wonderfully fertile and healthy, just older. And even if I did feel you needed assistance this would not be at all the route I would go.

HOWEVER, part of helping one along one's path is following intuition, whether it makes sense or not. It feels good sometimes to trust someone and add things to our life, whether they make sense or not. I hear you trust this person. That means a lot in my opinion :)

I am not sure if this helps or not. I am glad you asked, and am happy to share my opinion any time. As well I am very happy to support you on the path you choose for yourself, whether or not it is the one I would choose for myself. We are all unique. Besides I will be curious to hear how you are doing.

love and blessings,

Karen Joy

4 Weeks Pregnant

Congratulations!!  Yes, these are two wonderful infusions to drink through your pregnancy.  Red Raspberry is superb especially in the first trimester, and especially for those dealing with nausea.  Nettle is especially superb for the last trimester for its vitamin K content.  And, yes, do please alternate both through your whole pregnancy, do a little more of one or the other as your cravings dictate. :)

I would also love to invite you to our Wise Woman Forum (http://www.herbshealing.com/wisewomanforum.htm) and Email Discussion Group (http://groups.google.com/group/Herbal-Healing) for more ideas and support.  And welcome you to join our Weed Wanderings ezine mailing list at http://www.herbshealing.com/WeedWanderings.htm !

If you wish to speak with Susun Weed, you are invited to call her FREE herbal/health hotline at 845-246-8081 on Tuesday evenings, 7:30-9:30PM, April 10th through October 23rd of this year.  She does not have internet to be able to correspond through email.

Please let me know if I can help further!

Blessings,

Karen Joy

Dear Susun,

I'm 4 weeks pregnant and i'm very excited!!! I want to take red raspberry and alternate it with nettles, is that ok ? I want to prevent any chance of miscarriage. Is red raspberry ok to use in my 1st trimester? thank you so much for your time.

31 weeks gestation and looking for idea's for teas

For the cohoshes I would think it best you work with a midwife herbalist.  I would not want to steer you wrong and have little more than book knowledge on the use of them in a situation that was not acute.  Susun has a past apprentice who is now a midwife, perhaps you would wish to consult with her for some fee.  I do believe it may be worth it :)   

http://www.birthrootmidwife.com

(She will even be teaching at the Wise Woman Center this summer :))

The term "high risk" is so generic, based on numbers and not on you.  There may be 20 year olds considered low risk because of their age who would have a more difficult time than you will!  It is wonderful you know what is comfortable for you in your birth and are setting that up.

I would love to hear from you any time, with any questions or just to hear how you are doing!

Karen Joy

Thank you so much for getting back to me.  I will definitely search the forum.  I do not have a midwife; I am seeing an OB/GYN.  Since I am 39, I believe I am considered “high risk” however my other pregnancies were so normal, my Dr. said he is not concerned with my current pregnancy.  However, like I said, my husband is quite skeptical about delivering unconventionally and I do prefer being near the epidural in case I cannot handle the pain.

As far as the blue and black cohosh, sorry I made a typo.

I have gotten some information an herbalist and she had mentioned using the blue the last several weeks and then the black during labor.  She also said the cohosh’s worked great for making her own pregnancy and labor smooth and less painful.

My biggest concern is bleeding or miscarrying from these.  Although I have not heard of this, it’s my own concern.  I hear that many midwives use and recommend the blue and black cohosh.

Any ideas?

Thank you for writing.  I know you ask of Susun.  She does not have internet to be able to correspond through email.  I believe some herbalists or herbal companies combine herbs because they appear to work synergistically.  Moreso, I think they do it because if x, y, and z are all indicated for a situation, some feel the more the better, then do them all, rather than trusting that just x will be enough, for example.   I feel, as I have learned from Susun, that simple is better, one at a time.  Yes, please prepare them as separate infusions.  And alternate days or alternate through the day, whichever you prefer.  As separate infusions you get to know each more intimately, and know better how you respond to each.

Regarding the cohoshes, I am unsure of your question.  It sounds you have a doctor but no midwife, is this true?  It sounds you are not working in person with someone with experience with these herbs, is this true?  Are you anticipating some trouble in your birth?

I would also love to invite you to our Wise Woman Forum (http://www.herbshealing.com/wisewomanforum.htm) and Email Discussion Group (http://groups.google.com/group/Herbal-Healing) for more ideas and support.

We welcome you to join our Weed Wanderings ezine mailing list at http://www.herbshealing.com/WeedWanderings.htm !

Blessings,

Karen Joy

Hello Susan,

I am 39 years old and having my 3^rd and final child in March.  I won’t go in to major details of my past pregnancies but in short, they were all “medically” textbook.  There were 2.  One at 19 and one at 35.

I am lucky enough to have one more and very happy that I am able to do this.

Since my 1^st child, 20 years ago, I have had nothing but trouble getting pregnant and horrible menstrual cycles.  The more I read from you the more I wished I knew of your info years ago.

I have always believed in holistic medicine so this is right up my alley.

Okay, on to my current pregnancy.  I struggle with lactation, and always have.  So I have begun to drink a raspberry, alfalfa and nettle tea I found at a coop.  Within a few days I began to leak.  Great, I hope it lasts and baby will benefit from this.

I also have read that these 3 herbs are great for pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum, so I will continue.

What I want to do is buy some in bulk and infuse them.  I know you recommend doing it in singles, however, I am looking at the time I have left, 62 days, and the fact that you can buy these as a combo, are they needing to be combined for optimal results, or should I alternate days, OR make all three at once and alternate teas during the day?

I have also heard a lot about the cohoshes and I am not skeptical of their results, I am worried that I could miscarry or have a stillbirth.  Is this possible or just it just induce labor?  I realize that starting the blue is good the last few weeks, when could I do the black?

I will be delivering in a hospital with access to an epidural!  I am not good with pain and as much as I love the idea of water birth, my husband protests delivery outside of a hospital because of precautionary reasons.  I also feel we have waited too long to decide this and being there is only 9 weeks left, it’d be tough to learn something new, on top of finding a midwife for delivery.

Thank you for your time Susan,

I hope to hear from you soon.

Safe Allergy Relief During Pregnancy

Q:  Dear Susun,

I am reading your "Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year" and have been taking the Red Clover and Red Raspberry infusions in preparation of conceiving, hopefully some time soon. I suffer from allergies (hay fever, dust mites, cockroaches) and am trying to ween myself off my current antihistamines (Zyrtec D). I've looked through your book and online and it looks like I could use Nettle safely before and throughout pregnancy, but I was unsure if this was the root or the leaf? Also, if you had any other suggestions for safe allergy relief (mainly to relieve sinus pressure and sneezing) during pregnancy, I would really appreciate it. I am having trouble finding information on this subject and most of the websites I've found suggest antihistamines, something you've mentioned as dangerous.

Thank you for all of your help.



A:  Yes you are right, Nettle leaf infusions are superb for this. Plus in your case they have added benefits of excellent mineral nutrition and vitamin K which is essential for the birth. It is the dried leaves we use, prepared as in the book you have.

Blessings,

Karen Joy

karenjoy@herbshealing.com

http://www.wisewomanweb.com

Helping Birth Progress Smoothly

Q: hi i have been reading your articles they are wonderful ..can you recoment what to use  i am 2 weeks over due with my first baby can you suggest any natural remedys to start labour ..i will be most gratefull for any helpfull advice you can give me thank you

  

A: Hello, thank you for writing. I see you wrote this a few days ago.  How are things now?  I am happy to help any way I am able.  Please know that due dates are approximate and we are all unique.  Many first time babies come "overdue." Perhaps you have had your child already, if so, congratulations!!  Are you working with anyone in person who can help you determine the state of your and your child's health?  If all is well with you both, I would not push it.  I know that doctors will induce labor with pitocin if they determine it should have started. Know that as long as you and babe are healthy you WILL birth the babe and likely need no intervention.  Some intervention has been known to cause its own problems.  There are herbs that midwives use, though primarily to help a stalled labor progress.  Is this the case with you?  Do you have or have access to Susun Weed's Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year? This speaks on the herbs to use in this case.  The more gentle remedies to help a birth progress smoothly is of course relaxation, Red Raspberry leaf teas, or better yet infusions, gentle foods and being sure of hydration, nipple stimulation and intercourse.  The latter only if you have not lost your mucous plug and broke waters, and if not, being sure not to pull out since it is the sperm I understand to help ripen the cervix and stimulate contractions.

Please do write back if you can and if I can help further.  And if not I would love to hear one day how all turned out. I will keep an eye on your email to be able to respond sooner.

Blessings,

Karen Joy
karenjoy@herbshealing.com
www.wisewomanweb.com

An Ointment without Beeswax, for Breasts

Q: Hello Susun,

I am working with breastfeeding mothers and lately we are seeing more and more mothers with big gashes of opening on their nipple. They find that none of the ointments and cream work to help them heal. Other than helping them correct the latch I figured I can come up with an ointment for them.

I made for my family plantain ointment and we just love it. We use it on bruises, scraps, mosquito bites, even on the lips when my boys go outside during the cold winter months.

I have looked up how to make the ointment I also looked up to add calendula which can also help in the healing. My concern is the beeswax and these young babies. Do I need to worry about allergies? Can I use something else other than bees wax?

I would really appreciate any information you are willing to share and give me.

Warmly

 

A: This is an excellent question! I have never heard of concern of this, however myself tend to shy away from beeswax on skin for personal preference. So I use simply herbal oils, and sometimes prepare them in coconut oil for their ability to be more solid when cooler. Perhaps these are options for you?

Thank you for all you do for mothers!!!

Blessings,
Karen Joy
wisewoman@herbshealing.com
www.wisewomanweb.com

 

Q: Thank you Karen for the suggestion of Coconut oil. Now I just need to figure out what amount I need in the olive oil and coconut oil. The plantain is now soaking olive oil.

Take care and thank you again.

 

A: I would use the same amount of herb to oil as I do for my olive oil infusions :)

Karen Joy

Cervical Polyps

Q: Hi Susan,
I have heard of you for a long time, respect you, and have found looking at your books helpful.

I called you earlier tonight asking you about my partner having cervical polyps. I wanted to know if you could give me any recommendations for herbs and dietary stuff. I have made a list of herbal, dietary, and lifestyle things that I compiled for various sources and wondered if you had any suggestions - or would put more importance or less importance on any of it. (Attached and below).

If you want to help and we do a consultation, let me know your what you would like to be compensated for it.

Also in any of your books, do you address cervical polyps specifically? I have not found that much herbal information that specifically addresses them.

Thank you,


HERBS

**Red raspberry tea – get loose herbs and make tea all the time. (polyps, membranes)

**Dandelion root – tincture (immune, liver)

**Burdock root – tincture (blood, iron, kidneys

**Yellow Dock root – tincture (blood, iron, energy)

**Red Clover tea (polyps, life enhancing)

**Plaintain (soothing, kidney, bladder)

*Ginger tea – fresh (heat & energy into pelvic floor)


Herbs to balance hormones:
*Vitex (Chaste Berry) Tincture

Dong Quai 

Wild Yam

Licorice (raise progesterone)

Black Cohosh 

Kava Kava
Valerian (sedative)



Homeopathic:
Take Calcarea, 6c, before and after surgery to remove cervical polyps. Take four times daily for up to fourteen days.




DIET


STOP Eating: 
Coffee, alcohol, black tea, chocolate, dairy, SUGAR, hormone fed meat, non organic food, white (processed) grains, nuts, fried foods. Reduce or stop organic meat.


DO Eat:
Lots of vegetables (esp. dandelion leaves) & fruit (except citrus)
Alfalfa Sprouts, Apricots, Broccoli, Brown Rice, cabbage, cantaloupe, carrots, mangos, Oatmeal, pumpkins, sweet potato, yams 



SUPPLEMENTS:
**Flax seed, primrose oil (balance hormones)

**Vit C 5000-10000 mg daily (divided up in day)

**Beta Carotine 15,000 IU daily

**Calcium 1000-1500 mg daily (dark green vegetable

**Vit A 25000 IU daily

**Bioflavonoids (helps absorption of Vit C)

*Vit E 400-800 IU daily

Coenzyme Q10

Digestive enzymes



Aerobic exercise to increase blood flow


Bath Self-care
Bath Salts in bath
Hot & cold showers


Cosmetic Products:
Stop using products with these ingredients:
methyl-, ethyl-, propyl- and butylparaben. Parabens (preservative) used in most non-natural lotions




 

A: Hello, thank you for your kind words. I will be sure to pass them on to Susun. I see you wrote that you phoned Susun last Sunday. Perhaps you have received a reply? Please know that she does open her home up graciously for phone calls with health or herbal inquiries, for free. These are on Tuesday evenings from 7:30pm to 9:30pm Eastern time - mid April to late October only. There is no where in her books so far published where this is addressed in length. One upcoming, in the next few years perhaps, plans to address the many issues of "down there".

It is great you care for your girlfriend so to do all this research. Of course of importance is what she feels is going on and what she wishes to do about it. First is she positive it is cervical polyps? While they are benign, very ocasionally something of more concern can be misdiagnosed as polyps.

The possible causes I have heard for cervical polyps are high levels of estrogen and/or an odd reaction to its presence, chronic inflammation, or clogged cervical blood vessels. Unless your partner already takes a lot of what you have suggested it may be a bit much to start. I generally like to incorporate 1-3 nourishing habits at a time, and perhaps only one or two tonifying herbs to work with. Your list shows your dedication and research and is a wonderful list to choose from.

Essentially I agree with what it looks like you are thinking, overall nourish the hormonal and reproductive system. For further focus I would look at the possible causes suggested above and would work with an herb the specifically nourishes the hormonal system, so that there is a flow of different hormones produced through the cycle. For me this is Vitex tincture as you mention above, a dropperful 2-4 times a day. If research is wanted I favor the Fertility Awareness Method which can give indication of whether there is much progesterone production. Red Clover and Red Raspberry leaf prepared as infusions, not teas, are nourishing support for this area.

For chronic inflammation as a possible cause there are so many approaches. The ones I favor at the time is looking at any lingering small infection anywhere, one's attitude if defensive or resistant to life, quality oils (such as extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, butter, whole milk, pasture raised well cared for meats, soaked and dried nuts and seeds, whole grains and beans), and overall boosting of immune health.

For clogged cervical vessels, if there is nothing indicating this is a system wide problem I agree with movement to help. Aerobic exercise is wonderful, as is Luna Yoga, targetted specifically for this area, or any yoga, and massage, specifically of the pelvic area, perhaps even abdomonal massage. Again looking at the mental/emotional I would question if there is tension in this area for any reason.

Liver support is wonderful, however may not be as necessary as the others above, and therefore add to the complication of too many things.

I do not know much about homeopathics, so can not comment, but am curious why you chose this one.

I do not favor or advocate supplements, and instead prefer to get what I need in foods and nourishing herbal infusions.

I do not know if any of the above will remove the polyps, simply keep more from forming. If surgery is planned to remove the polyps I hear infection often can occur, so think immune health is vitally important. Antibiotics are often prescribed and if this is taken steps must be taken to counter their damage and repopulate the body with healthy bacteria. You both may wish to read this article from Susun on immune health.

Please let me know if you wish to discuss this further. I like your approach and your thoroughness :)

Blessings,
Karen Joy
wisewoman@herbshealing.com
www.wisewomanweb.com