Taking Herbs While Menstruating

Q: Dear Susun,

Thank you for your wonderful books.

I am writing to ask about taking herbs during my moontime flow, the first 3 days. . . I am in early menopause and I still have fairly regular periods. I have been taking vitex for the past four months with good results. Just before that I was having spotting and feeling very sore in my uterus. Historically I do not take herbs during my heavy flow days. . .only red raspberry tea . . . but now I am experiencing some extreme bleeding (the past two cycles) and I want to know if I should continue to take the vitex every single day. Also I use progesterone cream every a.m., as a medical intuitive indicated that I have symptoms of high estrogen and the progesterone cream will balance me. I do not use the progesterone cream (natural) during my bleeding days either.
Could you please advise me if I should take vitex during my flow? Also, I am anemic now and I am drinking nettles tea as you advise in your book. May I drink nettles during my flow, or will it increase the flow? (I see that you caution against many herbs that stimulate bleeding, but I do not find a caution or "go ahead" for nettles.)

My bleeding is beginning to frighten me so I am talking to my uterus more now and doing what I can to rest, etc. I am a divorced mom and feeling great financial strain and a lack of emotional support in a new city. I was getting regular acupuncture and bodywork last year when I suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome and now I am relying more on self healing and herbs and homeopathy.

Today I am starting to bleed again, exactly on time for my cycle, but it is very heavy on the first day. I am drinking red raspberry tea and pressing on the pressure point below my nose. Last month I had my "normal" flow which has been rather heavy on the 2nd and 3rd days. On the 4th day I expected a very light flow but the flow changed dramatically. I experienced profuse bleeding without clots. It did not look like menstrual blood, but was very thick and bright red, like blood from a wound. . . also it had a bad odor, strong odor. . . .I took red raspberry tincture and it seemed to slow off an on. The next day I experienced worse. . . I started to panic and I called several acupuncturist and naturopaths and no one would see me on this Friday afternoon. Besides red raspberry, I tried fresh lemon juice and grated nutmeg (from Diane Stein's book). I tried to press the pressure points 5 inches below my knees, but I was too weak. (I had lent your book out to a friend and could not reach her.) Finally, I drank more than half the bottle of raspberry tincture and it worked to shut down the bleeding. I had lost a lot of blood and I spent the weekend in bed recovering.

I do not want to repeat this experience and that is why I am writing for advice. (My qigong teacher recommended packing exercises to normalize the bleeding. I have been practicing these; they are new exercises for me, but I'm hopeful.) I am sorry this is a rather lengthy email. I am gathering info for myself and others who are confused on this journey through changing times. . .

Blessings, J.

 

A: Hello J., how are you doing today? It is day four of your bleeding yes? I hear and understand your concern. Unfortunately sometimes the stress from the fear can have its own effects as well.

I have not heard concern of Vitex tincture taken through your bleeding but invite you to stop it if that is what feels write for you. Likewise for the Nettle leaf infusion, however for this I feel more strongly that it is in fact a support for you through this. If anemic we can tend to bleed more profusely so anything that helps us get more iron and other much needed minerals while bleeding is even more welcome! I am glad you are drinking it.

I personally do not use or promote progesterone cream since it is not an herb I can handle and a remedy I can prepare in my kitchen. I do not understand it so can not comment on this. I trust your judgment on this for you.

Do you have, or have access to, Susun's New Menopausal Years the Wise Woman Way? Pages 7-13 might be especially useful to you, for "Flooding" Of course everyone has their level of what they consider "profuse" bleeding. It is normal for us as we enter menopause to increase the amount and quality of blood during our flow. It is also normal for it to continue longer than we are used to. However, there are also other reasons for profuse bleeding - fibroids and endometriosis are the most likely causes. Susun writes if you are bleeding profusely go right to step 4, so since it sounds this is what you experience, I would go there... Since it starts with the acupressure points you mention I am guess you are working with this book already. If not, please let me know and I will type up some of what is written there. Please note that both Vitex tincture and Nettle infusions are recommended to help those with profuse bleeding. I will be back online tomorrow, Sunday, then again briefly on Monday. I will look for your reply.

We also have a wonderful resource available 24 hours a day.  This is our online forum where people from around the world come to share life experiences and questions.  By searching past posts, or starting a new one of your own, you may find a variety of ideas, support, and inspiration.

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

 

Q: Hi Karen, Thanks for writing. I wasn't feeling well when I wrote, so perhaps it was confusing. In general, I want to know the recommendation for taking herbs while bleeding during menses. In Chinese medicine the doctors usually recommend not taking herbs during the flow. If I read to take vitex "everyday", does that mean every day? Would it stimulate bleeding? In my experience, "most" herbs stimulate bleeding and with a recent hemorrhage in January, I don't want to experiment.

Mostly, I have symptoms of high estrogen, so I had been feeling much better with the vitex. 

Sincerely, J.

 

A: Yes this is a good question. It is important then to know the person whom you are reading the recommendation from. I too, when studying herbs early on, heard some express taking a day or days off. From Susun, taking every day does mean every day unless specified. I know there are some herbs that are recommended to be taken from ovulation to the start of menstruation. If this were the case with Susun she would explain it. I am glad the Vitex feels supportive for you. Sounds like you are feeling better today :)

Karen Joy

 

Comments

[Jennine]

I would like to join this forum & become a member of this site! Also, I am not too clear on the 2 replies I see here above for the woman "J" asking about vitex use during the actual flow. I, too, have the concern of using anything during the bleeding days that would increase it. So, to be clear, I am taking vitex in pill form daily, & I would like to know if I can & should take it during my bleeding? I do use raspberrry tea, & on some times I will take the homeopathic sabina & also sometimes Oona PMS 2 softgels.I ahve d/c'd my extra C, as I have found that is a bleeding promoter!I also read that evening primrose oil, which I ahd been taking daily, also increased bleeding, so I at first stopped using it during the bleeding & now i stopped altogether & replaced it with the vitex. I never use prescriptions or OTC meds. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated.

[KarenJoy]

Jennine, in the case above I have to acknowledge we are all unique. If she feels the Vitex is causing a problem I support her in discontinuing while bleeding, however I have not seen much to suggest it would really be a problem for most. There is no reason to discontinue while you bleed unless you feel it effects you in a way you do not like.

I have found for some of us, there is a desire to stop while bleeding, without strong argument why. Though there is no literature i know of that lists any harm.

In all cases I am speaking of Vitex tincture since this is what I work with and recommend. I am not familiar with Vitex as a capsule and its potential affects or harm.

Was there more you had question on?

Karen Joy

[Jennine]

Hi Karen! I am so thankful for your reply. I do have more to ask.I am taking the vitex capsules, as I had taken them a few years ago with a good result--& then I was told I was too young to be taking vitex! That was 7 years ago, so I think I a good now.:) I purchased some remedy online from a company called "Native Remedies" (www.nativeremedies.com).Their website says they meet the highest standards etc.so I hope they are trustworthy. I do see on the label that it says "made in South Africa".I have not used this remedy yet.It is a 50ml bottle of tincture meant to be taken 10-15 drops in 1/4 c. water 3x daily. Here are the ingredients: vitex, dong quai, milk thistle, wild yam, cramp bark. It does not list amounts.I have researched all the ingredients, & they all seem like they are appropriate to menstrual issues. The formula is actually called "Endo-Ex". I have heavy bleeding on day 2, & my periods last about 6 days, really 5 but it sort of tapers. I am 44, & also the past year it seeems the cramps are a bit worse, but not consistentl, sometimes they are not much bother. I have been under tremendous stress, with several issues, so I know it can throw one's cycle off & cause many bodily interferences. I was a regular 28 day cycle, but now I am 26, & this month it was a week early (a 19 day cycle). I do have ALOT going on, & I want to know how to support my female system properly & naturally.
Thanks so much.
Jennine

[KarenJoy]

Jennine, i hear your care and love for yourself!

Know that from menarche to menopause is series of sometimes undetectable shifts. We do not turn on at 13 then turn off at 50. changes at 44 are normal, at 34 they are normal! It is very possible you are completely wonderfully perfectly healthy!

t is great you wish to support your system. I would do this then with gentle nourishing means - foods, exercise, visuals, smells, energy work, etc.

The formula you are taking may be fine. It is a mixture of way too many things for me. I prefer one at a time.

lots of love,
Karen Joy

[Jennine]

So Karen, do you think the Vitex will cover it all---heavy flow, cramping, shortened cycles, etc.?
Thanks again.
Jennine

[KarenJoy]

It may be, that is if this is due to a need of more progesterone. Again though if you are looking for something to bring you to how you once were - amount of cramping, cycle length, blood flow - there may be nothing sufficient. You arae changing. This is normal and natural.

Know when I speak of Vitex I am speaking of Vitex berry tincture.

You can do other nourishing things, like increasing ways you love your body, exercise, especially yoga like strengthening and stretching to open up the whole pelvic area, eating more whole grains and beans and seeds and nuts, Red Raspberry leaf infusions to tone uterus, kegel exercises, etc. - any of these that have appeal rather than feel like a chore or a route to battling your natural change.

lots of love,
Karen Joy

[Jennine]

Hi Karen,
I cannot believe I have not been here since June! I guess that is good :) I am writing now as I would like your opinion on a dilemma I am having. Last month during my cycle, I had a relatively good period! Hooray! I have been taking the Vitex capsules daily since I wrote you. However, the odd thing was that after the 5 day flow, the breast swelling & tenderness did not go away for about another week or so. Usually, that subsides when the flow starts. I expected my period 2 weeks ago Monday(10/26), & that same day was when my symptoms of contracting the swine flu presented themselves---high fever, aches etc.I ran the high fever that day, low fever the next 2 days, then after the 3rd day I had no fever, but no energy & was still achy after that. I am now 16 days after my first symptoms & my period has still not returned...my breasts are not swelled or sore either, & that is usually my tell tale sign that my flow will be coming shortly.I am about to order Susun Weed's book that you mention above :)
Thanks for your reply.
Jennine

[coach suitcase]

Make youself a better person and know who you are before you try and know someone else and expect them to know you.

[Adelle]

What are the herbs you can take during menstruation? Many sites say that you should stop most herbs while menstruating but it feels awkward not being able to drink many teas.

If you can, can you please tell me what infusions and herbs are safe to take through menstruation and what they do for your body?

That would be much appreciated,

Adelle