Childbearing Year

Maca Powder and Hormone Balance

Hi,

I've been reading about maca powder.  It seems to support hormone balance and address estrogen dominance.  What is the Wisewoman opinion on maca?

Also, can mugwort be estrogenic?

Thanks for your help

Hi,

From what I have seen, maca works much like vitex, in that it supports the pituitary function, encouraging the body's natural hormonal production. The difference between using whole herbs and many pharmaceutical medicines, is that they are able to address whatever is out of balance, whether it is estrogen or progesterone. This is why sometimes, it seems an herb has contrary uses. It is not just helping with one issue but is addresses the entire body, taking care of whatever needs to be shifted.

For where most of us live, maca is an exotic plant. The Wise Woman Tradition focuses on using local plants whenever possible as you will usually find a deeper resonance to that which is close by. Does it work any better than vitex? That I cannot say, but certainly you can give it a try and see what your body tells you. It is a dried root, so at least not processed beyond that from my understanding and another part of the Wise Woman Tradition is using whole foods. So, it's possible it can be a good ally for you. Another thing to look at, is what form does it come in? In nearly any circumstance, capsules and tablets are nearly useless. How much strength is there in a few capsules of dried maca? Can't be much. I would look into other ways that you can incorporate it. Maybe you can add powder to food, drinks. Can you get whole dried root or even fresh to make tinctures, etc.

As for mugwort, I am not aware of any sources stating that phytoestrogens are an active constituent, but have seen it listed as supporting both estrogen and progesterone. 

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

www.wisewomanweb.com

www.wisewomanbookshop.com

www.wisewomanuniversity.org

You can get your health questions answered by Susun in one of two ways. Join the health hotline teleseminar on Monday and Thursday evenings 8pm EST, through the winter months. Or you may register for a private telephone consultation. You can also join the free women's health forum where hundreds of wise woman can help you. Sign up for the free herbal healing ezine, filled with wise woman wit and wisdom. Visit the Wise Woman Bookshop for online university, gift shop, bookshop, digital downloads, and more. Go to www.susunweed.com for a complete list of offerings including radio show and free videos.

Raw Milk: Safe While Pregnant?

There's a grave mistake in your article...

Herbal Allies for Pregnant Women
by Susun S. Weed, © 1999-04

found on http://www.storknet.com/cubbies/pregnancy/herbalallies.htm

 You recommend raw milk cheese as a source of calcium for pregnant women. This goes against all advice to avoid raw milk cheeses during pregnancy. It leads to confusion unless you provide an explanation as to why you think it is safe for pregnancy...

Greetings,

Susun is a proponent of The Nourishing Traditions Diet as put forth by Sally Fallon, and based on research by Weston A Price. Raw milk and raw milk products have been much maligned, no doubt, but we feel it, along with egg yolks, animal fats, etc. are important building blocks for creating health. Certainly no food is without safety issues but whole fat, raw milk from grass fed animals is nutrionally superior than what is purchased in the grocery store. Many of us consumed raw milk and cheese products throughout pregnancy and feed it to our children. I am including some links that goes into the research and science behind the nutritional principals:

http://wwww.westonaprice.org/childrens-health/332-modern-baby-books.html

http://www.realmilk.com/

http://www.westonaprice.org/

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

www.wisewomanweb.com

www.wisewomanbookshop.com

www.wisewomanuniversity.org

You can get your health questions answered by Susun in one of two ways. Join the health hotline teleseminar on Monday and Thursday evenings 8pm EST, through the winter months. Or you may register for a private telephone consultation. You can also join the free women's health forum where hundreds of wise woman can help you. Sign up for the free herbal healing ezine, filled with wise woman wit and wisdom. Visit the Wise Woman Bookshop for online university, gift shop, bookshop, digital downloads, and more. Go to www.susunweed.com for a complete list of offerings including radio show and free videos.

Echinacea Use in Pregnancy

Hi Susun,

I'm sorry to bother you but I am very curious. I believe myself to be about 1 month pregnant... I have had a positive pregnancy test, but have an appointment to confirm in a couple of weeks. My question is about echinacea. I have always taken echinacea tea at the first sign of an illness, and it works like magic for me. My body feels like it is craving it at this time.

However, with the suspected pregnancy I am nervous. Is echinacea safe during pregnancy? I have read so many conflicting opinions on the internet that I am very nervous. I wonder what you think? Thank you...

Hello,

You will find conflicting reports on many herbs, especially in regards to their use during pregnancy. I, personally, had no qualms about its use while pregnant. I can tell you that echinacea is not on Susun's list of herbs to avoid and that she feels it is safe to use throughout pregnancy, in fact she recommends it for any serious bacterial infection for mother and baby. However, each of us are different, and you must be the one to make the decision in the end if it feels right for you or not.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

www.wisewomanweb.com

www.wisewomanbookshop.com

www.wisewomanuniversity.org

You can get your health questions answered by Susun in one of two ways. Join the health hotline teleseminar on Monday and Thursday evenings 8pm EST, through the winter months. Or you may register for a private telephone consultation. You can also join the free women's health forum where hundreds of wise woman can help you. Sign up for the free herbal healing ezine, filled with wise woman wit and wisdom. Visit the Wise Woman Bookshop for online university, gift shop, bookshop, digital downloads, and more. Go to www.susunweed.com for a complete list of offerings including radio show and free videos.

 

 

 

 

Red Raspberry Leaf Infusion

Hello,

I am pregnant with my third child and looking into information about red raspberry leaf usage.  I almost bled to death with my first delivery, and drank a quart of red raspberry leaf tea daily, in my third trimester, with my second pregnancy- I still had a lot of bleeding, but didn't need blood transfusion this time around. 

I stumbled over an article written by you (http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Pregnancy_Problems.htm), and noticed that you mentioned red raspberry leaf infusion - what is the difference between the tea and an infusion?  Could you tell me how to make the infusion, or where I could get it already prepared?  I would love to be able to do it myself.

Thank you for your help and looking forward to your reply.

Hello,

Terminology can get confusing and sometimes people use different terms. For us, an infusion differs from tea in that you use a higher amount of herb and steep it for 4-8 hours before drinking. Far more nourishing and packed with minerals and vitamins. You have to make it yourself with dried herbs but it breaks down to a very inexpensive way to increase your health. All Susun uses are infusions on a daily basis, drinking at least a quart a day, no further vitamin/mineral supplements.

Here is a link for further details on the infusions: http://www.susunweed.com/How_to_make_Infusions.htm. The herbs can usually be found at health food stores. Some online sources we trust and use would be:

Mountain Rose Herbs

Red Moon Herbs

Frontier Coop

Do keep up with the red raspberry as it is helpful. Hopefully you will find the infusions to be of great benefit. Just let us know if you need any additional assistance.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

www.wisewomanweb.com

www.wisewomanbookshop.com

www.wisewomanuniversity.org

 

Kim,

Thank you for your fast reply.  I read the article you gave me (from susunweed.com) and the only question in my mind is if this is safe to drink so early in pregnancy - I am 17 weeks pregnant.  I can see, only from reading, that this is really strong stuff.  Do you know if this is safe so early in pregnancy?  Also, I've heard it said to drink 1 quart of tea per day, but with the infusion it would be only 1 cup a day, is that correct?

I hope I am not annoying with my questions- I just want to get this right! Thank you!

Hello,

Susun feels that red raspberry leaf infusion is an excellent tonic throughout all stages of pregnancy. Yes, you're right, dosage would be 1-2 cups a day of the infusion. If I were you I would also make sure to take nettle leaf infusions as well. Not only is it all around supportive of health, but is also a tremendous source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin K and increases available hemoglobin, both of which reduce chances of postpartum hemorrhaging.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

www.wisewomanweb.com

www.wisewomanbookshop.com

www.wisewomanuniversity.org

You can get your health questions answered by Susun in one of two ways. Join the health hotline teleseminar on Monday and Thursday evenings 8pm EST, through the winter months. Or you may register for a private telephone consultation. You can also join the free women's health forum where hundreds of wise woman can help you. Sign up for the free herbal healing ezine, filled with wise woman wit and wisdom. Visit the Wise Woman Bookshop for online university, gift shop, bookshop, digital downloads, and more. Go to www.susunweed.com for a complete list of offerings including radio show and free videos.

 

Tonics and The Childbearing Year

Hello Susun,

I am reading your book "Childbearing Year", and I wanted to make a tonic of Skullcap and a tonic of St. John's Wart. At my local co-op I was only able to find the dried and chopped versions of these two herbs.  Will it work to make tonics out of the dried herbs? 

I noticed in the book, the St. John's Wart came from a fresh flower, and the Skullcap came from a dried flower. If the dried herbs won't work, could I grow these flowers myself?

Thank you so much. I am just beginning to explore the world of herbs, and I am really glad I found your book. It has been a new awakening!

Hello,

The st. johnswort and skullcap tinctures really need to be from fresh flowers, wild harvest, for proper potency. You  will certainly be able, with a flower-id book, be able to find and harvest this in the correct season, it only blooms for about a month.  Yes, you should be able to grow skullcap on your property…

Love,

Justine

 http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/May04/healingwise.htm

St. Joan's wort tincture: Eases muscles spasms, anti-viral, pain-relieving.

{     Pick yellow Hypericum perforatum flowers in the summer's heat.

{     Fill - don't stuff - a jar with the blossoms and leaves.

{     Fill jar to the top with alcohol. Cap tightly. Label. (It will turn bright red.)

{     Your fresh St. Joan's wort tincture is ready to use in six weeks. 

Skullcap tincture: Pain-relief, headache remedy

{     Pick Scutellaria lateriflora flowering tops when there are seeds as well as flowers.

{     Fill - don't stuff - a jar with the blossoms and leaves.

{     Fill jar to the top with alcohol. Cap tightly. Label.

{     Your fresh skullcap tincture is ready to use in six weeks.     

 “I strongly prefer to make tinctures from fresh plants. But many people have a hard time getting fresh plants. Most books therefore ignore fresh plant tinctures and focus on making tinctures only from dried plants. The only dried plant parts I use to make tinctures are roots and seeds. All other plant parts I use fresh when making a tincture. And I actually prefer to use fresh roots too.” Susun Weed

You can get your health questions answered by Susun in one of two ways. Join the health hotline teleseminar on Monday and Thursday evenings 8pm EST, through the winter months. Or you may register for a private telephone consultation. You can also join the free women's health forum where hundreds of wise woman can help you. Sign up for the free herbal healing ezine, filled with wise woman wit and wisdom. Visit the Wise Woman Bookshop for online university, gift shop, bookshop, digital downloads, and more. Go to www.susunweed.com for a complete list of offerings including radio show and free videos.