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
[email protected]
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
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
Posted by: Adelle | January 11, 2011 at 02:59 AM
Make youself a better person and know who you are before you try and know someone else and expect them to know you.
Posted by: coach suitcase | June 30, 2010 at 12:35 AM