Childbearing Year

October 31, 2011 in postpartum bleeding | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 24, 2011

Red Clover and Polyps

Hello,

I have been struggling with infertility for over 4 years. I am 42 years of age. I am going to begin red clover, raspberry and nettles tea formula recommended by Susun Weed. I have had polyps removed earlier this year. Will this combination of herbs increase my chances of the polyps returning? I hear that polyps are estrogen fed. Does this combination increase estrogen?

Thank you so much.

Hello,

We love red clover infusion and have found no problems in continuing its use. From Susun's new book, "Down There: Sexual and Reproductive Health the Wise Woman Way" : "Red clover infusion is the single best remedy I know of for increasing fertility. It is not estrogenic, but sterolic, allowing the body to create the specific hormones it needs."

Always listen to your body, we are all different, but if it were me, I would continue with the infusions. But do remember, not capsules or tinctures for increasing fertility, just infusions.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

October 24, 2011 in herbal safety | Permalink | Comments (1)

October 23, 2011

Red Raspberry Leaf ~ Herbal Ally for Fertiltiy

Hi,

Heard few stories about getting pregnant and the use of “red raspberry”. I’m 39 years old, have only one child and it’s been hard to get pregnant again..couple of months ago had a D&C, they told me it was a abnormal pregnancy.

I’ve been suffering from Endometriosis on one of my ovaries and had a surgery to remove it before my first pregnancy; everything went well after because got pregnant right away. I also want to mention that at that time I was also going to a herbalist who was giving me “red raspberry in drops” months before having the surgery and getting pregnant, so I do not know which caused me to get pregnant.

At the time, my OBGYM doctor have told me that my Endometriosis is back and I’m very concerned if this is causing me not to get pregnant again. I’m having my periods every month and normally they are every 32 days + I have notice that the third day my period stops for few hours and then have it again but a little bit heavy and finally the fourth day is gone. I’m very worry and do not know what to do. Would you help me to know what could I do?

Hello,

Red raspberry is a good ally for fertility - not sure what you mean by red raspberry in drops, perhaps a tincture? We recommend taking infusions, which are infused like a tea but with a much higher concentration of herb and steeped for long periods of time. If you are unfamiliar with them, take a look at Susun's site here: http://nourishingherbalinfusions.com/

Even more so than red raspberry, Susun's favorite ally for fertility would be red clover infusions. Either with just red clover or 1/2 oz of red clover combined with 1/2 oz of red raspberry leaf.

Red clover is also especially helpful even with endometriosis. From Susun: "Red clover is the single best remedy for women over forty who want to conceive but can't -- even if there are medical reasons for not conceiving such blocked tubes, diabetes, ovarian cysts, internal scaring, endometriosis. There are many heart-warming success stories I could share about red clover! But suffice to say, drinking 2-4 cups of the infusion of the dried blossoms (neither tincture nor tea nor pills will work for this application) seems to do wonders for fertility, no matter what your age."

More ideas in Susun's article here: http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Fertility_After_Forty.htm

Along with red clover, chasteberry tincture would be another possible ally for you. It can help with regulating cycles and nourishing the endocrine system.

Some more of Susun's thoughts on enhancing fertility: http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Fertility_Herbs.htm

Even with your circumstances, you can conceive again. Start right away with the red clover infusions, then perhaps meditate on the other options and see what feels right to your own body. Staying positive and calm will only help to enhance the ability of the herbs to work. Also you may want to check out our health forum here: www.healingwiseforum.com. You will find lots of threads about fertility, pregnancy, etc. and may find more information you find useful.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

October 23, 2011 in fertility, Miscarriage | Permalink | Comments (1)

October 18, 2011

Concerns with Unsuccessful Herbal Termination

Hi Susun,

I recently tried the vitamin c and parsley concoction for bringing on my period/ aborting what is in my uterus. Anyway, I have a couple questions for you. I tried this method approximately 18 days after conception. To be the most specific, I took 6,000 mg of vitamin c supplement as well as sticking one sprig of parsley up my vagina twice a day. Also, I made an infusion of parsley water (I filled a mason jar full of sprigs of parsley & poured hot water over it and let it sit for 4 hours) and took 12 tablespoons of the parsley water within 3 days. I ended all the parsley consumption after 3 days, but I took the vitamin c supplements for 6 days. Anyway, nothing happened. My period never came & i'm still pregnant.

My question to you is if that could have caused birth defects. I'm now debating on continuing with the pregnancy. I don't know if age matters much but I am 30. I contacted my friend who's studying to be a naturopathic doctor who ended up getting answers from her professors. They said that the amount of vitamin c that I took is actually a therapeutic amount and they are not opposed to recommending that amount to people. My friend said that my body probably needed vitamin c and so it took it up without a problem. About the parsley, they said that because it is after 2 weeks of conception, harm probably did not persist. Apparently within the first 2 weeks after conception is when the terotogens are at the most risk for abnormalties & such. That is when the apiol (in the parsley) is most dangerous to the embryo. After those 2 weeks, harmful substances like alcohol affect what's developing inside the body.

So, my friend said that her guess is that because I didn't experience any uterine contractions and nothing was aborted, then it's very likely that if I choose to give birth, the baby will be okay. Now I am in my 6th week of pregnancy.

If you could share some of your knowledge with me on this subject, I would really appreciate it.

Thank you!

Hello,

I agree that most likely what you have taken has not damaged the fetus. I believe that Vitamin C helps to stop implantation and parsley to bring about menstruation - neither are one for causing birth defects. This is one of the more "gentle" approaches to an herbal abortion. Our experience is that most times, the body will not continue to hold a fetus that is not viable. Best to try and get in touch with your own body's intuition and see what it is saying.... You can try calling Susun during her free health hotline on blogtalkradio, Tuesday nights 7:30-9:30 pm EST. Call in with your questions 1-646-929-2463. Visit the link for more info: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/susunweed. Best wishes to you.

blessings,

Wise Woman Team

http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/Weed_letter_Jan-02.htm#article

October 18, 2011 in Abortion, birth control | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 17, 2011

Red Raspberry Leaf ~ Ally in Pregnancy

Hello,

I am in my fifth week of pregnancy. This cycle I got pregnant I starting taking 2 Red Raspberry Leaf pills daily which comes to a dosage of 960mg of RRL daily. I read it could help tone the uterus. I am now uneasy about continuing it now for fear that it could actually in some cause problems but I am unsure if it is safe to suddenly stop it? I asked my OBGYN and he has no idea. Thank you.

Hello,

We would only recommend that you take red raspberry leaf in an infusion form. If you are unfamiliar with infusions, you can read more about them here: http://nourishingherbalinfusions.com/

There seems to be more side-effects when using herbs as a capsule and we prefer to use them as infusions, teas, tinctures and vinegars. Here is a little from Susun in regards to capsules: "That said, any herb powdered and put into a capsule is dangerous (unless it is useless). Consider the herb ephedra. Chinese herbalists have used Ma Huang (ephedra) without ill effect for over 3,000 years. The Mormons made use of ephedra as a tea, again without harm. But powdered, encapsulated, and taken in high doses by women intent on losing weight, ephedra has caused so many fatalities that it has been banned in the U.S.A. What an ignoble end to a helpful herb! I never take herbs in capsules, and I warn my students against doing so. "

Feel free to drink red raspberry infusion throughout pregnancy as your own body dictates. You can read more about all the wonderful things it, along with other infusions can do for you during this time:

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

Thank you for your response. I dont know if I can get the infusion but would u think it safe to cut the pills down to one for a few days and than discontinue or are the effects of rrl too strong to just stop like that. Thank you...

Hi,

The infusions you do make yourself with dried herbs - much like making tea but with a higher amount of herb and with a longer steeping time. I don't know where you are located but usually the dried herbs can be found in the bulk herb section of your health/natural food store. You can also order online at various places such as Mountain Rose Herbs or Red Moon Herbs.

Since I have not used RRL in a capsule form, I really cannot address that. I don't see why it would be a problem for you to cut the pills down over a few days and stop but again, we just don't use RRL in that way. You may want to ask at our health forum - perhaps someone there will be able to answer that question. The forum is at www.healingwiseforum.com.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

October 17, 2011 in herbal safety, Pregnancy, Diet and Nourishment | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 16, 2011

Queen Anne's Lace - Herbal Birth Control

Hi,

...I am a mom of 7 children. I have been on Yaz birth control pills for about three years now, and want to stop taking them. I feel like I am ingesting poison and I know the risks for the sickness they cause. Are there any herbal or natural alternatives to help prevent pregnancy that are safe and effective?

Hello,

Queen Anne's Lace is the first that that comes to mind in regards to herbal BC. Some studies have been done and the effective rate is usually close to that of taking the Pill ... of course, nothing is 100%.

Susun recommends eating a heaping teaspoon of the gathered seeds daily to prevent implantation. You can read more about it, along with other suggestions here: http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Fertility_Herbs.htm

A recent study that was done on Queen Anne's Lace: http://robinrosebennett.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=44

Also a little more information from Susun: http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Herbal_Birth_Control.htm

I would also suggest checking at our forum - you should find a number of threads with the subject of herbal BC. www.healingwiseforum.com

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

October 16, 2011 in birth control, herbal safety | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 10, 2011

Increasing Iron Levels

Hi Susun,

I am writing in hope that you can give me some advice?

I am 30 weeks pregnant with babe no 6, and I am low in iron, I have begun drinking organic nettle tea, and was wondering how much I should drink per day?

Also I have just discovered I am lacking in vitamin b12, (something I believe I have been suffering for a while now) I have read that dandelion has high levels of b12? I really don't want to go for nasty shots at the dr! and the sublingual vitamin b12 I have looked at has a whole load of nasties such as sorbitol etc it it! I am wondering if dandelion is what I need and how much?

One other thing I am rhesus negative and have given into the anti-d shot after each babe so far :-( the only intervention I have allowed) I was wondering if this time there may be a herbal answer to this?

I would really appreciate any advice you may be able to offer, I have just ordered your books and am looking forward to them arriving :-)

Thanking you...

Hi,

You should be able to drink from a cup up to a quart of nettle infusions daily if you wish. Also perhaps yellow dock syrup which is so good for helping with iron issues. Cooked dandelion greens are great for iron as well.

There are studies showing dandelions do contain b12 as well as sea vegetables and mushrooms but it is debated as to whether it is a form we can assimilate. Only truly reliable source seems to be from animal product. Susun recommends using some animal protein, nourishing bone broths, organic eggs and dairy to round out a mostly vegetarian, wild-foods diet.

I have not heard of anything specific in regards to herbs for rhesus negative. You may wish to call Susun during her free health hotline on blogtalkradio, Tuesday nights 7:30-9:30 pm EST. Call in with your questions 1-646-929-2463. Visit the link for more info: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/susunweed

I would also ask at our health forum: www.healingwiseforum.com. Perhaps someone there may have some further suggestions for you. Best wishes to you!

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team