Childbearing Year

Vitex

Hi Susun,

After 10 months of trying to conceive, a PCOS diagnosis, and a male factor issue, I just found out that I'm 4 weeks pregnant. During the last year, I've been taking pre-natals, DHA, and probiotics. Only within the last month have I started taking raw maca (1 tsp mixed in a smoothie) and 1000 mg of Vitex (Gaia Herbs brand). I've read so many conflicting statements about continuing to take Vitex during pregnancy; what are your thoughts?

Thank you,
Emily

 

Emily, hello!

I’ve included a quote from Susun in regards to her thoughts on vitex use: “Another important herbal ally for women over forty who desire a child is chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castii). It has been used in Africa and parts of Europe for several thousand years to discourage the male libido. In women, the effects seem to be the opposite! It may also be a fertility enhancer. Most importantly, chaste tree is a strengthening tonic for the pituitary gland, the master control gland for the endocrine system. Daily use of the tincture of the berries (1 dropperful/1 ml 2-3 times daily) had been shown to increase progesterone--the hormone of pregnancy--and luteinizing hormone--which promotes conception. Because it can lower prolactin levels, chaste tree is best discontinues during the last trimester of pregnancy.”

blessings,
Kim
Wise Woman Team

www.wisewomanweb.com
www.wisewomanbookshop.com
www.wisewomanuniversity.org
www.wisewomanmentor.com

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Join Susun Weed on blogtalkradio, Tuesday nights 7:30-9:30 pm EST. Call in with your questions or email ahead of time to wisewoman@herbshealing.com. 

Visit the link for more info:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/susunweed

 

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If you're ready to go deeper with your herbal studies, join Susun on her new Mentorship website. Get new content weekly such as the expanded herbal ezine, replays of teleseminars, videos, audio of Susuns past lectures, many articles by Susun, and even personal one on one mentorship from Susun.
www.wisewomanmentor.com

Echinacea/Goldenseal while nursing

Hi Susun

I've recently purchased an Echinacea Goldenseal supplement by Gaia Herbs and didn't see, until after getting home, that it is recommended to avoid consumption of goldenseal while nursing.

I have a 14 month old, and he is breastfed on demand. I'm curious of a few things. I figured scouring the internet would only return a handful, at best, of reputable sources so why not come to the wellspring of women's herbal knowledge!

1. Is it in fact safe? I've searched in your Wise Woman books and have only turned up that it can be used topically on babies. What has been found out that has anything I find on the subject saying that it is not safe?
2. What are the associated risks vs benefits that I may need to weigh to decide on my own if there isn't much known about the relationship of it and nursing mothers? Would it be an OK supplement for me to take on occasion at the very least?

This info will not only help me, but future clients who may be curious as well. I sincerely appreciate your time.
theresa

Hello Theresa,
What form is this in? Susun does not recommend herbs in capsule form. Susun also does not recommend the use of goldenseal at all ... Echinacea tincture, not a problem... As for deciding on what to take... of course, we cannot give a hard and fast rule to that. Many herbs haven't been studied, so they always err on the side of caution and say do not use them... when they do study them, often the various constituents are extracted, studies separately, apart from the whole... which is why when it does come to herbs, Susun recommends the use of whole form... the nourishing herbal infusions, medicinal vinegars, etc. 

Perhaps you can call in during Susun's health hotline? That way you can discuss it with her directly... She holds it every Tuesday from 7:30pm - 9Pm Eastern...
646-929-2463; http://www.blogtalkradio.com/susunweed

Also, not sure if you have Susun's book, The Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year? If not, I would recommend ... lots of good info on herb use from before conception thru breastfeeding ...   http://www.herbalmedicinehealing.com/store/item_view.php?id=1000019&item=wise-woman-herbal-for-the-childbearing-year

 

blessings,
Kim
Wise Woman Team

www.wisewomanweb.com
www.wisewomanbookshop.com
www.wisewomanuniversity.org
www.wisewomanmentor.com

---

Join Susun Weed on blogtalkradio, Tuesday nights 7:30-9:30 pm EST. Call in with your questions or email ahead of time to wisewoman@herbshealing.com. 

Visit the link for more info:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/susunweed

 

---

If you're ready to go deeper with your herbal studies, join Susun on her new Mentorship website. Get new content weekly such as the expanded herbal ezine, replays of teleseminars, videos, audio of Susuns past lectures, many articles by Susun, and even personal one on one mentorship from Susun.
www.wisewomanmentor.com

47 and Wanting to Conceive

47 and Wanting to Conceive

A woman calls into Blog Talk Radio with a couple of questions about conception while beginning menopause at 47 years of age. Her FSH has been high and periods erratic tells us that she is early part of menopause, this does not mean she cannot conceive. Susun talks about genetic material and the likelihood of miscarriage. Susun talks about vitex tincture, red clover infusion, animal fat at every meal and petitioning the soul of your unborn child. This audio is 8 1/2 minutes in length.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Join Susun on blog talk radio http://www.blogtalkradio.com/susunweed happening every Tuesday evening from 7:30- 9:30 pm EDT. You can call in with your own questions for the first 90 minutes of the show at (646)929-2463. The last 1/2 hour of the blog talk show is dedicated to a guest interview each week.