Menopause Metamorphosis

Old age and calcium.

I don't know if you or an apprentice would answer this or not. I hope so.
 
I've bought most of your books and followed your lectures. I know you have already answered  my question in your book THE WISEWOMAN YEARS, and I must find another copy. Nevertheless, here is what I want to understand more:
 
I'm 64 and have arthritis now in my knees and here and there. I haven't eaten fully the way I vaguely remember in THE WISEWOMAN YEARS book and so will get another copy. But I am so wanting to know every possible way to increase the calacium in my bones...and to magically heal my joints now. I do some chi gong and massage my knees all the time. I used to be so active and want to have a long productive old age...like everyone else. I wish you would write a book about the magic of creating and maintaining strong flexible bodies until it's time to drop....and knowing when it is time. I am so afraid of the degeneration process as there is so much I've missed in my own lifetime that I wish I could still acomplish. I suppose there are other lifetimes to come....yet doing some of it now would be so nice.
 
Anyway, can you direct me to more info on aging and fixing old skeletons???
 
In green peace,

Greeting,
 
Chickweed is good for ones joints. Eat fresh whenever available, drink the infusion - use plant for hot baths and poultices on joints. Susun recommends 20-30 drops of the tincture taken in a glass of water several times a day for several months to help restore joint mobility and ease pain. Massage is great - incorporate either burdock root oil or dandelion flower oil and also rosemary infused oil has been very helpful as well.
 
The chi gong is a great idea. Staying active is so important. Susun's diet recommendations come from Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon. Avoid overconsumption of polyunsaturated oils, use full fat dairy - also nettles are very high in calcium - eat fresh cooked greens and drinking the infusion.
 
I've included a few links for you as well:
http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/September04/menopausal.htm
 
http://www.susunweed.com/How_to_make_Infusions.htm
 
Just let us know if you need further assistance.
 
blessings,
Kim
Wise Woman Team
www.wisewomabweb.com
www.wisewomanuniversity.org
www.wisewomanbookshop.com
 

My Story

Hi
 
You all have been very responsive to me and thank you!
 
I am 52.5 and still have periods every month.  I have painful bloating PMS that lasts for almost the entire month.  I've gained weight quickly and really need to shed it as I cannot afford new clothes.  I take a endocrine ticture mixed made up by Kathleen Gould here in Mesa, AZ.  I have tinctures of St. John's wort, Valarian, Skullcap and motherwart curing on my counter.  I have trouble sleeping.  Sometimes falling asleep and always staying asleep.  I work full time and have a high pressure job.  I need sleep.  I've also read recently that skullcap can cause liver damage.  I currently make up a tea every night with hops, valarian, skullcap and passion flower.  I feel relaxed but.....
 
I drink infusions of oatstraw and nettle.  I also make up a sinus and allergy tea (mix by Kathleen Gould) and add dandellion to it. 
 
Please help me.....I need to get 10 pounds off and sleep and sleep all night!
 
Thanks again for your quick responses to me!
 
Sincerely, D.

Hi D,

 
Sounds like much you are doing is right on line. It is hard especially in our day and age, but are you able to devote any time to yourself? A block of time (even if small) to relax, perhaps catnap during the day...
 
Weight gain and sleep disturbances are a part of the process as we begin the journey to menopause so, it's not surprising that you are having these issues.
 
The tinctures sound great. Certainly these are all herbs that can help with fatigue and nerves. Have you had a chance to use them yet? If you keep waking up in the night, keep a glass of water by your bed and the motherwort tincture. When you wake up take 10-20 drops of it and a drink of water. Do that everytime you wake up, even if it is several times an hour....
 
Do you have a nightime ritual - can you meditate, decompress a little b/f bed. Are you sleeping in the dark without a lot of electronic devices around - perhaps put alarm clock in other room if you are using one and make sure you don't have cell phones, etc. by bed.
 
Another tincture that is recommended is vervain (verbena officinalis) 20-40 drops in water before bedtime.
 
Sleep disturbances can come about from calcium depletetion - something that the motherwort helps with. How is your diet? Hopefully, you are able to avoid stimulants such as coffee and black tea. Some other ways to get calcium is through whole-fat milk and yogurt, dandelion greens and lamb's quarters - also good to incorporate seaweed into your diet. If you feel you want to go the route of supplements, Susun recommends a bedtime dose of 500mg calcium.
 
Lavender is good for sleep as well - I have a spritz I use and I have seen sleep balms so that may be an option. Also perhaps lavender and hops in a dreams pillow...  Do keep up with the oatstraw and nettle infusions - helpful with nourishing your body and nerves.

 As for the weight, how was your weight before? If it was average or even underweight, according to Susun your weight gain is normal and helps to cushion your body for all the changes of menopause. If you want to lose the weight, you can use chickweed tincture - a dropperful in water during or after a meal (Needs to be done at least 4 times a day and over a long period of time).... You could also start drinking some chickweed infusions as well. You can also drink a cup of bladderwrack seaweed tea before meals. Make sure you are able to stay active.
 
Right now Susun is devoting her time to her forthcoming book and is not answering email questions. You can speak with her during her Free hotline on Tuesday evenings May through October between 7:30-9:30 EST at 845-246-8081 or you can set up a private consultation at http://herbalmedicinehealing.com/store/item_view.asp?estore_itemid=1000370
 
We also have a very active forum where you can ask your question in case a member there can offer you help: http://www.herbshealing.com/wisewomanforum.htm
 
Feel free to write if you need anything else.
 
Blessings,
Kim
Wise Woman Team
www.wisewomanweb.com 
www.wisewomanuniversity.org
www.wisewomanbookshop.com 

Thanks for responding.  I'm so tired I'm sick to my stomach and completely exhausted.  I just cry.  I'm not having trouble even falling asleep.  I do the motherwort tincture when I wake up.   I use all the tinctures.....I take 2000 mg of calcium a day and transdermal magnesium especially at night.  I do detoxified iodine every morning.  Nope, can't sleep until night time.  No clock in my room.  Room is dark and I lay there sometimes for a few hours and then it's like I'm in between two worlds

Hi D,

 
I am sorry to hear about what you are going through... How long have you been dealing with this? Perhaps there is more going on than just the physical aspects you write about. Can you explore any healing modalities such as reiki, etc.? Can you possibly schedule a consultation with Susun? 30 minutes is $50 and she is given details b/f your call so she is familiar with what is happening ....
blessings,
Kim
www.wisewomanuniversity.org
www.wisewomanbookshop.com

20 months.  I've done it all.  Energy work.  Naturopaths, acupuncture, real drugs.  I'm so broke from trying things.  
 

 
Well you certainly are trying - no question about that. I can only imagine the level of frustration you are feeling and along with the stress from your job... That is more than enough to put us down about as low as we can go. If you cannot afford the paid consultation, I would try to reach Susun during her Tuesday free hotline that I wrote about earlier - I will also cc to Justine in case she has something else to offer....
 
Blessings,
Kim
www.wisewomanuniversity.org
www.wisewomanbookshop.com