Menopause Metamorphosis

Herbs for Libido and Vaginal Dryness

Hello Susun,

I just came across your website, was very intrigued by your message, and ordered your green book.  Can’t wait to read it!

I am very hopeful that herbs can improve my libido and lubrication and would like to get started with one simple infusion. 

I have two questions . . .

1.       For libido and vaginal dryness, which is the one herb that you believe could have the most impact?

2.       Are dried oatstraw – Green Tops, just as good for libido and dryness as buying the entire Oatstraw plant? 

I called a local health food store looking for dried Oatstraw and what they carry is Oatstraw – Green Tops.  One pound costs $10.00.  Is this a good purchase – or should I purchase from a store that has a different form of the Oatstraw?

Thank you for any help you can offer...

Hi,

As Justine mentioned in another email for overall nourishing and for your needs- oatstraw is the best to use over the oat tops.

Another thing that I find beneficial for vaginal dryness is comfrey root sitz baths and the use of comfrey ointment as well. I am enclosing a link to one of Susun's articles which contains more information along with directions on using the comfrey.

http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/October08/childbearing.htm

You don't mention your age, put as we turn into our menopausal years, problems with libido and vaginal dryness can effect many of us. Another note from Susun:

"Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) may be the single most useful herb for menopausal women. Taken as a vinegar or as a tincture (dose is 5-25 drops as needed), motherwort leaves and flowers act to calm the nerves, relieve premenstrual tension, ease menstrual cramping, restore lubrication and elasticity to the vagina, strengthen the heart, and maintain hormonal balance. Motherwort vinegar is exceptionally rich in minerals, too."

You may want to investigate motherwort as another ally for you as well. Just let us know if you need any further assistance.

blessings, 

Kim

Wise Woman Team

www.wisewomanweb.com

www.wisewomanuniversity.org

www.wisewomanbookshop.com

 

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.

 

Advice for Dropped Bladder

Dearest Susun,

I made it through menopause with the help of your book and acupuncture. Now my bladder has dropped and is in my vaginal canal. Any herbal remedies and helpers?

Hello,

Would try daily Kegel exercises and red raspberry infusions... 

Learn  how to make nourishing herbal infusions here

http://www.susunweed.com/How_to_make_Infusions.htm

Here is more about red raspberry leaf infusions:

red raspberry leaf infusion is a supreme uterine tonic, it contains fragrine which helps to tone the uterus…it does not cause uterine contraction, and should be considered a food for the uterus, rather than a drug. Raspberry leaf infusion also minimizes menstrual cramps and flooding.

A strong infusion of dried raspberry leaves increases fertility, tonifies the uterus, aids in easy birthing, helps prevent miscarriage, alleviates morning sickness, reduces muscle/leg cramps and backache, and counters fatigue.

To make it:
* Put one ounce of the dried raspberry leaves in a quart jar; fill it to the top with boiling water, and cap tightly.
* After steeping for at least four hours, strain the leaves out of the infusion.
* Drink the liquid hot or cold, with honey, or anyway you like it.
* Refrigerate left-overs.

Capsules, tinctures, and teas of raspberry are not as effective.

 

Learn  how to do Kegel Exercises from the Mayo Clinic:

Kegel exercises can help you prevent or control urinary incontinence and other pelvic floor problems. Here's a step-by-step guide to doing Kegel exercises correctly.

By Mayo Clinic staff

Kegel exercises strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, which support the uterus, bladder and bowel. You can do Kegel exercises discreetly just about anytime, whether you're driving in your car, sitting at your desk or relaxing on the couch. You can even do Kegel exercises when you're pregnant. Start by understanding what Kegel exercises can do for you — then follow step-by-step instructions for contracting and relaxing your pelvic floor muscles.

Why Kegel exercises matter

Many factors can weaken your pelvic floor muscles, from pregnancy and childbirth to aging and being overweight. This may allow your pelvic organs to descend and bulge into your vagina — a condition known as pelvic organ prolapse. The effects of pelvic organ prolapse range from uncomfortable pelvic pressure to leakage of urine. Pelvic organ prolapse isn't inevitable, however. Kegel exercises can help delay or even prevent pelvic organ prolapse and the related symptoms.

Kegel exercises — along with counseling and sex therapy — may also be helpful for women who have persistent problems reaching orgasm.

How to do Kegel exercises

It takes diligence to identify your pelvic floor muscles and learn how to contract and relax them. Here are some pointers:

§  Find the right muscles. Insert a finger inside your vagina and try to squeeze the surrounding muscles. You should feel your vagina tighten and your pelvic floor move upward. Then relax your muscles and feel your pelvic floor return to the starting position. You can also try to stop the flow of urine when you urinate. If you succeed, you've got the basic move. Don't make a habit of starting and stopping your urine stream, though. Doing Kegel exercises with a full bladder or while emptying your bladder can actually weaken the muscles, as well as lead to incomplete emptying of the bladder — which increases the risk of a urinary tract infection.

§  Perfect your technique. Once you've identified your pelvic floor muscles, empty your bladder and sit or lie down. Contract your pelvic floor muscles, hold the contraction for five seconds, then relax for five seconds. Try it four or five times in a row. Work up to keeping the muscles contracted for 10 seconds at a time, relaxing for 10 seconds between contractions.

§  Maintain your focus. For best results, focus on tightening only your pelvic floor muscles. Be careful not to flex the muscles in your abdomen, thighs or buttocks. Avoid holding your breath. Instead, breathe freely during the exercises.

§  Repeat three times a day. Aim for at least three sets of 10 repetitions a day. You might make a practice of fitting in a set every time you do a routine task, such as checking email, commuting to work, preparing meals or watching TV.

If you do your Kegel exercises faithfully, you can expect to see results — such as less frequent urine leakage — within about eight to 12 weeks. For some women, the improvement is dramatic. For others, Kegel exercises simply keep problems from getting any worse. For continued benefits, make Kegel exercises a permanent part of your daily routine.

Hope this helps,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

www.wisewomanuniversity.org

www.wisewomanbookshop.com

 

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.

Nourishing the Body After Cancer

Hi Susun Weed,

I was given your name by my yoga instructor. I asked for her help to find out some info on dandelion root.
To give you a little of my history, I am 54 years old. I've had breast cancer twice and the second time I had a double mascectomy, in October 2008.  I received chemotherapy and was also put on "Arimidex" for 5 years, which I was not happy about (I'm not one to take prescription drugs if at all possible).
Being that I didn't take it after the first cancer, I didn't want to press my luck after the 2nd time.  I have had osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia for 6 years or so and with the arimidex also affecting my bones, etc. I am tired of being in pain.  

I take vitamins, MSM,glucosamine,calcium, Vit D, etc., without much effect.  With what my body went thru in 2008, I thought that the benefits of dandelion would cleanse my insides and help other issues.  My oncologist says I can't take anything with estrogen.  I was told that dandelion has Coumestrol (phytoestrogen) which mimics estrogen and alternates the hormones.  Soy also has estrogen.  It seems whats good for me, I can't take.  The oncologist said alot of herbs have estrogen.  I am confused and don't know if I should be pursuing help with herbs.  If you could give me any insight on this or know of something that could help me naturally I would be forever grateful.
Your website shows you as being very knowledgeable and I hope you can send me in the right direction.

Awaiting your reply....

Hello,

Nearly everyone will benefit immensely from regular use of nourishing herbal infusions of nettle leaf, oatstraw, and comfrey leaf. They are to be considered like food, very high quality food, with lots of nutrients and very nourishing to the body. Soy is not helpful unless taken in fermented form (tamari, miso, tempeh, etc). Cleansing is hard on the body, and makes it harder to heal and stay strong. Nourishing the body allows the body to heal itself, properly  nourished and supported towards health and wellbeing. Note: All herbs in pill or capsule form are not beneficial for use and can even be dangerous.

Learn how  to make nourishing herbal infusions
http://www.susunweed.com/How_to_make_Infusions.htm

Susun is unable to answer email questions as she is devoting her time to her forthcoming book, “Down There, reproductive health for women and men” due out soon. She has just started offering telephone consultations. If you are interested, go to: www.herbalmedicinehealing.com/store/ You might also go to the Wise Woman Forum to ask your question in case a member can offer you help: www.susunweed.com/wisewomanforum.htm


Sending love,
Justine

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.

 

Increasing Energy in Menopause

First of all thank you for what you are doing.

I am Italian, but I have lived in Los Angeles for 8 years. I had my first and only daughter four years ago at the age of 44. Now I am 48 and I haven't had my period for 4 months.

What I feel now makes me very miserable expecially during the days when I used to have my periods. I have no energy at all, I am very nervous and  less patient, I feel like my whole tummy is inflamed and I have swing moods. I rarely have hot flashes, but I always wake up once at night and I feel like my body temperature is higher and I have some anxiety. I could deal with all that, but I need to feel better because I have to take care of my daughter and run after her.

I read your book "New Menopausal Years" and I started taking nettle infusion that helped me a lot and I realized it more when I stopped taking it because my energy level fell again. So I want to start again but I want to have some advice about what herbs are better for me and how much I have to take them and for how long. My grandmother was from a part of Italy (Trentino) where they still use herbs to treat many things, so I  looked for a site that could help me in this time of my life naturally (I didn't like my family doctor who told me to take the pill because herbs don't really help).

Thank you in advance for your answer and again for what you are doing.

Hello,

Glad you have started back on the nettle infusions - do keep those up to help with the energy you need running after a four year old! :) Are you doing any oatstraw infusions? They do a nice job of soothing one's jangled nerves and taking the edge off of things a bit. Also motherwort tincture is a powerful ally during times like you describe. If you feel yourself becoming anxious, start with the motherwort, taking 10-20 drops as needed, repeating up to every five minutes. It is also a good thing to keep by your bedside. If you wake up, take 10-15 drops along with a swallow of water.

How old is your book? Susun did to an updated version in 2002, with lots of new information, so you may want to look into getting the current version if you do not already: http://www.herbalmedicinehealing.com/store/item_view.asp?estore_itemid=1000021

We also have a website with a number of articles and excerpts here: http://www.menopause-metamorphosis.com/. I would read all the articles over there but have pulled a few to get you started and that focus on some of the issues you mentioned:

http://www.menopause-metamorphosis.com/An_Excerpt-106-emotional_uproar.htm

http://www.menopause-metamorphosis.com/An_Article-healthy.htm

http://www.susunweed.com/An_Article_Fatigue_AW3.htm

Susun also offers phone consultations by appointment for a moderate fee (15min/$30 or 30min/$50). These can be booked through our site here: http://www.herbalmedicinehealing.com/store/store_results.asp?Category=3&SubCat=1034&Section=Consultations.

I would also recommend checking out our free forum here: www.healingwiseforum.com. Lots of good information and support is available there as well. Just let us know if you need any additional help and congratulations on your beautiful girl!

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.

 

Chickweed Oil for Vaginal Dryness

Hi Susun,

In one of your news letters, you mentioned using Chickweed oil for vaginal dryness.  You said to make it with fresh Chickweed.  If I able not able to obtain it fresh, can I make it with dried Chickweed? If not, can you recommend a good source of prepared Chickweed oil?

Thank you...

Hello,

You would definitely want to make the chickweed oil with fresh, juicy chickweed. Dried just would not be helpful in this instance. If you cannot get fresh, two online sources we recommend for products are Mountain Rose Herbs or Red Moon Herbs.

It may be difficult to find just the infused oil, probably will be easier for you to find a salve prepared with chickweed oil. That I find readily in local health food stores.

In case you didn't see this article of Susun's, I am including a link - more ideas for working with the vaginal dryness. She also recommends drinking infusions of oatstraw and comfrey to help ease your symptoms.

http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/October08/childbearing.htm

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.