Menopause Metamorphosis

Ovarian cyst

Hello Susan,

I was hoping you might have a moment to help me with something.
I have been diagnosed by ultrasound with an ovarian cyst - almost 4" - a couple of small fibroids and a little endometriosis.
I believe what is giving me the most trouble and discomfort right now is the large cyst. I have started using Shepherd's Purse to help stop the heavy bleeding with great success. We do not have an herbalist where I live, but there is a TCM clinic that I had a consultation with and started on something called "Resolve Lower". I am not sure it is doing anything.
I also take Chaste Tree berry to try to balance my hormones. I take 30 drops twice a day - am and pm. It has seemed to help with my PMS symptoms.
So, that leads me to the question of - I have seen you mention Chickweed. Would that be a good thing to take for an ovarian cyst? If so - how much would you take for one the size of mine?
And, would there be anything else that would be beneficial or better.
I understand you are not my doctor and I would by no means hold you responsible in any way if I tried something you mentioned and it did not work or caused a problem.
But, I would appreciate your input if you are willing to help as I am not sure who to ask who is near me.

Thank you so much for your time.
Tina

 

Tina, hello!

You may have already reached out to Susun via her blogtalk radio… if not, yes, indeed, chickweed is highly recommended for ovarian cysts. It can be used often and for long periods of time… A dropperful taken 2-4 times a day is usual, so you might want to start with that…. It can take months however for it to fully work, so patience may be required. However, Susun has known many who have had great success with the use of chickweed.

Incorporate seaweed in your diet if not doing so already… fresh chickweed poultices externally can be used and castor oil packs are also recommended… Susun has a chapter about ovarian cysts in her latest book, Down There: Sexual and Reproductive Health the Wise Woman Way. Some of the suggestions in the book….
From page 259: “Chickweed is a reliable dissolver of ovarian cysts. I prefer tincture of the fresh plant in flower, though infusion of the dried herb may be used with good results. The key is consistency: a dropperful of tincture, or a cup of infusion, taken 3-4 times a day until the cyst is gone. Very large cysts and dermoid cysts will dissolve eventually, but it may require more than a year’s effort.”

Burdock root infusions are also suggested to help with ovary health… you can do the infusions, make vinegars or add burdock root to soups, etc…. If you’d like to talk with Susun more, she does have her free health hotline each Tuesday from 7:30pm – 9pm Eastern; www.blogtalkradio.com/susunweed ; 646-929-2463

If you do a search at Susun’s blogtalk channel, you will find quite a few shows where she does go over her protocol for ovarian cysts… might be good to check out some of them. A few are linked below…

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/susunweed/2014/01/22/ask-herbal-health-expert-susun-weed-and-future-primative-joanna-harcourt-smith
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/susunweed/2014/01/15/ask-herbal-health-expert-susun-weed-and-healthy-hoohoo-with-stacy-lyon
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/susunweed/2013/05/01/ask-herbal-health-expert-susun-weed

blessings,
Kim
Wise Woman Team

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Bladder Infections

Bladder Infections

Excerpt from: New Menopausal Years the Wise Woman Way,
Alternative Approaches for Women 30-90 by Susun S. Weed

“If you let that fiery wise blood just sit there in your belly, great granddaughter,” admonishes Grandmother Growth, “you'll get the urge to quench that heat. You'll get a tickle, a twinge, an urgent call. But you won't have the moisture you need. It's boiled away. It's gone up in steam. “So I'll say it once more: circulate your wise blood, granddaughter. Spiral it around and up to your crown. Take action on your anger. Pleasure yourself. And you'll be one of those old crones, like me, whose eyes sparkle with mirth and flash with intention.”    Collect Information - Step 1 of Six Steps of Healing Bladder infections are also known as cystitis, urethritis, and UTIs (urinary tract infections). When bacteria grow in the bladder, the resulting infection usually causes symptoms such as: a burning sensation during voiding, overwhelming urgency, frequent but minuscule urinations, incontinence, bloody urine, and pelvic pain. Up to 25 percent of bladder infections in post- menopausal women are silent or symptomless. Bacteria enter the bladder in three primary ways: when feces are spread to the bladder opening (such as wiping from back to front after toileting), when the tube leading to the bladder is irritated or bruised (as from use of a diaphragm, pelvic surgery, or prolonged/vigorous vaginal penetration), or when there is an in-dwelling catheter. The thinning and shrinking of reproductive and bladder tissues that may occur in the post- menopausal years contributes to bladder infections in older women, as does lessening of vaginal acidity. Sometimes tiny ulcerations appear in the wall of the bladder; this is called interstitial cystitis (IC). Some of the remedies in this section are contraindicated for women with interstitial cystitis. (IC remedies on pages XXX-XXX.) These remedies are substantially the same ones that delighted and aided the readers of my first book: Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year.    Engage the Energy - Step 2 of Six Steps of Healing • Flow, flow, flow. Head off that bladder infection by drinking a glass of water hourly as soon as you feel the first urgency or burning. It is tempting to stint on drinking if you find yourself unexpectedly incontinent, but don't. Bladder infections only make incontinence worse. • Urine is ideally neutral to slightly acidic (pH 5.8–pH 7). Very acidic urine (below pH 5.5) encourages infections. An established infection gives rise to alkaline urine (pH 7.5 or higher) which causes stinging and burning. Test your urine with pH paper at any time except first thing in the morning. Cranberry juice lowers pH; vitamin C raises it. • Cantharis is a homeopathic remedy for scalding urine.    Nourish and tonify - Step 3 of Six Steps of Healing • Cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon) contain substances that kill bacteria and make your bladder wall so slippery that any escaping bacteria can't latch on and thrive there. Unsweetened cranberry juice (or concentrate) is the most effective form. (The sugar or corn syrup in cranberry cocktail-type juices and cran-apple juices can feed the infection.) Drink freely, at least a glass a day, up to a quart/liter a day for acute infections unless your urine's pH is already low. ~ Pelvic floor exercises help prevent and relieve bladder infections too! See page XXX and try this one: After urinating, close your eyes, relax, breathe out, and see if you can squeeze out an extra dribble. • An overgrowth of vaginal yeast may be irritating your bladder or urethra. Eat one cup of plain yogurt 4-5 times a week.    Stimulate/Sedate - Step 4 of Six Steps of Healing ~ Uva Ursi (Arctostaphylos uva ursi) is an old favorite for strengthening the bladder and ending chronic silent bladder infections. I prefer a hot water infusion of the dried leaves, but know women who have successfully used cold water infusions, tinctures, even vinegars. A dose is 1 cup/125 ml of infusion; 10-30 drops of tincture; 1 tablespoonful/15 ml of vinegar; 3–6 times a day initially, then 1–3 times a day for 7–10 days. In very chronic cases, eliminate all forms of sugar (even fresh fruit, fruit juice, and honey) for a month as well. ~ Yarrow is a urinary disinfectant with a powerful antibacterial action and an astringent effect. A small cup of the infusion, once or twice a day for 7–10 days, tones up weak, lax bladder tissues. Combines well with uva ursi. Results may be felt within hours. ~ In my experience, Echinacea purpurea and E. augustifolia are as effective as antibiotics in clearing bladder infections and do not contribute to vaginal yeast. (See Step 5b.) A dose is 1 drop echinacea tincture per 2 pounds/1 kilo body weight. (For 150 pound/70 kilo person, use 75 drops or three dropperfuls.) In acute cases, I give the dose every 2 hours. As the infection clears, I lengthen the amount of time between doses until I'm down to 1–2 doses a day, which I continue for another 2–10 weeks. • Women who wash their vulva with soap and water are four times more likely to get vaginal and bladder infections. Douches, bubblebaths, tampons, nylon underwear, and pantyhose may also irritate the urethra and contribute to bladder infections. • Known bladder irritants include: alcohol, black tea, coffee, sodas, citrus juices, chocolate, cayenne, and hot peppers. (An herbal tincture in an alcohol base won't irritate the bladder if you take it diluted in a glass of water or a cup of herb tea.) •Urinating after love play flushes out bacteria and cuts down on UTIs. Urinating before love play increases your risk of a bladder infection.    Use Supplements- Step 5a of Six Steps of Healing • Ascorbic acid wrings the kidneys, flushes the bladder, and raises urinary pH. Try 500 mg hourly for 6–8 hours. (IC sufferers — avoid!) • Be careful about taking calcium supplements if you are prone to bladder infections. Calcium supplements increase bacterial adherence to the bladder wall, increasing bladder infections.    Use Drugs - Step 5b of Six Steps of Healing • Antibiotics are the standard medical treatment for women with bladder infections. But taking antibiotics frequently causes vaginal yeast overgrowth (which can lead to bladder infection). One — nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin) — seems to cause microscopic scarring and ulceration of the bladder wall, precipitating IC.    Break and Enter- Step 6 of Six Steps of Healing • Dilation of the urethra is expensive, painful, and causes tiny scars on the urethra which may lead to interstitial cystitis. I have seen it referred to as “the rape of the female urethra.” No controlled study has shown this procedure to be effective at limiting chronic bladder infections. Do pelvic floor exercises instead. This excerpt, from Susun Weed's New Menopausal Years the Wise Woman Way, Alternative Approaches for Women 30-90, is from the section on Vaginal/Bladder Changes, which also includes help for the following topics: Dry Vagina Natural, Sensual Lubricants Itching, Burning Vulva/Vaginal Atrophy Pelvic Floor Exercises Vaginal Yeast Overgrowth Incontinence Bladder Infections (this excerpt) Interstitial Cystitis Postmenopausal Bleeding