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The
following are brief descriptions of the ingredient herbs in WOMAN’S
SELECT.
Blessed
Thistle
As an excellent blood purifier, blessed thistle (also known as holy
thistle or St. Benedict thistle) is such a beneficial tonic herb
for all the organs in the body that, historically, it is credited
with magical powers. Shakespeare
wrote about it in his play Much
Ado About Nothing, with the advice: “Get you some of this distilled
Carduus Benedictus and lay it to your heart.
It is the only thing for a qualm.”
Similar to its well known relative, milk thistle, it is superior
at tonifying and strengthening the liver, making it highly recommended
by herbalists as a uterine tonifyer and as a treatment for women
with painful menstrual periods. Evidence also suggest that blessed thistle has anti-inflammatory
properties.
Dong
Quai
Revered as one
of the most important remedies in traditional Chinese medicine,
Dong Quai has a long tradition for use in the alleviation of the
symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
It can normalize uterine contractions and treat dysmenorrhea.
Scientists have shown that the herb’s rich supply of phytoestrogens
allows for the body to dispose of excess estrogen produced when
PMS symptoms are experienced and facilitate the body’s ability to
process available estrogen more efficiently. Studies suggest the
herb dilates blood vessels and facilitates healthy blood flow, useful
in fighting the hypertension associated with PMS.
Finally, dong quai strengthens the immune system by enhancing
white blood cell activity.
Raspberry
Leaf
Raspberry leaves have been used for centuries by women during pregnancy.
In 1941, a study in the British medical journal the
Lancet scientifically confirmed that raspberry leaves contain
a complex biochemical that is a uterine relaxant, helping to strengthen
the uterus. The leaves
also help to regulate the menstrual cycle and decrease heavy menstrual
flow.
Squawvine
Squawvine’s name stems from its use by Native American women for
it use after childbirth. It
was used to ease menstrual cramps, help with irregular menstruation
and bleeding and strengthen the uterus.
This native North American evergreen continued to have a
reputation in folk medicine to treat postpartum depression, anxiety,
hemorrhoids, edema, insomnia and inflammation.
False
Unicorn Root
Scientific knowledge
did not exist for Native American women to know that saponins and
glycosides present in this herb make it an effective uterine tonic,
diuretic, anti-inflammatory and emmenagogue; or that it is known
to contain a precursor to estrogen and acts as an amphoteric way
to balance and tone uterine function.
They did know that it worked, and recommended false unicorn
root for many women’s health conditions, including amenorrhea, painful
menstruation, and other irregularities of menstruation.
Cramp
Bark Root
Cramp
bark shows, by its name, the richly deserved reputation it has as
a relaxer of muscular tension and spasm.
As a powerful anti-spasmodic, it has two main area of use. Firstly in muscular cramps and secondly in ovarian and uterine
muscle problems. Cramp
bark will relax the uterus and so it will relieve painful cramps
associated with periods (dysmenorrhoea).
Uva-Ursi
Root
Uva-ursi has a long history as a powerful diuretic, antiseptic
and anti-inflammatory specifically for genito-urinary maladies.
It has been shown to kill bacteria in the urine.
Its antimicrobial action comes from a compound known as hydroquinone,
which is released when the urine is alkaline, thus making it an
excellent choice for both preventing and treating urinary tract
infections.
Black
Cohosh Root
Black cohosh root was an official drug listed in The
United States Pharmacopeia until 1936 for use in the treatment
of menstrual cramps. Today,
it can be labeled in Europe as a treatment for premenstrual symptoms
and painful and difficult menstruation.
Research recognizes the active constituent in black cohosh
as cimicifugin, which gives it antispasmodic and sedative properties.
Isoflavones present in the root also help to improve difficult
menstrual cycles by balancing the hormones with an estrogen-like
effect.
Oregon
Grape Root
Traditionally,
Oregon grape root (barberry) was used to treat a large number of
conditions. The alkaloid
berberine receives the most research and widest acclaim as the active
component to back the empirical evidence.
Berberine inhibits bacteria and prevents infection from occurring.
It also stimulates immune system cells to function and is
an excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.
Licorice
Root
Like soy and red clover, licorice contains isoflavones (phytoestrogens)
that help balance levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body.
Many herbalist and naturopaths often prescribe licorice for
premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in combination with other herbs.
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