Female Herbs: 5 Essentials

1. CHASTE BERRY

   

   If there’s one herb I would recommend for females at all stages of their life, from puberty to menopause, Chaste Berry would be it. The quintessential Hormonal normaliser, these berries are a must-have in normalising progesterone and estrogen activity. It is a slow acting herb, requiring months of regular use to feel its benefits.

   Chaste Berry is classified as a neutral and moistening herb and dosages range from 500 – 3,000 mg daily. You can read further on Chaste Berry in my Snapshot series.

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2. RASPBERRY LEAF
   

   

   Raspberry Leaf is the classical pregnancy herb. It has a long tradition in toning the tissue of the womb, assisting contractions and checking haemorrhage during labour.

   Dosages range from 4,000 – 8,000 mg daily as a simple but strong infused tea. Raspberry Leaf is considered a neutral and drying herb. You can read further on Raspberry Leaf in my Snapshot series.

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3. BLACK COHOSH
   

   

   Black Cohosh has been used successfully by the North American Indians for centuries as a hormonal normaliser of the female reproductive system. It has strong relaxant properties, making it beneficial in uterine, menstrual and ovarian cramping and pain. Because of these anti-spasmodic properties, it’s also found to be of use in rheumatic, muscular and nerve discomfort.

   Black Cohosh is classified as a cool and drying herb with dosages ranging from 500 – 1,000 mg daily.

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4. SHATAVARI

   

   Shatavari is the Ayurvedic female herbal tour-de-force. Commonly used to enhance fertility, libido and most female tonic functions.

   Shatavari is classified as a moist and cooling herb, with dosages ranging from 3,000 – 12,000 mg daily. You can read further on Shatavari in my Snapshot series.

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5. SHEPHERD’S PURSE
   

   

   Shepherd’s Purse – like Lady’s Mantle – is the herbal tea to consider in curbing excessive menstrual flow. It’s astringing properties make this possible as well as being a gentle diuretic.

   Shepherd’s Purse is classified as a warm and drying herb with dosages ranging from 4,000 – 12,000 mg daily, with the higher dosages being more suitable as a simple but strong infused tea.

Bibliography

British Herbal Medicine Association. Scientific Committee. British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. Consolidated ed. West Yorkshire: British Herbal Medicine Association, 1983.

Hoffmann, David. Medical Herbalism : The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, Vt.: Healing Arts Press, 2003.

Romm, Aviva Jill. Botanical Medicine for Women’s Health. St. Louis, Mo.: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier, 2010.