The Tides of the Moon - Herbs for Heavy Menstruation

A full moon sat round in our sky just a few evenings ago.  As the moon waxes and wanes, our human bodies ebb and flow, mirroring its cycle.  Those who menstruate can find themselves especially sensitive to the cycles of the moon.  Or not at all.  There is not a single, definitive menstrual experience - though it would seem that our mainstream media attempts to define one all the time ("Oh no!  Not your period!  How will you ever have a social life?!  It will embarrass you!").  Many times advertisements for menstrual products propose a "solution" to menstruation which usually involves being able to pay less attention to it.  I feel that just as when we pay better attention to our breath we are able to breathe better and when we are more mindful of our menstrual cycles we are able to bleed better.

Choosing how we treat ourselves during our menstrual cycles can be as simple as a shift of perspective.  Instead of a burden or "invasion" of our social calendars as so many advertisements would have us perceive menstruation, we can acknowledge the cycle that our body is going through, giving ourselves space and time when we need it.  Asking for space and time can be perceived in itself to be burdensome, but it is an important part of our health and wellness.

For those of us who have especially heavy periods, known as menorrhagia, menstruation can feel like a great weight on our bodies, our mental outlook, and relationships.  Fortunately, we have many green allies who can work with our bodies to reduce bleeding, cramping, and the emotional exhaustion that can come for some menstruating folk.  Moon River is a restorative blend that provides the body with nutrients both physical and emotional, renewing energy, regulating the menstrual cycle, and relieving symptoms such as cramps, headaches, and mood swings.

The following herbs are helpful for those with heavy cycles and can be found in Moon River.

RASPBERRY LEAF Rubus idaeus: Toning and strengthening for the uterus, Raspberry leaf is also helpful with its astringent qualities in treating menorrhagia as well as diarrhea that can occur during menstruation.  Raspberry leaf also reduces inflammation and is antispasmodic.

NETTLES Urtica dioica: Very nutrient rich, especially in iron, Nettles nourish the body.  Nettles are also useful for treating menorrhagia because it reduces excess bleeding and replacs nutrients loss, especially iron.  Nettles are drying and stimulating, which is important when treating the wet and exhausting symptoms of excessive bleeding and energy loss.  Nettles also support the liver, spleen, and gallbladder, allowing them to support the body during menstruation, such as the liver's role in breaking down excess estrogen.

OATS Avena sativa: Rich in calcium, iron, manganese, and zinc, Oats are very nourishing when the body feels depleted and exhausted.  Oats can also relieve tension headaches and melancholic states that might occur before and during menstruation.

SACRED BASIL Ocimum sanctumto: An excellent adaptogenic herb, Sacred Basil lifts the mood, balances the energetic body, and relieves cramps.

While drinking herbal teas are very useful and beneficial, when our menstrual cycles our burdensome, there is usually some underlying cause that needs to be addressed to restore balance.  Making sure to take time to be quiet and reflective during menstruation can often provide the insight needed to make changes to how we menstruate.  Menstruation is an opportunity for change and can be a very powerful time to re-focus and re-vision, but first we must take the time to do so.

Herbs To Bring Love

We are social creatures who continuously build relationships through family ties, exchange of resources, passionate pursuits, and common cultures.  The pursuit of relationships bound together by romantic love seems often to be of particular interest to our species.  Herbalists have been keen on finding green allies that act as aphrodisiacs - bringing out hidden love, stoking the fires of mature love, and helping desire reside fully in the body.

Peters, Hermann. Pictorial History of Ancient Pharmacy. 3rd ed. Chicago: G. P. Englehard, 1902, c.1899. Ebling Library call number RS 61 P48

Lady's Bedstraw (Galium verum), also known as Maid's Hair, was said to "provoke conjunction" and French kings Louis XIV and Louis XV were secretly given a tincture derived from a beetle which was a genital irritant and quite poisonous.  Not necessarily the direction I would recommend today in the pursuit of aphrodisiacs.  One of the more famous aphrodisiacs are Mandrakes (Podophyllum peltatum) or Womandrakes, depending on their shape.  Said to bring to you the lover you seek, there were many rules about when and how to pick Mandrake including dancing about it while speaking all you know about love.

More common herbs such as Thyme (Thymus vulgaris), Parsley (Petroselinum crispum), Basil (Ocimum basilicum), Spearmint (Mentha spicata), and Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis) have also been used to quicken hearts and bring sparkle to the eye. But many of the aphrodisiacs that have held up over time are usually tonics of some sort and support the nervous system which makes a lot of sense when you are dealing with love, sex, and the emotional exercises of a romantic relationship.

The ideal aphrodisiac for me it manifold in its efforts.  Most importantly it is nourishing to the nervous system which allows the herbs of passion to effectively do their work.  A body that is nourished  is more open to others, to true desire, and to expansiveness through love.  A blend for love should also be exciting in and of itself that is what I hope you'll find Ambrosia to be.

In Ambrosia you'll find the following herbs to aid you on the path of desire:

GINGER Zingiber officinale: Warming and stimulating, Ginger has been used to attract love and has a wonderfully spicy flavor.

DAMIANA Turnera aphrodisiaca: Stimulating to sexual energies, Damiana also promotes physical endurance while invigorating the brain and nerves.  Also useful for treating infertility, erectile dysfunction, headaches, and “performance anxiety.”

LICORICE Glycyrrhiza glabra: Harmonzing for the mind, body, and spirit, Licorice helps us feel balanced.

LEMON BALM Melissa officinalis: Calms the nerves, relieves anxiety, and gives the body space to find and feel love.

CINNAMON Cinnamomum cassia: Stimulating to the senses, Cinnamon increases vitality.

CACAO Theobroma cacao: Cacao (chocolate in raw form) contains phenylethylamine, the same compond that naturally occurs in the brain when we are in love and also when experiencing orgasm.  Boosting levels of seratonin and endorphins, Cacao also contains naturally occurring caffeine.

Find Ambrosia and other teas at our shop.

Source of Light: Calendula

botanical.com

Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is a beloved herb of the sun and the golden flowers of the plant will turn their faces towards the bright day orb as it travels across the sky.  Held in high esteem by herbalists throughout the ages as an especially healing herb, Calendula has a brightening power on the heart and is lifting to the spirit.  Calendula is a busy healing helper driven by the sweet sorrow of knowing someone you love does not feel well and ever seeking to provide relief. As an herb of enchantment, Calendula was said to protect against all forms of evil influences (including the plague which is no surprise given its anti-viral properties) and even able to reveal the identity of the person who had robbed you if worn.  Placed in a bath, Calendula will win you the respect of everyone you meet and  there is even a curious myth that touching the petals to your feet will allow you to understand the language of the birds.

If you or someone you know is feeling a bit under in the weather in a literal sense - they feel damp, sluggish, slow to heal, and like they are living beneath a cloud - Calendula might be the herb to befriend.

commons.wikimedia.org

As an anti-inflammatory and herb, Calendula can be used internally to treat digestive disorders, such as indigestion, irritation of the intestines and bowels,  diarrhea, and helps to regulate inflammation. It actually increases digestive enzymes and the production of bile in the body.  Topically, Calendula is found in many healing salves because along with being anti-inflammatory, it is also anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and speeds healing process by promoting tissue repair.  It is also known to reduce scarring.

Calendula is stimulating to a sluggish immune system, helping to promote circulation, relieve congestion, and support the work of our liver and gall-bladder.  Used for colds, the flu, and infections like the herpes virus, these bright flowers fight ear infections and athlete's foot when prepared as an herbal oil, relieve sinus infections as a nasal wash, and treat conjunctivitis as an eyewash.

Bringing on delayed menstruation and easing menstrual cramps are some of the ways Calendula pays particular attention to women's bodies.  It is also effective in treatments of uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, excessive bleeding, and general uterine congestion. Especially good for those women who feel overly damp and drowning a bit in the emotional currents of menstruation and menopause - the brightness of Calendula will help to dry out overly saturated emotional states and bring light to an overcast situation.

Besides mixing Calendula into tea blends, one of the simplest ways I use Calendula is as a compress for cuts and burns.  I recently used crushed petals that I mixed with a bit of warm water on a cut on an upper lip.  The cut healed quickly and though it was deep it has a very slight scar that is continuing to fade.  I recommend keeping a few tea bags of Calendula about the house, in your bike basket or bag to apply to cuts, burns, stings, rashes, and other skin complaints.  We'll discuss using Calendula in salves and herbal oils in later postings!

How To Make Tea

Taking time for tea is an important daily ritual at the Apothecary.  Learning to make loose leaf tea is a magickal process requiring us to slow down and invite time in as a friend to share a cuppa.

Bring fresh, cold water to a boil in your kettle on the stove, over a fire or with the sheer force of your fiery will.  Once the water has boiled pour some in your teapot and swirl it about to warm the pot up before you put your loose tea in it.  This will help keep your tea warmer for a longer period.  (It also makes me feel very grown-up and responsible - who knew it was so easy?)

For most loose leaf teas the measurement is one teaspoon to one cup of water.  In later posts we’ll discuss medicinal dosages, but for daily teas a teaspoon per cup should do.  Let the tea steep in the pot for at least 15 to 20 minutes if it is an herbal tea. For most black, green, and white teas you only want to steep them for 3-5 minutes, otherwise they will get bitter.

Enjoy your tea with company, alone or somewhere between.  The joy of tea comes not only from its taste and the ways it supports our beautiful bodies, spirits, and minds, but also from its scent, color, and warmth.  Learn to experience tea just as you would a good book, conversation, compelling dream or vision – it honors the spirit of the tea you are drinking and enlivens your spirit, too.