Herbal Remedies That Support Women’s Health

Madame Sitorus, Batak guru in Laguboti.
Image via Wikipedia
Though some women find it difficult to discuss female health issues, it is important to bring awareness to particular topics related to female health. Without an open discussion, many women may miss out on the health and medicinal benefits that are available with herbal remedies. Certain types of herbal remedies can help alleviate symptoms related to premenstrual syndrome (PMS), urinary tract disorders, reproductive disorders, menopause, and others.
In addition to eating dark leafy greens, root vegetables, fresh fruit, and high-quality proteins, there are several herbal remedies that help to alleviate symptoms of PMS. Vitex, also known as chasteberry, among other names, is vital to regulating an inconsistent menstrual cycle. Vitex may also help ease breast tenderness experienced during PMS, as well as balance hormones. Wild yam is also known to balance hormones, while hawthorn berry, blue vervain, and lemon balm can help treat anxiety or mild depression. Licorice root, dong quai, black cohosh, primrose oil, and black-currant oil are other herbal remedies that are known to allay PMS complaints. A liver tonic, like a dandelion-burdock tincture, may help alleviate PMS symptoms on its own. However, limiting sweets, refined and processed foods, caffeine, and meat is a good start to managing symptoms of PMS.
Hydrangeas are known in the Alternative Medicine milieu as an effective herbal remedy for supporting urinary tract health. It is often used by holistic healers to treat bladder issues and kidney stones. Dandelion, fennel, rose hips, and nettles are only a few of the additional herbs known to encourage a healthy urinary system.
Nettles, lady’s mantle, and raspberry leaf are just a handful of the herbs used to provide a fertility boost by delivering certain minerals to the body and strengthening the uterus. Meanwhile, these herbs plus vitex and wild yam support a healthy endocrine system, which may help treat infertility. Pre-menopausal women experiencing hot flashes may benefit from herbs, such as black cohosh, blue vervain, and sage. Hormonal imbalances during menopause may be treated with vitex, wild yam, hawthorn berry, oat tops, primrose oil, etc. Knowing more about specific herbs will help women everywhere, every month.

Though some women find it difficult to discuss female health issues, it is important to bring awareness to particular topics related to female health. Without an open discussion, many women may miss out on the health and medicinal benefits that are available with herbal remedies. Certain types of herbal remedies can help alleviate symptoms related to premenstrual syndrome (PMS), urinary tract disorders, reproductive disorders, menopause, and others.
In addition to eating dark leafy greens, root vegetables, fresh fruit, and high-quality proteins, there are several herbal remedies that help to alleviate symptoms of PMS. Vitex, also known as chasteberry, among other names, is vital to regulating an inconsistent menstrual cycle. Vitex may also help ease breast tenderness experienced during PMS, as well as balance hormones. Wild yam is also known to balance hormones, while hawthorn berry, blue vervain, and lemon balm can help treat anxiety or mild depression. Licorice root, dong quai, black cohosh, primrose oil, and black-currant oil are other herbal remedies that are known to allay PMS complaints. A liver tonic, like a dandelion-burdock tincture, may help alleviate PMS symptoms on its own. However, limiting sweets, refined and processed foods, caffeine, and meat is a good start to managing symptoms of PMS.
Hydrangeas are known in the Alternative Medicine milieu as an effective herbal remedy for supporting urinary tract health. It is often used by holistic healers to treat bladder issues and kidney stones. Dandelion, fennel, rose hips, and nettles are only a few of the additional herbs known to encourage a healthy urinary system.
Nettles, lady’s mantle, and raspberry leaf are just a handful of the herbs used to provide a fertility boost by delivering certain minerals to the body and strengthening the uterus. Meanwhile, these herbs plus vitex and wild yam support a healthy endocrine system, which may help treat infertility. Pre-menopausal women experiencing hot flashes may benefit from herbs, such as black cohosh, blue vervain, and sage. Hormonal imbalances during menopause may be treated with vitex, wild yam, hawthorn berry, oat tops, primrose oil, etc. Knowing more about specific herbs will help women everywhere, every month.

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Herbs for Men

Ginkgo biloba in China
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Men and women are different. Not only do we have different emotional needs, but we have many different health needs, as well. Prostate health, sexual health, and hair loss are just three of the many areas in which men can benefit from herbal remedies.
Approximately half of men over the age of 50 suffer from an enlarged prostate, due to benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH). Up to 90% of men over the age of 70 may also suffer from this noncancerous prostate enlargement. Therefore, it is of paramount importance that men are educated about the prostate-health benefits of certain types of herbal remedies. Most holistic healers agree that saw palmetto is an important herb for prostate health, since studies show that this herb alleviates urinary problems and shrinks an enlarged prostate. Coupling saw palmetto with pygeum may be even more effective in battling an enlarged prostate. Red clover and hydrangea are also known as important herbal tools to promote prostate health.
Even if the prostate is healthy, some men may experience a low libido or impotence. Muira puama and damiana are two herbs that many claim have aphrodisiac properties, increasing sex drive in both men and women. Ginkgo biloba helps to maintain healthy circulation and increases blood flow to all parts of the body, including the penis. Ginkgo may also ease symptoms of depression, which could be one of the main contributing factors to impotence. Gotu kola is another herb that has been shown to improve circulation, as well as support mental clarity and concentration. Lastly, stinging nettles help to maintain the free circulation of testosterone, encouraging sexual vitality in men.
Alopecia or baldness is another area in which men may benefit from herbal remedies. Firstly, herbs that support healthy circulation, like ginkgo biloba and muira puama, should also help to prevent baldness, since proper blood flow is a contributing factor to alopecia. Next, saw palmetto unclogs hair follicles and therefore may prevent baldness. If none of these seem to do the trick, rosemary, horsetail, or chamomile extract can help. Combat male-related health issues with the proper herbal remedy.

A Glimpse at Ginseng

Ginseng in China
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Ginseng has long been considered a sacred herb in nearly all of Asia. There are even reports of Chinese emergency physicians administering ginseng intravenously to help revive consciousness in patients. More recently, ginseng is gaining popularity in the United States as a safe and effective herbal remedy to treat a variety of ailments.

Ginseng exists in different varieties. There is Korean red ginseng, Chinese or Japanese white ginseng, and American ginseng. Though common varieties of ginseng are very affordable, wild varieties can be very expensive, reaching prices as high as $10,000 for a single root. Ginseng root is usually boiled into tea, but ginseng is also available as an extract in capsules, powders, etc.

Considered an “adaptogen,” ginseng is a substance that, simply put, helps the consumer adapt more readily to the surrounding environment. An adaptogen is a restorative ingredient that promotes well-being with little chance of side effects. Though ginseng is regarded as non-toxic, taking ginseng in extremely excessive amounts or for a prolonged period of time (greater than three months) can cause hypertension or insomnia. Therefore, consumers should consult a physician or licensed herbalist before starting a ginseng regimen.

As mentioned above, ginseng treats a number of complaints. Ginseng can help reduce stress and anxiety while encouraging mental alertness. This herbal remedy fights fatigue and promotes athletic endurance. Ginseng has many anti-aging benefits. Women will be happy to know that taking a ginseng supplement helps relieve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). It also lowers cholesterol, aids digestion, and treats diabetes. Consumption of ginseng encourages a healthy immune system and nervous system. Ginseng has even been shown to arrest the growth of specific types of cancel cells. Whatever it is that ails you, it’s likely that ginseng is an herbal remedy that can help!

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