Herbs that regulate menstruation, tone the uterus and help pregnancy, birth and menopause, from the gentle squaw vine to the strong pennyroyal, tansy and rue. Chapter 5 teaches this family as a whole.
- Squaw Vine
- Pennyroyal
- False Unicorn Root
- Cramp Bark
- True Unicorn Root
- Blue Cohosh
- Rue
- Motherwort
- Life Root
- Southernwood
- Dong Quai
- Chaste Tree
No. 68Squaw Vine
Traditional uses and main actions
Christopher's "gentle female tonic": it tones the uterus, and in the last weeks of pregnancy prepares it for an easier birth. Also for painful periods and heavy bleeding. Part of Nu-Fem.
How it's prepared
Tea; tincture.
Typical amounts
Tea, 1–2 teaspoons per cup, 2–3 cups a day; traditionally taken in the last 4–6 weeks of pregnancy.
Cautions and interactions
Generally safe. Midwives use it late in pregnancy, not early. Buy cultivated or gather lightly.
Taught in Lesson 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapter of the same number in this book).
No. 69Pennyroyal
Traditional uses and main actions
A strong mint used in a weak tea to bring on a delayed period, ease menstrual cramps and colds, and, crushed or hung, to repel fleas and insects. Christopher's "menstrual regulator."
How it's prepared
Weak tea of the herb, briefly; strewn outside against insects.
Typical amounts
Weak tea, ½–1 teaspoon per cup, 1–2 cups a day for a few days.
Cautions and interactions
Never in pregnancy. Never take the essential oil by mouth: small amounts of pennyroyal oil have caused liver failure and death. The weak herb tea is a different and much milder thing. Not with liver or kidney disease.
Taught in Lesson 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapter of the same number in this book).
No. 70False Unicorn Root
Traditional uses and main actions
Christopher's great women's herb: a uterine and ovarian tonic for irregular cycles, infertility and threatened miscarriage (which he and his students treated with false unicorn and lobelia), and for menopause. Christopher listed it among both the emmenagogues and the tonics. Part of Nu-Fem.
How it's prepared
Tincture; decoction; capsules.
Typical amounts
Tincture, 10–30 drops 2–3 times a day.
Cautions and interactions
Endangered in the wild: buy only cultivated root (it is scarce and expensive). Large amounts can cause nausea.
Taught in Lesson 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapter of the same number in this book).
No. 71Cramp Bark
Traditional uses and main actions
As its name says, it relaxes cramps: menstrual cramps, muscle spasms, back spasms, leg cramps and the after-pains of birth. Christopher listed it among both the emmenagogues and the nervines. Its cousin black haw (V. prunifolium) is used the same way.
How it's prepared
Decoction; tincture.
Typical amounts
Tincture, 1–2 dropperfuls 3–4 times a day during cramps; decoction, 1–2 teaspoons per cup, 3 cups a day.
Cautions and interactions
Safe. The raw berries can upset the stomach.
Taught in Lesson 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapter of the same number in this book).
No. 72True Unicorn Root
Traditional uses and main actions
Christopher's "fertility booster": a bitter tonic for the uterus and digestion, used for weak, irregular cycles, infertility and threatened miscarriage, and for poor appetite and gas.
How it's prepared
Tincture; decoction of the dried root.
Typical amounts
Tincture, 10–30 drops 2–3 times a day.
Cautions and interactions
At risk in the wild: buy cultivated. The fresh root is strongly emetic; use the dried root.
Taught in Lesson 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapter of the same number in this book).
No. 73Blue Cohosh
Traditional uses and main actions
The "labor herb": midwives use it at term to bring on and coordinate contractions, and herbalists use it for painful, delayed periods and rheumatism. Part of Schulze's nerve tonic.
How it's prepared
Tincture; decoction.
Typical amounts
Tincture, 5–20 drops; at term, only as a midwife directs.
Cautions and interactions
Not in pregnancy except at term under a midwife: it has been linked to heart problems in newborns when used before birth. Raises blood pressure: not with high blood pressure or heart disease. The berries are poisonous. At risk in the wild: buy cultivated.
Taught in Lesson 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapter of the same number in this book).
No. 74Rue
Traditional uses and main actions
An ancient, strongly scented herb (it appears in the Gospels) used in small amounts to bring on a delayed period, relieve spasms and strengthen weak veins and eyes. The homeopathic Ruta is used for sprains and eyestrain.
How it's prepared
Very weak tea, or a few drops of tincture.
Typical amounts
Small amounts only: a weak cup or a few drops for a few days.
Cautions and interactions
Never in pregnancy. Handling the fresh plant in sunlight can blister the skin. Large amounts are toxic.
Taught in Lesson 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapter of the same number in this book).
No. 75Motherwort
Traditional uses and main actions
Its Latin name means "lion's heart": a calming herb for anxiety, a racing heart and palpitations from nerves, menstrual cramps, delayed periods, and the hot flashes and moods of menopause.
How it's prepared
Tincture (very bitter as tea); tea with mint.
Typical amounts
Tincture, 1–2 dropperfuls 2–3 times a day; tea, 1 teaspoon per cup, 2–3 cups a day.
Cautions and interactions
Not in pregnancy (it stimulates the uterus) or with heavy menstrual bleeding. Adds to sedatives and heart medicines.
Taught in Lesson 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapter of the same number in this book).
No. 76Life Root
Traditional uses and main actions
A traditional women's tonic for delayed and painful periods and menopause.
How it's prepared
Historically tea or tincture.
Typical amounts
Historically small amounts for short periods; other herbs in this family do the same work.
Cautions and interactions
Contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids in higher amounts than comfrey root: do not take by mouth for more than a few days, and never in pregnancy, breastfeeding or with liver disease.
Taught in Lesson 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapter of the same number in this book).
No. 77Southernwood
Traditional uses and main actions
A lemon-scented wormwood cousin used to bring on a delayed period, expel worms, stimulate digestion and, hung in closets, to repel moths.
How it's prepared
Weak tea or tincture, briefly.
Typical amounts
Small amounts for a few days.
Cautions and interactions
Contains thujone. Never in pregnancy. Short use only.
Taught in Lesson 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapter of the same number in this book).
No. 78Dong Quai
Traditional uses and main actions
The great women's tonic of Chinese medicine: it builds and moves the blood, regulates the cycle, eases cramps and supports women through menopause. Used in Schulze-style female formulas with chaste tree and wild yam.
How it's prepared
Decoction; tincture; cooked in soups in China.
Typical amounts
Tincture, 1–2 dropperfuls 2–3 times a day; decoction, 1 teaspoon per cup, 2 cups a day.
Cautions and interactions
Not in pregnancy or with heavy bleeding or fibroids. Adds to blood thinners. May make the skin sun-sensitive. Hormone-sensitive cancers: avoid.
Taught in Lesson 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapter of the same number in this book).
No. 79Chaste Tree
Traditional uses and main actions
The most used herb for PMS, irregular cycles, breast tenderness and hormonal acne. It works on the pituitary to balance hormones, favoring progesterone. It works slowly: give it three months.
How it's prepared
Tincture; capsules; tea of the berries.
Typical amounts
Tincture, 20–40 drops each morning; capsules, 400 mg a day.
Cautions and interactions
Not with birth control pills, fertility drugs or dopamine-acting drugs (including some for Parkinson's and psychosis). Usually stopped once pregnancy is confirmed.
Taught in Lesson 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapter of the same number in this book).