4-15-2000
Hello readers.
I hope this edition finds you in good spirits. Your time is almost up,
unless of course you asked for an extension. (Taxes) Hope yours didn’t
get you down. Personally, I wish they would just set an amount and take it
so we wouldn’t have to bother with it.
Here is an event that if any of you happen to be in the Abilene, TX
area during the weekend of June 3, 2000. The 2nd annual Natural
Health Fair will be at the Abilene Civic Center on that Saturday from
10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. We would love to see any of you that can show up. Our
first Fair was a great success and the energy in that fair was excellent.
I don’t know if it is that time of year or just coincidence, but
there have been several questions about female health issues over the last
week come up, so this week we will take a look at the Uterus as well as
the herb, Red Raspberry. Hopefully you will learn something and if not
perhaps you will at least find it interesting.
This information is for educational purposes only as I am not a Doctor,
nor do I pretend to be. The information about herbs is presented as a
source of information on the historical uses of these wonderful gifts from
God. Self-treatment is not recommended, but if you decide to treat
yourself, please do so in conjunction with the supervision of your
physician or health care provider. Please read our disclaimer.
CONTENTS
The Uterus
Interesting Facts
Red Raspberry
The Uterus
The Uterus is part of the female reproductive system. It is considered
to be an organ and there is only one in the female body (there have been a
small number of cases in which there were two uteri). The uterus is pear
shaped and averages about 3 inches long, 2 inches wide and approximately 1
inch wide. It is located in the middle of the pelvic region.
The primary functions of the uterus are to prepare for the reception of
a fertilized egg, nurture and provide a place for development of the
embryo, and to expel the baby when it has reached a mature enough stage
for birth. Another function, although minor in comparison, would be as a
backup system for elimination. In keeping the uterus at its best, good
nutrition and a proper balance of the female hormones go a long way in
improving the function of the uterus. A healthy liver should also be
maintained.
Improper hormone balance or stimulation, infection, birth control and
antibiotics, as well as a lack of sunshine can be key factors in the
demise of the uterus. Birth control pills and antibiotics are two of the
major contributors to yeast infections, while sunshine, as you all know is
a major source of vitamin D. Health conditions or symptoms that can
develop in the uterus include an infantile uterus or a small uterus. This
can be caused by poor nutrition or extreme dieting. Anorexia nervosa is a
prime example of this situation. This can cause the individual an
inability to retain a pregnancy or it can also cause premature birth.
Endometriosis, which can be an infection in the lining of the uterus or a
case in which the uterine wall escapes the uterus. In the later case, the
tissue becomes swollen and bleeding occurs during menstruation (other than
the normal bleeding).
Location of the Uterus in Different Modalities:
Kineseology:
The uterus is located five fingers below the belly button.
Iridology:
In both eyes. The right eye at 5:00 to 5:10 and in the left eye from
6:50 to 7:00. It must be touching the autonomic nerve wreath.
Reflexology:
On the inside part of the foot, below the ankle and above the heel
about midway. On the soft part of the inner side of the foot.
Hyperactive (Overactive) Condition:
Periods of heavy or long duration can indicate hyperactivity. The
feeling of having to bear down during menses is also an indication of a
hyperactive condition and the liver is usually involved if this sensation
is noticed.
Hypoactive (Underactive) Condition:
Periods that are light or even skipped would indicate an underactive
condition and this is usually hormonal.
Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs, and other supplements helpful for uterine
health:
Vitamins:
B-Complex,
B12,
C,
E,
A, and D.
Minerals:
Calcium, silicone, and zinc.
Herbs:
Bayberry – helps to stop uterine bleeding.
Black Cohosh – this herb has estrogenic effects. NOT FOR USE BY
PREGNANT WOMEN. Stimulates menstrual flow and tones the uterus.
Blue Cohosh
– helps dilate the cervix. It is also used to regulate
menstruation, stop early false labor, and used at the start of labor to
insure easier dilation and birth.
Capsicum – for excessive bleeding, better when used in conjunction
with bayberry.
Damiana – for infertility. Works better if used with red raspberry,
FC w/Dong Quai.
Dong Quai – used for all menstrual disorders.
False Unicorn – is used during heavy periods, especially if the urge
to bear down is present.
Ho Shu Wu – a Chinese herb used to help balance the hormones.
Red Raspberry – high in Iron (lost during menses). This herb has been
called God’s herbal gift to women. It protects against hemorrhaging,
tones the uterus, and aids in labor. Good for morning sickness.
Sage
– will help to slow a heavy menstrual flow.
Saw Palmetto – helps to build the female reproductive organs.
Uva Ursi – decreases menstrual flow.
Wild Yam – for use with heavy or prolonged periods and has been known
to prevent pregnancy.
Herbal Combinations (Nature’s Sunshine Products):
C-X
– this is a Dr. Christopher formula used for women during
menopause.
FCSII
– for heavy or prolonged periods (can increase fertility).
Female
Comfort – helps to feed the reproductive organs and can
increase fertility even while on the pill.
Master
Gland – this product is a good starting place for any type of
glandular program and will also help prevent a hormone imbalance.
NF-X
– another Dr. Christopher formula good for all female problems
and will help with fertility issues.
Wild Yam and Chaste Tree
– this is a good hormonal balance
replacement.
Homeopathic (Nature’s Sunshine Products):
Menstrual
– for minor pain and discomfort.
Other Supplements:
L-Lysine
– this is an amino acid that will help with heavy or
prolonged menses.
Other Information and Cautions:
1)
FCSII and FC w/Dong Quai, black cohosh, and blue cohosh should be
discontinued if you find that you
are pregnant.
2)
If premature delivery is a concern or you have a history of it, it
would be wise to quit using red raspberry.
3) By taking vitamin A, you are helping to lubricate the fallopian
tubes as well as possibly helping to prevent tubal pregnancy.
4) If the colon is prolapsed, it can put pressure on the female organs.
5) A weakened liver can cause hormonal imbalances. Liver combination
herbs have helped with prolonged menses when normal herbal remedies have
failed.
6) Deficiencies in vitamin A, D, B-Complex and Calcium can cause heavy
cycles.
7) A calcium deficiency can cause headaches around menstruation.
8) An underactive kidney function can also effect menstruation.
9) Menstrual cramps can be caused by any of the following; a lack of
estrogen, endometriosis, a growth, or a toxic bowel.
Questions to ask yourself:
Do you have sore or tender breasts?
If yes, this could indicate a lack of estrogen.
Do you get PMS?
If yes, this could also indicate a lack of estrogen.
Do you get cramps?
If yes, also an indication of a lack of estrogen.
Do you miss cycles?
If yes, another indication you may be lacking estrogen.
Did you carry beyond your due date?
A yes answer here could also indicate a lack of estrogen.
Do you have prolonged and heavy periods?
If you answered yes, this could be a lack of progesterone.
Do you miscarry easily?
If yes, another indication of a deficiency in progesterone.
Have you had a baby die in Uterine?
A yes answer could indicate poor circulation in the uterus, add vitamin
E to your supplements and quit smoking.
Sources:
Mary Reed, Mary’s Herbs
Health Education Library Publications; League City, TX
Mark Pederson; Nutritional Herbology, Wendell W. Whitman Company, Warsaw,
IN; 1994
Interesting Facts
Naturopathic Dr. Marijah McCain, of the Herbal Healer Academy,
recommends Maca Maca for women with low libido and those experiencing
fertility problems. She recommends it for those who have low energy,
menstrual problems, or chronic low-grade infections like candida. It can
be taken with your female vitamins or glandular program or alone if you
are vegetarian.
Herbal Healer Academy News, 45th edition, Spring 2000 edition,
pp.7
A recent report in the January 7, 2000, issue of The Lancet, a
highly respected medical journal, flat out
States,
"Screening for breast cancer with mammography is unjustified."
Of all mammograms read as
suspicious for women 40-49 years of age, roughly 97.5% turn out to be
false positives, as do 94% of those
in women 50 and over. This means that of every 100 mammograms read as
positive, or suspicious for
cancer, no more than 6 women actually have cancer. In 1998, a study
published in The New
England Journal of Medicine, researchers determined that 49% of
women who have annual mammograms
for 10 years will have a false positive. Every year, more than one
million women in their 40’s have
a false positive mammogram. This is not meant to keep you from having
regular mammograms, just to inform
you so you can make an intelligent decision about them. A mammogram
is simply an x-ray: fatty tissue appears
black and fibrous tissues, glands, and tumors are white. Mammography
cannot differentiate between benign and malignant growths. As a result,
the test is notoriously
inaccurate, especially in women under 50, who have dense, fibrous or
glandular breasts. In women over
70, many non-cancerous abnormalities show up in mammograms. Our
confidence in this test should be
on the cautious side when it comes to this test.
Health and Healing; Dr. Julian Whitaker, M.D., April, 2000, vol. 13
no. 4
Good news for arthritis sufferers. In testing oral enzymes against
NSAID (non-steroidial anti-inflammatory drugs), diclofenac, the oral
enzymes worked as well as the drug. In this Austrian study
patients
with osteoarthritis of the knee who were given oral enzymes experienced
a 59% improvement in pain after 3
weeks, virtually identical to the results seen with the NSAID.
RED RASPBERRY
(Rubus idaeus)
God’s Gift to Women
Red
Raspberry
Red Raspberry Liquid
A native to North America and Europe, red raspberry has been cultivated
since the 16th century. Found in moist or dry woods, fields,
and roadsides, red raspberry is one of the most widely spread and
available herbs. Its freely branched canes stand erect and are covered
with straight prickles.
The cultivation of red raspberry’s leaves, berries, and roots has
produced significant contributions to the making of wine. Contributions
have also been made to a wide variety of foods such as jellies and pies
and to the world of medicine. In fact, roughly ten American tribes such as
the Pawnee, Omaha, and Dakota are known to have used Red Raspberry for
medicinal purposes.
For centuries a tea made from the leaves of red raspberry has been
given to pregnant women to ease both pregnancy and childbirth. Raspberry
leaves act upon the procreative organs of woman, stimulating, toning, and
regulating them more effectively than any other known herb. Because of
this amazing ability, world famous herbalist Henry Box said of the herb,
"A tea made from red raspberry leaves is the best gift God ever gave
to woman." Red raspberry is mild enough to be one of the few
botanicals that can actually be strongly recommended during the entire
pregnancy term.
During the pregnancy morning sickness is moderated and the uterine
muscles are toned in preparation for childbirth. Scientific evidence
indicates the harmonizing regulation of uterine muscles due to the leaves
of the raspberry; several species of animals demonstrated that if the
smooth muscle of the uterus was "in tone," the extract of the
raspberry leaf relaxed it. Likewise, if the smooth muscle was too relaxed,
the leaf extract toned it. This natural muscle toning makes the labor less
painful as well as less time consuming. Red raspberry leaf tea also
enhances the lactation process of the mother to be and is mild enough that
it does not constipate.
Continuing doses of red raspberry after childbirth helps decrease
uterine swelling and cuts down on postpartum bleeding. Inflammation is
reduced, spasms are prevented, and tissue repair is promoted.
Although red raspberry is a phenomenal herb for pregnant women, its
properties are extremely important to everyone. Both the leaves and
berries contain a wonderful citrate of iron upon, which depends the
remarkable blood-making and regulating properties. The high calcium
content aids in controlling pain and preventing hemorrhaging. The leaves
of red raspberry have a manganese content twice as high as any other herb,
and the fruit is rich in vitamin C. Raspberry is also a wide spectrum
astringent where prompt symptom relief is needed in instances such as
diarrhea, constipation, dysentery, intestinal flu, vomiting, dysmenorhea,
menorrhagia, uterine bleeding, prolapse of the uterus or anus,
hemorrhoids, inflammed mucous membranes, sores, and wounds.
Red raspberry can be applied as part of a poultice or used in decoction
for fomentation or soaks. For internal use recommended intake is two
capsules three times daily with meals.
Sources:
Creating your Herbal Profile by Dorothy Hall (New Canaan,
Connecticut: Keats Publishing, 1988).
Herbs that Heal by Michael A. Weiner, Ph.D. and Janet Weiner (Mill
Valley, California: Quantum Books, 1994).
Indian Herbology of North America by Alma R. Hutchens (Ann Arbor,
Michigan: Merco, 1983).
Medicinal Plants by Michael Moore (Santa Fe, New Mexico: The Museum
of New Mexico Press, 1982).
Nutritional Herbology by Mark Pederson (Warsaw, Indiana: Wendell W.
Whitman Company, 1994).
Preparing for Delivery by Judy Cobb in Nature’s Field
(May/June 1989).
Red Raspberry by Dr. John Christopher, M.H. in Herbalist (Vol
1, No 4, 1976).
The Energetics of Western Herbs by Peter Holmes (Boulder, Colorado:
Artemis Press, 1989).
The Wild Rose Scientific Herbal by Terry Willard, Ph.D. (Calgary,
Alberta, Canada: Wild Rose College Of Natural Healing, 1991).
The Yoga of Herbs by Dr. Vasant Lad and David Frawley (Sante Fe,
New Mexico: Lotus Press, 1986).
For Educational Purposes Only
This handout was prepared by Nature’s Field
P.O. Box 425, Springville, UT 84663
It may be copied and distributed provided
It is not altered in any way.
