HERB - PMS Help (long)

[Gaylin Walli]

Rhiannon asked:
>Now I have a friend who needs help...
>She has a 15 year old daughter who just started her menstruation about a
>year ago. She has just lately gone into major mood swings.
>She wants to try natural herbs instead of going to the Dr. for
>synthetics.
>Any help?

Rhiannon,

While many of us could suggest herbs for helping your friend's
daughter, herbs alone are not what she needs. The advice of a
certified naturpath, a wise woman, or a nutritionist would be
far more useful and safer than relying on us. Few of us are
doctors. Our focus is the research of ancient, medieval, and
rennaissance herbs. Your friend's daughter needs a comprehensive
solution to help her out, one that includes not only information
about herbs, but also information about diet, excercise, the
effects of chemicals on the body (such as those in pop, caffeine,
and alcohol), the hormonal and mental changes associated with
a change of life such as this coming of age, and the changes in
surroundings with family and friends. Because of problems of
diagnosis in the past with PMS symptoms, it's fairly important
that things like food allergies, hypoglycemia, and heavy metal
intoxication are ruled out as possible causes of symptoms that
mimic PMS (all can affect the brain functions and thus cause the
same symptoms).

While any of us here maybe able to offer pieces of advice on
these matters (certainly many of us have experiences similar)
a complete solution, one that would do your friend's daughter
the most good, simply cannot be obtained from this list, regardless
of how much we would want to give it.

Now, that having been said, there are some things that we *can*
suggest that have been used through history, things that could
easily be proposed to someone more qualified to help you than
us, in order to help you friend's daughter.

False Unicorn has a history of being used by Native Americans to
treat the symptoms of PMS as we mentioned in previous e-mail
to the list. The latin name of this herb is Chamaelirium luteum.

Dong quai (Angelica sinensis), sometimes called Chinese angelica,
has been used in Chinese medicine for the treatment of irregular
mentruation and for the treatment of hot flashes and the like. It
works as an antispasmodic, that is, it release the spasms of the
uterus during menstruation. Contrary to current speculation,
scientific research indicates there is no known effect of Dong
quai on the hormonal actions in the body (http://www.drugstore.
com/guide/Herb/Dong_Quai.asp).

Blessed thistle (Cnicus benedictus) has been traditionally used
to treat hormonal imbalances and as a cure for nursing mothers
with difficulties. In a very quick search of resources, I was
unable to find any scientific studies done on the plant other
than mention of its anti-inflammatory properties. This may
be an herb to consider if other research and safety information
can be found.

Vitex (Agnus castus?) has had a significant amount of research
done on it to support its use throughout history as a treatment
for the hormonal imbalances associated with female reproduction.
It is not, however, a fast acting herb and should be part of a whole
life-style change that includes changes in diet and exercise. The
strength of vitex is it's long term effect on PMS and its regulation
of frequent and heavy menstrual cycles.

This is a lot of information to handle at once. I keep the topic close
to my heart because of the problems I've had with it in the past
(and even today). My sincere best wishes to your friend and their
daughter as they approach this new change in her life. Please do
let us all know if there is any more information we can point their
way as they research this topic for consultation with a professional.

Blessings,

Jasmine
Iasmin de Cordoba, gwalli at infoengine.com

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