Amenorrhea: Herbs For Irregular Periods


Blue Cohosh

Angelica root * Blue Cohosh Root * Bupleurum * Calamus root * Clary Sage * Dill * Dong Quai * False Unicorn Root * Ginger Root * Motherwort * Mugwort * PennyRoyal * Pleurisy Root * Stinging Nettle * Tansy *

Amenorrhea, the medical term for the loss of periods in women who should be having regular periods, is a sign that something in the body has gone wrong.

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Skipped periods can be due to physical or emotional stress, a hormonal imbalance,

Skipped periods can be due to physical or emotional stress, a hormonal imbalance, poor nutrition, or a combination of these reasons and more. Sometimes young women can become so obsessed with weight loss that their periods stop due to lack of body fat. Try to increase the amount of olive oil and butter in the diet to at least 4 tablespoons a day.

Herbs that bring on menstrual flow when there is delayed menstruation --for whatever reason--are known as emmenagogues. Emmenagogues are not recommended during pregnancy until the end of term to help prepare for childbirth (under qualified supervision). Herbal remedies for amenorrhea, spotty, or late menses run the gamut from mild and generally safe herbs( ginger and lemon balm) to much stronger remedies, (tansy and pennyroyal) best left to those with specialized knowledge in using herbs.

Recommendations from Herbalists::

Angelica stimulates delayed menstruation, breaking up stagnation in the reproductive system. Blue cohosh is a very more powerful emmenagogue and should only be taken under supervision. (Gladstar, Rosemary) "Herbal Healing for Women"

False unicorn root is a time-honored remedy for a whole range of uterine and menstrual problems. It may, in fact, help encourage menstruation but can be hard to find. Chamaelirium luteum is on the United Plant Savers "At Risk" list. Wild carrot seed, Daucus carota,(Queen Anne's lace), is apparently effective as both an emmenagogue and a morning-after contraceptive. Do not use wild carrot seeds for contraception without consulting with a naturopathic physician, or qualified herbalist. The compound apiole in Dill is such a powerful emmenagogue that most herbalists warn pregnant women not to use it in medicinal concentrations. (Duke,James, Ph.D.)

Nettle leaf infusion has reportedly returned the monthly flow to women drinking it regularly, even in their sixties. Dong quai tincture, especially when combined with white peony root and licorice, is a superb remedy for women whose menses cease unaccountably. (Weed, Susun. "New Menopausal Years)

Tansy is a strong emmenagogue (provoking the onset of a period) and should not be used in pregnancy. It can be fatal when taken in large doses. Mugwort's chief employment is as an emmenagogue, often in combination with Pennyroyal and Southernwoods. (Grieve, Maud)

An important medicinal use of lemon balm is to promote menstrual periods and ease period pain. (Mabey,Richard )

If you think you may be pregnant be very careful in choosing herbal teas until you have a good understanding of how you react to them. When in doubt, leave it out.

