Female Herbs: 6 Essentials

1. CHASTE BERRY
  
  If there’s one herb I would recommend for females at all stages of their life, from puberty to menopause, Chaste Berry would be it. The quintessential Hormonal normaliser, these berries are a must-have in normalising progesterone and estrogen activity. It is a slow-acting herb, requiring months of regular use to feel its benefits.
  
  Chaste Berry is classified as a neutral and moistening herb and dosages range from 500 – 3,000 mg daily.
  
  You can read further on Chaste Berry in my Snapshot series.
2. RASPBERRY LEAF
  
  Raspberry Leaf is the classical pregnancy herb. It has a long tradition in toning the tissue of the womb, assisting contractions and checking haemorrhage during labour.
  
  Dosages range from 4,000 – 8,000 mg daily as a simple but strong infused tea. Raspberry Leaf is considered a neutral and drying herb.
  
  You can read further on Raspberry Leaf in my Snapshot series.
3. BLACK COHOSH
  
  Black Cohosh has been used successfully by the North American Indians for centuries as a hormonal normaliser of the female reproductive system. It has strong relaxant properties, making it beneficial in uterine, menstrual and ovarian cramping and pain. Because of these anti-spasmodic properties, it’s also found to be of use in rheumatic, muscular and nerve discomfort.
  
  Black Cohosh is classified as a cool and drying herb with dosages ranging from 500 – 1,000 mg daily.
  
  You can read further on Black Cohosh in my Snapshot series.
4. SHATAVARI
  
  Shatavari is the Ayurvedic female herbal tour-de-force. Commonly used to enhance fertility, libido and most female tonic functions.
  
  Shatavari is classified as a moist and cooling herb, with dosages ranging from 3,000 – 12,000 mg daily.
  
  You can read further on Shatavari in my Snapshot series.
5. DONG QUAI
  
  Dong Quai is taken by millions of women around the world on a daily basis as an invigorating tonic, helping to regulate menstruation and tonify the blood. It has a sweet, pungent aroma, and in China, it is often used in cooking, which is the best way to take it as a blood tonic.
  
  Dong Quai is classified as a warm and drying herb with dosages ranging from 6,000 – 12,000 mg daily, with the higher dosages being more suitable as a decocted tea.
  
  You can read further on Dong Quai in my Snapshot series.
6. SHEPHERD’S PURSE
  
  Shepherd’s Purse – like Lady’s Mantle – is the herbal tea to consider in curbing excessive menstrual flow. It’s astringing properties make this possible as well as being a gentle diuretic.
  
  Shepherd’s Purse is classified as a warm and drying herb with dosages ranging from 4,000 – 12,000 mg daily, with the higher dosages being more suitable as a simple but strong infused tea.
Bibliography

British Herbal Medicine Association. Scientific Committee. British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. Consolidated ed. West Yorkshire: British Herbal Medicine Association, 1983.

Hoffmann, David. Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, Vt.: Healing Arts Press, 2003.

Romm, Aviva Jill. Botanical Medicine for Women’s Health. St. Louis, Mo.: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier, 2010.

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