Are the concentrated active ingredients of soy, which acts on the body to do one of two things. In menopausal women, it affects the body in an estrogen-like way by gently replacing the body’s need for hormone balance. In pre-menopausal and perimenopausal women, it takes the place of excess estrogen, to some extent, and restores balance by lowering the effects of excess estrogen on the body and to correct what is called estrogen dominance.

Black Cohosh for Menopause or immature follicles leading to poor egg quality. The Algonquin Indians used black cohosh as remedy for gynecological ills, and it was a key part of Lydia E. Pinkham’s Vegetable Compound, sold in the 1870s to treat “female complaints and weaknesses.” In a recent German study on menopausal hot flashes, subjects were given estrogen, a Valium-like tranquilizer, or black cohosh. The herb, which is an option for women who can’t take estrogen, worked best. “The vast majority of studies show benefits,” says Mark Blumenthal, executive director of the American Botanical Council.

It is used for gastrointestinal inflammation, coughs, colic, diarrhea in infants, cholesterol level reduction, diabetes, and helps with dryness causing inflamed eyes. It is helpful for PMS and to lessen childbirth problems. Fenugreek has been known to increase libido.

One of the most popular herbs used in the world, panax ginseng contains active complex carbohydrates called ginsenosides, each with the capacity to stimulate or soothe the nervous system, balance metabolic processes, decrease blood sugar, improve muscle tone, and stimulate the endocrine system. It enhances the brain’s adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) activity without involving the adrenal glands (so no stress is placed on them).

• Panax ginseng is effective in maintaining and restoring the cell’s functionality and is being touted as an anti-aging herb. It is an “adaptogen,” supporting the body during physical, chemical, and biological stress.
• Panax ginseng is worth noting for its many benefits to the body. It tonifies and invigorates for better health and longevity.
• Lowers the blood alcohol content by reducing absorption from the stomach.
• Decreasing senility and improving memory and behavior used for Alzheimer’s disease.
• As a therapy supplement, panax ginseng is effective with morphine analgesia and the naturally occurring opium-containing substances that are produced by the brain (opioids). Regular intake reduces vulnerability to lung, liver, stomach, pancreatic, and ovarian cancers.
• Decreases harmful LDL cholesterol and increases beneficial HDL cholesterol levels and thereby fighting heart disease.
• Helps to lower cholesterol naturally.
• Lowers blood sugar levels, making it beneficial for Type 1 Diabetes.
• Increases sperm production with a marked decrease in erectile dysfunction, impotence, and increases sexuality.
• As an immune system booster, Panax Ginseng helps the body fight off infection and disease.
• In menopause, Panax Ginseng helps to relieve symptoms and improves emotional balance, with the benefits enhanced when combined with a vitamin and mineral supplement. Increases libido.
• Enhanced mental alertness, improved concentration, and retention, especially when combined with ginkgo biloba; often associated with menopause and hormonal imbalance.
• Panax ginseng has been widely used in helping the body to relieve and deal with stress.
• The benefits are so numerous it is no wonder that it is so well known and loved throughout the world.

Aka Chaste Tree for Premenstrual Syndrome. Don’t let the name fool you, it does not lessen libido or preserve purity. Chaste trees have hormonal effects that minimize monthly symptoms. When 1,634 German PMS sufferers took chaste trees, 93 percent reported benefit. In tests against two other popular treatments, vitamin [B.sub.6] and Prozac, the herb worked as well as the drug and better than the vitamin.

“Chaste tree is the best herb for PMS,” says James A. Duke, Ph.D., author of The Green Pharmacy.

It’s safe, and the studies are convincing. Just be patient. It can take three months to experience benefits when taken by itself. Some women report an increased menstrual flow when menstruation has been scant. This is due to the normalizing effects of Vitex.

Indications for false unicorns (aka helonias) are heaviness and congestion in the pelvis with the sensation that the pelvic organs are falling out. The patient feels lumbar pain, pain down the thighs and the back of the legs, restlessness, and general weakness. The patient often has a history of hemorrhoids, varicose veins of the legs, and labial varicosities.

• False Unicorn is used as a diuretic, reproductive tonic for both sexes, and cerebrospinal restorative (restoring fluid to the brain stem). It is also known for restoring hormonal balance after birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy.
• False unicorn is indicated in conditions such as uterine or bladder atony or prolapse, vaginal laxity, passive hemorrhage, and menorrhagia. It is also used with dysmenorrhea due to atony and habitual miscarriages due to an incompetent cervix. The root contains 0.0013% diosgenin – the same naturally occurring steroid found in Mexican wild yams.

Mild, soothing astringent, preparatory parturient, uterine tonic, improves uterine tone and blood supply. Often used with squaw vine (above).

• Red raspberry is often used during pregnancy in small amounts for the first trimester and increasing during the final weeks of the third trimester. A strong tea can be made into ice cubes and given as ice chips to the women during labor. It will help curb postpartum hemorrhage. It is used to improve digestion. This herb is also useful for passive uterine hemorrhage, menorrhagia, and symptoms of diarrhea.
• Contraindications: Although this herb is commonly used in pregnancy, Dr. Francis Brinker says in his book Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions that it is contraindicated where there is a history of precipitate labor. He also claims it has antigonadotropic activity.