These are plants that have a toning, strengthening, nourishing effect upon
both the tissue and functioning of the female reproductive system. The hows
and whys are usually unknown, but this should not belittle their remarkable
therapeutic value. The differential indications are one of the most confused
area of modern Herbalism. This is explored more below. Important examples:
Blue Cohosh : Black Cohosh : False Unicorn Root : Raspberry :
Life Root : Partridge Berry
Emmenagogues :
Of the many plants that can stimulate the menstrual process, some have a
tonic effect on the system as well. Simply triggering menstruation does
not imply anything other than that. Of the emmenagogues listed some work
through bitter stimulation, others through localized irritation etc.. The
herbs mentioned here will also nourish the system to some degree:
Mugwort : Yarrow : Partridge Berry : False Unicorn Root
Hormonal Normalizers :
A number of plants have a direct impact upon hormonal levels in the body.
Of course there are many human hormones and only a few impact reproductive
function. Many claims can be made about plants that effect hormonal balance,
but here we should limit the plants to those that have an observable influence.
Little endocrinological research has been undertaken on these herbs so it
is impossible to be specific, thus the herbalist tends to talk in terms
of hormonal modulators or normalizers. The most important
one in European Phytotherapy is Chasteberry, which it is fair to describe
as a normalizer as it will tend to move the body back to normal function
regardless of which female sex hormone is deficient or in excess. How this
works is a matter of conjecture. The uterine tonics and bitters may have
a similar effect because of some more generalized toning influence, but
this is not as predictable as with Chasteberry.
Chasteberry : `uterine tonics' : `bitter tonics'
Uterine Astringents :
Herbs abound that reduce blood loss from the uterus, wether in excessive
periods (menorrhagia), bleeding between periods (metrorrhagia), or that
associated with organic disease such as fibroids. An important but unanswered
question is how they work because no astringent tannin will reach the tissue
from the gut. It is possible that an hormonal process is involved with some
of the plants but all. Of the many valuable remedies list as astringents
at the beginning of this chapter, the most toning are:
Beth Root : Yarrow
Other important uterine astringents not in the list of `emmenagogues' above
are :
Periwinkle : Shepherd's Purse : American Cranesbill : Ladies Mantle
Uterine Demulcents :
Similar comments can be said about the important demulcent remedies for
this system. There is no way that mucopolysaccharide will find its way there
from the digestive process, but still there is no question that these remedies
will soothe inflamed tissue. The most toning is:
Blue Cohosh
Nervines & Anti-spasmodics :
There are also a number of valuable remedies that impact the autonomic innervation
of this complex system. By using the appropriate nervine or antispasmodic
much can be achieved in terms of correcting functional tone. Here we can
mention: