Monday, November 20, 2017

Perimenopause/ Menopause?

So, when I had the signs of perimenopause I knew I had to find a natural way to deal with this. One that would support my body to do what it is suppose to do instead of fooling it into thinking everything is okay.


I'm always listening to natural health talks and doing research on different health issues me or my family is dealing with to learn how to deal with it naturally. Just before I started going through perimenopause I listened to a week long webiner on women's hormones. I took away many great points on how to deal with this issue naturally and applied some and also created a tincture to deal with my symptoms. Here are some of the ways we can produce the hormones are bodies are lacking naturally.

  • 'Exercise helps to create hormones
  • Eating green vegetables helps to create hormones
Taking anything to replace hormones causes are bodies to stop producing them naturally, yes even herbs


Support the Body Naturally

I went to our naturopathic doctor to find out which organs I needed support for to deal with the symptoms of perimenopause. I tried the Dong Quai and while it helped I found I needed to be careful as it would trigger menstruation and I was having irrational thoughts, so I stopped taking it. So, let's try the Black Cohosh, it is suppose to aid with hot flashed, nope no go. 

Locally I sell organic skin care, Kombucha, handcrafted crystal jewelry and key chains. While I was at a local event another vendor wanted to barter for my Night Time Facial Scrub. I'm totally up for a barter and knew they had some tinctures, so I asked if they had anything for menopause. They did and I noticed a difference in my symptoms within 2 weeks. I went to order some more and that didn't go to good, so I decided to do some research and make my own tincture. 


Herbs

I took a piece of paper and wrote down categories for all the symptoms myself and others deal with.
Photo credit

  • Hot Flashes
  • Regulating Hormones
  • Energy
  • Menstrual Cycle
  • Mood Swings, Anxiety, Stress
  • Vaginal Dryness

I then set out on my research cross referencing all the herbs I found to be sure they would do what was previously said. I also searched for any warnings of any sort on each herb I came across. By the end of my 2 weeks of research my paper looked something like this.

Hot Flashes                                    Regulating Hormones                           

Red Raspberry Leaf                          Red Raspberry Leaf                        
Dong Quai                                         Dong Quai                                      
Licorice Root                                     Licorice Root                                  
Black Cohosh                                     Chasteberry
Elder Flowers

Energy                                             Menstrual Cycle

Red Raspberry Leaf                       Red Raspberry Leaf
Oatstraw

Mood Swings, Anxiety, Stress          Vaginal Dryness

Red Raspberry Leaf                                Dong Quai
Dong Quai                                               Oatstraw
Chasteberry
Licorice Root
Oatstraw


Warning

As I said I searched any warnings and side effect of these herbs. Now keep in mine my research was for perimenopause/menopause, so keep this in mind if you are planning on creating something for yourself. The only warning I came across multiple times during my research was for Licorice Root. Oh and by the way the Licorice Root also amps up the medicinal properties of the other herbs. Okay if you have any of the following health issues Licorice Root might not be for you. Always consult with a health care professional.
Licorice Root

  • High Blood Pressure
  • Kidney Issues
  • Liver Issues
  • Diabetes 
My tincture has a very small percentage of Licorice Root, but we still need to be aware of issues. For this reason I ask anyone if they have any of these issues and omit this ingredient for precautions. Do your own research on this root before ingesting. 


My Tincture

Instead of using alcohol I decided to infuse apple cider vinegar with the herbs. So, I ordered my herbs and waited, and waited, and waited some more. Meanwhile I had bought something from the local health store to hold me over, it didn't work as good as the tincture I had bartered for, but I had no choice at that point. Once it was ready I anxiously filled my bottle and started taking a dropper full every night. Well it wasn't really a full dropper as it will not fill the full dropper, so it was more like 2 half droppers. Once again after 2 weeks I noticed a difference in how many hot flashes I had, bye bye mood swings, night sweats still happening, but not as bad. 


Time Elapse 

So, getting symptom free at 53 didn't happen over night. It took about 4 to 6 months before all the symptoms were gone. However, they were less and less over the months of taking the tincture. I continue to take it and not sure if I will for the rest of my life, I mean it can't hurt and the herbs have other benefits besides aiding with the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. 

How About Others?

Purchase 

Now to find out if other women would have the same experience as I did. I gave 3 friends a 2 oz bottle of the tincture, which lasts about a month, and yes!!!!!! They all had a positive experience and one has even come back for more. The others still have some, but they'll be back.

So, how about you? Taking medications and hormones is not the solution however, for some it might be, not me. What are you doing for your symptoms during perimenopause/menopause? Is it working? If not you might consider "Change" menopause tincture. 

If you found this helpful please share.



                               

2 comments:

  1. Wonderful self-care Joyce. Proud of you. I'll reshare and pin so other women can see your story.

    ReplyDelete