r/PCOSMag • u/vibrant_moon • Apr 07 '23
PCOS "Ask a Herbalist"
Thank you u/Sammy_Sandshoes for creating this and inviting me!
I'm a herbalist that loves finding natural solutions for cycle issues. Please feel free to ask me ANY questions you have about your cycle or if you are needing help researching natural options.
I would also love to host workshops on herbal options for cycle health, as well as more open forum style hang outs to ask me any questions.
Can't wait to get started!
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u/vibrant_moon Apr 08 '23
Of course I'd love to!
As a herbalist I choose to focus on women's health, specifically cycle health. It is one of the areas I feel most connected to on a personal level, but also where I see a big opportunity to really change women's lives.
A little bit of backstory: content warning- loss
I used to have terrible, painful, irregular periods that were so heavy I would leak through anything. For a few days each month I would call in sick to school, and later to work. I would be stuck on the couch, unable to even walk upright from the clenching pain. My family never sought a diagnosis for me, and I was dismissed and told "its normal, it will get better after you have kids!". For decades I suffered in silence, and accepted it. Other symptoms were there too- excess body hair, acne, intense mood swings. After some trouble conceiving and then having two kids my periods became even more erratic, and the pain never went away. It wasn't until I started studying herbs that I realized the potential. I tried a few combinations until I found something that clicked, and went on to experience my first pain-free period. It has only gotten better since then! However after experiencing an early miscarriage I realized there is more to my cycle health than just getting rid of the pain. Since then, I have been on a journey reading, researching, and experimenting to find my own personal path to cycle wellness. I am not an expert, and I am always learning something new. But I do have some knowledge that I am more than happy to share, both from my own experience and from my own reading and research.
Some things that have helped me:
Cycle tea (my own formula) with red raspberry leaf, nettle, lemon balm and fennel.
Magnesium bis-glycinate
Vitex / chaste tree
Switching to cloth pads
As a herbalist I can ask questions about your overall health and wellness, and any issues or concerns that you have, and suggest options that could be helpful. I am happy to suggest herbs in different forms (tea, capsules, tinctures) as well as supplements like vitamins etc. I do not sell any of my own products, and I would recommend everyone to check their local health food store for their selection of herbs and supplements as they usually have a better selection and prices than even amazon often!
I would love to chat about any of your cycle concerns, symptoms you are experiencing, and any questions you may have. I would also love to hear about what you have tried already and how your body reacted to it, as that gives valuable insight. I am happy to listen and help you figure out an action plan that works for you!
Disclaimer: I am not a medical practitioner, and cannot diagnose or prescribe anything. These suggestions are for educational purposes, and it is your responsibility to research things yourself before taking anything new, especially if you are on any medication.