“When a woman knows how to access her root place, she find the energy for building her creative dreams, nurturing her creations and changing the core patterns that diminish her radiance.” -Tami Lynn Kent
For much of my life it seemed as though the menstrual cycle was shrouded in mystery. I perceived it as something inconvenient, embarrassing and even taboo at times- not to be spoken about.
Periods were discussed very briefly during the infamous 5th grade Talk where my sweaty-palmed teacher told us about our changing bodies. And later on in high school health class, I squirmed uncomfortably in my seat as I learned about reproduction next to smirking male peers.
Cycle health always seemed to be taught in the most clinical, scientific way possible. It was devoid of that vastly important psycho-spiritual element that sees ‘moon time’ as an invitation to honor the sanctity of your body and its natural rhythms.
Strange as it may seem, periods were the gateway to healing my relationship with my body. I became fascinated by the realization that our menstrual cycle is nearly a mirror image of the 28 day lunar cycle. Around the same time, I felt a strong pull to transition off of birth control and detox from the artificial hormones in favor of more natural methods.
Hungry to learn more, I signed up for Clara Bailey’s Moon School which I cannot recommend highly enough (I think it should be required reading for all women- this knowledge is your birthright).
Shortly after joining her course, I had a health anomaly turn up during a routine exam (for you astro enthusiasts I have Saturn and Pluto in the 6th in my solar return chart this year yikesss) and I received this as a clear sign that it was time to finally start listening to my body’s messages.
Until recently, I was all too happy to dissociate from my own physical vessel. I mostly alternated between judging my body with unwarranted criticism and distaste or avoiding it altogether. Inhabiting my body felt unsafe.
I feared that if I graced it with my mindful attention, I would get swept up by a tidal wave of threatening emotions and sensations that threatened to swallow me whole. I opted to compensate for this with a voracious intellectual appetite and the alluring portal of my wild imagination.
Only now, as an adult woman approaching my 30’s, do I feel ready to fully embrace and hold space for the uncharted territory that is my body. Now I move because it’s pleasurable and fun. And I eat intuitively so that I can feel good and nourish myself. Eating and exercise are no longer methods of punishment, or a means to force my body to look a certain way.
These days when I speak to my body, I lavish her with sweet, encouraging words and lots of love. I pay attention to her needs and feelings and treat her with gentleness, compassion and deep reverence.
Thankfully, I have discovered that our bodies are wired with a deep inner knowing and they are more than willing to graciously welcome us back home. Reclaiming this essential part of myself has been one of the most rewarding milestones in my shadow work journey.
Along the way I’ve been introduced to 4 powerful herbs, each with their own unique energy and healing abilities that will help you to regulate your cycle, navigate feminine transitions and nourish your body. They have been wonderfully supportive allies for me and hopefully they can be of help to you too.
*Please note: I am not a doctor nor do I play one on the Internet. Please consult your healthcare professional before taking any herb or supplement.
4 Herbs for Cycle Health
1. Raspberry Leaf– (rubus idaeus) This is the ultimate herb for womb wellness. Raspberry leaf has the remarkable ability to balance the entire reproductive system and is useful for nearly every vaginal or menstrual complaint. Whether you have an irregular or heavy period, UTI, PMS, vaginosis, etc. raspberry leaf will help restore harmony. This is a highly nutritious herb that contains many essential vitamins and minerals, including: iron, potassium, calcium, vitamin C and magnesium. Raspberry leaf tea is very safe and it’s especially wonderful to drink throughout pregnancy because it tenderly tonifies the womb, eases morning sickness and helps prevent anemia. Energetically speaking it is slightly cooling and astringent.
2. Motherwort– (leonurus cardiaca) Motherwort is a compassionate, nurturing herb that makes you feel like you are being held in the arms of the Great Mother. As a nervine, Motherwort can help soothe anxiety, panic attacks, heart palpitations and fear of the future. This herb is supportive, restorative and especially helpful during major life changes and transitions such as puberty, the end of a relationship, starting a new job, a big move, etc.
Motherwort can also assist with menstrual irregularities such as amenhorrhea, scanty period, period pain, poor digestion and hot flashes. As motherwort is very bitter tasting, it is best enjoyed as an herbal capsule, tincture or herbal honey. You’ll find that the effects are nearly instantaneous. Mothewort is safe to take alongside (or instead of) anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medications but should only be used in pregnancy from week 38 onwards. Energetically it is cooling and relaxing.
3. Red Clover– (trifolium pratense) Red Clover blossoms are a nutrient dense herb that help to cleanse and purify the blood. Red Clover is wonderful for balancing hormones and healing inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Historically, Chinese and Russian herbalists have incorporated Red Clover as a remedy for asthma, bronchitis and other lung conditions. It’s excellent for increasing fertility and it can regulate estrogen levels in the body, whether they’re too high or too low.
Susun Weed says, “Red Clover alkalinizes the body and may balance the acid/alkaline levels of the vagina and uterus in favor of conception.” Red Clover can also be used for perimenopause, menstrual cramps, cystitis, anemia, the hormonal changes of adolescence and to increase vaginal lubrication.
Red Clover is mild yet penetrating, nourishing and grounding. Red Clover blossoms are best enjoyed as part of a nourishing infusion or tincture. Please take safety precautions if you are on any blood thinning medications, suffer from blood clot conditions or have a history of estrogen-dependent cancer. Red Clover may interfere with the efficacy of the birth control pill (as it could decrease estrogen levels). Energetically this herb is cooling, moistening and sweet.
4. Lady’s Mantle– (alchemilla vulgaris) Lady’s mantle is a lovely herb for sensitive souls and an effective hormone regulator. It’s a gentle uterine tonic that helps restore muscular integrity both internally and externally. Lady’s mantle also contains anti-hemorrhagic qualities which makes it particularly useful for heavy bleeding. You can also use it as a wound wash to assist in tissue repair because it reduces inflammation and can aid the healing process. If you’ve experienced tearing or wounding or needed stitches of some kind you can brew Lady’s Mantle into a potent tea and use it as a peri wash.
Lady’s Mantle is the guardian herb of the divine feminine and alleviates hot flashes, premenstrual headaches, anxiety, insomnia, mood swings and skin blemishes. It’s best to take it as a nourishing infusion, tincture or sitz bath. Energetically, it’s astringent, drying and cooling and is said to have the ability to turn ‘mothers back into maidens.’ If you have already have a dry constitution such as Vata dosha, consider combining this herb with marshmallow or licorice.
Plant medicine can give you the gift of bringing your hormones back into balance, supporting your menstrual cycle and cultivating healing in mind, body and spirit. Below is a recipe for a nourishing infusion that I hope you’ll enjoy.
Nourishing Infusion Recipe:
Fill up a quart sized mason jar 1/3 of the way with the following herbs (dried or fresh):
- Raspberry leaf
- Lady’s Mantle
- Red Clover Blossom
- Lemon Balm
- Rose
Instructions:
Pour (almost) boiling water to the top of the jar and use a utensil (such as the handle of a long wooden spoon perhaps) to stir the herbs around. Put the lid on to prevent the nutritive oils from escaping during condensation. Allow the herbs to steep overnight. Then use a sieve, sprouting lid or cheesecloth to sift out the plant material and pour the infusion into a separate vessel. Consider composting the plant material if possible.
Refrigerate your infusion and enjoy it hot or cold over the next couple of days. You can drink 1-3 cups a day; the infusion will yield around 2-3 servings. I source my dried herbs from Mountain Rose Herbs.
Sources:
Bailey, Clara. “Moon School.” Clara Bailey , 2021, www.clarabailey.com/moon-school-course.
Bennett, Robin Rose. The Gift of Healing Herbs: Plant Medicines and Home Remedies for a Vibrantly Healthy Life. North Atlantic Books, 2014.
