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The Wisdom of Aging: Treating
Menopause Naturally
By Elaine Sheff
There is no more creative force in the world than the menopausal
woman with zest.
--Margaret Mead
As we learn more about the risks of hormone replacement therapy,
it is an exciting time to explore herbal remedies for menopause.
Menopause is not a disease. It is not an illness and does not need,
nor have, a cure. Like puberty, the hormonal changes during menopause
are not always necessarily pleasant or easy and can get out of balance.
Nevertheless, menopause is a natural phase of a woman’s life
cycle.
It is natural for perimenopausal women to experience body changes
and menopausal symptoms throughout this time. These can include
hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood swings, flooding and irregular
menstruation. However, menopause does not have to be a time of discomfort.
Herbs can be wonderful allies to the menopausal woman.
Firstly, let’s talk about the prevention of possible problems.
Exercise encourages bone strength, cardiovascular health and maximizes
production and use of hormones in the body. Getting enough sleep,
play time and keeping stress levels low all add to overall health
and wellbeing.
Good reproductive health earlier in life can lead to a more pleasant
menopause. If a woman experiences cramps, PMS or other reproductive
imbalances earlier in life, that is the time to start working on
reproductive and hormonal health. The woman who enters menopause
with a good history of hormonal balance is ahead of the game when
it comes to menopausal symptoms.
Following are a few of the many herbs that can assist the menopausal
woman.
(Click here to
read the whole article)
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Lavender Lemon Balm Lemonade
Squeeze:
4 lemons
1 orange
1 lime
Put into pitcher.
Add 1/2 cup honey to dissolve in 2 cups warm lemon balm tea. Put into
pitcher.
Add:
2 cups cold water
1 tray of ice
1/2 cup lavender hydrosol
Mix and refrigerate or serve.
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Marshmallow
Marshmallow is a perennial herb is native to Europe. It grows
up to four feet tall with soft, velvety, maple-shaped leaves.
It usually grows with one to several stalks coming from its
base and has flowers along the stem, similar to a hollyhock.
The whole plant can be used medicinally. Harvest the leaves
in the summer after blooming has occurred. The root is best
harvested in the late fall because the mucilage content is
higher. It can be used fresh or dried.
Marshmallow is high in aluminum, chromium, dietary fiber,
iron, magnesium, selenium, sodium, tin and vitamin C. The
root and leaf have slightly different properties. Both are
demulcent, diuretic, and emollient but the root is more vulnerary
while the leaf is more expectorant. For these reasons the
leaf is better suited for the lungs and urinary system while
the root is more appropriate for the skin and digestive system.
Due to its tannins and essential oils, Marshmallow irritates
the mucous membranes encouraging them to secrete mucus. This
produces the desired effect of soothing and coating the respiratory
system, urinary tract and gastro-intestinal tract.
Marshmallow moistens the respiratory system making it useful
for dry coughs, bronchitis, asthma, whooping cough, dry or
inflamed lungs, and respiratory catarrh. Use it with licorice
and horehound for bronchitis. Marshmallow is a diuretic encouraging
the body to flush out the urinary tract. The leaf is good
for kidney and bladder inflammations, blood in the urine,
urethritis, cystitis, incontinence, difficult or painful urination
and gravel or kidney stones.
(Click here to read
the whole article)
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Massage and Jin Shin Jyutsu
at Meadowsweet Herbs
Sylvia Robert has been practicing massage therapy for most of her
54 years, in that her father was her first teacher. Formal training
and certification followed in 1978 at the American Institute of
Massage Therapy in Gainesville Florida. The past 28 years have been
spent in practicing, studying and teaching a variety of healing
techniques: Russian Sports Massage, Reiki (I&II), Body Work and
Movement Therapy, Chalice of Repose, Cranial Sacral, Somatosynthesis,
Reflexology, Thai Massage, Yin Yoga, Breath Therapy... Sylvia concentrated
study in Kundalini Yoga and Jin Shin Jyutsu, acquiring teacher certifications.
Sylvia's skills have been useful in working with professional athletes,
clients with critical labels in hospitals, clinics, hospice care
and those who are looking for deep rest and relaxation. Her intention
encourages the natural healing processes to be recognized, clarified
and strengthened. She currently teaches Kundalini Yoga at the Women's
Club, Emma Dickinson and the Heartview Retreat Center. Appointments
for Massage Therapy, Jin Shin Jyutsu, or individualized Kundalini
Yoga consultations are available with Sylvia Robert on Thursdays
at the Meadowsweet Clinic.
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Farewell to Meadowsweet
Herbs
I would like to say "Thank You" to Meadowsweet Herbs for the opportunity
to practice herbal medicine in the Missoula community for the past
seven years. It has truly been a pleasure to grow and learn from
the owners, Elaine and John, my coworkers, customers, friends, family
and of course, the plants themselves! It has been a wonderful thing
for me to see my hometown trust and support such a beautiful business
that has offered me the space to become an herbalist. As I move
on to different things the experiences I have had here will continue
to feed me and contribute to who I am. My heart is filled with gratitude
as I say goodbye.
-- Jessica Wogsland
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