Growing a Tea Herb Garden For Women's General & Reproductive Health

For centuries women have been natural healers and caretakers. Healing secrets were traditionally passed from mother to daughter with herbs being the most common remedy for treatment.

My grandmother always had a special tea herb garden that was used in just about every situation imaginable. In particular, during menstrual cycles, nursing, pregnancy, menopause, for scrapes, bruises, headaches, toothaches you name it; there was a herbal tea remedy for it. My experience over the years and use of herbs has without a shadow of a doubt gained my everlasting trust in the health and healing benefits stored in herbs.

I have found that the most common problems that most women encounter are due to our forever changing hormones. The hormones of a woman can help to maintain a healthy overall well being as long as it remains balanced. Once your hormones become out of sync an imbalance occurs which causes you to go through emotional turmoil. The great news is that herbs can assist you in maintaining a healthy balance that is needed for your overall well being as a woman.

In this article we will discuss common problems that are specific to women, and herbal teas traditionally used to treat those conditions. Please note that for any herbs that you are considering or have interested in taking you should consult with your primary care provider before you consume them.

Premenstrual Syndrome-

Herbs for premenstrual syndrome have been used for years to assist women who were suffering from these symptoms. Some of the most common herbs used are as follows:

Dandelion- This herb has been used to reduce heightened levels of estrogen and bloating.

Valerian- Eliminates menstrual cramps.

St.Johns Wort- Treats mood swings that are commonly associated with premenstrual syndrome.

Stinging Nettle- Used to treat chronic fatigue.

Menopause

Women going through menopause experience many changes within the body like hot flashes, mood swings, dizziness, depression, change in body order and loss of libido to name a few. For centuries the following herbs has been used as an herbal tea remedy to treat the symptoms of menopause and bring women a sense of relief in an organic way.

Endocrine-Hormone Disrupting Chemicals and Reproductive Health

A large number of widely used substances (pesticides, common household items and chemicals, industrial chemicals, metals) have been shown to have estrogen-mimicking and other endocrine-hormone disrupting effects, including;

2,4-D is applied to grassy crops such as wheat, home and public lawns and gardens, and on roadsides, golf courses, forests and waterways.

Permethrin is an insecticide derived from chrysanthemum flowers. It has multiple uses, including head lice and scabies treatments, insect repellents, household insect foggers and sprays, tick and flea sprays for yards and pets, termite treatments, agricultural and livestock products, mosquito abatement, forestry and treatment of timber.

Dioxins are byproducts of manufacture involving chlorine. They are formed during combustion and during the production of chemical compounds containing chlorine, such as pesticides and PCBs. The production and use of some chlorinated chemicals, bleaching of paper, and waste incineration, including the uncontrolled burning of residential waste, are the major sources of dioxins. Reproductive effects, including decreased sperm production, decreased testis weight, decreased testosterone levels, delayed puberty, and endometriosis have been observed in laboratory animals.

How to Capitalize on Women's Biggest Health Worries

Women and their health concerns loom large in public awareness these days. With the growing awareness that the sexes respond differently to traditional medicine comes an increased interest in natural health products for women--the group most often harmed by prescription drugs.

Because of that, women represent a lucrative opportunity for any marketer interested in natural health. A quick survey of online forums reveals some of the most popular health topics for women (listed here in alphabetic order). This list is by no means exhaustive:

Beauty

Birth control

Body image

Breast health and diseases

Cancer

Fitness

Heart health

Menopause

Menstruation

Mental health

Pregnancy and reproductive health

Sexual health

Weight control

Within this list are further breakdowns--by age (teen, young adult, middle age, postmenopause), ethnicity (to address the special health needs and concerns of different ethnic groups), education and income (because different socioeconomic groups respond differently to health-related messages), and so on.

The products and services a marketer can provide to fill these needs are virtually unlimited. Here's a short list to get you started:

--Dietary supplements

--Information products (e-books, print books, DVDs, educational courses, etc.)

--Beauty products

--Spa products

--Exercise clothing and equipment

Herbal Remedies For Women's Reproductive Health

Women indeed have to contend with a lot of health care issues that likely emanates from their biological make-up and function. From menstruation to pregnancy and then menopause-these reproductive processes that arise from a woman's physiology never fail to trigger medical conditions such as PMS, mood swings and also fertility issues. Whatever the issue may be, there is always a solution that comes packaged with the therapeutic extracts of herbs.

Herbal remedies have been used for many centuries to support the reproductive health of women. Isn't it about time that women take these alternative solutions into consideration to resolve pertinent medical conditions?

If it's an issue of menstrual cramps, the herb Water Elder (Viburnum opulus) commonly called 'Cramp Bark' is known to ease premenstrual symptoms. Herbalists revealed that a tincture produced from the herb's bark would serve as an effective alternative to the usual anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic medications administered to relieve menstrual cramps and other discomforts that come about with pregnancy. In fact, the herb is recognized for its remarkable support to female organs as it helps prevent miscarriages to this end. Moreover, the herb's extracts can be applied as uterine sedative to prevent internal bleeding.

Another herb administered to ease muscular cramps is Chinese Yam (Dioscorea Villosa). The herb has been regarded for its medicinal benefits, particularly in easing pain with the uterus, ovaries and abdomen that transpire during hormonal changes. Previously, the herb was commonly used as a primary ingredient in hormone and contraceptive pills.

The herb Milk Thistle (Silybum Marianum) meanwhile offers a portfolio of therapeutic benefits relevant to pregnant and lactating women. Enriched with the antioxidant silymarin, the herb operates as an excellent detoxifier that remarkably benefits liver functions. Know that optimum liver health is vital to lactating mothers.

The practice of traditional Chinese medicine also encompasses female reproductive health with the introduction of Dong Quai (Angelica Sinensis) in alternative circles. Dong Quai is renowned in gynecological studies for its anti-inflammatory and sedative properties. Women can count on the herb's medicinal constituents to relieve PMS conditions, menstrual irregularities, and even with menopause.

Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health

Health is the foremost priority of each and every human being. But when it comes to sexual health people get careless and do not give it much importance especially in developing countries. According to World Health Organization sexual health is influenced by a complex web of factors ranging from sexual behavior and attitudes and societal factors, to biological risk and genetic predisposition. It encompasses the problems of HIV and STIs/RTIs, unintended pregnancy and abortion, infertility and cancer resulting from STIs, and sexual dysfunction.

Sexual health is a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being and is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health needs great concern as it in not a matter of physical health but also has a psychological aspect. Sexual activity requires a positive and respectful approach as it involves relations as well as pleasure. Sexual violence is a terrible experience that causes both physical and psychological problems. When women face sexual assault it is causes great pain and anguish. Sexual assault as rape causes them to get pregnant and as they are not prepared for it face health problems mostly due to mental strain.

A person's individual health also affects the sexual health of that person. If a person is suffering from some chronic illness or mental health it affects the sexual life and further reproductive health. It is always better to take consultation from health providers about a person's sexual health, as it is not only the individual's health but an individual's family health that affects his or her sexual life.

It is necessary to be aware of ones sexual health as it can lead to serious problems especially when there is a risk factor of sexual infection. In developed countries although the sexually transmitted diseases are less among adults the number is increasing with the teenagers. So it becomes necessary to come up with sexual health programs to create awareness among the adolescence. The number unplanned pregnancies are more in teenager as they are not completely educated about the use of contraceptives.

7 Dietary Principles for Reproductive Health

Over the years working in the reproductive health field I have seen many diets come and go. What is effective is a diet that is simple & sustainable, meaning one that people can actually stick to for the long term. There is much truth to the adage 'you are what you eat', so I believe diet is the best place to start no matter what health condition you are faced with. It is something you have almost complete control over. The only hurdle is the commitment to being accountable for your actions, and identifying the ways you may sabotage your own success.

In a nutshell, the few principles that should be implemented are the following:

1. avoid or completely eliminate gluten, sugar, and dairy (with the possible exception of organic plain yogurt).
2. reduce or eliminate processed and deep fried foods.
3. control portion sizes.
4. increase the amount of colorful foods you consume.
5. half your diet should be raw food.
6. reduce the glycemic load of your food intake.
7. choose organic whenever possible.

Gluten sugar and dairy are over-consumed. I have seen conditions like endometriosis and other inflammatory and allergic conditions improve drastically with the elimination of these foods. These are foods that people are very commonly sensitive or allergic to, which results in fatigue, headaches, bloating, bowel problems, sleep issues, poor concentration, and the list goes on. So bread and pasta should go, as well as treats and dairy. That said, life is about enjoying yourself and balance, so depending on your current and long term health goals, you may allow yourself that wine and cheesecake at your best friends birthday celebration!

Processed foods are full of chemicals we are only beginning to understand. The fact is, that the plastic that many processed foods are packaged in have a chemical within that is a known endocrine disruptor, that means it messes with your hormones.

Deep fried foods are something we all know a lot about already, so this is not news. But, evidence shows, when men's reproductive or sexual health is concerned, a good rule of thumb to remember is; 'what is bad for your heart is bad for your penis!'.