Are you looking for freedom from PMS?
Do you want to ease the effects of stress — and age gracefully?
How about something that will tone your skin and make you glow from the inside out?
Here are 5 herbs for women that will do just that and more!
1. Ashwagandha
Also known as winter cherry, Withania somnifera, and Indian ginseng.
Ashwagandha has a long history of traditional use in Ayurvedic medicine. Many of its benefits are of particular help for women.
The herb is known for its anti-stress and anti-anxiety benefits, with modern studies showing its effectiveness (source). The herb calms the nervous system and promotes restful sleep, which in turn keeps us healthy and helps us to age gracefully! What woman doesn’t want that?
Are you dealing with other issues? Ashwagandha is also known for increasing fertility, balancing hormones during menopause, increasing energy levels, and improving overall mood.
Not to mention, reducing your risk of cancer, Alzheimer’s, periodontal disease, and type 2 diabetes, while increasing muscle strength, and protecting your heart and liver (source).
Whether in cut root or powdered form, this is definitely an herb to know about! Learn how to make your own ashwagandha tincture here!
2. Chaste Tree/Vitex
Also known as chaste tree berry and Monk’s pepper.
Chaste tree is truly an herb for women, used almost exclusively for issues related to the menstrual cycle. It has long been used as a hormone stabilizer, to regulate menstruation, fight PMS, and support fertility.
It has also been noted to have benefits during conception and pregnancy, and can be used throughout menopause to balance hormones (source).
Please note that pregnant women should always work with their health care provider when using any herbs.
3. Nettle
Also known as stinging nettle or common nettle.
Nettles are often considered to be a “weed”. They are easily recognized by the red rash and sharp sting caused by contact with the leaves.
Despite their stinging reputation, the plant is also nourishing medicine. And don’t worry — once cooked or dried, the leaves no longer sting.
Nettles act as a tonic to the adrenals and kidneys, which soothes stress, reduces toxicity, and promotes healthy, glowing skin.
Herbalists often recommend the herb for pregnant and lactating women, to reduce excessive bleeding and to improve the quality and quantity of breast milk.
Nettle is high in iron and vitamin K and is great for strong nails and healthy hair.
4. Red Raspberry Leaf
Red raspberry leaf is another vitamin- and mineral-rich herb, high in iron as well as calcium, phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, manganese and vitamins A, C, and E — all of great benefit to women at all stages of life.
There’s more!
It also contains a compound known to strengthen the uterine muscles.
The combination of vitamins and minerals leads to strong teeth and bones.
Its hormone-balancing and womb-strengthening properties make it beneficial for pregnant and menstruating women. One study showed that it might shorten labor and reduce complications (source).
5. Dong Quai
Also known as Chinese Angelica or female ginseng.
When I started seeing a doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dong Quai was one of the first herbs he told me to take. And with good reasons.
Dong Quai is known as a liver and blood tonic and is very high in minerals.
It is recommended for both menstrual and menopausal symptoms because it acts to normalize hormones.
Noted herbalist Rosemary Gladstar calls this “one of the most useful of female tonic herbs” (source). She notes that it is best taken before or after menstruation, but not during. It is not recommended during pregnancy.
Do you take herbs for reproductive health? What are your “must know about” herbs?
Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor. All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You are responsible for your own health and for the use of any remedies, treatments, or medications you use at home. Herbs are powerful medicine. You should always speak to your health provider before ingesting any herb, especially if you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or on any other medications.
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Ive never had great success with herbs for chronic conditions (tho echinacea, etc work wonderfully for acute issues) but vitex absolutely changed my ovaries. Took 6 mos of daily use but I was cured. Took for another yr or two and then pregnancies prevented me from using it and my periods stayed regular. Ive not taken it for 10 yrs at least and even at 51yo I am still regular lol
Its the best female herb, for many issues, IMO
Thanks for sharing your story! I am so glad to hear that you found complete healing! 🙂
I started taking Black Cohosh years ago. My hormones were completely out of wack and my mom thought it might have been some pre-menupause issues. My periods are amazing now. My hormones are happy. I have very little PMS, in fact this last time there were no symptoms at all (which meant it caught me off guard but nothing hurt).
My doctor looked at me weird when I told her I was taking it because it’s only supposed to be good for hot flashes but it honestly helps. Before taking it, I was in agony. Sometimes I still get a little pain during my period but nothing like I used to.
Yes, Black Cohosh is another amazing herb for women! It is definitely one I would want to talk to my healthcare provider about though, as there seem to be many contraindications. But yes, it can be of wonderful help for menopause symptoms, as well as PMS. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Andrea, I was wondering how you take these herbs? Do you make a tea or do you take
it in pill form?
Hi Karen, It depends on the herb. My local herb shop sells ashwagandha as a powder, so I just throw some into my smoothies. If you purchase the cut root you can make a tincture out of it and take it that way. Nettle and Raspberry leaf make a great tea – I regularly combine them both for my morning cup of tea – adding something slightly sweet like lemon verbena, or something from the mint family can help cut the grassy taste of the nettle. I have taken Chaste Tree and Dong Quai as a pill when prescribed by a natural health practitioner, but on my own prefer to either make teas or tinctures.
Andrea,
Are these herbs okay to use for a 12 year old girl to regulate periods and decrease cramps? What would be the dosages?
Thank you.
I would suggest you check with a natural health practitioner or herbalist. They would be able to tell you if it is safe and give you an appropriate dosage for a child.
i gave my dd crampbark tincture every 2-3 hours when she was bad. few times a day otherwise. i gave her one dropperful. now i know to give double that. i give my younger kids two dropperfuls of herbs when theyre acutely ill. then cut back in frequency and amount.
my dd got relief with crampbark tho, evenso. i had horrific teen cramps that werent treated. wish i d had crampbark!
I have had been BLESSED by red raspberry lead for cycle related migraines. What a relief!!!!!
I can attest to the benefit of Red Raspberry Leaf tea for pregnancy — I only learned about it when I was pregnant with my second, and drank it off and on throughout the last trimester. With my third, I drank it regularly throughout the entire pregnancy (I steeped it in my French press and then added a touch of honey and half an orange squeezed in… delightful!) and he was by far my fastest and easiest labour & delivery. Where my first was 5 hours of active labour (12+ hours of early labour) and 40 minutes of pushing, my second was 4 hours of active labour (5 hours of early labour) and 12 minutes of pushing, my third was 4 hours from very first contraction to born, with only moments of pushing.
Can they be taken at the same time?
Hi Joyce, I drink nettle and raspberry leaf tea daily, and have also taken ashwagandha at the same time. Chaste tree and dong quai are often combine in women’s tea blends, which also often include nettle and/or raspberry leaf. If you are looking to solve particular issues, working with a health practitioner can help you decide on the right dosing of each.
Hi. I take black cohosh every day twice a day or else I have horrible hormone induced migraines. It’s a lifesaver. I tried some black cohosh mixed with dong quai and I grew facial hair and had to have it waxed!!! No dong Quai for me!
Can I combine Red raspberry leaf tea and Chasteberry (I actually get the berries where I live) as a tea???
Hi, Mel,
You may find this link helpful: https://www.drinkherbaltea.com/chasteberry-tea-benefits/
Enjoy!
~Peggy, TCS Customer Success Team
For one who is trying to conceive,which combination of the herbs will be best,and to ease stress both physical and emotional which combination will be the best.
Hi, Chinenye,
Both Ashwagandha and Chaste Tree/Vitex support fertility and Ashwagandha support stress. Please note that pregnant women should always work with their health care provider when using any herbs.
~Peggy, TCS Customer Success Team
Can Ashwagandha and Dong Quai be taken together? I have had good luck with Dong Quai, but I want to also take something for anti-anxiety.
Every body is different, you should always consult with your Dr or Naturopath before taking and combining them. ~Peggy, TCS Customer Success Team