Chastetree (Vitex agnus-castus) is a deciduous member of the mint family and can grow up to 16 feet tall or be maintained as a shrub. It bears spikes of lavender coloured flowers that attract pollinators. While the fruit it bears are referred to as “berries”, they are drupes—bearing a single seed. Native to the Mediterranean…
Estrogen Dominance Hormones dictate so many of the bodily functions of humans that affect our wellbeing and overall health. In women, there are specific hormones that have profound influence over their physiology: the most well-known is estrogen. Estrogen is a hormone crucial for puberty, secondary physical sex traits, regulation of the reproductive system and fertility….
Sexual health is an important facet of a women’s overall health – contributing to fertility, relationship quality, and personal pleasure… but for some women, low libido can become an issue of concern. When a healthy libido is compromised, it can manifest in low sexual desire, low arousal, unsatisfactory lubrication and inability to reach orgasm. The causes vary, but can result from hormonal issues, emotion or psychological…
“In menopause, we find strength in vulnerability and beauty in resilience.” Hot flashes are a common complaint among women navigating the tricky terrain of perimenopause into menopause. In fact, up to 80% of women will experience hot flashes throughout the transition into menopause. While the precise physiological trigger for hot flashes hasn’t been completely understood,…
Menstruation, or “periods” are a natural part of the menstrual cycle women experience during the reproductive years of their lives. However, that does not mean they always arrive without their problems. Irregular periods, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), painful periods, and heavy flow are common issues that many women navigate every month. They can be attributed to…
The menstrual cycle is governed by an amazing series of biological processes. Even those who have experienced one for many years, may not completely understand exactly how the body performs each phase of a cycle, or what happens during each cycle! This is neither uncommon nor is it any reason for embarrassment. Understanding your cycle…
Women experience marked hormonal changes throughout their life. The phases begin with the onset of puberty and first menstruation through to menopause – the cessation of the menstrual cycle. These rites of passage in a woman’s life are often celebrated in many cultures and each phase can be likened to the seasons of the year,…
Plant medicines have provided support for women’s health issues for thousands of years – and one herb that holds exceptional benefits for women in all stages of life is chastetree. Chastetree (Vitex agnus-castus) is also called chasteberry, Abraham’s balm, lilac chastetree, and monk’s pepper. A deciduous shrub that is native to the Mediterranean area, the…
Menopause marks the end of the fertile years in the reproductive period of a woman’s life. Leading up to this is perimenopause – a period that can span anywhere from a few months to a decade. Around the mid-40s and as early as their mid-30s, most women begin this period of transition, as the menstrual…
Herbal Help for Menstrual Issues On average, a woman will menstruate over 450 times throughout the fertile “childbearing years” – which make up a significant phase of her life! The monthly menstrual cycle is governed by hormones and brings natural, mild emotional and physical variations with its distinct phases. However, many women regularly experience a…
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