Herbs

for

Womb Health

QIDDIST ASHÉ
ASHÉ LIVING LLC 2020 ©
Introduction
Peace, Beloved!

Thanks so much for downloading this guide with

10 of my favorite herbs to support womb health .

I hope it is nourishing to you for a long time to

come!

As a womb worker and clinical herbalist,

I believe deeply that knowledge of our

bodies and our healing power is our birthright. It is incredibly
powerful to know that we have so many healing plant allies proven

both by ancestral wisdom and modern science. We can (re)learn

to care for ourselves and each other!

10 herbs that can support heavy or painful

In this guide, I'll cover

menses, hormonal imbalances, pregnancy, and the transition

to menopause. Because many of these herbs overlap in their uses, I
have organized it by herb rather than by condition. This should not

be considered medical advice; you are responsible for being your

own authority in your health and wellness and seeking trusted care.

For more, visit www.asheservices.com/disclaimer.

Please know that this is also not an exhaustive list, but rather a

place to start. While there are are dozens and probably hundreds

more herbs that can be used for such purposes, my goal with this

guide is to share some of the plants that are most accessible for
our health and healing.

May you be nourished and supported in your healing journey!

All my love,

Qiddist Ashé safe for pregnancy

possibly safe for pregnancy

not safe for pregnancy

 Sourcing Herbs
Depending on where you live, it can be a challenge to find quality sources

for bulk herbs! I highly recommend checking your local health food co-ops or

local farms, as many will have a supply of dried or liquid herbs. Beyond that,

here are my favorite suppliers for buying herbs in bulk!

Frontier Co-op offers a full line of natural

and organic products, including bulk herbs

and spices. Frontier offers wholesale

pricing, which can make it quite a bit
cheaper if you're buying dried herbs in bulk!

Mountain Rose Herbs offers a wide

selection of organic and fair-trade certified

herbs and spices. They offer smaller

amounts, so it's helpful if you're looking to
buy herbs in smaller quantities.

Starwest Botanicals sells herbs, spices, oils

and more, including organic herbs. You can

also apply for a wholesale account for

discounts.

Iwilla Remedy is a Black-owned herb and

wellness shop that has over 40 bulk herbs

available, and you can purchase in

quantities as small as one ounce!

 Ginger
ZINGIBER OFFICINALE

Painful cramps? Try nibbling

some ginger or drinking ginger

tea! Ginger is anti-inflammatory,

carminative (helps expel gas and

bloating), and circulatory. Ginger has been clinically

proven to be as effective as NSAIDS for cramp relief!

Pain during menses can come from stagnation, and

ginger warms things up and gets them moving. If you

tend to feel cold or want to curl up with a heating pad

when you bleed, ginger may be. a supportive ally. It is

also antispasmodic, meaning it helps to relax, whether

that's uterine muscles or gut cramps. Ginger can also

support nausea (and yes, you can try it for morning

sickness, too!)

How to Use Ginger

Dice or grate a chunk of fresh ginger about the length of your thumb.

Cover with boiling water, cover and steep at least 15 min. Strain and

sip.

for more intense period cramps, begin incorporating ginger tea or

capsules (250 mg up to 4x daily) starting 5 or so days before your

period begins.

You can also use ginger topically as a poultice for cramps: use 1/2 cup

fresh grated ginger or 4-6 tbsp of ginger powder. Cover with boiled

water until it forms a thick paste, apply to lower abdomen, and cover

with a cloth and heating pad for 20 minutes

note: ginger in pregnancy is safe in small amounts

Red Raspberry Leaf
RUBUS IDAEUS

Red Raspberry leaf is popular for its

use in the end of pregnancy, but it is

a wonderful tonic for period cramps

as well! Raspberry leaf is a uterine

tonic: it helps to strengthen the

muscles of the uterus so that it can contract effectively (which it does

when you bleed, just like labor), while also relaxing over-tense uterine

muscles. This helps the uterus to expel blood with more ease and fewer

cramps!

Red raspberry is also high in nutrients, including vitamins B and C, iron,

zinc, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and antioxidants. Its nutrient

density makes it a nourishing tonic throughout the cycle, and can be

supportive for those replenishing nutrient deficiencies, especially when

coming off hormonal contraceptives.

In pregnancy, red raspberry can support the uterus in preparing for labor

and birth. While it is overwhelmingly safe, high amounts may stimulate

uterine contractions. For this reason, its often recommended to wait to

consume it until the third trimester (1-3 cups per day.)

How to Use Red Raspberry:

Steep 1 tbsp in 8oz of boiled water, covered for at least 20 minutes.

For the best medicinal quality, steep 1/4-1/2 cup of herbs in 4 cups

boiled water covered overnight. Strain and sip throughout the day

Red raspberry works beautifully in a vaginal steam for nourishment

and cramp relief!

Motherwort
LEONURUS CARDIACA

Do your struggle with sharp, knife-like pain

during your period? Maybe also with nervousness,

restlessness or anxiety?

Motherwort's calming and supportive spirit is a

powerful aid to sharp menstrual pains because of

its antispasmodic properties. It is also a nervine,

helping to relax the nervous system and ease

tension and anxiety.

Motherwort is also healing and supporting for people in the postpartum

period – helping for exhaustion and irritability; as well as at any time of

hormonal changes causing mood swings and lability (like PMS and

perimenopause).

Like red raspberry, motherwort also acts on the uterus. It is an

emmenoguge, helping to bring on menses and strengthen contractions.

For this reason, it should NOT be used during pregnancy.

The name motherwort means "healing for mothers," and its latin name

means "lion hearted." This plant is a gently ally for those needing

maternal caring and nourishment.

How to Use Motherwort:

Motherwort is very bitter, meaning it also supports liver function.

However, this makes it pretty unpleasant tasting and is best used in a

tincture. Experiment with 3-5 drops on the tongue, or up to 2-3

dropperfulls 2-3 times per day.

Black Cohosh
ACTAEA RACEMOSA

Black Cohosh roots have become a

popular ally for womb health,

particularly for menopause and PMS.

However, it has also traditionally been

used to support painful periods and

childbirth, low back pain, headaches

and hormonal mood shifts.

Its diffusive and upwards energy relaxes and dispels tension, . It is

antispasmodic, increases circulation, and soothes irritation and

inflammation.

In my practice, I've found Black Cohosh to be a most helpful where there

is PMS with depressive and anxious hormonal mood shifts. National

Institute of Health has revealed that Black Cohosh acts as an SSRI,

binding to the same receptors and benzo

Because of its relaxing and soothing effects, it is also supportive for

perimenopausal/menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, anxiety-

related insomnia, and hormonal mood swings.

While Black Cohosh has been used in childbirth to promote labor, due to

its potential to increase uterine contractions it should be avoided in

pregnancy.

How to Use Black Cohosh

For an energetic dose 3-5 drops on the tongue, or medicinally 2-3

dropperfulls 2-3 times per day.

 Yarrow
ACHILLEA MILLEFOLIUM

Part of the magic of many plants

is that they can appear to have

opposite actions, knowing when

either is needed. We see this in the

wisdom of yarrow, which has been

called "the master of the blood."

Yarrow can help to bring on

menses when it is delayed and decrease pain, making it especially

helpful in irregular cycles and for supporting cysts and fibroids. However,

it can also help to slow bleeding when there is too much, making it

helpful for heavy menses, and hemorrhage.

In addition to being a uterine tonic, yarrow is antmicrobial and

antiseptic, making it a supportive addition to healing blends for issues

such as bacterial vaginosis (BV).

With its balancing forces, yarrow can help us to make peace with the

opposing forces within ourselves. It is also a plant of boundaries,

teaching us where we need to hold boundaries steady to be in our

deepest integrity.

How to Use Yarrow

Yarrow is bitter and somewhat pungent. A strongly brewed tea (1 tbsp

steeped in 8oz boiled water at least 30 min) will help to regulate blood

flow and open the pores. To slow heavy bleeding, consume an overnight

infusion in the days leading to menstruation.

Avoid if you are pregnant or are allergic to plants in the aster family

(chrysanthemums, daisies, and ragweed).

Red Clover
TRIFOLIUM PRATENSE

Red clover is a gentle, supportive, and

mildly-sweet tasting plant that is

famous for containing phytoestrogens.

Phytoestrogens mimic estrogen in the body,

which can actually help to reduce

estrogen dominance (a common cause of hormonal imbalance and

conditions including endometriosis, painful periods, cysts, fibroids and

PMS) by blocking harmful xenoestrogens from entering the body. For this

reason, red clover infusions can support healthy hormone balance,

particularly healthy estrogren levels in the body.

For perimenopause and postmenopause, red clover can have an

opposite effect by increasing estrogen responses in the body, which can

ease hot flashes and hormonal mood symptoms of the menopause

transition.

Red clover also works on our lymphatic system, gently clearing and

moving lymph fluid through the body to expel stagnation and keep our

immune system supported. This is particularly helpful for damp, stagnant

conditions where lymph is blocked, such as breast/chest tenderness,

cysts and fibroids.

How to Use Red Clover

The flowering tops make a delicious tea! 1 tbsp of flower in 8oz boiled

water covered for at least 15 min. For stronger medicinal quality, make

an overnight infusion.

Because of the estrogenic effect, there is some concern that it may alter the

balance of hormones in pregnancy. Use your best intuition, and you are pregnant or

nursing, you may want to speak with a midwife, obstetrician, and herbalist first.
Ashwagandha
WITHANIA SOMNIFERA

Ashwagandha is a healing

adaptogen, meaning that it

helps our bodies cope with

and better respond to stress.

One of the major disruptions to

our reproduction is stress, because cortisol (a stress hormone)

competes with pregnenolone (the precursor to estrogen and

progesterone) in the body. That means when we're stressed, we

often do not have the reproductive hormones we need to ovulate or

have a healthy cycle!

Ashwagandha both strengthens energy and vitality, while also

calming the restless and anxious mind. It supports recovery and

stamina and clinically has been shown to reduce stress. It can be a

helpful support in times of chronic stress to support the nervous

system in relaxing so that the body can still use energy for our

reproductive system.

How to Use Ashwagandha

add 1/2- 1 1/2 teaspons of powder to smoothies, warm milk/milk

alternatives or a latte for a calming effect

Decoct (simmer) 1-5 grams of the root for 20 minutes, strain and

drink

Commonly found in capsules as well

consult with a practitioner before use in pregnancy (no more

than 1/2 tsp is recommended)

 Crampbark
VIBURNUM OPULUS

Like the name suggests,

crampbark is a wonderful ally

for relieving cramps! It contains

methyl salicylate, which has

pain relieving and

anti-inflammatory effects.

Crampbark is a muscle relaxant/ antispasmodic, and relaxant. It

can block the spasms of smooth muscle -- and yes, the uterus is a

smooth muscle! Studies have also demonstrated that crampbark

may improve conditions such as endometriosis.

As a traditional birthkeeper, I also use crampbark when there is a

threat of miscarriage, as crampbark can relax the muscles of the

uterus to stop premature contractions. It is also wonderful as a

postpartum herb to help relieve after birth cramping!

How to Use Crampbark

Tincture: 1-2 dropperfulls 1-2 times a day for cramping pain, or

every few hours.

For period pain, it is most helpful when starting to take it a few

days before pain begins.

As a tea: place 2 teaspoons of dried bark into a cup of water,

bringing it to a boil and then simmering it for 10 to 15 minutes.

This tea can be consumed three times per day for cramps.

Note: in pregnancy is this would be indicated only for miscarriage, not as a

daily tonic. Consult with a medicine holder or trusted midwife

Lady's Mantle
ALCHEMILLA VULGARIS

What do very heavy periods,

prolapsed uterus, loose stools,

and hemorrhage have in

common?

They all require a toning or

astringent quality to stop the

excessive flow -- and that's where Lady's Mantle comes in! This plant

has a long history of being a reproductive tonic, and is particularly

useful where there is excessive flow. This is because Lady's Mantle is

rich in tannins, which have an astringent quality that help to tighten

and hold fluids.

Because of this, it makes Lady's Mantle and excellent anti-hemorrhagic

herb, both after birth, but also for excessively heavy periods. It can be

mixed with red raspberry tea in the last month of pregnancy to

prepare the uterus for labor and prevent hemorrhage. It may help to

restore regular menstruation, support uterine healing after prolapse,

and tone the intestinal tract where there is leaky flow.

If you're not dealing with a heavy flow, this might not be the long-term

herb for you, because it can be quite drying!

How to Use Crampbark

steep 2-3 tsp of dried herb in a cup of hot water for about 10

minutes and strain.

for acute use, use 1-2 dropperfulls of tincture every few hours as

needed
Angelica
ANGELICA SPP.

When we need to increase circulation

and flow and restore our vital energy,

Angelica is a powerful friend!

Commonly known as Dong Quai,

which is the species of angelica used

in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), angelica is used as a

reproductive tonic herb that can be helpful long-term for supporting

hormonal balance and healthy flow.

It may support bringing back from where there is amenorhea

(missing periods), and regulating the cycle after coming off of

hormonal contraceptives. It may ease PMS symptoms, act as an

emmenagogue (brings on menstruation), support the release of a

placenta, and may improve damp and stuck conditions like PCOS,

cysts, and uterine fibroids by breaking down and stimulating

movement where there is congestion.

Because this plant can bring on menstruation and may encourage

pregnancy release, it is not to be used in pregnancy, as well as

lactation. If using it to support menstrual flow, it is wise to stop

taking while you are bleeding, as it can make you bleed more!

How to Use Angelica:

Tincture: 1-2 dropperfulls 1-2 times a day throughout your cycle,

stopping when bleeding begins.

Note: do not take if on medications such as blood thinners,

blood pressure medication, or undergoing radiation.

 Thank You
FOR REMEMBERING YOUR

WOMB WISDOM

Thank you for downloading

this starter guide to herbs for

womb health!

For more free resources on

herbalism and womb wellness,

hang out with us on Instagram

at @asheliving, and on Facebook

in the Womb Wisdom Portal!

ASHÉ LIVING LLC 2020 ©