Slowing heavy menstrual bleeding.

Newsgroups: alt.folklore.herbs
Subject: Re: slowing menstrual bleeding
From: bj979.yfn.ysu.edu (MG)
Date: 7 Jul 1995 23:26:47 GMT

> does anyone know of any herbs that slow very heavy menstrual bleeding? (safely, of course.)

Horsetail, Uva Ursi, Witch Hazel and Shepard's Purse are all supposed to be good for excessive menstrual bleeding. Avoid Damiana (supposed to increase sex drive) because it increases bloodflow to the area. Aspirin should also be avoided as well. Chaste berry or Wild Yam might help to regulate hormonal levels as well.

From: p_iannone.pop.com (Paul Iannone)

: does anyone know of any herbs that slow very heavy menstrual bleeding? (safely, of course.)

Heavy menstrual bleeding is commonly due to weak digestion. Strengthen your digestion with warm foods like soup--avoiding fruit or fruit juice, stimulants like coffee, and desserts.

The OTC herbal --Yunnan Bai Yao-- is available in Chinatown in capsules, and will help with the actual bleeding.

See an acupuncturist to have your Organ balance attended to.

From: aj982.FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Kerry Eady)

> I have a question: Will not Blue or Black Cohosh be good also???

No,

Blue Cohosh is an oxytocic agant. It speeds up contractions and will contribute to heavy flow.

Black Cohosh on the other hand, is useful if you use is premenstrually to alleviate PMS symptoms and will help with heavy bleeding as well.

Red Raspberry Leaf and Shepherd's Purse tincture work well for heavy flow. You can drink Raspberry leaf tea daily as a preventative, and use Shepherd's Purse in an emergency.

Women should know though, that a normal loss of blood ranges from 2 to 4 ozs. of blood, if you've just stopped taking the Pill and your bleeding is heavier than you're used to it could just be your normal cycle and shedding starting up again.

From: bj979.yfn.ysu.edu (MG)

>> I have a question: Will not Blue or Black Cohosh be good also???
>No, Blue Cohosh is an oxytocic agant. It speeds up contractions and will contribute to heavy flow.

I've read differing opinions about blue cohosh and heavy menstrual flow. It definitely promotes the onset of menses. Blue cohosh is an ocytoxic, but that doesn't necessarily mean it will make menstrual flow heavier. Menstruation is designed to shed the lining of the uterus. If the contractions needed to do that aren't efficient enough the body floods the area with fluids to wash the lining away. Excessive water retention often goes hand in hand with excessive bleeding. Many heavy bleeders don't experience cramps at all. Many experience continuous cramping and spasms that never become strong enough to remove the lining. Both of these lead to inefficient waste disposal. Pennyroyal also causes contractions but it is also a diaphoretic (causes perspiration) which means it affects fluid retention as well.

Any thoughts on this?

From: hd987.cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Eugenia Provence)

> Menstruation is designed to shed the lining of the uterus. If the contractions needed to do that aren't efficient enough the body floods the area with fluids to wash the lining away. (snip)
>Any thoughts on this?

Yes. Heavy menstrual bleeding is a symptom of some underlying cause. This could be something as severe as endometritis, fibroid tumors, a hormonal imbalance or something relatively simple. It can sometimes become dangerous.

If you're otherwise in good health, during severe menorrhagia, use the astringent herbs known to be specific: Yarrow, nettles, shepherd's purse and oak bark. I would not advise the cohoshes during this time.

You might want to check out Rosemary Gladstar's take on this (Herbal Healing for Women, pp. 119-122).