Women's Menopause Herb Tonic This formula contains herbs that have been used to help bring about a more comfortable and normal estrogen/progesterone balance. As the hormones come into balance, symptoms that are prevalent during menopause normalize, enabling the body to establish a new level of hormonal function and integration. This helps the body adapt to the changes taking place, reducing hot flashes and their frequency, night sweats, depression and anxiety during menopause.

Contents: Vitex (Chastetree) berry, Mexican Wild Yam root, Black Cohosh root, Chinese Dong Quai root, Motherwort Flowering Herb, Helonias (False Unicorn) root, Licorice Root, Passion Flower, Peruvian Maca root and St. Johns Wort flowering tops in a base containing concentrated Alfalfa leaf extract. 15 to 45 drops 2-4 times daily and/or as needed. Not recommended if nursing or pregnant.

Ingredient descriptions:

Vitex Chastetree Berry (Vitex agnus-castus)

Actions: Tonic for the reproductive system.

Common Use: Chaste tree berries, or Vitex, has the effect of stimulating and normalizing pituitary functions, especially its progesterone function. It may be called an amphoteric remedy, as it can produce apparently opposite effects, though in truth it is simply normalizing. It has for instance a reputation as an aphrodisiac and an anaphrodisiac! It will always enable what is appropriate to occur. The greatest use of this plant lies in normalizing the activity of female sex hormones and it is therefore indicated for menstrual cramping pains, premenstrual stress and other disorders related to hormone function. It is especially beneficial during menopausal changes. In a similar way it may be effective in helping the body to regain a natural balance after the use of birth control pills. Not recommended if pregnant or nursing.

Mexican Wild Yam Root (Mexican Wild Yam root)

Actions: Antispasmodic, hepatic, anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, cholagogue, uterine tonic.

Common Use: This valuable herb was at one time the sole source of the chemicals that were used as the raw materials for contraceptive hormone manufacture. In 1936, Japanese researchers discovered glycoside saponins in several Mexican yam species, from these, steroid saponins, primarily diosgenin, could be derived. These derivatives could then be converted to progesterone, an intermediate in cortisone production. Steroid drugs derived from diosgenin include corticosteroids, oral contraceptives, androgens and estrogens (yams do not contain , as sometimes believed, full blown estrogens or other hormones - these substances are produced after four processing steps). Such findings might help explain why, during the previous two centuries of American medicine, wild yam roots have successfully been employed in treating menstrual cramps, ovarian neuralgia and cramps, after pains and other problems of menses and child birth. Also known to have a therapeutic action on overall liver health, it is believed that wild yam root's ability to lower blood cholesterol levels and lower blood pressure indirectly helps the liver by increasing its efficiency and reducing stress. Also indicated in the relief of rheumatoid arthritis, especially the acute phase where there is intense inflammation.

Black Cohosh Root (Cimicifuga racemosa)

Actions: Emmenagogue, antispasmodic, alterative, sedative, nervine, hormonal balancer.

Common Use: Traditionally used as a powerful relaxant, useful in the relief of rheumatic pains, rheumatoid arthritis, osteo-arthritis, muscular and neurological pain and rheumatoid neuralgia, and to beneficially aid the female reproductive system, normalizing menstruation, relieving menstrual cramps and regaining normal hormonal activity. During pregnancy, use only under the guidance of a trained medical professional.

Chinese Dong Quai Root (Angelica sinensis)

Actions: Female tonic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, sedative, anti-spasmodic, immune stimulant.

Common Use: Dong Quai is the most important female tonic remedy in Chinese Medicine. It is used for debility and poor vitality, convalescence and tiredness in women as well as all kinds of gynecological, menstrual, or menopausal symptoms. Dong Quai is also used to provide energy, vitality and resistance to disease and is a wonderful blood tonic, promoting its production and circulation. It is therefore used in treating anemia, boils, headaches, venous problems, low immunity and problems of peripheral blood flow. This plant also has a reputation as a liver tonic, protecting the liver against toxins and stimualting liver metabolism. Not recommended if nursing or pregnant unless under the guidance of a medical professional.

Helonias False Unicorn Root (Chamaelirium luteum)

Actions: Uterine tonic, diuretic, emmenagogue, antispasmodic, anthelmintic, emetic.

Common Use: An excellent tonic and strengthener of the reproductive systems for both sexes, although used primarily for women. The body may use this herb to help balance, tone and normalize female functions. While being helpful in all uterine problems, it is especially useful in delayed or absent menstruation and ovarian pain. Also indicated to prevent threatened miscarriage and ease vomiting associated with pregnancy. However, large doses will cause nausea and vomiting. 10 to 30 drops 2-3 times daily.

Motherwort Flowering Herb (Leonurus cardiaca)

Actions: Cardiac tonic, sedative, nervine, antispasmodic, emmenagogue.

Common Use: The name of this plant show its range of uses. 'Motherwort' shows its relevance to menstrual and uterine conditions (due to its alkaloid content) while 'cardiaca' indicates its use in heart and heart circulation (due to its glycoside content). It has been shown to calm palpitations and normalize heart functions in general. Recently, Motherwort extract was shown to inhibit myocardial cells, improve mesenteric circulation and increase coronary perfusion, in other words, to improve several aspects of coronary health. As a nervine this herb is particularly effective in treating menstrual and uterine conditions, especially those influenced by anxiety or tension such as delayed or suppressed menstruation, menopausal changes and false labor pains.

Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Actions: Expectorant, demulcent, anti-inflammatory, adrenal agent, antispasmodic, mild laxative, alterative, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antitoxic, tonic, pectoral.

Common Use: In China, licorice root has been called "The Great Detoxifier." It acts on the endocrine system and the liver as an anti-hepatotoxic effective in treating hepatitis and cirrhosis. Also as an expectorant and anti-inflammatory it is useful in coughs and bronchitis. A recent study found that licorice root actually stimulates the production of interferon, that critical chemical in the immune system that could be the key to preventing and treating many immune response deficiency diseases. A group of Russian researchers have found that licorice root inhibits the growth of certain tumors. Licorice Root also possesses estrogenic activity, and is said to be beneficial as a uterine tonic and to induce normal ovulation. This herb is also included in the Hoxsey formula. Caution: Excessive and prolonged use of licorice root can cause sodium retention and potassium depletion. Potassium supplementation (75-100mg daily) prevents this problem. Not recommended if nursing or pregnant.

Fo-Ti root (Ho-Shou-Wu) (Polygonum multiflorum)

Actions: Tonic, hepatic, cardiac tonic, anti-inflammatory, vasodilator, sexual tonic, rejuvenator.

Common Uses: In China Fo-Ti known as Ho-Shou-Wu in that country, is one of the most popular herbal tonics among the elderly. It is said to tranquilize the spirit, nourish the blood and invigorate the meridians. The properties of this herb are often compared to Ginseng, but it has not yet been subjected to rigorous experimental study. In Oriental philosophy, it is said to increase Yin, thereby improving physical and mental health. Research indicates Fo-Ti can lower blood cholesterol levels, help prevent atherosclerosis, reduce hypertension and lower incidence of coronary heart disease. Chinese Medicine also indicates Fo-Ti as having anti-toxic, anti-swelling and tranquilizing properties as well as being useful for liver and speen weakness, vertigo, scrofula, constipation and as a sedative for insomnia. Also indicated as having beneficial effects on fertility and other female functions involving ovulation.

Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata)

Actions: Sedative, hypnotic, antispasmodic, anodyne, nervine.

Common Use: Passion Flower is the herb of choice for insomnia, it aids the transition into a restful sleep without any 'narcotic' hangover. As an anti-spasmodic it will be helpful in Parkinson's disease, asthma (with associated tension and spasmodic activity), seizures and hysteria. It can also be effective in nerve pain such as neuralgia and the viral infection of nerves called shingles.

Peruvian Maca Root (Lepidium meyenii)

Actions: Nutritive, aphrodisiac, tonic, adaptogen.

Common Use: Peruvian Maca root, or Amazon Ginseng as it is sometimes referred to, is a vegetable root or tuber, related to the potato and the Mexican Wild Yam. Maca root has been used by the native Peruvians since before the time of the Incas for both its nutritional and medicinal properties. It contains significant amounts of amino acids, complex carbohydrates, vitamins B1, B2, B12, C and E and minerals, including calcium, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium and iron. This herb has been traditionally used to increase energy, vitality, stamina and endurance in athletes, promote mental clarity, as an aphrodisiac for both men and women, for male impotence, menstrual irregularities and female hormone imbalances, including menopause. Due to the number of steroidal glycosides present in Maca root it is gaining popualrity amongst weight lifters and body builders as a natural alternative to anabolic steroids. Not recommended if nursing or pregnant.

St. John's Wort Flowering Tops (Hypericum perforatum)

St. John's wort achieved instant fame in the US when clinical studies confirmed its effectiveness in the relief of mild-to-moderate depression. The news came as no surprise to herbalists, who have long used St. John's wort not only for depression, but also for the relief of wounds, burns, injured nerves, inflammations, ulcers, anxiety, and other ailments. Today, St. John's wort is one of the most frequently used relief for mild-to-moderate depression in Germany, and it seems destined to become just as popular in the US. The plant has also generated intense scientific interest because of its potential as an antiviral agent.

Alfalfa whole herb and leaf (Medicago sativa)

Actions: Nutritive, tonic, alterative, depurative.

Common Uses: Alfalfa leaves are a very rich source of many valuable nutritients including protein, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, all the known vitamins, trace minerals, carotene, chlorophyll and more. It is helpful for every condition of the body whether it be maintaining or regaining health.