Healing Wise

Healing Fibroids and Hyperplasia with Wise Woman Ways

Q: Hello…

While reading Susun’s book New Menopausal Years I saw mentioned the impending release of a book entitled Down There: The Wise Woman Way that is said to deal with the issues of ovarian cysts and hyperplasia. Since I’m currently having issues with both I was wondering if the book is still going to be released. I’m 56 and in menopause. I have incidents of bleeding/spotting and was told my endometrial lining was thick. I had a D&C which showed the tissue to be benign but it has grown back to its original thickness in two-month time and the spotting and bleeding continue. I have a history of fibroids as well and am now told (after a pelvic ultrasound) that there is also a small cyst on my left ovary. Naturally, the doctor wants to do a hysterectomy claiming that is the only way the bleeding will cease and I can eliminate the possibility of any cancer forming. After doing some research, I discovered that the problem may be due to my years on birth control pills (Ortho Novum 777) which cites endometrial hyperplasia as a side effect, nothing I was ever told. I DO NOT want a hysterectomy and am praying and looking into alternative approaches for my problem. Any suggestion, reading materials, physicians who have dealt with this problem, would be so appreciated.

 

A: Hello, thank you for writing. 

Susun is currently working on Down There, simply taking longer than she originally planned - it is coming along wonderfully!!

Here are some of Susun's thoughts on ovarian cysts:

Here is a link to a previous answer Susun gave to another woman with ovarian cyst concern. Her recommendation:

Try chickweed tincture, a dropperful four times a day. Continue for as long as it takes. I have known several women dissolve very large ovarian cysts this way. If you want it to go away faster, you could also use castor oil packs.

And here she writes more about Chickweed...

Chickweed (Stellaria media) has secret dissolving powers. Ovarian cysts, dermoid cysts, lumps in the breast and elsewhere can't hold their own against her slippery ways when a dropperful (1 ml) is taken 4-5 times a day, persistently, for many months. And have you tried chickweed pesto? It vibrates with antioxidant power!

How long has it been since you last bled?  Fibroids can grow through menopause though disappear shortly after.

I suppose cutting out organs can eliminate chance of getting cancer there, but this seems  a drastic way to ensure this to me.  We all have our levels of what is comfortable though.  And I trust a woman to know what is best for her. 

The explanations I have read for hyperplasia seem to think it is possibly from excessive estrogen unchecked by progesterone.  Estrogen levels will decrease, as long as you don't take hrt, as you go through menopause.  As well, Vitex berry tincture, as described in New Menopausal Years the Wise Woman Way, can help one produce more progesterone if needed.

Do let me know if I can help further.

Blessings,
Karen Joy
wisewoman@herbshealing.com
http://www.wisewomanweb.com

Balsam Leaf Salve and Root Tincture

Q: Hello,

could you tell me please if i can make a tincture to take in from balsam root, i just got the flower and i did dry them ,i understand that natives eat the roots but what about the flower ? or shold i try to make a salve ? is that good for bruises to apply on the skin like arnica ?

thanks a million and god bless

A: I understand Balsam Root as Balsamorhiza sagittata.  Before you use this as medicine please be sure this is the plant you have.  Too often there is more than one, completely unrelated, plant with the same common name. 

If this is the plant you are speaking of, I understand the leaves and roots to be used.  The leaves harvested spring to midsummer and dried then used as a poultice or, yes, prepared as a salve.  And the roots, preferably dug in spring, used fresh or dried as a tincture or decoction at times.  The poultice or salve of the leaves can be wonderful for skin ailments, though I am not sure of its use for bruises.

Please let me know if I can help further.

Blessings,
Karen Joy
wisewoman@herbshealing.com
www.wisewomanweb.com

Herbal First Aid Kit

Q:  Hi Susun:

Thank you for your words. I read you whenever I feel deflated and uninspired as a wise woman.
I am taking my 5 year old girl and I to Asia in February next year. We will be in S-E Asia and hopefully Nepal and India.

I have travelled for years but I have only ever had a "chemical" first aid kit. I would like to put together a herbal one to take.

Would you be able to help me here? Perhaps you have a list or a direct link to something on your site?

I would really appreciate any help you can give.

A:  It is wonderful to hear how you enjoy Susun's work.  We will be sure to share your words with her.  Susun teaches a class every year about making your own herbal first aid kit.  I took this many years back and found it wonderful.  I cannot remember all that she taught to be in her kit, but I am happy to share what is in mine, which is likely very similar.  I do not know of a specific article she wrote on this, though I believe she is or has written on this in her regular SageWoman articles.  Do let me know if I can help.

Blessings,

Karen Joy

Q:  Hi

Thanks for writing back.  I would love to know what you put in your kit.  Do you also have labels for their use in different situations?  I will also research on the web.

Look forward to hearing from you.

A:  My herbal first aid kit that I take with me when I travel has:

Tinctures of...
~Echinacea Root
~Dandelion Root
~Yarrow flowering tops (kept in a spray bottle to use in throat or topically as well as internally)
~Hypericum flowering tops
~Poke root
~Osha root
~Skullcap flowering tops
~Wormwood flowering tops

Oil of...
~Comfrey root or Calendula flower
~Hypericum flowering tops

I used to keep a paper with suggested uses of each and amount to use but now know it well enough.  I still practice a trick I learned from Susun - only fill bottles half full of the tinctures that are used in tiny amounts - Poke, Osha, Wormwood.

Lots of love,

Karen Joy

 

Gotu Kola and Mental Stamina

Q: Hi Karen

I have ordered all of Susun's books and look forward to reading them all. I haven't been able to find anything on Gotu Kola and was wondering what Susun thinks about this and whether she would recommend it as an infusion.

In addition to trying to get pregnant, I'm also trying to give birth to a dissertation and am finding I'm low on concentration and mental and physical stamina to get significant amounts of writing done. I read that Gotu Kola is helpful in this regard.

Any advice would be appreciated. I continue to make the red clover and nettle infusions daily.

thanks

 

A: In my years of study with Susun I have not heard of her teach about Gotu Kola (though I have heard of the herb). Though she does occasionally recommend an herb from abroad, she focuses on those which
grow locally, usually weeds. Perhaps this article on improving memory will have a few ideas to help.

I feel inclined to suggest Oatstraw infusions drunk regularly, of course in addition to being sure to take regular breaks, walks, fresh air, and get sound night sleeps and solid meals. I have heard that rosemary is good for memory. Although this is not your problem I link this with mental focus. I also find low blood sugar levels can effect this. This is a stressful endeavor, and takes its extra toll on us. This can be remedied simply with frequent small meals consisting of slow carbs and proteins.

Blessings,
Karen Joy
wisewoman@herbshealing.com
www.wisewomanweb.com

 

Q: hi Karen,

thanks so much for all the good advice. I didn't realize that Gotu Kola is a foreign herb. Unfortunately, I didn't react well to Oatstraw when I tried this, probably because I'm sensitive to grains, but I will try the other things you suggest.

with best wishes

 

A: Yes, I would love to hear how you are doing as you try ideas, if you wish to share. Gotu Kola is native to "Australia, Pacific Islands, New Guinea, Melanesia, Malesia and Asia" - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gotu_Kola

lots of love,
Karen Joy

"Homemade" Tinctures

Q: I want to make a tincture at home. The plants are rich in alkaloids and phytosteroids. Rhaponticum Carthamoides- Maral root. I want to use everclear (95% grain alcohol). What's a good way to do it? What's a good way to make a good tincture or extract period? Thank you for your time.

 

A: There are different schools of thought on how to make a good tincture. Since you wrote through Susun's website, I can tell you she advocates using 100 proof vodka - asking why would we tincture using a medium we ourselves would not consume directly. Some however vary the percentage of tincture and water depending on the plants, whether they are dried or fresh, and what constituents you wish to draw from them. For some plants too it helps to add a bit of acetum in there, so some vinegar. Some grind herbs up and some shake it up. I, for the most part, do as I learned from Susun, which is chop up the herb coarsely, smaller when dense like the root in this case, fill up a jar with it if fresh and pour 100 proof vodka over it to cover, cap, label, and let steep at least 6 weeks in a cool dark place. If dried material, I use one part dried to 5 parts liquid. The more dense the material the longer I let it sit. My echinacea roots I let sit 6 months at least before decanting- that is, straining the liquid off and squeezing as much as possible out of the "marc" - spent herb.

I am unfamiliar with this herb, other than as an adaptagen, for which I might use other herbs easier to grow and harvest and more familiar to me. I see David Winston speaks of this herb in his book "Adaptagens." Perhaps he can elaborate on its specific preparation.

Please let me know if I can help further.

Blessings,
Karen Joy
wisewoman@herbshealing.com
www.wisewomanweb.com

 

Q: Thank you for your reply, its the most informative one i've received. When is it recommended that vinegar be used? And what is the best vinegar to use in conjunction with high percentage alcohol? The reason I want to use everclear is that it will make a better extract/tincture- is this true? (by the way I intend to thin the extract with distilled water at least 25% after it is complete) Thank You again.
Best Regards

 

A: I can share my thoughts but they are ever evolving, and what you find is "true" will vary from person to person, moment to moment. And as I said depends on the particular herb. I find apple cider vinegar to be the best vinegar to use, as do most herbalists to my knowledge, since even by itself it can be health promoting. Remember it is usually only about 5% acetic acid and the rest is water, when figuring the ratios of all the different menstruums in your tincture. Different menstruums draw out different qualities of herbs, which is why we choose different methods depending on the particular plant. In a tincture, vinegar is best used to combine with some alkaloids (which one I can not tell you in this case) to form alkaloidal salts, which then makes these alkaloids more readily accessible to the remaining alcohol solution. Vinegars too are great for accessing the minerals in substances; in this case used alone, without the alcohol. There are some aspects of plants we want to access that are best done so with water like saponins and tannins. If an herb contains several constituents we want to access, we need to consider carefully what to use as our menstruum/s, for example some things, like mucilage and polysaccharides, are precipitated out by the addition of alcohol, therefore unusable. So unless you are extracting a resin, I imagine the menstruum ought to contain some water to start. If you just use straight grain alcohol then you may miss out on anything that is water soluble. However if you mix the alcohol and vinegar you have your water. I hope I didn't make things more complicated. When working with an herb new to me I rely on those herbalists before me who have had experience with this herb, and on my natural curiosity that leads me to experiment!! I simply am unfamiliar with your choice and do not find anything written to help me say more definitively on how best to access it.

Blessings,
Karen Joy
wisewoman@herbshealing.com
www.wisewomanweb.com

 

Q: Hello Again,
Thank You again for you reply it is very much appreciated the extent you go to and time put into your mail. The herb i wish to extract is Rhaponticum Carthamoides- Leuzea or Maral root. What I'm after :
" is a mixture of compounds called, "levseins". Levseins represents a complex of more than 10 ecdysterones including 20-beta-ecdysterone, makisterone C, 24-dehydromakisterone A, carthamosterone, polypodyne B and ajugasterone C." - Dr. Zakir Ramazanov
and to extract these phytosteroids what do I use? You said Saponins and Tannins are water soluble, are these substances Saponin-like? Thank You again for your time and knowlege.
Best Regards

 

A: My inclination with phytosteroids is to extract them from a water preparation of the dried plant. Not knowing anything about this herb, this is where I would start. Wanting to know more, though, I would trust and search the herbal wisdom of the people local to where it grows - asking how is it prepared and what is it used for.

Being scientific in nature I love taking plants apart into constituents to then manipulate with different menstruums. At the same time I often feel a need to surrender to the chaos of a complete plant, where the whole is more than the sum of its parts, and where all our scientific knowledge just does not hold firm. A constituent that should not, by all our tests, be extraced by a particular method, sometimes is. And all we do at that point is admit there may be more to the plant than we know, and infinitely more to the action all its "parts" have on each other than we can yet comprehend.

Blessings,
Karen Joy
wisewoman@herbshealing.com
www.wisewomanweb.com

 

Q: Hello Karen,
Thank you again for your advice. You've been of great help. So far I have 3 Batches one w/ vinegar(5%, so water too) + everclear, one with just everclear and one with everclear + distilled water. I will let you know which one works best if you'd like to know .... Also, if you'd like more info on the plant (Rhaponticum)please let me know (i will actually be growing it soon along with Rhodiola Rosea). Once again thank you for all the time you have given me, it really made a difference, I really appreciate it.
Best Regards,

Skullcap for Migraine Headaches

Q: Hello Susun, I read your article in Sage Woman #65 on Herbal Adventures: Gifts form the land. My husband suffers from migraines and i was wondering what the whole recipe is for the tincture using skullcap and hoW to make it. I have at the present time 1 ounce of skullcap that I purchased today and would like to know the exact amount of vodka and proof to make this.

Thanks you in advance, K.

 

A: Hello K., thank you for writing. I help Susun with her correspondence since it is difficult for her to get to all her email. Skullcap tincture is traditionally made from the fresh plant, flowering tops while it is in flower. I am really not sure how effective a tincture of the dried plant would be. In case you choose to try anyway, tinctures of dried roots and berries (though I know this is not that) are approximately one ounce of herb to 5 ounces of 100 proof vodka. They are mixed in a jar and put in a cool dark place, labeled, to sit a minimum of 6 weeks before straining to use. Again though I am not sure how well this would work with dried skullcap. In case you have access to it flowering (not likely this time of year), you would cut of the flowering tops, stems, leaves and all, and fill a jar with it before covering with the 100 proof vodka. It is a wonderful herb to work with. I do hope it proves to be a good ally for your husband!

Blessings,
Karen Joy
wisewoman@herbshealing.com
www.wisewomanweb.com

 

Q: Hi Karen Joy, Thanks so much for getting back to me so quickly. I'm going to try it with the dried and see how it works. Is there some where that you know of that I might possibly find seeds so that I may grow my own possibly indoors or does it have to be grown outside? I live in western New York about 26 miles west of Rochester. All help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks again.
Blessings, K.

 

A: It likely grows in woods around you, but again nothing to find this time of year. I got my live plants from Richter's in Canada. They may have the seeds as well. I tend to favor plants growing in tune with the nature's cycles that surrounds them, so am not sure how it would fare grown inside. You have to use so little at a time, you could buy a bottle of the tincture, and meanwhile buy the plants or seeds, and have them ready to harvest mid-summer to make your own!

Karen Joy

Q: Hi Again, Thanks so much for website. Now I know where to get some. This is a great help.I didn't know that you could buy the tincture already made up. Is there a special place that sells it like this? I am sorry if I sound like a idiot but this is all new to me. Is there a book that can tell me exactly how much fresh skullcap to use once I get the plants and alcholol to use . I want to make this right . Blessings, K.

 

A: I am so glad I can help. You can find a list of herbal suppliers in our links pages... I will let you look through to see which carries this tincture :) I do know Red Moon does, and am sure many others do too.

A book that got me started on learning herbs, one by one, and how and when to harvest and prepare them is Healing Wise by Susun Weed. Though skullcap is not one of the seven herbs that are featured, you will learn lots. You can also read here to learn more. I recommend reading this whole thing, especially of course...

Skullcap tincture: Pain-relief, headache remedy
Pick Scutellaria lateriflora flowering tops when there are seeds as well as flowers. Fill, don't stuff, a jar with the blossoms and leaves. Fill jar to the top with alcohol. Cap tightly. Label.
Your fresh skullcap tincture is ready to use in six weeks.

When you see the plant in flower, some are just starting, some are in full bloom and some have gone to seed. I know "flowering tops" may sound too vague, but when you see it flower up and down the stem, it will be clear. Just cut on the stem below the lowest flower or seedhead. Let me know if I can help further.

Blessings,
Karen Joy
wisewoman@herbshealing.com
www.wisewomanweb.com

Baby with Ear Infection

Q: Hi, i would really appreciate advice on my 5 month's old (S.) situation. She was diagnosed with an ear infection in both ears 1 week ago. She had a lot of mucus in her nose, but none in her lungs. I am solely breastfeeding, so I started taking echinacea tincture 3 x a day. I was giving S. elder tincture, 2 drops when she was phlemy. 4 days later I took her back to the doctor and she said S. had a very bad ear infection and she gave me amoxacillan. I have been giving her the antibiotics for 2 days now and I feel it is the wrong thing to do. Her poop smells like chemicals and her tongue is stained pink. I want to stop the antibiotics, would that be bad, or should I finish them? How can I naturally cure her and how can I track this ear infection and know it is not getting worse? None of the naturopaths can see me for 3 weeks. I am so stressed out over this and feel like I am poisoning my child. Do you think there is another solution? Thank you for all the knowledge you have brought into my life, J.

 

A: Hello J., I hear and understand your dilemna, as a mom myself. I too have struggled over the question of how we can monitor our children's ear, throat, etc. infection, especially after hearing warnings that if left unresolved, though appearing so, serious injusry could occur. In the end I chose to trust my mom instincts on this. After working with echinacea as I learned from Susun and seeing it work miraculously well without the damage of antibiotics, I trust it tremendously even when (especially when) faced with a serious infection. Antibiotics would only be my choice if this fails or if something required super speedy intravenous attention perhaps.

As for your question of whether you should take her off the antibiotics, this must be your choice. The risk with this is if the echincea or something else does not work, now she likely can not go back on the same antibiotics.

If you choose to use echinacea again, with or without the antibiotics, here is what I do when dealing with an acute infection. I use 1 drop of Echinacea angustifolia root tincture (I strongly prefer angustifolia for this, and only the root, no other part of the plant or other herbs mixed with) for every 2 pounds of body weight. I mix it with water to drink. When my son was still solely breastfed I dropped the tincture water mix in his mouth with a dropper (without putting the tip of the dropper in in case he were able to break the glass). I take this one drop for every two pounds of weight, every hour, even through the night, for at least 12 hours, sometimes longer as appears necessary, then lighten to every two hours, for another day or two, then every three, etc. Keep going though, don't stop as soon as it appears well. I also stress as much as possible to follow the schedule through the whole night, though of course we do not want to wake up our peacefully sleeping sick babes, do it when she does wake crying. I understand you taking it so it can pass through your breastmilk, but with an acute infection I opt to give it direct.

If you continue to give the antibiotic, or even if you stop it, I invite you to consider offering bits of great quality, preferably homemade, yogurt. For a 5 month old, I would put some on my clean finger and let her suck. This is to help her restore her healthy gut flora. Of course kids are good at this themselves as they scoop fingerfuls of dirt in their mouth :)

As I write this I realize you just sent this 5 days ago, so am wondering what you have chosen and how your daughter is doing, and how you are doing. So sorry I had not gotten back to you sooner. Please let me know how we can support you now, and I will keep an eye out for your reply to get back to you much faster.

Blessings,
Karen Joy
wisewoman@herbshealing.com
www.wisewomanweb.com

 

Q: Hi Karen Joy, thank you for the response to my e-mail I went with the antibiotics, but I've been giving them to S. for over a week and I see no improvement. Seems that she is doing worse she's now grabbing her ears. We are going to start the echinacea with the dosages you suggested. We haven't been able to find the tincture that's strictly from the root. We found some online and were going to order it, is it okay you think to start out with the whole plant tincture? Thank you immensely for your time, it is most appreciated. Regards, J.

 

A: J. yes it is okay to start with the whole plant tincture, but I strongly prefer that made from root. HerbPharm makes a wonderful one. Do you have a natural food store near you? They can probably order it for you. It is so hard to see your little one suffer, I know. How about fevers, has she been running any? Any other signs of feeling unwell? Tugging ears can be teething. My son got his first tooth just before his 6 month birthday, but got so unhappy, fever, seemed a bad cold and ear infection, but was just the tooth, but lasted a couple weeks. Perhaps she had an ear infection and is teething and the antibiotics are helping with the infection. Have you been doing anything to help her with the good bacteria the antibios are killing?

My thoughts are with you,
Karen Joy

 

Q: Hi Karen Joy, My name is J. and I had the five month old, who is now six months old, on antibiotics for an ear infection. I used the echinacea like you told me to and it cleared up the infection. Thank you so much , I don't have much faith in our medical doctor and I needed the encouragement you gave me to trust in herbs and heal my daughter S. the right way. I will not doubt my motherly instinct or the healing power of herbs again. Thank you! Love J.

 

A: Wonderful J. I am so happy for you and S.! Thank you for letting me know, and yay for you knowing your motherly wisdom and the power of the plants. Feel free to write any time :) All my best to you both! Blessings, Karen Joy

Tinctures as Simples

Q: Hi Susun

I am 54 and have done various courses on herbal medicine how I wish they had been with you - I only discovered your books last year what an inspiration to have such sensible accessible advice, especially on menopause and breast cancer. I have been combining burdock, nettle and st. John’s Wort tincture in hot water and drinking each day. Mainly because of scalp dryness and scabby and skin problems, also anxiety. Reading your one of your ezines suggests better only use one herb at a time, would this apply with this mixture? No adverse reactions apparent and skin is better.

Love to all at Wise Woman Centre and Ashtree.

B.

 

A: Hello again B.! Yes, this applies to tinctures as well. It is not so much the adverse reaction that is a concern. It just helps, when we use one herb at a time, for us to feel it more closely in our body. Burdock root is a wonderful herb to work with. Nettle too, though I think you would get so much more benefit from drinking the infusions since 8 ounces of the tincture and infusion contain much the same nutrients; we are more likely to drink a glass of the infusion than a glass of the tincture. I am not sure of the benefit of St. Joan's wort in this situation but trust your judgment on what is best for you. If you at least take each tincture separately, spacing them apart, you can get more of a feel for how they respond in your body.

I am so glad your skin is doing better! If you try making the nettle leaf infusions you may also want to try it as a wash.

I will pass on your words to Susun. She does not have internet in her home so is not able to correspond through email.

Have I told you yet about our online forum where people from around the world come to share life experiences and questions.  It is a great place to share with others.

Blessings,
Karen Joy
wisewoman@herbshealing.com
www.wisewomanweb.com