Combining herbal wisdom with the wisdom of women's natural changes

Many plants have been shown to exhibit a tonic, or balancing, effect on the female glandular system. This tonic effect is thought to be a result of phytoestrogens (compounds with an estrogenic effect) in the plants as well as the plant's ability to improve blood flow to the female organs. The herbs work to nourish and tone the female glandular and organ systems rather than exert a drug-like effect. This nonspecific mode of action makes many herbs useful in a broad range of female conditions.

Phytoestrogens in herbs, although capable of exerting estrogenic effects, are only, at the very most, 2 percent as strong as estrogen hormone. Because of this low activity, phytoestrogens have a balancing action on estrogenic effects. If estrogen levels are low, since phytoestrogens have some estrogenic activity, they will cause an increase in estrogenic effect. If estrogen levels are high, since phytoestrogens bind to estrogen receptor binding sites, thereby competing with estrogen, there will be a decrease in estrogenic effects.

Because of the balancing action of phytoestrogens on estrogenic effects, it is common to find the same plant recommended for conditions of estrogen excess (e.g., premenstrual syndrome [PMS]), as well as conditions of estrogen deficiency (e.g., menopause, menstrual abnormalities). Many of these herbs have been termed "uterine tonics."

Three of the most useful herbs in the treatment of female complaints are: angelica or Dong quai (Angelica sinensis), chaste berry (Virex agnus-castus), and black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa).

Angelica or Dong quai. In Asia, angelica's reputation is perhaps second only to ginseng. Predominantly regarded as a "female" remedy, angelica has been used in menopausal symptoms (especially hot flashes), as well as in such conditions as dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), metrorrhagia (abnormal menstruation), and to assure a healthy pregnancy and easy delivery.

Angelica has demonstrated good uterine tonic activity, causing an initial increase in uterine contraction followed by relaxation. In addition, administration of angelica to mice resulted in an increase of uterine weight and an increase in glucose utilization by the liver and uterus. These effects reflect estrogenic activities.

Its effectiveness in hot flashes may be a combination of its mild estrogenic effects coupled with other components acting to stabilize blood vessels.

Chaste berries. According to the Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine (Prima, 1998) the chaste tree (Vitex agnuscastus) is native to the Mediterranean. Its berries have long been used for female complaints. As its name signifies, chaste berries were used historically in suppressing the libido, but, interestingly, it appears to increase fertility. In Germany, chaste berry extract is one of the most popular herbal approaches to PMS. It appears that chaste berry extract has profound effects on the hormonal control center -- the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. As a result, it is able to normalize the secretion of hormones.

In a study of more than 1,500 women, one-third of the women experienced complete resolution of their symptoms, while another 57 percent reported significant improvement (90 percent reported improvement or resolution). In another study, chaste berry extract was shown to be more effective than vitamin B-6 -- a popular nutritional treatment for PMS. In regard to female infertility, chaste berry extract appears to be particularly useful in cases of infertility due to either prolactin excess or progesterone insufficiency.

Black cohosh. Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa), the Encyclopedia explains, was widely used by the Native Indians and later by American colonists for the relief of menstrual cramps and menopause. Recent scientific investigation has upheld the use of black cohosh in treating both dysmenorrhea and menopause.

Michael T. Murray, N.D., is a leading authority on natural medicine. He is a graduate, faculty member, and serves on the Board of Trustees of Bastyr University in Seattle, Wash. In addition to maintaining a private medical practice, Dr. Murray is a writer, educator, and lecturer. He is currently the editor of the Natural Medicine Journal. One of Dr. Murray's most recent books, which he coauthored with Joseph Pizzorno, N.D., is the Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, Revised Second Edition (Prima Publishing, 1998).

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