Menopause - When Menstruation Ends

Information is scarce on what happens when we stop bleeding. This mystery is wrapped too often in the same silence and shame that the beginning of menstruation brings. All mysteries and realities of what women in particular experience are still filtered through the eye of patriarchy, the mysteries of womanhood punished in one way or another through shaming, through silencing, through ridicule, through accusation of some profound imperfection, though we all know that to menstruate is to be female, and to have the possibility as young adults of giving birth. It is within the structure of patriarchy that we are meant to be ashamed when we bleed, ashamed when we give birth, ashamed when we do not or cannot give birth, and ashamed and considered useless when we stop bleeding, the mystery of menopause.

For centuries women have known about herbs that have helped with the pain that comes with menstruation, passed from mother to daughter, suppressed by patriarchal culture that has determined that we remain silent and not speak about such a natural and profound subject, the mystery of being able to give birth, the mystery of coming into our menopausal years, and the mystery of coming into the chapter of our lives in which our bleeding stops and we enter a new chapter preparing for our years as elder women, and as old women. We struggle with the messages that we are somehow no longer useful, though this transition is a magical time in which we are freed of this monthly menstrual cycle, a freedom in which we are still wholly women, but defiled by those upholding patriarchal attitudes that scorn women who cannot or do not give birth, or are beyond childbearing years. 

For centuries women have known what herbs can help in this amazing transition that we all go through. In my own heritage women sought the knowledge of women who were herbalists, to ease the sometimes tumultuous ride from a woman who is menstruating to a woman whose menstruation is ending. I have long been aware that my ancestresses were tortured, murdered, burned at the stake for knowing the medicine of herbs. Between the 1400s and 1700s women were murdered in Europe, many for knowing natural medicine. Any woman still seen as speaking out in a way that threatens patriarchy is swiftly labeled a witch. In my generation much study went into the power of herbs and the gathering of natural remedies for pain, including pain related to menstruation.

For 20 years I lived in the woods growing organic food, studying the hidden herstory of women and the power of herbs. During that time I came into my menopause years. The woman I was living with put a new book into my hands, written by Susun Weed, Menopausal Years: The Wise Woman Way: Alternative Approaches for Women, 1992. It was transformational. Together we put together a deck of cards that we called “FLASH CARDS”, listing the many profound changes that come with Menopause, making teas for ourselves, growing and wild harvesting medicinal herbs for women in our community.

We called them “Flash Cards” after the famous hot flashes that are so often part of the journey. Some herbs may be available in your area. Here they are with special thanks to Susan Weed, whose book is transformational. It was for me.

Flash Cards - Calming the Hot Flashes of Menopause

Compiled by Nett Hart and Tamarack Verrall c1994

These cards are a quick reference to herbs and foods that can be helpful through menopause. The information is combined from many women’s stories. What works for others might work for you. Hot flashes, cold flashes, bone changes, mood changes, power surges. Get to know yourself even better. These cards are in no way intended as a diagnosis, treatment or cure for any disease. Only you can know yourself well enough to find what will work. Take care of yourself. Take care of your body. Enjoy the journey. Keep these flashcards close at hand. Have the Time of your Life.

Suggested reading:

Menopausal Years: The Wise Woman Way: Alternative Approaches for Women 30-90 by Susun Weed September 1, 1992

HOT FLASHES

Red clover, motherwort, oatstraw, vitamins B,C,E, magnesium, potassium, elderberry, violet, black cohosh, sage, fenugreek tea, dandelion, yellow dock, soybeans, yams, milk thistle seeds, chaste tree, dang quai, greens, seaweed, cucumber, raspberry leaf tea, wheat germ, mung beans, string beans, millet, black beans, kidney beans, barley, black sesame seeds, chickweed. 

Avoid: alcohol, sugar, coffee, cigarettes

See also LIVER

COLD FLASHES

Ginseng, black pepper, cinnamon, anise, fennel, dried ginger, oats, quinoa, parsnip, black beans, adzuki beans, blackstrap molasses

LIVER/DIGESTIVE

Yellow dock root, dandelion leaves or root, sage tea, motherwort, ginseng, dong quai, slippery elm bark, onion, mustard greens, turmeric, basil, bayleaf, cardamom, margarine, cumin, fennel, ginger, dill, black pepper, horseradish, rosemary, mint, lemon balm, beets, sweet rice, amasake, strawberry, peach, cherry, the brassica family: cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, brussel sprouts, turnip

CRAMPS - MENSTRUAL

Vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, essential fatty acids, blackhaw, sage, evening primrose, cramp bark

If not flooding - catnip, ginger, motherwort, valerian

SKIN

Bioflavonoids, dandelion root, goldenseal, echinacea, red clover, grains, beans, nuts, greens, seaweed, oats, yellow dock, carrots, squash, pumpkins, mug beans, aduki beans, cucumbers

See also LIVER

BONES

Horse tail, lemon juice, nettles, med clover, raspberry leaves, oatstraw, Hypericum, sage, seaweed, greens, yogurt, alfalfa, broccoli, kale, turnip greens, mustard seed, collards, lambs quarters, amaranth, molasses, comfrey salve (external)

See also KIDNEYS/ADRENAL

HAIR

Beans, noodles, oats, oat straw, seaweed, especially hijiki seaweed, blackstrap molasses, wheat grass, black sesame seed, raw chick weed

Avoid: sweets, salt

See also: KIDNEYS/ADRENALS

LEG CRAMPS, NUMBNESS, TWITCHING

Calcium, red clover, raspberry leaf, oatstraw, horse tail, black haw, soy, seaweed, chickpeas, sage, wild onions, broccoli, cooked greens: yellow duck, kale, turnip, mustard, collards, metal, lambsquarters, amaranth

See also: LIVER

SORE JOINTS

Hypericum, black currant bud, devils club, red clover, white birch (tea of dried leaves), barley, wheat grass, dong quai, calcium, amici

Avoid intoxicants, sugars, excess salt, oxalic acid found in rhubarb, spinach, chard, beet greens, plum, cranberry

Check calcium absorption

See also KIDNEYS/ADRENAL AND LIVER

KIDNEYS/ ADRENAL

Nettle, small dark beans, seaweed, steamed greens, oats, quinoa, amaranth, celery, miso, soy, barley, cabbage, chicken reviewed, millet, string beans, black beans, mung beans, kidney beans, melons, wheat germ, potato, onions, black pepper, dried ginger, quinoa

BLADDER CHANGES

Cranberry Root, teasel root, black cohosh, water

pelvic floor exercises

See also KIDNEYS/ADRENALS

ACHING MUSCLES

Diaphoric herbal teas, horsetail, elder, fruits, broths, vegetables, bioflavonoid foods, inner skin of citrus, grapefruit, lemon juice, buckwheat, cabbage, green pepper, parsley, carrots, broccoli, turnips, parsnips, horseradish, garlic, eggplant, onion family

See also LIVER

MEMORY

Omega 3, vitamin B12, ginseng, seaweed, wheat germ, wheat berries, mung beans

Avoid: sugar, alcohol, coffee, refined flour, aluminum, pesticides, marijuana

HEMORRHOIDS

Sour foods - lemon, lime, pickle, sauerkraut, vinegar, leeks, tomato, tangerine, yogurt, Azuki beans, grape, olive, rosehip, mullein salve (external)

CONSTIPATION

Slippery elm, dandelion, ginger, yellow dog fruit, sage, flaxseed, acidophilus, seaweed, cabbage, peas, sweet potatoes, Ultron, wheat bran, rice bran, asparagus

INCONTINENCE

Cranberry, black cohosh, teasel root, cornsilk

pelvic floor exercises

WATER RETENTION

Dandelion root, motherwort, lettuce, nettle, celery, turnip, adzuki beans, call pepper, pumpkin, vinegar, bitter herbs

FLOODING

Horsetail, chaste tree, dang quai, ginseng, raspberry leaf, yellow dock root, sage, kelp, seaweed

See also LIVER

CRYING

Motherwort, lemon balm, ginseng, passion flower, dong quai, hops tea, hypericum

Avoid sugar

See also LIVER

DEPRESSION

Hypericum, oat straw, sage, motherwort, ginseng, nettle, sage, brown rice, cucumber, cabbage, wheat germ, apple, apple cider vinegar

Avoid sugar

See also LIVER

EMOTIONS

Motherwort,

Black cohosh, sage

Avoid sugar

See also LIVER

MIGRAINE

Sage, Black cohosh, vervain, primrose, lady’s mantle, chaste tree, dang quai

See also LIVER

HEART

Bioflavenoids, hawthorne, horse tail, rose hips, nettle, motherboard, Danquah, lemon balm, dandelion root, niacin, yellow dock leaves, citrus skins, grape juice, garlic, seaweed, carrots, water

TEETH

Calcium, rye, arame, oat straw, horsetail, corn, orange

See also Kidneys/Adrenal

DRY MOUTH

Slippery Elm lozenges, liquorice root, dong quai, rice or barley water, violet leaf, sassafras, marshmallow

SORE BREASTS

Greens, parsley, yogurt, black cohosh

IRRITABILITY/OVERSENSITIVITY

Oat straw, thistle, yellow dock root, dandelion

avoid sugar

See also LIVER and KIDNEYS/ADRENAL

FIBROIDS

Whole grains (flax, rye, buckwheat, millet, soy, oats, barley, corn, rice, wheat), chaste tree berries, yarrow flowers

SPOTTING

Fresh ginger, hops, liquorice root, sage, chaste tree, dang quai

DRY VULVA

Bioflavenoids, vitamin E, chaste tree, motherwort, dang quai, chickweed, nettle, rice broth, slippery elm gel, comfrey salve (external)

DIZZINESS,DRY MOUTH, BURNING EYES, (OVERHEATING)

Lavender oil, cedar oil, dandelion root, lady’s mantle tea oat straw, skullcap tea, hypericum

See also LIVER

INSOMNIA/SLEEP DISTURBANCE

Oatstraw, hops, hypericum, dang quai, chamomile, catnip, skullcap, nettle, whole wheat, brown rice, oats, mushrooms, lemon, dill, basil

FATIGUE

Ginseng, black cohosh, dandelion root, nettle, oat straw, fermented foods, yellow dark, seaweed, algae, yeast, miso, soy, tempe, vitamin B12

See also LIVER

IRRITABILITY/OVERSENSITIVITY

Oatstraw, thistle, yellow dock root, dandelion

LACK OF SEXUAL DESIRE/ LIBIDO

Oatstraw, ginseng, zinc, pumpkin seeds, spirolina, cloves, fenugreek seed, fennel seed, anise seed, black pepper, dried ginger, black beans, onion family

ANXIETY

Nettle, skullcap, hypericum, motherwort, calcium

See also LIVER and KIDNEYS/ADRENAL

GENERAL TONING

Dandelion, nettle, raspberry

See also LIVER

These menopausal effects don’t last forever. Some women experience some of these effects, some experience many, some none. The remedies do help. Drinking water always helps. Eventually this astounding journey leads us to our “post child-bearing years”, and with it a calm and a freedom. We are all too often ridiculed then for our age, seen as useless as we cannot bear children, hated for being past childbearing years and feared for our strength as women. I celebrate the wisdom we gathered and hope it helps as many women as possible sail through this strange and magical time. Post menopausal women may be scorned, but we know that it carries a freedom, a natural gift. The journey is at times a messy and uncomfortable adventure, in its own way both powerful and beautiful, this passage into our Crone years.