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cabbage leaf poultice; simply soften the leaf with a vegetable mallet and hold in place with a loose bandage. |
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Internally, meadowsweet and St. John's wort tea (1 teaspoon of each to a cup of water) can help to relieve pain in the short term, although if the condition persists for more than forty-eight hours or worsens, seek professional help. |
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Herbal medicine can be extremely effective for treating menstrual disorders. As always, identifying the underlying cause of the problem is vital for accurate treatment. |
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Persistent problems should be referred to a specialist for accurate diagnosis, but an occasional excessive flow can be helped with stinging nettle and yarrow tea (1 teaspoon of each to 1 cup of water). Persistent heavy menstrual blood loss can lead to anemia so add iron-rich foods like liver, apricots, watercress, and parsley to the diet or take supplements of Dong Quai (Angelica polymorpha var. sinensis) available from health food stores. |
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Try St. John's wort tea and raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus) tea (1 teaspoon of each to a cup of water), marigold infusion, or massage 5 drops of sage oil in 1 teaspoon of almond oil over the lower abdomen. If available, 2 teaspoons of black haw tincture (Viburnum prunifolium) in half a glass of hot water will often bring rapid and lasting relief. Exercise often helps, so rather than curling up with a hot water bottle and feeling miserable, take a brisk walk. Regular sexual intercourse in the days before a period can also reduce the likelihood of painful menstruation. |
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This is often related to fungal infections (see p. 88) and can be associated with recurrent bouts of cystitis. It is also common in post-menopausal women. Marigold, tea tree, and vitamin E creams can all bring relief. If it is available, add 1 drop of rose oil |
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