herbs for uterus

Uterus

General characteristics

The uterus or womb is the main reproductive organ in females, its main function being to provide a safe place for the fertilised egg to implant and develop, to nurture the growing baby during pregnancy and to provide strong muscular contractions in order to deliver the baby at birth. The lining of the uterus, the endometrium, is richly supplied with blood vessels. This blood rich lining is what is shed during menstruation.

The uterus is the strongest muscle in the female body.

The uterus is situated in the front of the lower pelvic region, behind the bladder and in front of the rectum. It is about the size of a clenched fist on average and roughly shaped like a downward pointing triangle (or upside down pear). At the base of the uterus is the cervix which opens into the vagina and either side of the top of the uterus are the fallopian tubes connecting to the ovaries.

The uterus is influenced by various hormones with specific roles such as oxytocin (dilates cervix and stimulates uterine contractions), progesterone (maintains the endometrium ready for egg implantation) and oestrogen (causes the growth of the endometrium). The endometrium also secretes various substances that provide nutrition for the very young embryo,

Problems with the uterus include infections, inflammations, adhesions, prolapse, congenital abnormalities, endometriosis, haemorhage, fibroids and cancer. A prolapsed bowel or bladder can cause problems for the uterus, as can chronic constipation and deformities in the bones and structures surrounding the uterus.

Healing objectives include to eat a healthy diet rich in plant foods, keep hormones balanced where possible (avoid environmental hormones and hormonal medications), cleanse the bowel and blood stream and take appropriate uterine tonics when needed.

Diet and lifestyle

Eat organic or chemical free foods wherever possible, especially animal products such as meat and dairy, in order to avoid hormone disrupting substances and actual hormones in the case of meat and dairy.

Consume plenty of foods rich in antioxidants to help keep the uterus in good health. Foods such as brightly coloured vegetables, green leaves, fresh herbs and fruits (especially berry fruits) are all rich in antioxidants.

Include plenty of garlic, onions and the spice turmeric in the diet.

Ensure you are getting enough healthy fats and oils in the diet from sources such as avocados, nuts and seeds and wild caught oily fish.

Try to maintain a healthy weight, being under or over weight can be equally detrimental to your hormonal balance.

Useful herbs

Raspberry leaf tea provides plenty of calcium to help the uterine muscles contract efficiently and also provides an astringent and toning effect. Drink a cup daily for its tonic effects.

Celebrated herbalist Dr Christopher has helped many women heal a myriad of reproductive disorders using his 'female corrective' formula. It consists of 3 parts golden seal root and one part of each of the following dried herbs or powders...holy thistle, cayenne, crampbark, false unicorn root, ginger, raspberry leaf, squaw vine and uva ursi. Dose is 1 cup of tea 2-3 times daily or 1 capsule of powders 2-3 times daily for up to 120 days. This formula has historically helped with malformations, hormonal imbalance, painful or irregular periods and many more female reproductive disorders.

Other useful uterine tonics (i.e. raise the general health) include lady's mantle, motherwort, raspberry leaf, squaw vine, nettle and agnus castus.

Natural healing

Try to limit your exposure to hormone disrupting chemicals wherever possible.

Take regular exercise.

Use organic cotton sanitary products whenever possible to avoid the effects of bleach and other pesticides used in cotton growing.

Evening primrose oil can be taken in capsule form from time to time to help balance hormones and provide healthy oils.