Botanical Ingredients Promoting Women's Health and Wellness
Join us as we embark on a journey exploring plants that promote women’s health and well-being.
DISCLOSURE: The information below is for general knowledge and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is intended to supplement and not substitute for, professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. With starting any supplement, please consult your health care practitioner for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment. By reading this, you agree to the terms of this disclaimer. We disclaim any liability for any injury, loss, or damage arising from the use of this website or its content.
As winter melts away and the promise of spring invites renewal, it's the perfect time to think about new beginnings, especially when it comes to nurturing our bodies. Herbal medicine has long been utilized to address various aspects of female health, especially in supporting reproductive processes and their related discomforts. Herbal allies like Raspberry leaf, Black Cohosh root and Fennel seed have been cherished for centuries for their support of female reproductive health. Whether you're looking to ease menstrual discomfort, support your body through perimenopause, or simply nurture your reproductive system, these plants have been used for female reproductive support because their extensive traditional use and growing body of scientific evidence. Raspberry leaf, with its soothing, toning properties, and Black Cohosh root, known for its pain-relieving and hormone-balancing effects, can help guide you through life’s natural cycles while Fennel seed, with its nurturing support for lactation, is an amazing ally during postpartum periods.
While traditional medicine has used herbs for centuries, modern testing plays a crucial role in ensuring their safety, efficacy, and authenticity. Testing at a credible lab helps ensure that the herbs are correctly identified, free from adulterants, and meet the safety and quality parameters that consumers expect. With the growing number of supply chains, potential substitutes, and varying quality controls across the globe, it's essential to have methods that fit for purpose and scientifically valid at a credentialed lab.
Testing that is key to determining the quality and safety of your product may include: Microscopy, HPTLC, assay for chemical markers by LC, LCMS, GCMS, microbiological testing, and contaminant testing for things like heavy metals, pesticides, foreign matter, adulterants.
Raspberry or Red Raspberry:
Botanical name + plant part: Rubus idaeus L. [Rosaceae] + Leaf
Synonyms: R. idaeus L. subsp. Idaeus; R. idaeus subsp. Strigosus (Michx.) Focke
Long used as a traditional botanical as a uterine tonic, used for dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), menorrhagia (excessive bleeding), pregnancy, perimenopause and menopause.
Constituents: polyphenols like chlorogenic, gallic, ferulic and caffeic acids; flavonoids like quercetin; tannins.
Not to be confused with raspberry ketones (a compound found in the red fruit, contributing to that aroma of raspberry fruit.)
Black Cohosh:
Botanical name + plant part: Actaea racemosa L. [Ranunculaea] + Root & Rhizome
Synonyms: Cimicifuga racemosa (L.) Nutt.
Another uterine tonic that can be used through the life stages for reproductive health. It’s a well-known anodyne (painkiller) and antispasmoic to help with uterine cramping and pain. Also used during childbirth to help with contractions and pain. During perimenopause and menopause, black cohosh is a reliable nervine and hypotensive (lowers blood pressure).
Constituents: tripene glycosides (actein, cimicifugoside, cimicifugine, racemoside, cimiracemosides), salicylic acid, tannins, volatile oils
Bitter Fennel:
Botanical name + plant part: Foeniculum vulgare Mill. + Seed
This plant has been used for centuries to promote breast milk in nursing mothers. The volatile oils, when taken by the nursing parent and passed through the breast milk, helps soothe the infant’s digestive discomforts. It can be combined with additional herbs know to help stimulate milk secretion such as goat’s rue (Galega officinalis) and blessed thistle (Cnicus benedictus).
Constituents: volatile oils such as anethole and fenchone, flavonoids (rutin, quercetin, kaempferol) glycosides, coumarins.
References
Zimmermann, M., Johnson, H., McGuffin, M., Applequist, W. (2023) Herbs of Commerce, 3rd Edition. American Herbal Products Association.
Gladstar, R. (1993) Herbal Healing for Women; Simple Home Remedies for Women of All Ages. Fireside (Simon & Schuster, Inc).
McIntyre, A. (1984) The Complete Woman’s Herbal; A Manual of Healing Herbs and Nutrition for Personal Well-being and Family Care. Henry Holt & Company, Inc.
Hoffmann, D. (2003) Medical Herbalism; The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Healing Arts Press.
Romm, A. (2010) Botanical Medicine for Women’s Health. Churchill Livingstone (Elsevier, Inc).
Gardner, Z., McGuffin, M., (2013) American Herbal Products Association’s Botanical Safety Handbook. CRC Press.
