Pennyroyal for That Womanly Period

Pennyroyal (Hedeoma pulegioides), or the more potent version from Europe (Mentha pulegium), is an herb that is hard to find. Because of its possible misuse, many manufacturers will not offer it to the consumer. Pennyroyal is an abortifacient, which means that it should never be taken while pregnant because it may cause the mother to abort a fetus.
If you are a generally healthy woman, however, pennyroyal can be effective in bringing on a late period. Others have used the herb after giving birth to help the delivery of the placenta (known as the afterbirth). Just a little pennyroyal also may lessen the cramps and bloating associated with menstruation. In this case, a penny goes a long way!
Pennyroyal should also be noted for its use in getting rid of bugs and pests. This herb is one of the most powerful bug repellents and seems to be effective against a wide range of bugs. Here are some uses of pennyroyal as a bug repellent:

• The plant itself has been grown in pots or flower beds surrounding porches to repel mosquitoes. Because of this, it has also been commonly known as mosquito plant.
• Used externally, the essential oil repels mosquitoes, fleas, and flies.
• The dried herb can be made into a sachet and put in with wool clothing to repel moths.
• The dried herb, burned for incense, can also serve as a great repellent.
• The plant has been rubbed directly on the skin not only as a bug repellent but also for the relief of poison oak or poison ivy rashes. Again, remember to avoid any applications of pennyroyal—whether internal or external—if you are pregnant.

Menstrual Problems, Balancing on Your Cycle

Menstruation can be viewed as your body’s monthly house cleaning. Each month, the body prepares the uterus while the ovaries are busy preparing an egg with the anticipation of attracting the best sperm and creating new life. If no lucky sperm make the grade, the lining of the uterus is shed and the process repeats again. There are three important stages during this cycle which include:

• Actual menstruation: This is the three to seven days of your period, when the uterus is shedding its lining. This is when all your hormone levels drop. You can use this time as a time of rest, for gentle exercise like walking, and clean eating (less fats and sugar) to help your entire body get the most from this cleansing time.
• The follicular phase: After your period is the time when your body is being prompted by hormones to produce eggs in the ovaries. At this time, estrogen levels begin to build and reach a peak. This is a time when your immune system strengthens in order to rid the body of germs and prepare for new life. (Note that some women become compelled to enthusiastically scrub their homes just before baby is due!) During the last part of this stage, is the time when most women feel their best and strongest (just before ovulation), skin tends to clear, and sexual urges rise. Nature designed this for the female to be better able to attract her mate just at the right time for fertility—isn’t that cool?
• The luteal phase: This is the time when the produced egg leaves the ovary on its journey to the uterus. This is the time when progesterone takes over to prep the lining of the uterus to support a growing fetus. At this time, the immune system drops so that the potential sperm and (hopefully) fertilized egg can do their thing without being attacked by the immune system. If no sperm happens to show, the body goes back to the next phase, menstruation, and the cycle continues.

Menstrual problems are frustrating and include all the symptoms of PMS, irregularity in the cycle, late periods or no periods (amenorrhea), periods that come too frequently (epimenorrhea), periods that are heavy and may last too long (menorrhagia), and painful periods (dysmenorrhea).
If you have any of these problems, you should get a check-up and find out what is causing the irregularities or pain. Endometriosis and other abnormal growths, pregnancy, and hormonal imbalances and anorexia can all be factors.

Boneset, for Bone-Breaking Aches and Pains

The herb boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) got its name back in the days of the Civil War, when it was used against the flu named breakbone fever. The muscle aches and pains were so severe with this flu that folks believed their bones would break! Boneset helped ease these fever-related pains and earned its name as it did so. It is said that boneset was also used in place of quinine during this time to fight malaria. You can still use boneset to fight the discomfort of the measles and other illness such as the flu. Boneset works as a diaphoretic (it pushes out fever) and an expectorant (it pushes out mucus); it also resists bacteria and viral infections and helps reduce the muscle pain associated with fevers. Make boneset into a tea or decoction and drink warm to help with fever. The energetic effect seems to change with this herb if taken in a liquid form. For instance, herbalists will tell you to take boneset warm for its diaphoretic effect (making you sweat to break a fever). But if you are chilled and shaking with a fever, boneset is more effective taken as a chilled tea or infusion. Of course, if you take the herb in a pill form or mixed with other herbs, you bypass these specifics.
Other herbs to boost the immune system that are safe for children as well as adults include Echinacea and golden seal, safflowers, liquid chlorophyll, marshmallow and fenugreek, slippery elm, and yarrow. Beta carotene and vitamin C both can boost the immune system as well.
Make a fomentation of thyme and apply topically to the rash or use for a sponge bath to help break fever. Garlic and catnip enemas are helpful in fighting infections in little ones and also help reduce mucus in the system. In addition, you can swab Oregon grape onto internal mouth sores to aid in healing.
The essential oil of eucalyptus diffused in a room can help protect others from airborne viruses spread by the coughing, infectious person.