Jen's routine

[jealkema]

Okay...so after a bit of reading, it has come to my attention that quite possibly, taking herbs in extract/tincture form is not all that great. Especially since it's costing me around $40 a month with shipping from Vitacost! I'm thinking of switching to bulk herbs to save cost and get more potency, but my only issue with this is my nagging problem with swallowing pills. So, is it possible to just mix the powdered herbs in a protein shake or something? Does this taste really aweful? Also... how do you measure out the right dosage when you buy a pound etc. of a powdered herb?

Advice would be great since I'm obviously clueless!

[Kitty-armada]

Open pill powders taste bad but you can try teas.

[Wenonae]

To figure out how much you're taking, you'll need a scale. Weigh like 1/2 teaspoon of the herb...see how many grams that is (Scales don't cost too, too much. Be sure to find one that can do at least tenths of a gram). So say it weighs 2 grams, you know you need to separate it into fours for 500mg doses.

There are many tastes to herbs, but most are not flavorful (and SMELL!). However, the best way to take herbs WITHOUT food (and most drinks- too much sugar will break down herb too much). So I'd recommend you put your dose in a small amount of carbonated water so you can swallow it down then follow it up with a sip of juice or something.

Wen'

[jealkema]

So are the powdered herbs better than the extracts? Also...what is the best way to take the extracts? I've been mixing them in a little glass and just drinking it...but I read on here that extracts should be taken sublingual. So have I been doing it wrong all this time? ahhhh!

[Wenonae]

Yeah, extracts should be taken sublingually and if you have a sensitive stomach. So long as you get enough, either way should work. Since I can swallow caps- that's my way. However, powdered on empty stomach should be fine. Extracts- eh the alcohol stings when you hold it under your tongue so personally I'd try the carbonated water shots first. Extracts you need to be careful of the dilution to be sure you get enough.

Wen'

[jealkema]

End of cycle 4...started AF right on time this month...yay! No apparent growth yet (other than the larger lefty). I'm still undecided about switching to powdered herbs or making my own extracts. Right now I still have enough of the extracts to last another cycle...and I'll probably just stick with it since they taste fine and it's easy for me to take everyday.

No cramping yet from AF (nice change). I didn't go through any swelling periods during luteal this cycle...hoping for some this time around!

Question for Wen... I'm taking my herbs with a bit of water on an emtpy stomach each morning...and then right before bed each night. I still don't do it sublingually (because I'd hate to suffer through burning!). Is it really essential to do it that way? I always make sure not to eat in the morning for at least 20 to 30 minutes after taking my dose. I'm just ready to do some growing and want to make sure I've got it all right My hubby still thinks I'm crazy and I want to prove him wrong! lol

Current routine: Red Clover extract 1250mg 2X daily
Fennel extract 1000mg 2X daily
Damiana extract 750mg 2X daily
12 gram protein shake daily

No massaging and no boobie batters

Let me know what you think

Jen

[Wenonae]

The only 'wrong' I'm sensing immediately is that you could take an additional couple drops of the damiana. However, rating the effectiveness of the doses the way you're taking it, swallowing is 80% effective- so you're losing 20% of the dose to stomach juices. Easy fix- up the doses you're doing by 20%+ and you'll feel sensations and all a little faster than what you are

So RC- 1600mg 2x daily
Fen- 1200mg 2x daily
Damiana (needed to be a little higher anyways)- 1000mg 2x daily
15 g shake (just for a little more boost).

This puts a time line of 2.5 weeks until the good ole soreness, heat and other sensations starting up. ;D for an easier AF (a good sign of good righting of hormones which will continue on to translate to breast growth since the body isn't "lacking" in hormonally-related area). Also you're estimated to finishing filling 3/4c L, 0.6 R in at end of 3.1 weeks from today. You're quite on your way.

Wen'

[jealkema]

I ordered more herbs today, and decided to stick with extracts for Red Clover and Damiana (since the price difference wasn't much), but I'm going to try the Fennel in capsule forms this time since it's quite a bit cheaper.

What I'm wondering... will the Fennel be as effective if I make a tea out of it twice a day? Quite a few ladies have said they like the taste and do it that way...but I'm not sure if this changes the dose needed. If so, I'll just bite the bullet and swallow it with some sugar free flavored water or something...ugh.

By the way... I tried doing the herbs sublingually tonight and it actually wasn't too bad (with the burning and all). Only one thing... I'm not sure how long I need to keep it there...lol. I did about 30 seconds with each one.

[Wenonae]

Sublingually- 15-20 secs is fine.

Fennel- not as effective in tea unless you swallow the bits afterwards. Even then- hot water would change properties a little bit in a negative way (breaks down bonds).

Adding fennel tea on top of your regular dose- is fine. But you, as your means of getting the fennel you need- you'd need to drink like 3-4 cups at a time.

Happy Growin'
Wen'

[jealkema]

Okay...have an interesting question. Today while I was getting dressed my hubby said "why are your boobs all rashy?"...lol. Well, turns out he was right! The bottoms of both boobies are red and heated looking. They don't itch (although as soon as he alerted me to it they started itching like crazy...but it went away). Could this be due to the BE? I've never experienced it before, and the only change I've made is to start taking the herbs sublingually with a little higher dose. Also, on the left side the redness goes up a little towards my armpit.

I'm hopinh this is a growing sign...and not poison oak or something...haha. I laid out and did a little suntanning yesterday...but only for about 20 minutes on each side...and I had my bathing suit top on, so I don't think that's the cause...but you never know!

[Wenonae]

Oh, my. LOL.
Well, happy to say the redness is due to BE (just happened really fast where there's a lot of action at once). It'll only take a few days to settle down, but they'll be itching like mad for a minute. Suntanning had no effect on the redness, but be sure the girls are covered when you do it .

Wen'

[jealkema]

Redness went away yesterday I think, and a few itchy episodes lately. I'm still taking the fennel and damiana in the extract form, but switched to capsules for Red Clover two days ago. So, should I still be taking 3000 mg of RC? I open up the capsules and just take the powder with a shot of regular water on an empty stomach (doesn't taste too bad, but I imagine it would be just like eating lawnmower clippings...lol). I just don't want to stall out by taking too much since my original max dose was 2500.

[Wenonae]

For the capsules, do 2500mgRC.
The 3000mg is just a tad too much.

Wen'

[jealkema]

Thanks Wen!

One less dose of grass dust is just fine with me!

[jealkema]

End of cycle 5...still no growth it seems I'm trying not to get discouraged, but sheesh! It's hard! I've been really good about taking the herbs every day (twice, of course) and doing the protein shakes too...at least 5 days out of the week. Plus I get protein in food as well. All of my bras still fit exactely the same... and I'm not getting any of the growing symptoms. I need some serious encouragment...what am I doing wrong?

Well anyway...it's been a rough week. My 2 year old ended up in the ICU (three days) for some mysterious infection the docs still can't figure out...and I started AF on the same day...so it's been sucking quite a bit! Hoping things start picking up sooooon

Jen