So glad I found you all

[laurak]

Hi everyone.
I am so glad to have found this board! I have been considering herbal BE for a couple of years, and just recently decided I am going to go for it. It will be great to have this community, and I look forward to sharing and learning with/from all of you.

I am health and herb-savvy, but not educated. I am really hoping for any tips to help me get started. I will be buying supplies on the 27th at a local natural foods store. At this point, I am thinking of using...
Fenugreek Seed, powder (for pills and shakes) and extract for massage
Fennel, powder (for pills and shakes)
Wild Yam (I have some chopped root on hand, but the stuff tastes awful, any tips on making cream, salve, palatable orals would be Greatly appreciated)
Saw Palmetto Berry (powder and/or ground)
Black Cohosh (on hand, I take about 2000 mg a week already)
I 'do' vitamins, so B complex, aminos, GABA, Turmeric, kelp, etc, are all already part of my routine.
I am not sure if I should, or need to, use any of the other herbs, such as Red Clover.

Ok, some facts...
34 years old, happily married
3 teenage children, all of whom I joyfully breastfed for a year or more.
Started my period early (12), and run a little on the low side estrogen wise.
Currently 5'3" tall, 105-110 lbs and a full 32A or small 32B with considerable sag (exact measurement is 32.5")
Before our first child I was 115-120 lbs, and a big C, went up to a DD during pregnancy and breast feeding, which I am sure contributed to my sag now.

I figure if I had it once, I should be able to get it back. I want to see that look in my husbands's eyes again! My goal is a firm C. I will be spending a lot of time here for the next few days, reading up. If anyone has any tips or thoughts, please share.

[eternalsky]

You seem to know a lot of stuff :)

Have you read Pammy's routine? I think you will find it interesting/helpful.

You can go without red clover if you wish, the herbs you will be using are good enough. Then again if you think it will help you, you can add it too.

You may grow faster than any of us, since you were well-endowed previously! =)

[laurak]

Thank you for your thoughts eternalsky, and the encouragement. Pammy's routine looks great, super simple, and wow, what amazing results.

After reading up some more, particularly on the specific actions of SP, and Wahiaka's theory of timing for growth, as well as tuning in to my body a bit more I have made a few changes of plan...
I'm about 12 days into my cycle, which gives me 2 weeks to prepare and start the herbs in time with my hormonal levels.
I'm in need of a detox anyways, so I am doing that now (epsom salts in the morning, psyllium, lots of water and tea, fruit, vegies, a small amount of meat, and only 2 cups of coffee) I know it is not great, but we live pretty clean, and it's the best I can do right now, too much to do to be out of the game due to detox. The upside of all this busyness is that I am moving and sweating enough to help clear the toxins from my glands. =)
After about a week, I should be well flushed. I will then start refilling my body, particularly with selenium, beta-carotene, b's, basically the cancer preventors, and building blocks as well, the oils and aminos, kelp and tyrosine. I know there are mixed thoughts on whether herbal BE contributes to cancer, mine is this... Of course there is a risk, we are, with any luck, causing cell proliferation, with estrogen, no less. It just seems prudent to ensure our bodies have all they need for healthy, discriminatory, cell reproduction.

OK, so much for the science. When it comes to starting the herbs, I plan to have them all on hand, and go with my gut feeling. I am almost always able to 'get a feeling' about which vitamins and herbs the kids, DH, and friends are in need of simply by holding the bottle and wondering, deeply and quietly. Right now, Saw Palmetto is feeling good as a starter while I am building up after detox.

I am also exercising again, mostly flexibility and toning work, so I can flaunt it when I get it.

Thanks again, eternalsky, for making me feel welcome and encouraged. Good luck to you!

[Wahaika]

Hello Laurak,

When I read that you are taking 2000mg of Black Cohosh daily and you are 34 years old, it really got my attention. I have never seen anyone on such a high dosage of it. This is an interest of mine. I hope you won't mind my asking:
Why are you taking it?
Are you having regular and healthy cycles?

For NBE, you will want to discontinue Black Cohosh because it will likely be in competition with fenugreek and fennel. Same with Red Clover.

Good luck with your routine! I think Eternalsky nailed it. I was thinking the same thing when I read your post above. Pammy's routine looks perfect for you so far. Be sure to start with fenugreek when you do start, then add saw palmetto, then wild yam. There are external considerations as well.

Wahaika

[eternalsky]

Go you! Your intuition seems to work great! I have a feeling you will have some nice progress.


Hello Wahaika btw!! ^^

[laurak]

Hi Wahaika,

I am glad to hear from you. Thank you for the tips, I have a question or two for you as well, and I am sorry that I can't really offer you much info on the Black Cohosh. I am not very particular in what I take when, and though I do keep track from one day to the next, there is no schedule perse. I am taking about 2000mg per week, not day, give or take, depending on where I am in my cycle, how my hormones are doing etc. I find it is a great preventative to take about 500 mg every 2 or 3 days, 2 to 3 weeks a month, and if I get that really edgy feeling that indicates a rough pms, I take 1000mg that day and 500 the next with extra B and magnesium. I find this helps with the moodiness mostly, but also with my cramps, which are worse, coinciding with the bad pms, every other month. I must have an anxious ovary.

So, no more BC, that worries me, I will have to VERY conscientious about the B's and Mag, or my daughter and I may tangle =) (She does NOT take BC, just Mag, multi and flax oil)

May I ask about the order of implementation you suggest? I was thinking/feeling SP first to tone down my testosterone levels which, judging by my sex drive and arm hair, are rising. So, if you don't mind taking the time, I would love to hear the reasoning. I really like to have a full understanding of the herbs we use, and would ordinarily do nothing but study for 2 weeks before taking this plunge, but the summer is slipping away...

re: Externals. Are you referring to massage? I'm thinking aloe base, but not sure what else. I wonder, has anyone thought of using comferey.

I do foresee being on Pammy's basic routine in a month or so. If I have only half her success I will be thrilled!! Sky, I could hug you =)

[eternalsky]

Jun 26, 2010 13:25:41 GMT -5 Wahaika said:

Hello Laurak,

When I read that you are taking 2000mg of Black Cohosh daily and you are 34 years old, it really got my attention. I have never seen anyone on such a high dosage of it. This is an interest of mine. I hope you won't mind my asking:
Why are you taking it?
Are you having regular and healthy cycles?

For NBE, you will want to discontinue Black Cohosh because it will likely be in competition with fenugreek and fennel. Same with Red Clover.

Good luck with your routine! I think Eternalsky nailed it. I was thinking the same thing when I read your post above. Pammy's routine looks perfect for you so far. Be sure to start with fenugreek when you do start, then add saw palmetto, then wild yam. There are external considerations as well.

Wahaika

Hello Wahaika!! How are you? I hope you're fine ^__^

[eternalsky]

Hi Laurak

I'd like to explain to you the meaning behind the order of the herbs, but I myself do not know but would love to know too! All I can tell you in this respect is that Wahaika is the guru of BE and everything he says is always totally correct so please do trust him and his suggestions

Also, it's very wise of you to research about the herbs before taking them. I must follow your example ^__^

In the case of externals...yes it's massage. I 've never used comferey before so I can't counsel you on that one, but you can add herbs like fenugreek, saw palmetto and any other thing which contains phytoestrogens. When I was trying to create my own mix I googled "phytoestrogen food sources" and "phtyoestrogen herbs" and tried to include them in the mix. For example, you can add olive oil or evening primrose oil to the whole thing. Be sure to add heat afterwards though, it helps the cream penetrate deeper into the breast.

Don't worry, you WILL succeed. You forsee yourself being on her routine...I forsee you having her results!

Oh and thanks for the hug =D *blush*