The Herb for Fried and Frazzled Mothers

Leonarus Cardiaca or “Motherwort” is one of my favorite gentle herbs to calm frazzled mothers.

There is no coincidence in my mind that “motherwort” rhymes with “worrywart”.

This herb may as well have been hand-designed for worried stressed mothers.

If your heart skips a beat every time you hear one of your children scream loudly “MOM!!!!!” then you may just want to read on.

Motherwort is typically a “nervine” or relaxant herb that is recommended for those with the kind of anxiety that results in occasional heart palpitations. If you are suffering from disturbed sleep as a result of emotional or physical upsets this herb might just be right for you. Motherwort serves to strengthen the heart, and is also used for PMS and menopause. This herbal medicine can additionally be used as a preventative agent for herpes zoster (shingles and chicken pox) as well as herpes simplex (traditional “herpes”).

Contraindications: This herb should NOT be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and may be toxic in large doses, or with chronic use. Always talk with your naturopathic physician, or MD before starting any new herbal medicines.

Perhaps life does not grant you the relaxation time that you deserve as a mother, but you can still find a bit of calm amongst the stressful storm by using an herbal medicine such as motherwort to help reduce stress and your reaction to it.

Thanks for stopping by my kitchen table!

~Dr. Nicole Sundene

Naturopathic Physician

www.KitchenTableMedicine.com

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McInflammation: Are You Really “Loving It”?

Recently a friend reported over dinner that his inflammatory problem (and let’s just say almost all medical problems are caused by inflammation) was not much better.

He said he was diligently taking everything I had recommended, and had only noted minor improvement.

Although natural remedies take time, I was curious how the dietary recommendations were going….you know, the most important part of his prescription? To no surprise, he was struggling to make the necessary changes.

As I climbed in to his car to head to our next destination I noted the eight bags of fast food littering his car floor.

“Well here is the source of McInflammation in your diet right here!” Read more

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How to Lower your Estrogen Levels

Many diseases are affected by high levels of estrogen including fibrocystic breast disease, ovarian cysts and premenstrual syndrome or PMS. The liver is important in breaking estrogen down into an almost totally impotent form. It also converts estrogen into compounds that can be excreted from the body through urine and bile. The purpose of this diet is to support the liver, to reduce sources of estrogen found in foods, and to support other glands such as the adrenal glands an the thyroid gland that influences estrogen.

THE DIET

• Eliminate sugar, white flour, and refined foods.

• Eliminate methyl xanthines such as coffee, tea, chocolate, colas and other foods or beverages that contain caffeine.

• Eliminate red meat and fowl. Organically raised fowl is OK.

• Decrease fats, especially animal fats. Use instead unsaturated fats such as those in cold pressed vegetable oils.

• Increase foods found in the cabbage family such as cabbage, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, etc. As the Indole 3 Carbinole helps aid in the detoxification of estrogen to a less active form.

• Decrease dairy products such as milk, cheese, cream, etc.. This helps maximize thyroid function.

• Increase complex carbohydrates such as vegetables, whole grains, etc..

• Increase the consumption of garlic and onions.

• Be sure you are taking adequate amounts of selenium, iodine, beta-carotene and vitamins A, C and E. Consult your clinician to determine this.

Source: Bastyr Students

Edited with permission by Dr. Nicole Sundene

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