Menstrual Blues? Try Herbal Remedies

For the many women who experience cramping, tender breasts, water retention, and the other symptoms of premenstrual syndrome every month or just occasionally, naturally healing herbs and vitamins may be just as effective and probably much safer and cheaper than the many products now on the market meant to cure womankind of the problems of "those days.”

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Long before the days of drug stores and mass produced and marketed medicine, women gathered herbs from their gardens or the forests and meadows to be made into teas. This herbal lore has been all but lost to us in the days of the quick remedy and the hardsell tactics of drug companies. But the knowledge of the useful herbal remedies got many an old time woman through the premenstrual syndrome that we all experience at one time or another. Cohosh tea both blue and black should be made by steeping the leaves in boiling water, then cooling and adding a bit of brandy to the brew, and then letting it sit a few days. Though the brandy will produce its own effects, its main purpose is actually to extract more of the important elements from the cohosh, which are alcohol soluble. Raspberry leaf tea, like the cohosh teas, is highly recommended to pregnant women to tone the uterus and to increase the effectiveness of labor contractions. As premenstrual cramping is often caused by the congestion of the uterus (congestive dysmenorrhea), relieving the congestion by increasing the contractions which expel the menses should bring relief. Women experiencing discomfort may find these three teas, alone or in combination, of benefit to them. A final old-time standby is a hot cup of ginger tea.

Many women have found that dietary supplements have eliminated or reduced their need for diuretics and other drugs during the premenstrual days and the first few days of their periods, which is when most discomfort is experienced. All women have specific dietary needs. This is especially true of menstruating women. Inadequate amounts of calcium may result in many menstrual difficulties.

The same is true of magnesium, vitamins B, C and D. Swelling of the breasts and the associated tenderness may be reduced by chewing dolomite tablets which contain calcium and magnesium. If such swelling is accompanied by edema (swelling) of the hands, feet and face, try 50 to 100 milligrams of vitamin B6. Many women have found it effective.

Vitamin B complex has also been shown to be effective in reducing premenstrual tension. Apparently, the liver needs the B vitamins and protein to convert the hormones released before menstruation into less powerful substances.

Try adding brewers yeast and vitamin B plus iron to your diet. Pay special attention to the amount of iron in your diet. Most women are especially prone to iron deficiencies while menstruating. Adele Davis recommends that women take vitamin D and magnesium premenstrually to prevent menstrual difficulties from occurring. Healthy amounts of protein, vitamins B, C and E also help in this regard.

In France, doctors have found that the bioflavonoids, or vitamin P, which is extracted from the white pulp and peel of citrus fruit, may correct menorrhagia .. excessive menstrual discharge. They report "progressive improvement" usually by the third month of treatment. Caution must be urged here. Menorrhagia has a multitude of causes, including tumors, infection, glandular imbalances, and organic malfunction. These causes must be considered a possibility. Women who experience menorrhagia should be examined by a physician.

Any woman who suspects that her menstrual difficulties are the result of more serious physical or emotional problems should consult a doctor before trying any home cures. In fact, it would be a good idea to consult a dietician or doctor to find out what to take, how much, and for how long before trying any of the above suggestions for dietary supplemen tation.

--Sandi Moliff for Cleveland Feminist Self-Help Collective

Lesbian Defense Fund Offers Custody Support

Lesbian Defense Fund, a new organization, works to help lesbian mothers keep their children. We have handled four cases: two are pending, and two were settled in the mother's favor, out of court. This is easier than going to court, an option that most lesbians facing custody don't have. Most are forced to go to court, and if they can afford to do that, most lose. Most custody cases are grueling, emotionally and financially draining, and unsuccessful.

Lesbian Mothers' National Defense Fund (Seattle) has done excellent work in its handling of over two hundred cases in the last few years. Of the women who went to court, about two-thirds lost their kids, although they were encouraged by LMNDF to exhaust every possible alternative, including settling out of court. This record in no way detracts from the fine work record of the Fund. It is a harsh reflection of the political and social climate around lesbian parenting.

We wish to laud the work of other defense funds in the nation and to clarify the difficulty of lesbian custody cases (1) so that women will know what situation they face, and (2) so that people not personally facing the loss of their children because of homosexuality will understand the degree of discrimination and oppression that exists, and will offer their energy and money in support of the struggle. LDF is ready now to deal with other lesbians' struggles to keep their kids. We can offer assistance to women and children taking any of the several options. We function through a system of support groups. A support group is organized around each mother and children. That support group comes to us for advice and referral, and then does the bulk of the legwork for that custody situation.

LDF is nonprofit and tax exempt. Write for infor. mation to:

Lesbian Defense Fund

P.O. Box 4

Essex Junction, Vermont 05452

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