(Originally published in 2018; Updated in 2024) Breast Cancer Awareness month comes around every October to remind us to take care of our breasts, and to become more informed about the risk factors for breast cancer and ways to reduce that risk. I say, early detection is not enough – why not focus on prevention? […]

The following is an excerpt from “Managing Menopause Naturally: Before During, and Forever” by Emily A. Kane, ND, LAc (Basic Health Publications, New Jersey, 2004) Article updated October 26, 2024. In naturopathic medical school we learned again and again, “When in doubt, treat the liver.” What our teachers were telling us is that the liver […]

Whew, the summer heat is on and nobody feels it more than a menopausal woman. Trust me on that. When beads of sweat start to trickle down your neck, and that warm glow becomes a raging fire, you want nothing more than to tear off your clothes and jump in the lake (which would be […]

I enjoy every season, but as a student of nature and a herbalist I have to admit I love spring the most – observing the gradual return of birds that flew south for the winter, and watching all of my plant friends awaken from their winter slumber. My anticipation begins with the return of red-winged […]

(Originally published July 2018; updated June 2022) One of the most remarkable functions of the human body is its ability to procreate. This ensures the continued survival of the human race. In the pre-industrial era when the pace of life was slower, good fertility was taken for granted. But in modern times, the fertility of […]

The group is meeting for the first time. There are twelve of us, new moms attempting to settle our newborns. We fumble through bags of baby gear, stroke silken baby cheeks, and peer at the other infants. We wonder how the others are handling it all – exhaustion, euphoria, weird hormones, and hideous nursing bras […]

(Updated January 20, 2021) One of the unfortunate realities of life in the 21st century is the increase in occurrence of chronic diseases. The increasing levels of stress associated with our modern lifestyle and environmental toxicity can impact our lives in many significant ways. Of particular concern is the influence of these factors on the […]

A menstrual disorder is an emotional or physical problem that interferes with a woman’s menstrual cycle, causing pain, unusual bleeding, delayed menarche, or missed periods. Menstrual disorders can be triggered by a myriad of factors including hormone imbalances, genetics, clotting disorders, or pelvic diseases. Different menstrual disorders can lead to problems that range from heavy, […]

Menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea) is one of the most common gynecological problems that women face. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory, women who suffer from dysmenorrhea have a blockage in the flow of liver energy. The liver’s function is to maintain a free flow of qi or energy through the body. When this energy is […]

Are you stressed out?  Chronically tired? Allergies getting worse instead of better?  Catching one infection after the next despite a good diet?  Premature menopause? Most working adults are dealing with more emails, texts, and other computer and cell phone pressures than ever before. Working moms and other caregivers often feel like they are on call […]

Clearing Fibroids with Herbs, Acupuncture, Diet, and More As many as 25% of women of reproductive age are known to have uterine fibroids. But it is hard to say for sure how many women have fibroids in total, because some women with uterine fibroids do not experience symptoms. There are many options to treat the […]

Wild Spring Greens as Food and Medicine Spring is a great time to watch your greens grow. The aesthetically beautiful Chickweed and potent Stinging Nettle are two great additions to your garden — and life — to incorporate this season. Watch the Chickweed blossom into beautiful star-shaped flowers, while producing a powerful punch of vitamins […]

How My Intuition Guided Me Through the Maze of Infertility Treatment Choices to Conceive Two Children I once navigated my way through the complex maze of infertility guided by my ‘intuition’ – a process that has produced a psychosynthesis for which I am most grateful. My purpose in sharing this account is to provide an […]

With summer just around the corner, the sun and nice weather inspire us to throw off ur heavy clothes and go outside. Yet a large percentage of women suffer from varicose veins – the thin, blue veins often referred to as ‘spider veins.’ These can be embarrassing and deter many women from wearing certain clothing, […]

A Natural Alternative to Painkillers Do you look forward to your menstrual period as a positive experience, or dread this time of month and find it a major inconvenience? Many women feel negatively about their menstrual cycle, planning activities and vacations carefully to avoid coincidence with ‘that’ time of the month. In a balanced physical […]

Five to ten percent of women of childbearing age have polycystic ovary syndrome, also known as PCOS. It can occur in girls as young as 11 years old. In approximately 75% of cases where young women have problems with menstruation due to late puberty, PCOS is often diagnosed. Irregular, infrequent or absent periods, or periods […]