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quoia Gigantea is a great therapeutic remedy. two hours after the eye perceives darkness. While melatonin can provide
Black cohosh and wild yam can also be used to relief in acute situations, when taken long term it decreases natural
support low estrogen. Both these herbs should production by shrinking the pineal gland. If supplemental melatonin is
12
be used under the guidance of a trained health used, it should only be in small amounts (1-3 mg) and infrequently, not
care practitioner. Please note that black cohosh on a nightly basis.
is a powerful herb that should not be used dur- Instead, try a warm cup of bone broth or raw milk before bed. Both
ing pregnancy as it can induce early labor and are teeming with minerals that are helpful for inducing a good night’s
cause complications in the developing baby. sleep. Rubus Idaeus and Tilia Tomentosa are two gemmotherapy remedies
However, homeopathic dilutions of black cohosh that help the nervous and endocrine systems balance and bring relief to
(Cimicifuga racemosa or Actaea racemosa) and insomnia, irritability, depression and hot flashes. Two side effects of low
blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) can progesterone are insomnia and snoring. Clinical research suggests that
be safely used during the end of pregnancy to chaste tree increases melatonin secretion, especially at night. This, along
induce and stimulate labor. The subtle energy of with daily time outdoors, assists the body in having restful sleep.
homeopathic remedies makes them safe alterna-
tives to aggressive pharmaceuticals. IN CLOSING
Progesterone insufficiency is a very com- In the pursuit of hormone balancing, we must strive to consider the
mon challenge in modern perimenopausal and long-term effects of our chosen therapies. Whenever possible, choose
menopausal women. A very effective support non-toxic therapies that encourage your finely designed hormonal system
for low progesterone is a combination of the to adapt to the changing seasons of life. Ignore the media’s many mes-
gemmotherapy remedies Ribes Nigrum, Sequoia sages that tell us we are to be forever twenty. Honor the changing season
Gigantea and Quercus Pedunculata. This trio of life by embracing with joyful expectancy the new adventures ahead.
assists the body in naturally balancing. Quercus And never underestimate the regenerative and recuperative powers of
Pedunculata is particularly helpful in encourag- the incredible human body. It is possible to restore strength and balance
ing the production and balance of testosterone. to your endocrine system at any age.
Herbs such as chaste tree and wild yam complex
can also be incorporated to correct insufficien- Kim Schuette, CN, has been in private practice in the field of nutrition
cies. The use of whole food concentrate products since 1999, teaching the importance of real food for optimal health. In
like Drenamin to support the function of the ad- 2002 she established Biodynamic Wellness where she and her staff spe-
renal glands and Ovex P to supply precursors for cialize in nutritional and biotherapeutic drainage therapies to support
the production of progesterone are also superb gut/bowel and digestive disorders, detoxification, mindful preconception,
options. All of these should be used under the hormonal imbalances, ADD/ADHD challenges, and children’s health
guidance of a trained health care practitioner. concerns. Additionally, Kim serves on the Board of Directors for the
WAPF and co-serves as the WAPF San Diego chapter leader.
KEEP MOVING!
Don’t forget the importance of regular REFERENCES
exercise. The best exercise is the one you will 1. Personal conversation with Louisa Williams, MSc, DC, ND in November 2017.
Steicher, Lauren. Buyer Beware: “Bioidentical” Hormone Myths. November 9, 2011.
2.
do. Exercise stimulates the lymphatic system doctoroz.com/blog/lauren-streicher-md/buyer-beware-bioidentical-hormones-myths.
as well as the lungs and cardiovascular system. 3. Rossouw JE, et al. Risks and benefits of estrogen plus progestin in healthy postmenopausal
women: principal results From the Women's Health Initiative randomized controlled trial.
Exercise relieves stress as well. Find a routine JAMA. 2002. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/12117397/
you enjoy and stay with it. Don’t be afraid to try 4. Guyton, Arthur & Hall, John. Textbook of Medical Physiology. Tenth Edition. Philadel-
new activities. Variety eliminates boredom. 5. phia: W.B. Saunders Company, 2000.
Williams, Louisa. Radical Medicine: Cutting-Edge Natural Therapies That Treat the
Root Causes of Disease. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press, 2011.
SLEEP RESTFULLY 6. BioFoundations. Enhancing the Six Phase II Detoxification Pathways by Consuming the
Necessary Nutrients. Interdiscip Toxicol 2013;6(4):159-184.
Sleep is one of the most restorative therapies 7. Seneff, Stephanie and Anthony Samsel. Glyphosate, pathways to modern disease II: Celiac
we have and it costs us absolutely nothing! 8. sprue and gluten intolerance. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3945755/
Campbell-McBride, Natasha, Certified GAPS Practitioner Training. Dallas. November
Before you grab for that bottle of melatonin, 2011.
understand how the production of melatonin 9. Wiley, T.S. Lights Out: Sleep, Sugar, and Survival. New York, NY: Pocket Books, 2000.
works. The hormones melatonin and prolactin 10. Ibid.
11. Thom, Dickson. UNDA Numbers: An Energetic Journey to Homeostasis and Wellness.
are the drivers of our biological clocks. Melato- Scottsdale, AZ: JELD Publishing, 2013.
nin production by the pineal gland is stimulated 12. Wiley, T.S. Lights Out: Sleep, Sugar, and Survival. New York, NY: Pocket Books, 2000.

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