BLESSED THISTLE is native to the Mediterranean area and Asia Minor and is so-called because it was believed in ancient times to have supernatural powers. Today it is cultivated in many areas of the world due to its long history as a tonic which helps with digestion, blood circulation, and liver problems. It is also used to regulate a woman's hormonal balance, to relieve menstrual cramps, and to increase and enrich a mother's milk.

DONG QUAI from China has long been regarded as helping with almost every complaint of the female system and is renowned as the "queen" of female herbs. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is often referred to as the "female ginseng" and is believed to have a balancing or adaptogenic effect on the female hormonal system. Dong Quai appears to help regulate estrogen usage and is often prescribed for menstrual problems.

WILD YAM is found in the U.S.A., Central and South America, and Asia. The root is used medicinally and treats a very wide variety of ailments, including female disorders for which it is very well known. As it contains diogensin, a procurer of Progesterone, Wild Yam is a popular choice for treating menstrual problems. It is also known to relieve some symptoms related to menopause.

FENNEL was a renowned medicinal plant in ancient times and was believed to have magical properties. It appears prominently in the folklore of many countries and has been shown to possess diuretic, choleretic, pain reducing, fever reducing, appetite suppressing, and antimicrobial properties. Fennel is also known to improve digestion, help move waste material out of the body, and to help with lactation.

SOYA is one of the world's most valued foods. It contains isoflavones, genistein and daidzein, which appear to inhibit the growth of cancer cells in laboratory cultures. It contains phytoestrogens which may bind to pre-cancerous cells and inhibit their development, and also may help to prevent bone loss in menopausal women and lessen hot flashes, night sweats, breast tenderness, headaches and nausea. Soya is generally known to help with balancing the female system.

BLACK COHOSH is native to North America and was very valued by Native Americans, cohosh being an Algonquin word meaning rough, a reference to its gnarly root structure. It was used for many and various conditions, ranging from rattlesnake bites to gynecological problems. Today it is recognised as a treatment for hot flashes associated with the menopause. It is also an abundant source of estrogenic substances.

RED RASPBERRY is widely cultivated and is one of the most popular female herbs. It has been used by women for centuries as a general tonic and as a support to the reproductive system, especially during pregnancy, when it strengthens the tissues of the womb, increases lactation, and eases nausea caused by morning sickness. Red raspberry also relieves excess menstrual bleeding and helps activate enzymes needed for production of hormones.

FENUGREEK is undoubtedly one of the oldest cultivated medicinal plants and in ancient time had a wide variety of medicinal uses. It was native to the Mediterranean area, but today is cultivated in many parts of the world. The seeds are used medicinally and continue to be put to a wide variety of uses, leading to a reputation for versatility. Fenugreek contains diosgenin which is known to help with progesterone balancing.

PARA TODA is found in the rain forest of Brazil and when introduced to the U.S.A was tagged "Brazilian Ginseng." One of the most highly regarded herbs in South America, it is considered to be a true adaptogen. It helps to support the immune system and helps the body to adapt to many environmental and psychological stresses. It enhances the body's production of estrogen if body stores are depleted.

DAMIANA was well known to the Mayan civilisation of the Yucatan as a source of special health benefits. Today it is found in the U.S.A., Central and South America, and the West Indies, and is particularly widely used in the Latin American cultures, where it is often used by women for hormone balancing, hot flashes, infertility, and menopausal problems. It is also strongly reputed to help with restoring the sexual capacities in women.