Many women are surprised to learn that coming off birth control doesn’t mean their cycle immediately goes back to normal. Many women suffer from post-pill amenorrhea, or lack of period, and while experts say that it can take between three and six months for your period to become regular again, amenorrhea can last even longer for some women.

“The birth control pill causes women to produce estrogen, testosterone and progesterone levels that are in the menopausal range,” says Dr. Prudence Hall of the Hall Center. “This is because the pill stops the brain from talking to the ovary. It takes time for the brain to reconnect to the ovary to tell it to resume ovulation, which is what brings on the menstrual periods.”

While you don’t need to worry about it if your period doesn’t come back straight away, not getting your period usually means that your estrogen levels are low, and this can be cause for concern.

“Low estrogen can cause depression, anxiety, high blood sugar, brain fog, increased weight, low sex drive, hair loss and many other side effects,” says Hall.

For many women, letting nature take its course is enough, but there are a few foods you can add to your diet that you can make to overcome post-birth control amenorrhea more quickly.

1. Fennel

Naturopathic Doctor Lynn Anderson recommends adding fennel to your diet to stimulate or regulate menstruation, as it contains emenagogue, a substance that stimulates or increases the menstrual flow.

She suggests making a tea from fresh fennel or adding the vegetable to soups or stews.

2. Herbs

Parsley also contains emenagogue, and it is also a folk remedy often associated with overcoming post-pill amenorrhea.

“Although there is no scientific evince for its use, there is plenty of folk medicine literature touting it as a great herb for many uses including stimulating the menstrual flow,” says Anderson.

She also notes that other herbs, such as basil, rosemary, sage, marjoram and oregano, can be effective.

Naturopathic doctor Serena Goldstein, meanwhile, recommends several other herbs, including vitex (chasteberry), partridge berry, mugwort, black cohosh, blue cohosh, and angelica sinensis.

“These can all help tonify the system and promote blood flow,” says Goldstein.

She does note that these are best used under the guidance of a professional, as hormonal imbalances can stem from different causes, and certain herbs can interact with drugs.

3. Flax Seeds

Flax seeds — like nuts, avocado, chia seeds, and olive oil — are a great source of healthy fats. They also contain omega-3 fatty acids — which you’ll also find in evening oil of primrose. These nutrients can help promote healthy hormone balance.

Goldstein also notes the importance of promoting gut health when trying to overcome post-pill amenorrhea. Fiber-rich flax seeds can help remove excess hormones and achieve gut balance.

4. Supplements

Certain supplements have been associated with regaining a regular menstrual cycle, such as B vitamins, zinc, and magnesium. However, Goldstein also recommends working with your cycle when supplementing.

She suggests taking a good B-complex vitamin, fish oil, and ground flax or chia seeds in the first half of the cycle (new moon to full moon) and evening primrose and ground sesame or sunflower seeds the second half of the cycle are (full moon to new moon).

5. Salmon

Not only is salmon a great source of healthy fats and omega-3s, but it also contains vitamin B, which helps support hormone production, liver health, and adrenal health, according to Goldstein.

“Oral contraceptives deplete B vitamins, which are incredibly important in our biochemical reactions, especially pertaining to hormone health, mood, and weight,” she notes.

6. Grass-Fed Red Meat

Red meat is a great source of iron, which can help with blood production, according to Goldstein.

7. Oysters

Oysters are rich in zinc, which is an important mineral for balancing hormones. Experts suggest ensuring you get at least 40 mg of zinc daily.

8. Full-Fat Dairy

Studies have shown that women who eat full-fat dairy are less likely to have ovulatory disorders than those who consume low-fat or nonfat dairy. In 2007, research from the Nurses Health Study showed intake of high-fat dairy food may decrease the risk of anovulatory infertility.

Walter Willett, M.D., told Fit Pregnancy that while the reasons behind this remain unclear to the medical community, “We know that full-fat dairy foods convey the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. Skimming the fat from dairy also removes these hormones, which are attached to fat. Left behind are androgens, or male hormones. When male hormones are unchecked by female hormones, ovulation is impaired.”

Foods to Avoid

There are also a few foods to avoid if you want to get your period back, namely inflammatory foods like wheat, gluten, grains, and processed foods of any kind.

“Removing inflammatory foods to help support the body to restore its natural physiological function can be very beneficial and therefore removing gluten containing foods, grains, and sugar is enhancing that innate process,” explains Hall.

“According to Alessio Fasano, MD from Massachusetts General Hospital, arguably the foremost gastrointestinal specialist in the world, humans cannot properly digest gluten because we do not make the enzymes to break it down,” she continues. “Regardless of whether you are allergic or intolerant to foods that contain gluten, ingesting such foods releases inflammatory compounds that get released into the blood stream and stay elevated for approximately 2 hours in everybody.”

Lifestyle Changes for Overcoming Post-Pill Amenorrhea

There are a few things that you can try aside from diet modifications as well: being sure to get eight hours of sleep a night, stepping back your exercise regimen, acupuncture, yoga, and meditation can all contribute to getting your cycle back on track.

“Our body is a complex structure, so integrated care is certainly beneficial in helping get her period back,” notes Goldstein. “Physical medicine like chiropractic and massage are also wonderful healing modalities to work on structure and alignment. There’s also something innately healing about another human touch. Meditation and yoga are also great to help calm the system, which encourages the body to make reproductive hormones (instead of using resources for more cortisol, aka our stress hormone).”

Anderson also recommends aromatherapy to help overcome post-pill amenorrhea.

“Using fennel, chamomile lavender or mugwort essential oils mixed with carrier oil such as sweet almond oil with a massage is the common use,” she says.

Of course, there are occasionally more complex reasons why a woman may not be getting her period.

“The pill suppresses hormone production, so her body is getting used to making those hormones again,” says Goldstein. “If the reason for why she was put on the pill was not corrected, then she may experience the same concerns upon getting off the pill because the problem was tempo ‘solved’ temporarily. It could also mean that there was an underlying condition that was not yet addressed.”

These reasons can include stress, a thyroid condition, blood sugar issues, high prolactin, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, under- or overweight, pregnancy, premature ovarian failure, and excessive exercise. Be sure to remain in contact with your doctor or healthcare professional to ensure that you’re not overlooking a bigger issue in your quest to overcome post-pill amenorrhea.

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Organic cotton tampon delivery has the ability to take the inconvenience and health risks out of having your period, hopefully making that time of the month a tad less stressful, and whole lot better for your lady bits.

It’s ten o’clock on a Tuesday night. You’re standing in the checkout line clutching a box of tampons, a carton of ice cream, and a bottle of ibuprofen. Clad in your sweatpants and ratty old t-shirt, the only thing on your mind is the silent prayer you keep saying for the squares of tissue you folded up and placed into your underwear before your departure, hoping that it’s enough to absorb the flow until you can get to the nearest bathroom.

The scenario above is all too common, and if you’re a menstruating woman, then you can probably relate to the pain-in-the-assery that is your period. The last thing you want to be doing is winging it on the way to the drugstore because Aunt Flo came unexpectedly. And if you’re not one to stock up on hygiene products in advance, well, then you’re kinda screwed.

However, with the introduction of highly convenient monthly tampon delivery services, these trips to the store with makeshift pads can all be a thing of the past.

Aside from the alternatives, like reusable menstrual cups and washable liners, many women still prefer to stick with traditional pads and tampons. And while we have no problem with that, what we do have issues with are how these hygiene products are made.

The Huffington Post reminds us that our skin is the largest and thinnest organ in our bodies, making it highly permeable, especially in the vaginal area. Chemicals are easily absorbed into the bloodstream when being constantly exposed to a particular element, which is why choosing organic tampons and pads is the smarter way to go.

Chlorine bleach is a major component used to give these products their bright white color, and aside from the known materials and additives discovered from independent testing, like rayon, artificial fragrances, and pesticides, the contents of what you put in your most intimate areas remains largely undisclosed by the manufacturers. Rather than gamble with your health, it’s important to not only be informed, but to also choose certified organic products that are chlorine-free, dye-free, phthalate-free, and in some cases, completely biodegradable.

With organic tampon delivery services, and one less thing to worry about, you can have the best of both worlds.

1. CORA

This tampon delivery service offers a 100 percent organic cotton product in a, dare I say, chic and  modern stylish exterior. Biodegradable and hypoallergenic, the only downside to these tampons would have to be the plastic applicator (which they’ve kept for comfort), but a bio-based alternative is said to already be in the works. According to Cora’s site, the average woman uses more than 10,000 tampons in her lifetime, which gives us even more incentive to go organic.   

Cora’s cause is also admirable. Statistics show that when girls lack access to menstrual products around the world, it can cause them to miss school so often that they are in jeopardy of dropping out by the age of 14. For every month’s supply of Cora you receive, a month’s supply of sustainable pads will be donated to a girl in a developing country.

Prices range from $10 to $12, and your first order includes the starter kit, which consists of the little black box, little black clutch, and stowaways for a stylish take on your monthly period.  

2. Kali

“Friends don’t let friends use nonorganic tampons,” is Kali’s motto, and we like the way it sounds. Offering 100 percent organic tampons and pads, beyond the perks of a healthier hygiene product, this business also offers a charitable contribution. For every box purchased, $1 will be donated to Girl Up – a United Nations Foundation campaigning for the empowerment of girls everywhere.

You have a few different options from this company. Beyond offering just tampons or pads, you also have the choice of adding wipettes, panty liners, and a period pampering product. With a transparent ingredient list on the website for all of the products you may receive, and the option to substitute something else for the wipettes if the inclusion of fragrance bothers you, we really like the flexibility and disclosure this business offers.

Prices range from $15 to $19.95, depending on the options you wish to add.

3. LOLA

We’ve touched on this brand before, but now it looks as though Lola has gone organic! The tampon delivery service promises to be free of chemicals and dyes, and offers a customizable monthly assortment. Choose between regular tampons and applicator-free tampons, and the delivery frequency.

No frills, and also no pink, this product packaging is refreshing, and sort of serene. Or at least calming in a way where you know those frantic trips to the store are no longer needed. In addition to the health and convenience benefits, Lola also makes sure to give back. To date, this company has donated more than 100,000 feminine care products to low-income women and girls in the U.S.

Prices range from $8 to $10, depending on how many boxes you order at one time.

Have you given tampon delivery services a go? Let us know your thoughts on the EcoSalon Facebook page!

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The “Key & Peele” show doesn’t disappoint. And while I’ve always chuckled at the duo’s bits, this one about menstruation is so on point.

In the bit “Menstruation Orientation,” Key & Peele tell a room full of men about women’s periods. And I’ve got to admit — it very well may be better than any info guys get in sex ed. While the whole damn thing is hilarious, I’m a fan of this particular part: “We know you don’t want to hear about it, but they don’t want to have it!”

Word.

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We all get our period, so what’s with the 007 top secret missions to the bathroom?

Okay, I’ll admit: When I get my period, I’m not one to broadcast it. Not because I’m uncomfortable with it – you know, aside from the cramps, bloating, and the murderous amount of blood that could stain my jeans at any second – but because I’m uncomfortable with other people’s discomfort.

First, there’s the whole speaking in code thing: Aunt Flo’s in town, on the rag, riding the cotton pony, surfing the crimson tide, that time of the month, smoking a lady cigar, massacre at the Y, and my favorite: Rusty pipes. Meanwhile, the code words are worse than just saying you’re on your period.

Then there are the traumatizing tampon commercials we’ve been subjected to since the beginning of time: The white pants, the jumping off diving boards, the yoga, the woman at the party with the big, “I’m totally ovulating right now,” grin on her face. Yeah, okay society. Because that’s what it’s really like. The commercials are almost as patronizing as those vintage magazine ads where the woman’s vacuuming and basting a turkey. Vom. It.

We all get our period – so why don’t we start acting like it? I mean, it’s not like we need to walk around wearing an “I Heart Periods” sandwich board while throwing tampons around like confetti, but we do need to stop being so second grade about it in our everyday lives. Naamo Bloom, founder of HelloFlo, a subscription service aimed at making our periods a little less dreadful, has launched a new campaign to help us along.

She hopes that by using the hashtag #TamponLiberation, women everywhere will stop hiding their tampons up their sleeve, down their shirt, or in their back pocket when they have to use the bathroom at work or out on the town.

“While we don’t think that we’ll actually get women to start walking to the bathroom with their head held high and their tampon held higher,” Bloom wrote in an essay, “We do want to encourage women to think about why tampons, pads, menstrual cups, sponges, etc. are shrouded in such secrecy. What if we just treated them as the tools they are?”

Plus, if you take a picture of yourself with a tampon (or other menstrual product) and post it to social media using the hashtag #TamponLiberation, you’ll score this adorable uterus sticker:

Image: HelloFlo

Those of us steering clear of the more “traditional” products – which are taking up an unthinkable amount of space in North American landfills and may contain illness-causing chemicals – have an even greater responsibility to talk proudly about our Diva Cups and Dear Kate underwear and banish the stigma of ickiness that surrounds the (gasp!) reusable options available in the marketplace.

Will you be joining the #TamponLiberation?

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ColumnIt’s reader letter time again! Today’s topics: period sex, shame and (the glories of) female masturbation.

I Don’t Want to Have Sex on My Period

Dear Stefanie,

I am in my mid-twenties and in a somewhat new relationship (five months). We have a great sex life, mostly – he’s a good lover and has helped me to relax in bed. I don’t mind how high his sex drive is most of the time – it makes me feel wanted. However, he wants to have sex when I’m on my period! GROSS. I’m not even ready to burp in front of this guy, and he wants to us to just put a towel on the bed and go to town. He even told me he wants to get his “red wings.” I feel like certain things should be private, especially in a new relationship. Won’t all the mystery be gone if our bodily functions are on display like that? How do I tell him that I don’t want him anywhere near me when I’m on the rag? Seriously – all I want to do is eat ice cream and watch Netflix – sexy time is not on my mind. Is he going to dump me because I’m not as sexually voracious as he is?

Sincerely,

My Bloody Valentine

Dear Bloody,

Before we talk about how miraculous your bloody vagina truly is, let’s talk about why you’re so worried about being dumped. That feels like the heart of your letter – so let’s tease apart where the insecurity comes from. You say that your boyfriend, bless his horny little heart, has helped you relax in bed – a tacit admission that you needed some relaxin’. At the same time, as in everything related to sexuality, consent is at the heart. If something makes you uncomfortable, you should NEVER feel any pressure to perform. On the lifelong journey that is sexual discovery, you’re right at the beginning, and there is no shame in that. Your boyfriend clearly wants you – he wants you all the time. But remember that his desire for you shouldn’t be the arbiter of whether or not you feel desirable. At some point you’ll discover that you are always desirable, despite your partner’s predilections. If he should ever get the proverbial “not now honey” headache, it doesn’t mean you’re any less sexy.

Now on to the bloody bits. We women are unfortunately trained to believe that our periods are gross, shameful, and should be banished to the metaphorical menstrual hut. The Western version of this is the tampon commercial with a smiling young woman in white stretch jeans riding a horse, erasing the evidence of the natural bodily process taking place. We’re told to pretend we’re pure and clean, and to hide the fact that our uterus must shed its lining approximately every twenty-eight days. But life is dirty, bodies are messy, and there’s no reason to be ashamed. Menstruation is a normal fact of life during our reproductive years, and there is nothing gross about it. In fact, it’s fairly magical. The ancients certainly thought so. Make it your business to figure out why you associate words like “gross” with your magical, mystical, life-giving period.

Feeling like you want to mainline Chubby Hubby and binge-watch “House of Cards” is perfectly normal, but feeling like you are “gross” is not. You do not have to ride a horse in white stretch jeans, because you may feel like crap. But did you know that orgasm is one of the best treatments for menstrual cramps? You can always give yourself one, but eventually you may feel ready to let your boyfriend help you with that process. Go slow, communicate, and explore your boundaries, always keeping a pint of Ben and Jerry’s at arm’s reach.

I Don’t Know How to Masturbate. Really. 

Dear Stefanie,

I came late to masturbation – LOL. But seriously, I didn’t start until I was 18, and I’m 23 now. I shared a bedroom with my older sister growing up, and there was no privacy in there. I must have been about 12 the one time I tried to do it under the covers while I thought she was sleeping, but she said “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” and that nipped it in the bud. We only had one bathroom, and I was forever being pressured to hurry the hell up, so it was a miracle if I got my contact lenses in – there was no time for self-pleasure. Since then, I’ve tried using my hand, a sex toy someone gifted me in college, and the faucet in the shower, but something seems to be wrong. It takes a really long time to bring myself to orgasm, and sometimes I can’t get there at all. I don’t have a crazy sex life, but when I do hook up, I probably come 2 out of every 10 times, and just barely. Is there something wrong with my clitoris, vagina, or brain? I am not a dummy – I have read everything there is to read about the way these body parts are connected, yet still – I believe masturbation/orgasms could be so much better, more efficient, and satisfying in general.

I Touch Myself (and nothing happens)

Dear Touch,

You are a smart cookie, and I like your sass – you know that self-pleasure is just as important as partner-pleasure. Good on you. First, it doesn’t sound like there is anything physically wrong with you, as you can orgasm – it’s just harder to get there and it doesn’t happen as often as you want it to. However, if you haven’t talked to your friendly neighborhood gynecologist about this – I would encourage you to take advantage of Obamacare and get your feet in some stirrups. My suspicion is that this all goes back to sharing a room with your sister and being rushed out of the bathroom by your family. Experiences like this can imprint our young brains with a major shame tattoo, and lasering that sucker off can take some work. Every time you considered pleasuring yourself, you didn’t even have a safe space in which to contemplate doing so. Most people experience shame associated with masturbation, thanks to culture and family. You had that typical shame, and then your sister yelled at you for touching yourself when you were young and impressionable. The extreme lack of privacy in your house made you feel like you’d be found out at any moment, and stopped you from experiencing a normal, healthy relationship with your body.

What’s your living situation now? Do you have a roommate? Are you still feeling privacy pressure? If you live with other people but have your own room, make sure there’s a robust lock on your door, to start. Worried about making too much noise? That’s what SoundCloud is for – crank it up. Could it be a time of day thing? Many people masturbate right before bed, but you might be exhausted and your body just isn’t in the mood to respond. Try changing up your timing – first thing in the morning, perhaps? You didn’t mention fantasies in your letter – that’s an important part of the masturbation matrix. Are you letting your mind wander where it wants to? Explore that, because it could be stymieing you. If your fantasy life seems to be functioning fine, it may be a matter of finding the sweet spot, so to speak. For many women, there is a very sensitive part of the clitoris – the upper left quadrant. See if you can locate this spot, and apply different kinds of pressure there – either with your finger or a toy. This might feel clinical at first, but it’s worth it. There are some excellent clitoral stimulators on the market – don’t be afraid to visit your local sex shop to find out what’s best for your needs. If you haven’t already come across (LOL) her work, Betty Dodson is the queen of all things masturbation — she is the pioneer on this subject and she’s still going.

Finally, and this might feel like a brave leap – might you consider Orgasmic Meditation? It’s a liberating tool that can help you bypass a lot of the stress and shame of “finding your orgasm.”

In closing, some wisdom from Lydia Lunch: “Pleasure is the ultimate rebellion.”

Love,

Stefanie

Got a question for Stefanie? Email stefanie@ecosalon.com and she’ll answer it in the next Sexual Healing column.

Keep in touch with Stefanie on Twitter: @ecosexuality

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The post Reader Questions Answered on Period Sex and (Gasp) Female Masturbation: Sexual Healing appeared first on EcoSalon.

For most women, that time of the month isn’t a favorite, but this hilarious video might just convince you that it’s not so bad. 

Why make a funny music video (below) about periods? Lena D, who put this project together, writes on her YouTube page, “The goal of this song is to reduce shame and embarrassment that women feel regarding their time of month.” I dare you not to get the catchy tune stuck in your head. 

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It’s time we learn to take care of our period properly. Goodbye tampons. Ladies, meet the Diva Cup.

Do you know what’s in your tampon? Neither do we. By law, the FDA doesn’t require the ingredients of tampons to be listed anywhere on the package, inside or out. And, although it seems like a no-brainer, no feminine product is required to be sterilized.

Not only do we not know what is actually in our tampons, they don’t even work well. Sixty percent of women experience leaks regularly when using tampons or pads during their period. Gross! Turns out the leaky side effect isn’t us doing something wrong, it’s the unreliable products we’re using. Thankfully, there is another reliable, clean and effective option, and it’s called the Diva Cup.

What The Heck Is A Diva Cup?

The Diva Cup is a bell shaped cup designed to fit inside your vagina and catch your menstrual waste. You might be thinking “that’s gross” and initially I agreed with you. The Diva Cup sounded a little too hippie at first, but I was fed up with dreading the cumbersome period maintenance while balancing my everyday activities–so I gave it a try.

The Diva Cup is made with medical grade silicon and it’s latex-free–so you don’t have to worry about any weird chemical leaching or getting the dreaded toxic shock syndrome. It isn’t clunky or uncomfortable because the soft silicon material softens from your body heat and forms perfectly to your inner alls. And above all, it really works! The Diva Cup promises (and delivers) 12 hours of leak free protection. Just take it out 2-3 times daily, rinse, and reinsert–and that’s it!

By using the Diva Cup you also significantly reduce waste. In the United States alone, 12 billion disposable pads and tampons are thrown out each year! The Diva Cup will probably save you about $150 a year by not using disposable products.  Also, it’s safe: The Diva Cup is the only reusable menstrual cup approved for sale by Canada’s governmental health department, Health Canada.

Shopping For A Diva Cup

Since the first time I used it, I’ve been completely hooked. All the discomfort from a tampon or pad is gone, replaced with the feeling of nothing. The Diva Cup is truly invisible and unnoticeable.  You can keep it in for a full day of work or activity and clean it ever 8-12 hours. And when you are done, you just boil the cup to sanitize.

Shopping for a Diva Cup is simple: there are two sizes 1, pre-childbirth and 2 post-childbirth. That’s it–no gimmicky marketing tactics, simple and to the point. You can pick them up at your local Whole Foods, or order one online.

As a culture, we should be able to talk and teach women about our period–it’s something we all go through. And the Diva Cup has literally changed my, and all girlfriends, lives.

Do you use the Diva Cup? Tell us in the comments below!

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The post Dread Getting Your Period? Ladies, Meet The Diva Cup appeared first on EcoSalon.

Who needs a small bag when you’ve got a pantry?

The most potent and effective remedies are often the natural ones already hanging out in the pantry. Aside from the remedy-specific nature of the following 10 homemade teas, one of the most exciting thing about them is that they don’t require a tea bag! Your spice cabinet, fresh ginger root, some green herbs, a few fruits and vegetables, and honey are all that stand between you and an elixir to treating a pesky ailment – 10 of them, to be more exact.

To put together the following recipes, make sure to mix them until evenly combined and let the teas involving herbs or fruit to steep for several minutes before drinking. Sweeten as you see fit and enjoy!

Morning Liver Tonic

When you wake up in the morning, you’re body is in a very special place. The reason we are usually instructed to take supplements in the morning is because our stomachs are empty and there is little to interfere with said supplements’ potency. This morning tea pulls you out on the right side of the bed, giving a morning cleansing body flush. The lemon juice is highly alkaline and turmeric is known for its detoxifying properties.

Turmeric dates back 2,500 years in India, where it is commonly used in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine. Turmeric packs a lot of health benefits, but for our purposes it should be regarded as a liver cleanser, antiseptic and antibacterial agent. But it doesn’t hurt that the spice lowers the risk of cancer, is anti-inflammatory and helps to lose weight. Turmeric additionally treats Alzheimer’s, depression and arthritis.

You can sweeten with honey to balance the earthiness of the tea.

The Formula:

• 8 ounces hot water
• 1/8 teaspoon turmeric
• Juice of 1/2 lemon

Deep Sleep Tea

Wind down at the end of the day with a tea that promotes a deep, comfortable sleep. Chamomile is a great stress reliever and has a calming effect on the body. It has been used for thousands of years to help people around the world get some shut eye, and a Japanese study put some legitimacy behind this widespread observation when it noticed that rats fed chamomile fell asleep just as quickly as those given a tranquilizer. Ginger is anti-inflammatory and helps to clear mucous from your passageways, allowing for more effective breathing and hence a more pleasant sleep.

The Formula:

• 8 ounces hot water
• Dried chamomile flowers to fill one sachet
• 1/2-inch nob of fresh ginger, crushed

Detox Elixir

Holding a bit more weight than you’d like? Cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and lemon join forces to rev up your metabolism and get your body back in shape. Cayenne pepper warms the body, speeding metabolism and burning more calories. Cinnamon reduces blood sugar and LDL (bad) cholesterol as well as boosts metabolism and increases insulin levels. Lemon packs some flavor and added cleansing power.

The Formula:

• 8 ounces hot water
• 2 dashes cayenne pepper
• 1 cinnamon stick (or 2 dashes cinnamon powder)
• Juice of 1/2 lemon

Immune Booster Tea

Oranges are packed with vitamin C, a known antioxidant that may help protect your body from cell damage and boost resilience from disease and illness. Cinnamon and honey both have antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, which means they are effective in warding off infections. Mint not only brings a fresh aroma, but it’s a leafy green that carries with it antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that keep you healthy.

The Formula:

• 8 ounces hot water
• Juice of 1/2 orange
• 1 cinnamon stick (or 2 dashes cinnamon powder)
• 1 teaspoon high-quality (raw) honey
• 4-5 mint leaves, muddled

Beautiful Skin Tea

This may seem like an unlikely concoction, but it’s actually quite delightful! Carrot juice is packed with beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A, an essential part of skin health. Sage inhibits the growth of bacteria and has anti-inflammatory properties. Cayenne contains vitamins A and C, which help to absorb free radicals that break down your skin’s collagen.

Warm this recipe, without bringing it to a simmer. You want to retain the carrot juice’s potency.  Let the leaves sit in the juice for a bit before drinking so that their flavors become infused into the tea.

The Formula:

• 8 ounces warmed carrot juice
• 2 sage leaves
• Dash of cayenne

Brain Power Formula

Blueberries contain anthocyanins and flavanols, which are able to cross the blood-brain barrier. These antioxidants rid the brain of free radicals, which can otherwise lead to oxidation, memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease. Ginger is commonly used to stave off migraines and basil naturally reduces tension and fatigue in the brain and mind.

The Formula:

• 8 ounces hot water
• 1/2-inch nob fresh ginger, crushed
• 1 tablespoon fresh blueberries, muddled
• 3-4 leaves fresh basil, muddled

Regularity Tonic

This tonic is geared towards those of you with difficulty digesting. The taste of this tea is very comforting and earthy. The pear and apple slices bring pectin to the mix, and pectin acts as soluble dietary fiber in humans. It helps promote healthy digestion, prevents diarrhea and constipation, and reduces the risk of colon and gastrointestinal tract cancers. Purple grapes contain quercetin, a plant pigment that contributes to healthy digestion, while cinnamon warms and stimulates metabolism.

The Formula:

• 8 ounces hot water
• 2 small slices of pear
• 2 small slices of apple
• 4-5 purple grapes, muddled
• Dash of cinnamon

Lady’s Tonic

For that time of month, this raspberry ginger tonic is just what the doctor ordered. Raspberries are a uterine tonic, relaxing and toning the uterine muscles as needed. The fruit is also beneficial during pregnancy, easing morning sickness, stabilizing digestion, and soothing the pelvic area. According to a 2009 study, women who take a dosage of ginger for three days from day one of their period witnesses the same pain relief as those who treated their menstrual cramps with ibuprofen.

The Formula:

• 8 ounces hot water
• 6-8 raspberries, muddled
• 1/4-inch fresh ginger

Aches and Pains Relieving Tea

Feeling sore as the Winter nears? Be ready to combat the worsening of your symptoms with a tea that cleanses your joints and puts them at ease. Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, a compound that makes cayenne spicy. It lowers the levels of a chemical that relays pain signals to your brain. Fresh ginger and cardamom have both long been used in Ayurvedic medicine to reduce joint pain and inflammation.

The Formula:

• 8 ounces hot water
• Dash of cayenne
• 4-5 cardamom pods, crushed
• 1/2-inch fresh ginger, muddled

Nausea-Be-Gone Tonic

This recipe uses the soothing and potent effects of basil and honey to rid you of stomach pains, nausea, and vomiting symptoms. It is refreshing just as much as it is energizing, which will help to reverse your symptoms and keep you alert and feeling good.

The Formula:

• 8 ounces hot water
• 3-4 basil leaves, muddled
• 1 teaspoon of high-quality (raw) honey

Images: Aylin Erman, Steven Jackson, Leszet Lezsczynski, Cthoyes, Jennuine Captures, CLC Photography, Simply Bike, Clyde Robinson, Kodamakitty, Michael Newman, Cinnamon Cooper

Aylin Erman currently resides in Istanbul and is creator of plant-based recipe website GlowKitchen.

The post 10 Healthy Tea Elixirs You Can Make Yourself appeared first on EcoSalon.

Cinnamon steps out of its fragrant box.

Nothing reminds us of the holidays quite like cinnamon does. But why restrict the aroma to Christmas cookies and wreath decorations? Cinnamon is one of the world’s oldest-known spices and is regarded to have healing properties by many cultures. Many of its benefits derive from the spice’s anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and antioxidant prowess.

Cinnamon is no joke – it’s quite potent and can take your health to the next level. Whether you smell it, ingest it, or apply it, the health benefits of cinnamon are very real and more than skin deep. Try to incorporate it into your everyday routine to reap the most benefits. Not sure where to start? Follow one of the following 20 tips to get you going.

Brain Power Booster

It was found that smelling cinnamon boosts cognitive function and memory. Carry a cinnamon stick around with you, and take a whiff every so often to keep you focused at work or school. Or, add a few dashes of cinnamon to your morning coffee or cereal to get your day off to a more focused and alert start.

Potpourri

Take a few drops of essential oil of cinnamon and sprinkle them atop dry potpourri. Place the potpourri in a small bowl and station it somewhere that gets good ventilation so that the aroma can spread – in the kitchen, near doorways, or atop the radiator. The room will carry with it a subtle hint of cinnamon that will offer you some year-round comfort.

Cholesterol Reducer

In a Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center study conducted over 40 days on a group of diabetic patients, each of whom were given one-quarter of a teaspoon of cinnamon daily, researchers observed that their triglycerides, cholesterol, and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels dropped.

Pain Reliever

Cinnamon is used to treat pain because it reacts with the hormone-like substance prostaglandin, which contributes to the contraction and relaxation of muscles.

Moth Repellant

Break 3-4 cinnamon sticks and combine them with 1/2 cup of whole cloves and 1/2 cup whole black peppercorns. Fill sachets with 1 tablespoon of the mixture and toss the sachets in your underwear drawer or hang them in your closets to ward off pesky moths.

Diabetes Treatment

In the same Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center conducted a study on diabetic patients, whom were each given one-quarter of a teaspoon of cinnamon over 40 days, researchers observed that patients’ blood sugar levels fell as much as 30 percent. In another study, published by Fertility and Sterility in 2007, researchers gave half of the participants cinnamon extract and the other half a placebo. Over an 8-week period, the women who took the cinnamon extract showed greatly reduced insulin resistance compared to the placebo group.

Weight Loss

Because of cinnamon’s effectiveness in reducing insulin resistance – research by the Human Nutrition Center at Tufts reports that cinnamon triples insulin’s capacity to metabolize blood sugar – the spice can thus reduce hunger and sugar cravings, which leads to weight loss. Especially for those living with diabetes and find it hard to lose weight, cinnamon is a welcome tool.

Menstrual Aid

Cinnamon has been used for centuries to help women with heavy menstrual bleeding, whether it be due to endometriosis, uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, or primary menorrhagia as well as a result of childbirth, miscarriage, or any other fertility condition.

Circulation Booster

Cinnamon is commonly used to thin blood, which in turn increases circulation throughout the body. This not only helps to reduce pain in troubled areas but promises that oxygen is being supplied to the blood cells. Cinnamon is also a great dietary complement for heart attack survivors.

Arthritis Pain Reducer

In a 2008 study published in the journal, Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry, researchers discovered that cinnamon slowed down the breaking down of bones and ultimately reduced bone damage.

Complexion Enhancer

Due to its anti-fungal and anti-bacterial qualities as well as its antioxidant power, cinnamon is effective in treating acne and skin blemishes. Mix 1 teaspoon of powdered cinnamon with 3 tablespoons of honey, apply to the skin, and let the mixture sit for a few hours or overnight. Wash off with warm water.

Mouth Freshener

Given its fresh and fragrant aroma, cinnamon is commonly used to fight bad breath. You can either chew on small pieces of cinnamon bark or gargle cinnamon water to prepare for a hot date or cleanse the palette.

Light Bulb Diffuser

Here’s a creative, no-fuss way to bring the cinnamon scent to a room. Simply put one drop of essential oil of cinnamon on a cool light bulb. When you turn the lights on, the heat from the bulb will emanate the aroma throughout the room.

Bladder Infection

Urinary tract infections and bladder infection can be avoided with the consumption of cinnamon, which packs an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal punch. Cinnamon is also a diuretic and contributes to urinary discharge.

Digestive Aid

Cinnamon helps to break down fats during digestion. The spice contains volatile oil, which is the main player in this process. Add a bit of cinnamon to a heavy dish and you will be doing your body a favor. If the spice doesn’t complement the dish, a half an hour prior to eating, sip on tea water spiced with a few dashes of cinnamon and a teaspoon of honey. The concoction will sooth your digestive system and get it ready for what’s to come.

Insect Bite Treatment

A mixture of cinnamon and honey applied to a skin irritation will help to alleviate the pain and itching. The duo will disinfect the infected area and moisturize and heal it. No need to layer on the dangerous chemicals when you have this natural remedy!

Cold and Flu Reliever

Cinnamon is commonly used across East Asia and Europe as a warming herb for conditions involving the body to become cold. In these cases, cinnamon is combined with ginger to treat a cold or flu.

Stomach Soother

A combination of honey and cinnamon is known to help relieve stomachache. The pair – which are packed with anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties – not only treats ulcers but also reduces gas in the stomach.

Food Preservative

If you add cinnamon to any recipe, it actually helps to prevent the spoiling of the food by delaying bacterial growth.

Yeast Infection Fighter

Cinnamon can be used to stop medication-resistant yeast infections. High blood sugar levels can lead to candida overgrowth, and cinnamon is helpful in lowering blood sugar levels. Cinnamon’s anti-fungal properties are also helpful in combating the effects of a yeast infection. So if the meds aren’t working, try adding extra cinnamon to your diet.

*Precautions: For those of you who are pregnant or lactating, refrain from using medicinal doses of cinnamon or cinnamon bark. Cinnamon tea should also be avoided by those suffering from ulcers. Essential oil of cinnamon is toxic when consumed beyond a certain amount and is best used topically or on external objects for aroma purposes. And be careful when it comes to applying cinnamon to the skin – some people are sensitive to it. Test a small section of skin prior to any treatment.

Aylin Erman currently resides in Istanbul and is creator of plant-based recipe website GlowKitchen.

Images: Baking in Pearls, MadMup, ShellyS, Kastner, Ed Yourdon, Luke Roberts, Gustavo, Rachel Ford James

The post 20 Unusual Ways to Use Cinnamon appeared first on EcoSalon.

Dr. Northrop believes that menstruation is a time for women to let go of all of their emotional junk for the month. It is a clearing out time, and a time for letting go. Dr. Northrop also believes that peri-menopause is also a time for women to complete many of our lifelong issues – that it is a time to really listen to our bodies and ourselves.

The problem is that most of us don’t really listen to our bodies. We don’t allow a time for physically turning in during menstruation. We often do not slow down – and take the time to listen to what our bodies are telling us. And some of us chemically alter our bodies through birth control pills – so we don’t even get the opportunity to tune into the wisdom of our bodies-because we alter the cycles. Often there is no menstruation for women on the pill. Menstruation is seen as something to avoid instead of nature’s way of letting us take stock of where we are, and then letting go.

For those of us struggling with infertility – menstruation can also be a reminder of failure. A sign of loss, instead of a chance to begin again with something fresh. We begin to view our menstruation as something awful and full of pain.

I have begun to tune into my body in a new way. So much of how we manage the cycles of our bodies is how we frame things in our minds. So, instead of thinking about menstruation as an inconvenience or a marker of some kind of failure – try thinking of that time of the month as a meditation of the mind and body. A spring cleaning that our bodies gift us with to renew our spirits and start fresh. Perhaps if we made time to rest during our menstruation and to take long walks instead of powering through our menstruation and ignoring it – we would gain great wisdom from our bodies.

Article by Pamela Madsen for DivineCaroline. First published January 2010.

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Image: Dmitry Skurnyagin

The post 4 Things I’ve Learned From My Period appeared first on EcoSalon.