Herbs synergistic with oxytocin.

Newsgroups: alt.folklore.herbs
From: hrbmoore.rt66.com (Michael Moore)
Date: 07 Dec 1995 08:35:42 GMT
Subject: Re: oxytocin & herbs

> Hi I am looking for info on herbs and ocytocin. I had a miscarriage on the 21st and my MD says my uterus is still a bit enlarged. does any one have any info on herbs used to shrink one's uterus after birth or miscarriage? I was at 10 weeks gestation.

I know of three herbs that are SYNERGESTIC with oxytocin (no herb contains the ACTUAL posterior pituitary hormone ... and if it did, the stomach would break it down anyway).

1) Cotton Root Bark (fresh preparations are almost mandatory). This can be of a domestic cotton (grown w/out herbicides or defoliants) or Wild Cotton (one found in Arizona, several others native to Mexico). For some reason this herb has gotten a reputation as being dangerous ... it is about as bioactive as Alfalfa tea, unless there are native oxytocin reactions (in either sex). This would make it a bit inappropriate in pregancy and a few idiosyncratic reproductive disorders, but otherwise it doesn't do SQUAT. It will increase the RESPONSE to pituitary oxytocin, but will have no effect in the absence of native oxytocin (this was shown in a WHO 1980 study I was involved in) ... I also have observed it to seemingly increase the response to VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide) ... but that's another story. The constituents in the root have NO relationship to the seed substance, gossypol, which was involved in some well-publicized anti-fertility clinical work a few years ago. WHY the root works has puzzled pharmacologist from time to time ... it works, but HOW and from WHAT is unknown (MY kind of plant) ... and so every few decades it gets studied and scrapped ... nothing patentable in it. It works VERY well. As to locating a source, Eclectic Institute (Ed Alstadt) in Portland might have some fresh root tincture, Herb Pharm (Ed Smith, Williams, Oregon) might, Herbalist and Alchemist (David Winston, somewhere in the boonies of New Jersey) as well, and several of my former students gather and market the tincture (check out the resource file on my web-site ... should be a few addresses)

2) Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictriodes) is also an oxytocin synergist ... try a 1:5 tincture of the dried root (30 drops every 4-5 hours) or some "00" capsules, 2, 3-4 times a day. Got to be a little careful ... light-skinned Northern Europeans and African Americans from East African racial roots seem to react rather strongly and should try smaller doses at first.

3) Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris), although the most feeble, will often show some oxytocin synergy ... use the fresh plant tincture, or find some herb tea that still retains a bit of "cabbage" scent. The herb is nearly inert after 6 months (in commerce) or 12 months (if you picked it yourself).

Of course, breast stimulation, erogenous arousal and (especially) orgasm are non-herbal paths to increased oxytocin release ... and (hopefully) easier to locate than good quality herb preparations.

Michael Moore (hrbmoore.rt66.com)
http://www.rt66.com/hrbmoore/HOMEPAGE

From: Dave & Colette <lnrplxus.ripco.com>

>> Hi I am looking for info on herbs and ocytocin. I had a miscarriage on
>Rasberry leaves are a safe effective uterine tonic.

Red raspberry leaves tone the muscles of the uterus, however they in no way promote the uterus to contract. That is why it is an excellent pregnancy tonic as well as anytime uterine tonic. You should try it, but in addition, there are herbs which will help your uterus regain its shape by helping it to contract.

Oxytocic herbs inlude blue cohosh (may lower blood pressure), cotton root bark and cannibis. You would not want to use them for more than a day or two, and then in small doses ... you can buy commercial preparations and just take the minimum suggested amount.

Don Quai is another good uterine tonic, but should not be used during pregnancy.
** please note that the following herbal info. is intended for someone postpartum. Dong Quai should not be used as a pregnancy tonic.**

Or you can go to a Chinatown and try and find Tang Kwei Gin. If unable to locate, you can try the milder teas that are available in many health food stores.

Another uterine tonics is nettles, which will also ensure adequate mineral intake. Try a nettles infusion (1 oz dried herb in a quart jar, fill w/boiling water and cap, then let sit out for 8 hours or overnight, then strain out herb and drink one cup per day.)

False Unicorn is yet another uterine tonic, as is beth root.

Most tonics have a cummulative effect, much like exercise does with building muscles. You really should try to find a good book or two to help you sort through all of this.