Amenorrhea is the medical term for the loss of periods in women who should be having regular periods--is a sign that something in the body has gone wrong. Causes can be stress, anorexia, physical or emotional shock, and disorders of the ovaries. Herbs that bring on menstrual flow when there is delayed menstruation --for whatever reason--are known as emmenagogues. These herbs are not recommended during pregnancy until the end of term to help prepare for childbirth (under qualified supervision).

Herbs that bring on menstrual flow when there is delayed menstruation --for whatever reason--are known as emmenagogues. Emmenagogues are not recommended during pregnancy until the end of term to help prepare for childbirth (under qualified supervision). The use of these herbs to attempt to end an unwanted pregnancy is dangerous and the results unpredictable.

Angelica stimulates delayed menstruation, breaking up stagnation in the reproductive system. ¹. Angelica root can be made into a tea, taken as an extract, or the essential oil can be used in abdominal massage. Sage, combined with dan-gui (dong quai), it is used to regulate suppressed menstrual flow in traditional Chinese medicine.⁵ Dong quai is sometimes refered to as Chinese angelica, as they are closely related herbs.

Blue Cohosh is a powerful emmenagogue is considered to be one of the best uterine stimulants and herbs to bring on menstruation. Blue cohosh contains the phytochemical calulopsponin which actively stimulates uterine contractions and promotes blood flow to the pelvic region. Blue cohosh is generally used in combination with other herbs, often black cohosh to treat menstrual disorders. The herb is one of the aborifacient herbs often used to induce labor. ^1,2

False unicorn root is a time-honored remedy for a whole panoply of uterine and menstrual problems, and is often used in formulas for infertility. This native herb of the appalachian mountains was used by Native American women to deter miscarriage, and may, in fact, help encourage menstruation.^1,2

Lemon balm - Melissa is an aromatic mint with a long reputation for having calming properties. An important medicinal use of lemon balm is to promote menstrual periods and ease period pain. ³

The medicinal qualities of the oil extracted from Sweet marjoram - Oleum majoranae are used as an external application for sprains, bruises, etc., and also as an emmenagogue. ⁴

Stinging nettle leaf infusion has reportedly returned the monthly flow to women drinking it regularly, even in their sixties. Dong quai tincture, especially when combined with white peony root and licorice, is a superb remedy for women whose menses cease unaccountably.⁶

Aborifacient Herbs:
Mugwort's chief employment is as an emmenagogue, often in combination with Pennyroyal and Southernwoods. ⁴ Pennyroyal is one of the strongest herbs to stimulate suppressed menstruation. Because of the herbs reputation as an aborifacient, it has a rather unsavory reputation, however the whole herb taken as a tea can be used safely for its intended purposes, when coupled with common sense, respect, knowledge and caution. Pennyroyal essential oil is extremely toxic and should never be taken internally for any reason. ¹ Tansy is a strong emmenagogue (provoking the onset of a period) and should not be used in pregnancy. It can be fatal when taken in large doses. ⁴

Blue Cohosh is a powerful emmenagogue

Aborifacient Herbs:Strong emmenagogues The use of these herbs to attempt to end an unwanted pregnancy is dangerous and the results unpredictable. When used for intended purposes,that is, bringing on or regulating menses, these herbs can be safe when coupled with common sense, respect, knowledge and caution. Mugwort's chief employment is as an emmenagogue, often in combination with Pennyroyal and Southernwoods. ⁴ Pennyroyal is one of the strongest herbs to stimulate suppressed menstruation. Because of the herbs reputation as an aborifacient, it has a rather unsavory reputation, however the whole herb taken as a tea can be used safely. Pennyroyal essential oil is extremely toxic and should never be taken internally for any reason. ¹ Tansy is a strong emmenagogue (provoking the onset of a period) and should not be used in pregnancy. It can be fatal when taken in large doses. ⁴

Herbs Used for Amenorrhea

Angelica * Blue Cohosh * Calamus * Clary Sage * Dong Quai * False Unicorn Root * Motherwort * Mugwort * Nettle * PennyRoyal * Pleurisy Root * Tansy * Thuja *

Angelica For: Delayed menstruation
Profile	Angelica stimulates delayed menstruation, breaking up stagnation in the reproductive system Rosemary Gladstar, Herbal Healing for Women (1993)

Blue Cohosh For: delayed menstruation
Profile	Powerful emmenagogue, blue cohosh will help bring on a suppressed or delayed menstruation. Rosemary Gladstar, Herbal Healing for Women (1993)

Dill For: Amenorrhoea, Emmenagogue
Profile	The compound apiole in dill is such a powerful emmenagogue that most herbalists warn pregnant women not to use it in medicinal concentrations. (Don't panic, though--eating a dill pickle is okay.) If you want to encourage menstrual flow, you can brew a tea using two teaspoons of mashed seeds James Duke, The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook (2000)

False unicorn root For: Encourage menstruation
Profile	False unicorn root is a time-honored remedy for a whole panoply of uterine and menstrual problems. It may, in fact, help encourage menstruation James Duke, The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook (2000)

Lemon balm - Melissa For: Period pain
Profile	An important medicinal use of lemon balm is to promote menstrual periods and ease period pain. Richard Mabey, The New Age Herbalist (1988)

Mugwort For: Emmenagogue
Profile	Its chief employment is as an emmenagogue, often in combination with Pennyroyal and Southernwoods. Mugwort is also useful as a diaphoretic in the commencement of a cold. Maud Grieve, Modern Herbal Volume 2 (1931)

Pennyroyal herb For: Suppressed menstruation
Profile	One of the strongest herbs to stimulate suppressed menstruation. Use with an abundance of caution.

Pleurisy Root For: delayed menstruation
Profile	Constituents in pleurisy mimic the action of estrogen in the body, making the herb useful specifically in bringing on delayed menstruation, or for use as an aborifacient.

Sage For: Supressed menustrual flow
Profile	Combined with dan-gui (dong quai), it is used to regulate suppressed menstrual flow in TCM. Steven Foster and Yue chongxi, Herbal Emissaries (1992)

Stinging nettle For: Amenorrhea - Loss of Period
Profile	Nettle leaf infusion has reportedly returned the monthly flow to women drinking it regularly, even in their sixties. Dong quai tincture, especially when combined with white peony root and licorice, is a superb remedy for women whose menses cease unaccountably. Susun Weed, New Menopausal Years, The Wise Woman Way (2002)

Sweet marjoram For: Emmenagogue
Profile	The medicinal qualities of the oil extracted from Sweet Marjoram - Oleum majoranae - are similar to that of the Wild Marjoram. Fifteen ounces of the oil are yielded by 150 lb. of the fresh herb. On being kept, it assumes a solid form. It is used as an external application for sprains, bruises, etc., and also as an emmenagogue. Maud Grieve, Modern Herbal Volume 2 (1931)

Tansy For: Kidney and nerves
Profile	Tansy is also valuable in hysteria and in kidney weaknesses, the same infusion being taken in wineglassful doses, repeated frequently. It forms an excellent and safe emmenagogue, and is of good service in low forms of fever, in ague and hysterical and nervous affections. As a diaphoretic nervine it is also useful. Maud Grieve, Modern Herbal Volume 2 (1931)

Tansy For: strong emmenagogue
Profile	Tansy is a strong emmenagogue (provoking the onset of a period) and should not be used in pregnancy. It can be fatal when taken in large doses.

Wild Carrot For: Amenorrhea
Profile	Wild carrot seed, Daucus carota,(Queen Anne's lace), is apparently effective as both an emmenagogue and a morning-after contraceptive. Indian researchers have confirmed that carrot seed has anti-implantation activity in laboratory animals. James Duke, The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook (2000)

Amenorrhea Information

• Menopause :
  Herbs containing or acting like estrogen may provide some of the benefits of estrogen in relieving menopausal symptoms.
• Pregnancy :
  The herbs used for pregnancy are the same herbs that have been used by midwives for centuries.
• PMS :
  The effects of PMS range from mild to devastating an include edema,depression, tension, cramps, cravings, and more.
• Women's Tonics :
  A healthy, functioning liver is an important part of hormone production and hormonal balance is an important factor in PMS, menopause, regulating menses, and maintaining a healthy libido.
• Dysmenorrhea :
  A painful period can range from a dull ache to a violent cramp. When we are in a fragile emotional state, menstrual pain can be even more severe.
• Menorrhagia :
  Heavy menstrual bleeding, clotting or irregular bleeding are come under the heading of menorrhagia.
• Osteoporosis :
  Although osteoporosis can affect both men and women, it is more prevalent in women, especially women who have gone through menopause and have lower levels of bone protecting estrogen in their bodies.
• Candida/Yeast Infection :
  Women may be more susceptible to vaginal yeast infections if they are pregnant or have diabetes. Candidiasis is an infection caused by species of Candida fungi, especially Candida albicans.
• Childbirth :
  These herbs can be used in the last few days of pregnancy to help open the womb and ensure an easier childbirth.