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I’ve recently discovered an excellent way to mildly flavor my water and cleanse and energize my body. Because I am going through “the change” (perimenopause), I’ve been adjusting my diet and heeding the advice of experts in the field. Not the advice of Western medicine, but instead the advice of Dieticians and female physicians. A male physician can only tell us so much, and yes their advice may be helpful, however I truly believe experiencing perimenopause gives us a little more credibility in treating it.

I found the following recipe in the book, Eating Wisely For Hormonal Balancing, by Sonia Gaemi. This recipe is used to help balance hormones, however, it helps cleanse the  body and liver as well, so it is safe for men and women. It is best to locate organic and/or wild crafted seeds when possible. If difficult to locate, try Middle Eastern, Chinese, or Indian food stores. See below for seed information.

SONIA’S SEEDS FORMULA

A) 1 1/4 cups khak shir seeds (also known as mugwort)

B) 1/4 cup basil seeds

C) 1/4 cup psyllium seeds

D) 1/4 cup flaxseeds

E) 1/4 cup black sesame seeds

Mix and store seeds in dry cool place – I store mine in dark glass in refrigerator.

Serving Size

4-6 tbsp in 2 cups water (or unsweetened cranberry juice or berry juice w/o artificial sweeteners) daily – seeds can be added to water bottle and sipped throughout day. Be sure to chew seeds well.

or…

eat 1 tbsp. at a time and wash down with 2 glasses of water

or…

take 2 tbsp. with every meal – can also be added to yogurt or pureed fruit and washed down with 2 glasses of water.

A). Khak shir/Mugwort – used for menstrual disorders, to cool body, cleanse liver, persistent vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, anxiety and depression. Do not use if pregnant or bleeding disorders.

B). Basil – used as an antiseptic, antiinflammatory, to treat ulcers, arthritis, renal disease, edema in joints, and temporary relief of coughs, anxiety, and flatulence.

C). Psyllium - encourages normal bowel movement, absorbs bowel toxins, soothes intestinal tract, helps normalize blood sugar, and lower food cholesterol absorption.

D). Flaxseeds – provides laxative effect, high in Omega 3′s and fiber, may help fight everything from heart disease, diabetes, to cancer.

E). Black Sesame Seeds – high in protein, rich in antioxidants, 60% more calcium than white sesame seeds, and rich in vitamins and minerals.

The author describes flax, khak shir, basil and psyllium as the crux of cleansing and energy. Fiber without the calories! The fiber in them binds with environmental toxins and the whole seed helps encourage new cell growth.

**NOTE: whole seeds are not recommended if you have diverticulitis. Ask an open-minded physician. If taken, let soak and chew thoroughly.

Research has long shown that the health risks associated with taking these types of hormones out weigh any potential benefit. A National Institute of Health study was abruptly canceled when researchers discovered the participants were at an increased risk for blood clots, cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Six million American menopausal women studied were given the widely prescribed synthetic estrogen and progesterone (Premarin and Provera). The physicians prescribing the synthetic hormones have come to recognize Premarin’s potential to increase the risk of uterine cancer by 4.5 to 13.9 times, yet they continue to prescribe. The use of equine estrogen can also increase a woman’s risk for breast cancer. Researchers at Oregon Regional Primate Center have also discovered that Provera and Premarin both canceled out any cardiovascular benefits of each other. Of the six million women studied, it was found that synthetic hormones could be the cause of 30,000 cases of breast cancer over a five-year period.

Best way to handle hormonal imbalance is with diet. Detoxification can also help the body and organs process and balance hormones naturally. If relief is not achieved with diet and detoxification alone, there are natural hormones, teas, and tinctures that can be taken. However, it is best to have your hormone levels checked by a physician who is aware of the dangers of synthetic hormones, and prescribes bioidentical hormones instead.

Had I not seen my mother go through perimenopause (just before her hysterectomy), I would probably be making an appointment with a doctor. As a Baby Boomer, “the change” was getting closer. Having read several books on the subject, I am learning to embrace it and adjust my diet accordingly.

In Before The Change, Ann Louise Gittleman states perimenopausal symtoms are due to a hormonal imbalance. Relief can be attained and imbalance remedied with a change in diet and natural remedies. Some of the natural remedies Gittleman recommends are homeopathic, Bach flower, or cell salt in nature. They are taken via capsule, tablets, pellets, oils, teas or tinctures and may take anywhere from one week to two months to bring relief.

The following list of specific perimenopausal symptoms (listed in alphabetical order) can be treated with the following nutrients:

• Anxiety – Despondency (a homeopathic remedy)
• Cramps – Magnesium Phosphate – (cell salt)
• Breast tenderness – Black Currant Seed Oil (an essential oil)
• Craving for sweets – Magnesium, Chromium, or Manganese (cell salts)
• Headaches – Evening Primrose (essential oil)Insomnia – Lachesis and Sepia (Bach Flower), Magnesium (cell salt), and Valerian (essential oil).
• Irritability – Calcium and Magnesium (cell salts), Iodum (homeopathic)
• Joint Pain – Glucosamine sulfate (cell salt)
• Mood Swings – Chromium, Magnesium, and Manganese (cell salts)
• Periods – Heavy Bleeding – Rose or Cypress Oil (essential oil), Chamomilla (homeopathic)
• Periods – Irregular – Lavender or Melissa oil (essential oil)
• Periods – Painful – Marjoram (essential oil), Magnesium Phosphate (cell salt), or Actaea racemosa (homeopathic)
• Vaginal Dryness – Sepia (homeopathic)
• Water Retention – Magnesium (cell salt), Evening Primrose (essential oil)
• Yeast Infection – Sepia or Carbo-veg (homeopathic)

Gittleman also recommends massaging the essential oil of marjoram, jasmine, or over the abdomen as an all-purpose remedy. Remedy Rescue or Walnut (Bach flower remedies) are also recommended.

It must be noted, what works for one person won’t always work for another, and although some remedies may work well initially, others may lose their effectiveness shortly thereafter. Trying another remedy, as well as getting to the root cause of hormonal imbalance, will help bring relief to the underlying cause of perimenopause symptoms. It is worth knowing that the symptoms we experience will vary among women. Aside from the few sporadic unpleasant symptoms I am experiencing, my body, mind and spirit welcome the change.

Who to believe on whether soy is good for us or wreaking havoc on us? I say go with your gut. As always, there is no one-size-fits-all and the key in eating most foods is moderation.

According to Ann Louise Gittleman, bestselling author of Fat Flush Plan, she suggests eating soy food that is either fermented soy or none at all. Her belief is that fermented soy contains anticancer agents and nutrients such as calcium, minerals, copper, iron, magnesium, potassium, selenium, and zinc. The microflora in fermented soy is also beneficial for its ability to help break down glucose in food. Gittleman recommends one to two servings a week of fermented tempeh or miso soy products.

Stephen T. Sinatra, author of Heart Sense For Women, believes consuming soy can help prevent breast cancer by lowering blood cholesterol, lowering serum estradiol levels, and prolonging the menstrual cycle. He refers to soy as an outstanding source of calcium and phytonutrients that help support bone mass. He does however, not recommend soy products to women with estrogen dependant tumors or one week before, during or after radiation. Sinatra’s Modified Mediterranean Diet recommends eating tofu, tempeh, soybeans, or soymilk one to two times a week.

Both Gittleman and Sinatra agree on the potential of soy to disrupt hormones and although both doctors recommend it, the type of soy product they recommend differs. Experience has shown me that my body digests sprouted or fermented soy better than regularly processed soy. Use your best judgement by listening to your body and any upset or bloated feelings. Above all, moderation is key.