Dear Bob Liebert,

I want to use Progesterone creams for PMS symptoms. I am on Ortho Tri-cyclene for birth control. Is this a good idea? Are there less harsh forms of birth control that are as effective? I would like to stop taking drugs and start balancing my body's natural hormones.

Tracey

Dear Friend,

The progesterone creams are not a "natural product" for balancing the bodies hormones; despite claims of their manufacturers that they are natural and benign.. They are a solid dose of pure hormones that are derived from plant material, but through many chemical processes. When the body gets these high doses (in addition to your birth control), it then goes out of whack, since it no longer recognizes its own function in producing them. Better to use herbs like Chaste Berry (Vitex), Black Cohosh, Chamomile (tension), St. John's Wort (depression). The first mentioned aid the body in producing its own healthy balance of hormones. Wild Carrot Seed as a morning-after (and several days after) birth control for preventing implantation seems to have one of the best records in herbalism (though not fool proof). See "Living with our fertility" for a discussion of birth control with herbs.

You can buy these herbs and many more in the Formula and Single Herb sections of the Teeter Creek Herb website. Herbs that don't appear in the Formula or Single Herb lists can usually be requested in the "Message" section at the bottom of the order page.

The information expressed is the personal observations of Herbalist Bob Liebert based on his personal experience and his studies of folk and traditional herbalism. These observations are not meant to be a substitute for qualified medical diagnosis and treatment. Uses of many of the herbs have not been scientifically verified.