Disclaimer: I am not a professional herbalist or physician. Always consult with your private physician when considering herbal supplements. If your doctor recommends you take any of these herbs, do not discontinue use. If you are concerned, speak with your doctor about the possible side effects and use additional birth control measures. Once again, this is not professional advice. I am simply sharing what I have learned in my own research.
I have seen a lot of excellent posts out there with people recommending natural herbal remedies for a whole host of maladies. While I am a firm believer in holistic medicine, herbal supplements can have some serious side effects. One that I think is incredibly important to learn is the interaction of some herbs with hormonal therapies such as birth control and hormone replacement.
Here is a short and incomplete list of popular herbal supplements that can interact negatively with hormonal prescriptions (Feel free to add more):
St. John’s Wort recorded cases of unintended pregnancies when taken with birth control
Fenugreek blocks the absorption of medications, including birth control
Black Cohosh creates hormonal interaction with birth control and hormone replacement therapy
Blue Cohosh while I didn’t find anything specifically about interactions with birth control, it appears to cause uterine contractions and was used to induce labor, or abort early pregnancies. Because of it’s effects on the reproductive system, it may be unwise to take concurrently with any hormonal prescription.
Fennel may decrease effectiveness of hormonal birth control and estrogen therapies
Hops may interact negatively with hormonal birth control
Licorice taken medicinally, affects reproductive hormones, steer clear if on birth control or hormone replacement therapy
Soy while not an herb, can imitate estrogen, thus interfering with hormonal medications
Red Clover may decrease effectiveness of birth control and hormone replacement therapy
“note that healing crystal meanings are spiritual supports to healing and are not prescriptions or healthcare information.” – source
Chronic Crystals #2: Fatigue/ Low Energy:
[this is one of my biggest issues with my chronic illness, the fatigue and brain fog!]
Flourite: flourite is the stone of students and scholars. It helps with concentration mental clarity. It helps to relieve confusion and brain fog. Whilst it does not necessarily increase energy levels, it helps with being able to concentrate despite high levels of fatigue. I wear a flourite pendant every day at university to help dispel brain fog and encourage learning.
Clear Quartz: Clear quartz is a go to quartz for anyone struggling with energy levels. It is an energy amplifier and energy ‘focusser’ and so can help with both fatigue and brain fog. Use clear quartz to amplify the properties of other crystals on this list. Remember to recharge it regularly- you can do this by placing it in moonlight.
Amethyst: this stone works differently from the others on the list. It has a calming and sedative effect, helping the body and mind to sleep and rest when needed. This helps to reduce fatigue caused by insomnia or ‘unrestful’ sleep. Place under pillow or by the bed whilst sleeping or resting.
Bloodstone: (also known as heliotrope) this stone is said to help increase mental clarity and give a mental boost when feeling apathetic or un-motivated. A good stone to use for fatigue caused by depression. Generally, it gives an energy boost which will help with any source of fatigue or brain fog. Wear or carry as appropriate.
Remember, as with everything on this blog, this is not intended to replace your normal medical or self care routine, just to be used as well as. Always consult your doctor if you have any concerns with your heath!
If you’re like me, you want to learn everything and have all skills and try to pursue all things at once. I made this spread to help focus in on just one skill or trait to develop at a time. The idea is that when you have a baby plant, it requires more care and attention to survive and grows very quickly when it is well cared for. Once it’s fairly strong, then it’s time to let it grow at its own steady pace along with all the other things you’re working on and move on to the next until your garden of skills is happily and peacefully growing.
1. What skill/trait should you focus on? This is your seedling.
2. How should you approach this? Do I plant from seed? Do I take a cutting and propagate? Is there a class I can take? Should I make a schedule and work on this for ten minutes a day? Is it a more passive trait that I need to work on through metacognition all day?
3. What do you need to set yourself up for success? Plants need to be set up in the right conditions to thrive. They need to be placed where they get the right amount of sunlight and the right humidity. They need the right soil. What conditions do you need to set for yourself to thrive?
4. What is the outcome/what will this help you reach? I won’t call this the “end result” because your vine should keep growing and reach further and further. What does this skill/trait help you reach if you nurture it?
Amethyst's Archive 