BACK TO ASK THE HERBALIST INDEX
ANSWERS FROM CARLOS:
QUESTION: I have PCOS and have been on Daine 35 for the past 8-9 years. Since last couple of months I'm getting recurrent yeast infections which do not respond to any topical or oral medication. I read somewhere that birth control pills can cause recurrent infections so am planning to off daine for a while. But since Diane is the only thing that keeps my symptoms in control i need help on herbs that will help address two of my main problems irregular periods and severe cystic acne and oiliness. Read on the internet about following herbs but cant decide which will be best. Please help which ones to take and how much :

Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus)
Dong quai (Angelica sinensis)
Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa).
Vitex (Vitex agnus-castus) / Chasteberry
Anti androgens for acne
Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) 
Saw Palmetto (Serenoa serrulata)

ANSWER: Of the ones you mention only Agnus castus and Dong quai will be of any use to you and perhaps the antI-androgens. 

Following the proper diet is of utmost importance here. I suggest avoiding red meats, pork, all dairy, white sugar and all fried foods.    Enhance your diet with plenty of fresh oily fishes (salmon, mackerel, sardines), plenty of fresh garlic and onions, honey, yogurt, brown rice, raw or steamed vegetables and plenty of fresh fruits.

You would probably benefit from infusion made up of: Chinese angelica and Wild Yam in equal parts adding a pinch of Fenugreek, and 15 drops of extract or tincture of Agnus Castus and 15 drops of False Unicorn. Extracts and tinctures work much better and faster. Sweeten these only with honey and drink 3xs daily.  Ask your nearest herbal store to mix for you one half ounce of Chinese angelica, one half ounce of Wild Yam and 1/8 ounce of Fenugreek. They should have the extracts if they don't, then check out: https://www.goldenlotusherbs.com/

As to the acne Traditional Chinese Medicine has a very effective treatment named Margarite Pills, follow the instructions on the bottle. There is also a great herbal cleanser named Yin-Care that would also help.

QUESTION: I would be very grateful if you will guide me proper herb and its quantity and duration for the treatment of PCOS. I’m still single and get marry in 2 months. I already started taking chaste tree powder but need information about other herbs along with it for complete remedy.

ANSWER: With PCOS I suggest first a body cleanse doing a 48 hour fast. Drinking only infusions of Dandelion, sweetened with honey. If hunger overtakes you, you may eat Yogurt.  Drink plenty of fresh water and fresh fruit juices during this time.  This will help remove toxins for your system.

After your fast, allow me to suggest that a change in diet is in order. Eliminate foods that stagnate the system, such as: Pork, heavy red meats, white sugar, all dairy and all fried and greasy foods.  Avoid excessive coffee, alcohol and all foods containing additives and/or preservatives.  If you smoke quit, this is very important.

Enhance your diet with plenty of cold water oily fishes such as, mackerel, salmon, herring, anchovies and sardines. Add also to your diet: bean sprouts, yogurt, fresh garlic, onions, honey, nuts, seeds, fresh steamed vegetables and fresh fruits. Try to eat only foods grown organically without toxic pesticides.

To encourage hormonal balance I suggest you take a tablespoon daily of Linseed or Evening Primrose oil. Supplement daily with a good multi vitamin multi mineral containing all 22 amino acids. Add 500mg Vit.C 2xs day.

Drink infusions of Chinese angelica daily and Wild Yam in equal parts adding a pinch of Fenugreek, and 15 drops of extract or tincture of Agnus Castus and 15 drops of False Unicorn.
Extracts and tinctures work much better and faster. Sweeten these only with honey and drink 3xs daily.

I also encourage you to adopt a low-level regimen of exercise: jogging, walking, Yoga, T'ai Chi Ch'uan or Qi Gong.

ANSWERS FROM AMANDA:
QUESTION: I have been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome & that diagnosis was a year or so ago.  I'm 39 years old and am curious if there is an herb that will reverse or erase this?  I haven't any children but would like to have a family.

ANSWER: Yes, there are natural approaches for women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), mainly focusing on diet change toward a mostly-vegetarian diet rich in vegetables, organic local fruit in season, lean protein without added hormones, and modest intake of whole grains and other foods low on the glycemic index. Also of greatest help seems to be exercise and weight loss to manage sugar levels, plus herbal adaptogens such as Rhodiola rosea and hormonal normalizers such as Peony root (Paeonia lactiflora), Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens), and Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus), each in doses of 2-3 grams two times a day for several months. Many herbalists and companies in this netowrk carry these.  

Best results often come with seeing a care provider for personal recommendations and monitoring over time. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs in conjunction have been helpful according to human studies. Though I cannot take responsibility for all the suggestions, opinions, and links on this site, soulcysters.com is a great source for ideas from other women who are dealing with their diagnoses of PCOS.

ANSWERS FROM LORYHL:
QUESTION: I tried to read through all the posts, before writing this hopefully I didn't overlook it.   I have PCOS and my doctor wanted to put me on metformin (I don't have diabetes, but it runs in my family) I found a supplement called CSL Sugar balance at GNC the main ingredient is bitter melon. From what i can find it is the closest thing to a natural alternative for metformin.  I am taking Vitex and a multivitamin now, do you know if you  can you take bitter melon with vitex? And, Do you know of anything else that aids in insulin function? My husband and I have been trying to have a baby since 2000.  I am 26 years old and have been trying since 2001 to find natural medicine to treat this I  don't even want to go to the doctor anymore because I am told that I am being foolish not trusting the birth control,  metformin, or any of the fertility drugs.

ANSWER: Thank you for the post. I don't mean to brag, but on this particular subject, it has been near and dear to my heart, both personally and in very many family members. In my family, the first evidence occurs at the onset of adolescence.
        I was told by several MD's and a Naturopath, that I would like not ever be able to conceive due to the seriousness of the cysts, and the insulin resistance. I have helped, including myself, at least 35 women conceive, by suggestions to diet, herbs and lifestyle change. Of course the credit goes to them for doing all the work. When I knew I was going to marry, I began to seriously prepare for the occasion, wanting very much to become a Mom, as you do.
         I did take a tea of Dong quai, root, cooked, at one quart daily for 6 days, I did cleanse and do a full gall bladder and bowel flush (this was key in the change in my body).  Please read the suggested programs in the download. Please look at your tongue, all the way back, and email me back with what your tongue looks like (ie: swollen, discoloured, pitted, odd looking, thin, thick) . There are many more suggestions, once you let me know this info, for now read below.
        Carbs, sugar and processed foods are the enemy. Tylenol, over the counter drugs, and other toxic elements, are to be avoided. Foods in packages, and pre made frozen are very unclean for you, microwaves also. Use steam and grills.
Use almonds, 10 per day, at least, raw organic with skins on, soaked overnight, eat them for breakfast. If you can't tolerate fruits, have steamed veggies for breakfast. I can tolerate a moderate amount of fruits, fleshy ones, not citric, and they actually help me feel better in moderation.
         I was on the Glucophage, Metformin, and I felt it was damaging my kidneys, so I stopped.  It is best to use the natural means.  Problem is MSG in all foods, and high fructose corn syrup, that is why to staying away from the packaged foods is essential. Make it fresh, and drink distilled water for 6 months also.  As a people we are being poisoned, and there is no regulation on it, no one is telling the public, except mildly, it needs to be blasted from the airwaves, and the foods, need to be made real food again. PCOS, Diabetes and insulin resistance, infertility, candida albicans syndrome, bowel irritability, are all part of the problem with today's, suspect foodstuffs.  I am excited that you will be able to overcome, and have some beautiful children.
(Cleansing, Gall Bladder Flush downloads_