#072 Your menstrual cycle; periods, pain and the pill with medical herbalist Natasha Richardson

Natasha studied at a much younger age than most herbalists after working for Neal’s Yard and being inspired to get a degree in the subject of herbs. Then her own challenges with her menstrual cycle led her down a path of self-discovery and becoming an expert when it comes to periods and herbal remedies. We start by chatting how we are raised to believe periods should be painful, so we don’t question it, and also how we should simply be the same everyday despite our cycle.

We discuss how buying Paracetamol feels more acceptable, and is much easier to find, then buying a herbal solution. We look at the place painkillers have in our lives and how they can support herbal remedies but can also disconnect us from the signals our bodies are trying to feed us.

Do you think your pain symptoms are connected to your mind and anxiety? Do you plan around your period? Do you believe that you can have a peaceful period?

Natasha discusses her goal through her work with women to have a better period and what that means to each individual woman. We then switch to discussing the contraceptive pill and Charelle highlights the control it allows her to have with her cycle and life but the fear of coming off the pill one day and the consequences. 

Natasha advises how she isn’t against contraception but is intrigued by the secondary uses it can be subscribed for such as acne and heavy periods. Verity highlights being in a same-sex relationship she doesn’t need contraception against pregnancy but is being advised to take it by doctors to help her heavy periods, which is very frustrating to her.

We delve deeper into the use of the pill and its history within our society and how to converse with the opposite sex about menstruating. We discuss talking about periods at work and how to surrender to the fact we can not operate the same each and every day.

Natasha describes PMS as the natural magnifying glass for your life and how it changes our reactions, observations and triggers plus advises the best ways of managing this with herbs. 

*COVID-19 snippet at the start*

Natasha talks about the anxiety and stress that we are feeling right now and what to expect from your monthly cycle and which herbs can help, including nerve tonics.

Please note, there is swearing in this episode.

Natasha’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/foragebotanicals/

Natasha’s website https://www.foragebotanicals.co.uk/

Natasha’s book https://www.foragebotanicals.co.uk/shop-3/your-period-handbook 

Natasha’s mailing list to access the Herbs for Anxiety webinar https://www.foragebotanicals.co.uk/

Menstrual leave https://graziadaily.co.uk/life/real-life/countries-menstrual-leave-actually-thing/

Invisible women https://www.amazon.co.uk/Invisible-Women-Exposing-World-Designed/dp/1784741728

Bad Science https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bad-Science-Ben-Goldacre/dp/000728487X

Where to buy herbs...

Neal’s Yard Remedies https://www.nealsyardremedies.com/wellbeing/herbal-remedies/dried-herbs/

Baldwins https://www.baldwins.co.uk/

Urban Fringe https://urbanfringe.co.uk/

Indigo Herbs https://www.indigo-herbs.co.uk/

Apotheca http://www.apothecaclinic.co.uk/

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Your hosts are...

Charelle Griffith, 31, is a marketing strategist for solopreneurs and founder of PropelHer, a personal development blog and book club. She lives in London, dates men and has been single for 4 years (except for a summer romance in 2018). Connect with Charelle https://www.instagram.com/charellegriffith/ 

Verity Brown, 33, is a northerner and the founder of The Authentic DatA Revolution and is currently living in the Lake District, UK. She is bisexual, was single for 3.5 years and is in a relationship with a woman. Connect with Verity https://www.instagram.com/theseasaltplan/