OK Bela,
There is little experience on the forum, but my parents' garden tells me women should lower phyto-estrogens (certainly PM) sharply 2 days before ovulation, lower again to minimum phyto-estrogens 11 days after ovulation, and take a PMS herb then. Stop all phyto-progestins on day 1, switch to a phyto-estrogen only herb, and take a cramps herb. I don't know much about the Chinese herbal tradition: is dong quai for PMS or for cramps? Increase phyto-estrogens from day 6, and peak them by three days before you ovulate.
Print this, and hang it above you herbs stash:
http://www.breastnexus.com/showthread.php?tid=67
You're right: don't use PM, if the progestin look is what you're after. You do need a phyto-estrogen herb that has no phyto-progestins from day 1 to 11, except if you have children, AND breastfed them, AND had your target size while feeding. I use hops. There are two alternatives: yellow dock and sheep sorrel (anybody heard of those?):
http://www.cancersupportivecare.com/estrogenherbdata.html#table2
Start the herbs in table 3, like red clover, gently 2 days before ovulation, peak on days 7 to 9 after ovulation, and decrease to zero by day 1. Make a sensible choice in table 3 (no bloodroot, mandrake and such), and remember to stay away from oregano, thyme, nutmeg, turmeric (curry), licorice, cumin, and camomille, from day 1 to 3 days before you ovulate. Print tables 2 and 3 for herb shopping and for your kitchen herb shelf.
Find out when you ovulate: search for posts by Ginie on BBT charting. She recommends dr. Lee's site for guidelines on when to use progestins. You can also use his test:
http://www.johnleemd.com/store/resource_hormonetest.html
If you want to track your balance, google lists of symptoms of estrogen dominance, and symptoms of progesterone dominance. Check them both daily, and remember that you're doing OK if you are estrogen dominant 3 days before your ovulation, and progesterone dominant 7-9 days after it. If your cycle synchronizes with the women around you, just let it.
If SP doesn't get to your libido or your ability to cope with stress, keep using it. Just not too much. Only increase it if you see acne, hair loss, facial or body hair.
There is little experience on the forum, but my parents' garden tells me women should lower phyto-estrogens (certainly PM) sharply 2 days before ovulation, lower again to minimum phyto-estrogens 11 days after ovulation, and take a PMS herb then. Stop all phyto-progestins on day 1, switch to a phyto-estrogen only herb, and take a cramps herb. I don't know much about the Chinese herbal tradition: is dong quai for PMS or for cramps? Increase phyto-estrogens from day 6, and peak them by three days before you ovulate.
Print this, and hang it above you herbs stash:
http://www.breastnexus.com/showthread.php?tid=67
You're right: don't use PM, if the progestin look is what you're after. You do need a phyto-estrogen herb that has no phyto-progestins from day 1 to 11, except if you have children, AND breastfed them, AND had your target size while feeding. I use hops. There are two alternatives: yellow dock and sheep sorrel (anybody heard of those?):
http://www.cancersupportivecare.com/estrogenherbdata.html#table2
Start the herbs in table 3, like red clover, gently 2 days before ovulation, peak on days 7 to 9 after ovulation, and decrease to zero by day 1. Make a sensible choice in table 3 (no bloodroot, mandrake and such), and remember to stay away from oregano, thyme, nutmeg, turmeric (curry), licorice, cumin, and camomille, from day 1 to 3 days before you ovulate. Print tables 2 and 3 for herb shopping and for your kitchen herb shelf.
Find out when you ovulate: search for posts by Ginie on BBT charting. She recommends dr. Lee's site for guidelines on when to use progestins. You can also use his test:
http://www.johnleemd.com/store/resource_hormonetest.html
If you want to track your balance, google lists of symptoms of estrogen dominance, and symptoms of progesterone dominance. Check them both daily, and remember that you're doing OK if you are estrogen dominant 3 days before your ovulation, and progesterone dominant 7-9 days after it. If your cycle synchronizes with the women around you, just let it.
If SP doesn't get to your libido or your ability to cope with stress, keep using it. Just not too much. Only increase it if you see acne, hair loss, facial or body hair.