I am leaving in a couple of hours to fly up to Redding California to attend a three day workshop for Maya Abdominal Massage: Self-Care. This is the first part of three levels of training to become a practioner.

Maya Abdominal Massage is a techinique that can be perfomed by a health practitioner or a woman on her own body. It helps to clear blockages, remove old blood, reposition the uterus, increase circulation to the reproductive system. It can help with PMS, endometriosis, cramps, and so much more. It has a 30% pregnancy success rate with women who were having troubles getting pregnant.

Medicinal baths are one of my favorite things in the world. They melt away stress, clear your energy and you also get the added benefits of steeping your entire body in herbs. If you do not have a bath tub, you can still enjoy the benefits with a foot bath.

Supplies :
Fresh or dried herbs: these herbs can be fresh picked from your yard, from the farmers market, or bought dried.
1/4 c sea salt
Big stock pot
Strainer

Some of the best herbs for the medicinal bath are:
Rosemary - cleansing, great for the immune system

Lavender - calming, helps with stress

Calendula - great for the skin and spirit

Rose - calming, uplifting

Basil - helps to dispel stress, boosts immune system

Oregano - boosts immune system

Thyme - boosts immune system

Sage - clears energy

Eucalyptus - helps with deep breathing, good for the lungs

Ginger - increases circulation to the reproductive system

Chamomile - calming, helps one to sleep


How to make

1. Chose two to four herbs for your medicinal bath tea

2. Take a 1 - 2 gallon pot, fill with water. Put herbs into water. Bring to boil for 20 min. let steep for another 15 min.

3. Draw a very warm bath, not scalding but as hot as you can handle.

4. Once the bath is ready add 1/4c of sea salt to the bath and pour the strained medicinal bath tea into the tub. Get in the tub and enjoy for 15 -30 min.

My favorite blend I used last night :

oregano

rosemary

sage

basil

On a biological level stress can affect hormones directly in a matter of minutes. When we are constantly living in a state of stress adrenaline is continually released. Adrenaline inhibits our ability to utilize progesterone, therefore directly affecting our fertility. Prolactin is another hormone secreted when we are stressed. Normally prolactin is released by the pituitary gland to stimulate lactation to prepare for nursing. Prolactin is what inhibits a breastfeeding mom from getting pregnant while she is nursing. In times of stress higher levels of prolactin is released.

Ok, I was not able to write each evening after the workshop, because I was just fried. I drove in LA traffic, and that sure makes me cranky! Well I have to say this event was excellent. I was PMS-ing so there were times when I was annoyed by some of the personalities of others, but I’ll just put my “liver stagnation” aside.

Tomorrow I will be going to the Fertile Soul Workshop being held in Santa Monica, Ca. It is being put on by Dr. Randine Lewis, the author of ‘The Infertility Cure‘, an all natural fertility treatment to support women’s efforts to get pregnant and have healthy babies. Dr. Lewis wrote the book to introduce women around the world to using traditional Chinese medicine: on its own or to use along with technology such as IVF or hormone therapy.

She has since created a program around the work that the book explains. I have read and heard many great things about Randine’s methods, and look forward to meeting her. I will give you all updates as I get home each night. If you are interested in attending one of the Fertile Soul Programs, you can visit her website and get the locations and dates.

Her book is a must read, and in my top 5 favorite fertility books.

Quotes from her site::“Dear Randine I want you to know how much you mean to me and to all the other women fortunate enough to cross your path. You are a blessing and no matter what happens, I will (already am) a much better person since I met you. I can’t wait for my child to meet you!”

Join Hethir with an interview with a certified Maya Abdominal Massage Practitioner, Patience Harvey.

In this interview Patience tells all about Maya Abdominal Massage, how it benefits women, how to tell if you need it, what it’s like to get one, and a whole lot more.

Find out how this specialized treatment can help with endometriosis, cysts, recurrent miscarriages, painful menstruation and overall reproductive health.

The scientists created a test-tube model to simulate the effects of overheating (hyperthermia) on the seminiferous tubules-the tubes through which sperm pass on their way to seek out the ovum. One of the first treatments for male infertility is advice for the man to wear boxers instead of briefs to allow the testicles to remain farther from the body, which in turn keeps them cooler. Too much heat hampers sperm production, but sometimes all that is required is to cool things off a bit, and fertility returns.

Study:Women who eat a diet high in red meat may be at increased risk of endometriosis, a new study has found. The study, published in the August 2004 issue of Human Reproduction also showed that eating a diet high in fruit and vegetables may reduce the risk of the condition. What did the study show about eating red meat?

In general, endometriosis affects around 1-15% of women of childbearing age.

Since reading “Parenting Begins Before Conception” years ago and interviewing the author, I have really been contemplating pre-pre-natal psychology.

Do our babies communicate with us before they are conceived?

I have read countless stories about parents receiving communication through dreams and feelings from there soon to be conceived.

New evidence reveals vitex (chaste tree berry), may actually promote female reproductive health and natural fertility…
Today I have the pleasure of posting the first part of an email interview that I conducted recently with Sarah Abernathy from one of my favorite sites - Healthy Healing. I’ve been wanting to go into more detail about the wonderful herb vitex, so I asked Sarah to share her insights and wisdom. I hope you enjoy it.