In the past, women turned to natural remedies for their health issues, and that worked well. But as time passed and as the high dollar pharmaceutical industry emerged, natural remedies seemed to pass onto the back burner. Drugs became the wave of the future due to the media blitz promoting their alleged attributes. Media blitzing is extremely expensive and those drug companies have lots of money to spend on advertising. And they have convinced large numbers of people to buy into their programs. That is until lately when large numbers of law suits have surfaced as a result of harmful drug side effects seriously affecting multitudes of people.

Have we forgotten the simpler times when we could cure constipation with a glass of prune juice ? Have we forgotten the simpler times when we could cure an upset stomach with a glass of cold ginger ale as apposed to some drug with a funny name ? ( And who thinks up those names ? ) I think it's about time we get back to basics and treat our ailments with Mother Nature's pharmaceuticals. She has a vast inventory to choose from and they are 99% side effect free.

A women is 80% more likely to suffer from a Urinary Tract Infection than her male counterpart. Most UTI's are the result of an overgrowth of E. coli bacteria in the bladder or the urethra. Cranberry Juice is instrumental in preventing bacteria from adhering to the walls of those organs making it extremely difficult for an infection to develop. Be aware, however, it is a preventive measure not a cure for an existing infection. Prevention takes considerably less effort than treating an existing problem. When choosing a cranberry juice, look for the label that states "pure 100% juice". If it's too tart for your taste it's OK to dilute 2oz with a little water.. Important note: Avoid this juice if you suffer from a peptic ulcer or acid reflux. Cranberry may aggravate your symptoms.

If night sweats and hot flashes are a concern, you might consider trying Black Cohosh. It's one of the most popular and one of the best researched herbs for the treatment of hot flashes and night sweats associated with menopause. The theory is, Black Cohosh stimulates the body's ability to release estrogen. Studies have also revealed the herb has the potential for decreasing the levels of some hormones that cause hot flashes.

Caution: If you have any kind of liver disorder or if you are taking any type of hepatotoxic (liver damage ) medication, you should not take Black Cohosh. You should also avoid this herb if you are pregnant or breast feeding.

Cramp Bark is the herbal version of Ibuprofen and functions as a uterine sedative that relaxes spasms, reduces inflammation, and soothes an over reactive uterus. Midwives often use it to halt premature labor. Research into herbal remedies for painful periods has confirmed the fact that Cramp Bark has an antispasmodic effect on the smooth muscle tissue like those found in the uterus and the large intestine.

Green Tea has been the subject of numerous research lately and the results have been encouraging. Studies have shown that those who drink Green Tea can quite possibly avoid contracting Lung and Breast Cancer. It seems as if Green Tea has the ability to thwart the growth of tumors in the lungs and breasts. If you are not a tea drinker, Green Tea also comes in liquid extract and capsule forms.