Herbal Support for Perimenopause & Menopause: Botanical Medicine with a Naturopathic Doctor
Why I’m Teaching Herbal Options for Hormone Balance—and Embracing a “Second Summer”
Oh hey! It's August!
Just stopping by your inbox to say hi and check-in with a few updates and a fun class :)
First things first:
Pause Pod
8/19 at 5 pm
Denver Osteopathic Primary Care
16 Lakeside Lane, Denver CO 80212
I am the featured speaker for The Pause Pod - a monthly meet-up hosted by my friend and colleague Dr. Brie. As the name implies, this is a group that meets to chat about all things related to peri/menopause. I am excited because for as much as I have been talking about hormones lately, I would never want to forget the power and potential of our herbal allies. I am going to be discussing botanical medicine options to address the symptoms of peri/menopause, focusing on nourishing infusions made in the wise woman tradition. Herbs can be a great option for folks who are having symptoms related to peri/meno that they want to address but aren't responding to hormones, have negative side effects from hormones, have contraindications to hormones or prefer a non-pharmaceutical approach. Numerous cases in my practice lately have reminded me that HRT is not a silver bullet and that hormones don't work well for everyone - that is why naturopathic medicine is so great - we always have other options :) This talk is free and open to everyone - but please RSVP as we do need to have an idea of how many folks to expect and there is a chance we might meet capacity: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf9xwju7YPyw-_J1YvjfVXR5OMJVIVka3nkjEDf-lTWtCn-hA/viewform
Second, fall tends to be a super busy season in the clinic - so if you are considering making an appointment, now is the time to hop on the schedule and don't forget we have a waitlist as well which is the often the most effective way to get seen sooner.
Third, I want to briefly introduce a concept I am pondering called "second summer." Second summer is mostly relevant to parents of school aged kiddos, but I think can be useful to anyone who feels like their summer is ending too soon.
In Denver, kiddos are going back to school this week or next, and for some of us it feels like summer is over and we are sad. Some of us might be ecstatic - first summer can be chaotic and hard!
(I have a theory that you can break parents up into 2 groups - those that love the summer and those that hate it - I think it has very much to do with how your family responds to structure, how stressful your childcare situation is , how flexible is your work etc... these things might change over time as well... I am in a season of very much being a summer lover).
Either way - I am considering the post-school starting but still sunny with longer days and general high energy vibes season to be "second summer" - in which the kids are back in school but the adults are having fun. This might look like taking a day off to recreate - meet up with friends, take a hike, find a pool, sunbathe (safely and with some SPF of course).
Perhaps it is dining al fresco at the local park. Going to get ice cream. Watching a movie in the middle of the day. A staycation in your own city visiting a local museum or a restaurant you have been wanting to try.
Generally finding moments to engage is frivolity, sensuality and delighting in the senses.
What I am saying is - it is imperative to your health that you are having fun and enjoying yourself - it is actually the utmost priority! So dive into second summer and tell me what you think :)
If you need me I'll be basking in the sun, giggling with good friends, walking slowly in the warm evening breeze and munching on palisade peaches!
In health,
Dr C
ps: J/K I will still be doing all of the above, but if you need me I will very much be mostly back to regular scheduled office hours after a lovely summer taking good chunks of time off to commune with family, friends and nature - all my favorite things.