The Sunlight Experiment

Herbal Actions

Emmenagogue

Stimulates and regularises menstrual flow

Stimulates and regularises menstrual flow — used for absent, scanty or painful periods and to bring on a delayed cycle. Because that same uterine action can dislodge a pregnancy, emmenagogues are avoided in pregnancy unless professionally prescribed.

How it works

Emmenagogue is not one mechanism but several overlapping ones. Each of these is its own herbal action — follow a link for the herbs strongest in that mechanism.

Galactagogue Promotes the production of breast milk. Oxytocic Stimulates uterine contractions — used to support labour; avoid in pregnancy. Anti-abortive Helps maintain a pregnancy and reduce miscarriage risk.

Herbs with a emmenagogue action (15)

Key herbs

Herbs for which emmenagogue is a headline action.

Shatavari

Asparagus racemosus

AdaptogenFemale-tonicDemulcentTonic
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Abuta

Cissampelos pareira

AnalgesicAnti-AbortiveAntifertilityAntibacterial

Calendula

Calendula officinalis

VulneraryAnti-inflammatoryLymphaticStyptic

Chaste Tree

Vitex agnus-castus

GalactagogueFemale TonicProlactin InhibitorUterine Tonic

Fennel

Foeniculum vulgare

CarminativeAppetite SuppressantAntispasmodicGalactagogue

Feverfew

Tanacetum parthenium

Anti-inflammatoryVasodilatorEmmenagogueAperient

Frankincense

Boswellia serrata

AntioxidantAnti-inflammatoryAntimicrobialCarminative

Magnolia

Magnolia officinalis

AntioxidantAntiallergicAntiasthmaticAnxiolytic

Milk Thistle

Silybum marianum

HepatoprotectiveAntioxidantCholereticCholagogue

Rosemary

Rosmarinus officinalis

AntidepressantAntimicrobialAntispasmodicEmmenagogue

Schisandra

Schisandra chinensis

HepatoprotectiveAntioxidantAdaptogenNervine

Shatavari

Asparagus racemosus

AdaptogenFemale-tonicDemulcentTonic

Stinging Nettle

Urtica dioica

AlterativeAnti-inflammatoryAntilithicAntimicrobial

Yarrow

Achillea millefolium

BitterAntioxidantEmmenagogueDiaphoretic