Hey, lovely. Alongside hair, I write about West African herbs and women’s wellness. Over more than 15 years I’ve learned from botanists, gatherers and traditional healers across West Africa, and I’m also a freelance health and wellness writer published at Health Digest. This page brings all of my women’s wellness posts together in one place.
Before you read on, an important note. I’m not a doctor. These posts share how herbs are traditionally used and what research exists, which is often limited. Herbs may not work for every woman, they can interact with medicines, and some aren’t suitable in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Please speak to your doctor before trying anything, especially if you have a diagnosed condition or take regular medication.
Start here
- 7 African Herbs for Female Wellness: a broad introduction.
- 14 Herbs Traditionally Used for Fibroids: What the Research Really Says.
- PCOS Belly: Why It Happens and Gentle Ways to Support Your Body.
- Mondia Whitei Benefits for Women.
Why I write about these herbs
Many of the herbs in these posts have been part of everyday life in West African homes for generations, passed down through mothers, grandmothers and traditional healers. Yet when women look them up online, they often find either big promises or nothing at all. I want to offer something in between: the traditional context, the research where it exists, and a clear line on what we simply don’t know yet.
I also want these traditions to be treated with respect. Many plants are wild-harvested by gatherers, and good sourcing matters, both for the people who gather them and for the quality of what reaches you. Where I can, I explain how to judge quality and what questions to ask a seller.
An overview of African herbs for women
My post on African herbs for female wellness is a good first read. It covers several herbs women have traditionally turned to in beauty and self-care, and how to choose and use herbs safely and respectfully.
Fibroids and heavy periods
So many women are told heavy, painful periods are just “normal”. In herbs traditionally used for fibroids, I go through what’s traditionally used in West Africa and elsewhere and what the research really says. No herb has been shown to remove fibroids, so this is a post about traditional use and supporting yourself alongside proper medical care, not instead of it.
If your periods are very heavy, last longer than usual or leave you exhausted, please see your GP. Heavy bleeding can lead to low iron, which is worth having checked with a simple blood test.
PCOS
In PCOS belly: why it happens, I look at the role of insulin and hormones, gentle everyday habits, and what’s traditionally used in West Africa. PCOS is a medical condition that needs proper diagnosis and support from your doctor, so treat the herbal side as traditional context rather than a plan.
Mondia whitei
Mondia whitei, sometimes called White’s ginger, is a root traditionally used across parts of West, Central and East Africa.
- Mondia whitei benefits for women: how women have traditionally used it, its limits and safety.
- Mondia whitei tea: how the root is traditionally prepared as a tea and when to take care.
Kigelia africana
Kigelia africana, the sausage tree, is a West African botanical that has a place in my own routine. Women traditionally use it on the skin.
- Kigelia africana for skin: how it’s used in skincare routines.
- Kigelia africana breast cream guide: what to know and realistic expectations before buying.
- Where to buy kigelia africana extract: how to judge quality.
Herbal teas
Teas are one of the most common ways herbs are traditionally taken at home. My mondia whitei tea post is the place to start. I’ll add more tea guides here as I write them. Even with a gentle-seeming tea, check with your doctor first if you take medication, are pregnant or have a health condition.
How I approach women’s wellness on this blog
- I share traditional use and the research that exists, and I say clearly when the evidence is thin.
- Herbs aren’t one-size-fits-all. What helps one woman may do nothing for another.
- Natural doesn’t mean safe for everyone. Herbs can interact with medicines, including hormonal contraception, and some aren’t suitable in pregnancy.
- Your doctor comes first. Herbal traditions can sit alongside medical care, never replace it.
Women’s Wellness Herbs: Frequently Asked Questions
Can West African herbs replace my medication?
No. Please don’t stop or change any medication without speaking to your doctor. My posts are about traditional use and context, and herbs should only ever sit alongside proper medical care.
Are these herbs safe in pregnancy?
Many herbs aren’t recommended in pregnancy or while breastfeeding, and safety data is often missing. If you’re pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding, speak to your doctor or midwife before using any herb.
Will these herbs work for me?
They may not. Traditional use isn’t the same as proven results, and every woman’s body is different. If you do try a herb with your doctor’s agreement, start small and stop if anything doesn’t feel right.
A note from me
These traditions mean a lot to me, and I want to share them with care. If you’d like to see the botanicals I source directly from growers in West Africa, you’ll find them at Jostylin Naturals. And whatever you’re dealing with, please keep your doctor in the loop.