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Normal healthy menstrual flow is important for all menstruating women.  Slow Flow utilizes time honored herbs and research-based ingredients to promote normal menstrual flow. For centuries, it has been used as a food and as folk medicine by women to reduce heavy or prolonged menstrual periods, as well as bleeding between menses and this ancient remedy is still proving to be effective in modern times. Shepherd’s purse possesses anticoagulant, antithrombin, antioxidant properties and it can assist with wound healing. It helps the endometrium to seal its blood vessels and reduces clots making it a potent therapeutic herb for treating menorrhagia, or heavy bleeding.

In our clinical experience, other synergistic nutrients and botanicals can enhance the action of shepherd’s purse in preventing excessive menstrual flow including cranesbill root, long used by the indigenous tribes of North America to reduce heavy bleeding; yarrow flower which promotes circulation, yet is extremely astringent, stopping excessive blood flow; and ginger which is also an important and well-rounded tonic herb supportive for healthy menstrual flow and uterine tone.

Vitamin A, Vitamin C and bioflavonoids strengthen the vessels and capillary walls in the uterine system, strengthening the reproductive system overall. Vitamin K is necessary for healthy blood clotting to reduce excessive bleeding during periods.

For heavy periods, our patients find that a dose of 150mg shepherd’s purse, once or several times daily, is effective. Many women see marked improvement in their heavy periods immediately and then increasingly over time, as long as there are no other underlying causes for the heavy flow, such as fibroids, low thyroid, or anemia.

About this product

Shepherd’s purse is named because it is shaped like a small, triangular pouch that shepherds in old England once carried, which resembles the natural shape of the uterus. It’s another fascinating example of the plant world reflecting the human body and its needs. Most likely native to Asia and Europe, shepherd’s purse grows all over the world and is a member of the Brassicaceae family of cruciferous vegetables like broccoli.

Plants belonging to the Brassicaceae family contain high levels of sulforaphane. Sulforaphane is an isothiocyanate, a sulfur compound that has received extensive attention for its potent anti-tumor and antioxidant effects. Shepherd’s purse contains many flavonoids including quercetin, diosmetin, luteolin and hesperidin. Like many of the herbs used for heavy bleeding, shepherd’s purse is classified in herbal medicine as an astringent herb. Shepherd’s purse is, however, much stronger than other astringent herbs in its ability to slow bleeding. It has long been used to help staunch wounds, reduce heavy periods, slow bleeding in post-partum hemorrhaging, and improve hemorrhoids.

Documented studies showed the effectiveness of shepherd’s purse to assist in the life-threatening complication of post-partum hemorrhaging which happens when a woman loses more than 500 milliliters of blood after giving birth. In a 2017 study, the use of oral shepherd’s purse with intravenous oxytocin to stop post-partum hemorrhaging.  Shepherd’s purse has also been confirmed to have value for the treatment of menorrhagia, heavy periods, and for metrorrhagia, abnormal bleeding between periods.

Cranesbill, or Geranium maculatum, is an aromatic plant with a long history of use as uterine astringent. Traditionally, the roots and aerial parts are used to treat diarrhea, mucosal inflammations, heavy menstrual bleeding and uterine hemorrhage. Cranesbill root contains tannins which have a vasoconstricting effect on small blood vessels that help to reduce blood flow and minimize blood loss.  Cranesbill root also has anti-inflammatory properties which can help reduce the discomfort associated with menstruation.

Yarrow or Achillea millefolium, like shepherd’s purse, has anti-inflammatory properties and astringent tannins to reduce bleeding and inflammation. Yarrow acts as a uterine tonic, helping to regulate blood flow to the uterus and depending on what the body need, it can either increase or decrease menstrual flow. It has astringent tannins and anti-inflammatory properties that along with Shepherd’s purse Yarrow also has analgesic and antispasmodic properties, effective in reducing muscle spasms in the uterus and alleviating menstrual cramps.

Ginger root is a rhizome originally used in  China and other parts of Asia, the Caribbean, West  Africa, and India. The pungent flavor of ginger is due to volatile oils and gingerols. Gingerols increase healthy motility of the gastrointestinal tract and have analgesic, sedative, antipyretic, and antibacterial properties. Hence ginger is classically used to ease nausea related to motion sickness, digestive upsets, after surgery, and menstruation. Gingerols also inhibit the production of pain causing prostaglandins, reducing menstrual cramping.

Ginger is a circulation tonic, warming according to traditional Eastern medicine, and seems to improve pelvic blood flow which may help to reduce cramps and prevent blood clots; it eased the pain for more than 60% of women in research.

Vitamin A is crucial for the production and regulation of hormones, and it supports overall reproductive health by maintaining the health of reproductive tissues.  Vitamin A also supports skin health which can be beneficial for acne that may worsen during menstruation.

Vitamin C reduces the risk of heavy menstrual bleeding by strengthening capillaries and improving blood vessel integrity.  Like Vitamin A, it supports the regulation of reproductive hormones such as estrogen and progesterone which contribute to cycle regularity. For women who may experience iron deficiency due to heavy periods, Vitamin C enhances iron absorption by enhancing the bioavailability of iron, converting iron to the more easily absorbed ferrous state.

Vitamin K is found in leafy greens such as kale, spinach, and collard green.  It supports menstruation primarily through its role in blood regulation and blood clotting.  By ensuring that blood clots form properly, excess menstrual bleeding can be reduced.  Some research suggests that vitamin K1 may play a role also in regulating estrogen metabolism.

Contents

3 capsules provide:

Vitamin A (as retinyl palmitate) 1,500 mcg
Vitamin C (as calcium ascorbate, buffered) 500 mg
Vitamin K1 (as phytonadione) 150 mcg
Calcium (as calcium ascorbate) 57 mg
Bioflavonoids (from citrus) 500 mg
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) rhizome 375 mg
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) aerial parts 300 mg
Shepherds’ purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) aerial parts 350 mg
Cranesbill (geranium maculatum) root 200 mg

Other Ingredients:  Vegan capsule (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, water)

This product does not contain gluten, milk, casein, or artificial preservatives.

Cautions

Always take natural remedies under the supervision of your health care provider. Slow Flow features a combination of herbs that effect blood clotting so please consult with your physician if taking blood-thinning drugs such as warfarin.  It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional if you have any pre-existing heart or thyroid conditions or if taking medications for blood pressure or diabetes as Slow Flow may influence your levels or interact with your medication.

Stop using Slow Flow at least 2 weeks before surgery as Shepherd’s purse may slow down the central nervous system’s activity too much when combined with anesthesia

Yarrow might interfere with medications for acid reflux and ulcers as it may increase the production of stomach acid. People who are allergic to ragweed and other related plants such as chrysanthemums, marigolds and daisies might also be allergic to yarrow. It is best not to combine yarrow with sedatives, antacids, lithium, anticoagulants or anti-inflammatory drugs without the advice of your physician.

Ginger might interact with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) potentially increasing the risk of serotonin syndrome.

Cranesbill can affect liver enzymes so if taking antibiotics, antifungals or cholesterol-lowering drugs or other medications metabolized by the liver,  consult your healthcare professional before taking Slow Flow.

Do not use Slow Flow without the advice of your healthcare professional if you have kidney disease, gout, a history of kidney stones, or are on dialysis as vitamin C may increase the risk of kidney stones. People with certain conditions, such as hemochromatosis (a condition causing iron overload), should be cautious as vitamin C can increase iron absorption.

Do not use without your physician’s guidance if you are taking furosemide, a loop diuretic, nitrate medications, or tetracycline as vitamin C may increase their effectiveness. There have been reports of vitamin C possibly interfering with blood thinning medications, though follow up studies did not support this association.

Vitamin A has interactions with many medications including medications tetracycline antibiotics, medications for severe psoriasis such as acitretin and medications used to lower cholesterol levels.  Consult with your physician if taking these medications. People with liver disease, high blood pressure or diabetes should be cautious as vitamin A can affect these conditions.

People with liver disease or bile duct obstruction should be cautious as vitamin K1 is processed in the liver and may not be properly utilized so always consult with your physician before taking Slow Flow.

Shepherd’s purse and yarrow are not considered during pregnancy as it may cause the uterus to contract, potentially leading to miscarriage and there is not enough information to determine safe use during lactation so avoid using Slow Flow unless under the guidance of your physician.