New Menopausal Years (The Wise Woman Way)

Book Review by Christina Francine

Susun Weed has done it again. Is there no limit to her knowledge of aiding the body naturally? In this new revised and expanded edition readers will find an abundance of information to guide them through the second major change in their life. The first being when they went from a girl to a fertile woman and the second from a fertile woman to a wise crone. Weed’s book is not only memorable; it will change the way women think every day about aging. ‘New Menopausal Years’ is written in third person, but offers first person questions a woman might ask and answers from ‘Grandmother Growth’s’ point of view. This creates a personable read.

One of many positive traits about Weed is how she looks at life. Her attitude is upbeat, optimistic, inspiring, and “A-La-Natural.” She helps women feel good about themselves, gain insight, to accentuate this second step in their life as one to look forward to and as a position of respect and wisdom. Weed tells women their body will change and this doesn’t have to anger or frighten them. It’s their body’s way of preparing to care for itself and store proper nutrients for seasoned years. As if this isn’t enough, Weed also provides recipes, first-aide, herbs to use, places to order herbs, vitamins and minerals, tips, things to avoid, resources, and much more - all this in an effort to aid readers before, during, and after menopause.

Weed’s guide book provides information and remedies for the pre-menopausal years such as sore breasts, hot flashes, emotional uproar (depression), sleep disturbances, migraines, flooding and fibroids and later in the book post-menopausal anxiety over a healthy heart, memory loss, osteoporosis, broken bones, aching joints, and more.

Table of Contents

At the end of each abundant and thorough chapter Weed provides References & Resources, Herbal Allies for Women Beginning Menopause, and Ritual Interlude.

·Introduction
·What are The Menopausal Years?
·Using This Book
·Using Herbs Safely
·Foreword
·Author’s Preface
·Chapter One – Is This Menopause? Preparing for the Journey
·Chapter Two – Post Menopause: She-Who-Holds-the-Wise-Blood-Inside
·Appendix 1 – Herbal Sources of Vitamins and Minerals for the Menopausal Years
·Appendix 2 – Recipes and Pharmacy for the Menopausal Years
·Appendix 3 – Minerals in Selected Herbs
·Glossary (love books with these)
·Endnotes
·Index (love books with these)

What are others saying?

-“It is further flattery, but true! Susun Weed is a gifted writer. Her Crone passages, in which the old woman is giving advice and encouragement often possesses poetical beauty.”
---Juliette de Bairacli Levy

-“Such an important book. Women come into our library seeking this material all the time.”
---Maggy Brown
Center for Medical Consumers

Quotes From The Book:

-“The frequency, intensity, and duration of hot flashes is unique to each woman, but in general, healthier women have more hot flashes.”

-“Great Granddaughter, it is time to prepare for your journey. I am Grandmother Growth. I, my plant friends, and my stories have come to guide you on your menopausal journey, your metamorphosis to Crone, woman of wholeness.”

Susun Weed began studying herbal medicine in 1965 and wrote her first book, ‘Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year’ (1985). Her other books include: ‘Healing Wise’ (1989), ‘Breast Cancer? Breast Health! The Wise Woman Way’ (1996) and she stars in a video called ‘Menopause Metamorphosis.” Weed appears on many television and radio shows, and in herbal magazines such as ‘The Herb Quarterly.’ She teaches workshops at her Woman Center in Woodstock, New York too.

This book exceeds because of Susun’s relaxed approach, gentle teaching, and offer to hold your hand through the second biggest body change in a woman’s life.

As a woman in her early forties, Weed’s book soothed my apprehensions and demons. Her words enlightened, empowered, and calmed . It was like having a conversation with a wise, loving, old friend. I know what to expect when my menopausal years start now and there is comfort in that. She reminded me to embrace and accept them as a natural part of life.

I recommend any woman looking for enlightenment empowerment, and peace about their menopausal years to read this book. Every woman in the world would benefit