WOMEN'S HEALTH AND EMPOWERMENT
105 Ways to Celebrate Menstruation, Kami McBride
Christiane Northrup says: "I just adore 105 Ways to Celebrate Menstruation. It's light, fun and empowering. Every woman and girl should read this!"
This is a valuable book for all menstruating women or women with teenage daughters. It helps women better understand their body cycles and is a guide for using menstruation as a tool for personal growth and self-healing. You will find wonderful herbal recipes that have been formulated from Kami's nineteen years of teaching women's health. Simple and easy to read, you will feel inspired to nurture and care for yourself, creating a healthier and more balanced menstrual cycle.
The Billings Method: Controlling Fertility Without Drugs or Devices, Evelyn Billings
I love the Billings Ovulation Method; it is the most researched natural family planning method available. There aren't that many people teaching it (go get trained!) This method needs to be taught to every woman when she first begins her period. It is not just for achieving or avoiding pregnancy but it is the template for being the curator and guardian of your female health
The Chalice and the Blade: Our History, Our Future, Riane Eisler
Through carbon dating and more advanced archeological technology we now know that there were extensive periods in history where there was no war and people lived in peace. Why is this important? When we talk about the possibility of ending war and violence today, people often say, it has always been this way…..Not true. This book rearranges your psyche and allows for new possibilities of healing. I think this should be required reading in high school class rooms, this is a brilliant book.
Descent to the Goddess: A Way of Initiation for Women, Sylvia Perera
I read this book over and over during the trials of my Saturn Return. It is a very useful book for giving a mythological context to life's challenges. I worked extensively with the Innana myth in working through illness and many difficulties and this book was an invaluable part of that process
Ina Mae's Guide to Childbirth, Ina Mae Gaskin
Of all of the books that I read during my pregnancy (I read a lot) this was by far the most valuable. This is the book that I recommend that every pregnant woman read. More than 2000 babies have been born at Ina Mae's clinic with the lowest complication rates in the country. In this book she tells you the principles that any woman can learn that reduce birthing complications and can help to make your birthing a better experience.
Kali: The Feminine Force
What we need are more books like this one. Full of photographs that inspire a broader perspective of the feminine and what it means to be a woman. Well researched and full of beautiful red pictures, we are given a broader perspective of the Divine Mother and the power of the feminine force.
The Living Goddesses, Marija Gimbutas
This extraordinary book is a distillation of the life's work of Marija Gimbutas. Marija was a pioneering archeologist who spent decades researching the goddess focused religions of pre-Indo Europe (7000-3000 BC). This is fascinating information that helps us to question our current patriarchal culture
Managing Menopause Naturally with Chinese Medicine, Honora Lee Wolfe
Go beyond estrogen; develop a deeper understanding of menopause and how to work with it in a holistic way. This book explains how Chinese medicine can aid in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of menopausal problems, restoring balance to a woman's body. Topics covered include Chinese self-care and home remedies and information on Chinese dietary therapy, exercise, and deep relaxation
Moon Mother, Moon Daughter, Janet Lucy
We need to expand our concepts and rituals around girls' first menstrual experiences. The media provides plenty of images of shame, hiding and which products to use to supress the whole thing. This book is full of ideas of how to instill a positive experience in relation to a girls' first menstruation. This is an important time in a girl's life, a time in which a lot of cellular information is put into place about how to be as a woman. It needs careful tending to; this book expands our consciousness about the possibilities of how to create a positive and healing relationship with first menstruation
Mother-Daughter Wisdom, Christiane Northrup, MD
Our mother is the primary role model in how we love and care for ourselves. Even if she never speaks to us bout health, her thoughts, feelings and actions are embedded into our cells. Each woman must get clear about the legacy of her inheritance from her mother and how it plays out in her life. This is a wonderful book that will enhance the quality of your life
The Multi Orgasmic Man, Chia and Abrams
I know this is the section on female health, if you are a woman and you sleep with a man, you will love working with this book. Simple breathing techniques and exercises to help any man learn to extend his sexual pleasure and therefore yours. Learn how to re-circulate your ejaculation and experience multiple orgasms.
The Natural Pregnancy Book: Herbs, Nutrition, and Other Holistic Choices, Aviva Jill Romm
Even though I had been using herbs for 20 years when my son was born, it didn't mean that I was comfortable in applying it all to a new baby. I referenced this book constantly when my son was first born. I love all of Aviva's books, she is a midwife, herbalist and has four children. The information in this book is grounded and comes from her personal experience. This book belongs in the library of anyone with children.
Queen Jin's Handbook of Pregnancy, Fred Jeremy Seligson
This is one of the first books I read when I was pregnant. Some of the concepts may be a little outdated and difficult for western women, but these are 'teachings of the womb' that are thousands of years old. This ancient information on embryonic education teaches that the year the child is in the womb is as important as any other year of education in the child's life. I enjoyed reading all of the tips for supporting my pregnancy in many of the nourishing guidelines found in this book
Shakti Woman, Vicki Noble
I recommend all of Vicki's books and if you ever have a chance to do a workshop or healing circle with her, do it. She is a great healer and wise woman and this book is the story of her journey as a healer
Tantra: The Art of Conscious Loving, Charles & Caroline Muir
This is a good beginning Tantra book for learning how to work male and female sexual energies. Male and female energies are polar opposites; it is good to have some tools for synchronizing these energies for a greater potential of healing and self manifestation
The Wisdom of Menopause, Christiane Northrup
If you are one of the 40 million American women moving into menopause, I recommend getting this book. Dr. Northrup can help you deprogram and release negative programming and fear you have about menopause. Menopause is an extraordinary time in a woman's life, learn the tools you need to support yourself and create optimum health and well being for what is possible to be the best time of your life
Woman's Mysteries: Ancient and Modern, Esther Harding
Here is a classic study of the feminine principle in myths, dreams, and religious symbolism. In presenting the archetypal foundations of feminine psychology, the author shows how the ancient religious initiations of the moon goddess symbolized the development of the emotions. Understanding the psychological meaning of these initiations, she believes, can help to heal the troubled relations between men and women today.
Women, Hormones, and the Menstrual Cycle: Herbal and Medical Solutions From Adolescence to Menopause, Ruth Trickey
Written by a midwife, naturopath, this book gives you in-depth information backed by personal experience on nutrition, herbs and conventional treatment for a wide range of gynecological possibilities. She gives clear guidelines for how to go about treating menstrual disorders within a holistic context and also helps you understand when drug and surgical treatment may be necessary. This is one of the most in dept books written on natural healing for the menstrual cycle and maintaining hormonal balance
Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom, Christiane Northrup
Dr. Northrups books are required reading for women that are interested in being actively involved in their health care process. This isn't a book that I read cover to cover, I pick it up and see where the pages fall. I am always inspired and informed and it seems that it is full of just what I need to hear at the right time!