Kerrie- Let me just say I'm not an expert or anything, but have been dealing with pcos for a number of years now. I am experiencing some really depressing issues with it currently, so can understand your frustration. I am a lurker on this forum, but haven't commented (note above about being an in-expert, lol). Really wanted to post to yours though since I have the same problems. Last year I went off bc (yasmin) because of the same thing- experiencing a migraine after my period that would be so bad I would spend the day vomiting. I do rather regret going off of it, due to worsening symptoms from the sudden upset in hormones from stopping it. I resumed taking them again in Nov, but this time starting the new pack after having my period for only four days, instead of seven. I suspected (and was confirmed by a specialist I go to) that the migraines were a result of my estrogen tanking from the whole week off of it (period week). It's worked wonderfully- not even the whisper of a migraine since. Have you thought of maybe going on a different low-androgen bcp? Were you wanting to go fully natural, or are you open to Western medicine too? --- Many doctors now agree that pcos is the symptom of a greater cause, insulin resistance, which is essentially the beginnings of pre-diabetes. Have you had a glucose test done before? You might consider having a 1hr/fasting glucose test to see where you are at with that. Even if the tests DO come back within the normal range one can still have insulin resistance- your just not bad off enough to have it show on the test. That was my case. I've since changed my diet (no sugar, hardly any grains and few starches) to help it from worsening. I'm also taking NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) which is supposed to help with insulin resistance/pcos symptoms. It's the same with hormone tests. Even if your tests do come back "within the normal range" it still may not be right for you- this was also my case. To reduce the androgens I went on the drug Aldactone (generic Spironolactone). My total T dropped from 95 in Nov. to 10 in late Jan. For a natural alternative you might try saw palmetto (which I also take, lol), as it is an anti-androgen. -- Ps. not positive, but I believe one may have BOTH high estrogen and androgen levels. My doctor said in Nov that my progesterone was a bit low and that my male hormones might be high for me (although in the "normal" range for most women. I've always thought that "estrogen dominance" is in relation to the estrogen:progesterone ratio, where there is a decrease in progesterone, thus making your estrogen the dominant one in that relationship. DIM (Diindolylmethane) is also good for general regulating of hormones. It's made from cruciferous vegetables, so is very safe. I've been taking it awhile too. I've got several pages collected of natural alternatives for pcos that I have come across, but I will refrain from posting more since I've likely been overly longwinded yet again, LOL. Again, I am not an expert. Just sharing some of my thoughts on it... ;-) CMK

Shari, I saw a Magnolia 'Ann' at the Riverbanks Zoo yesterday. Gorgeous, deciduous and frangrant for an added bonus! From this link.... http://schandg.com/gardening/plants/magnolia-ann.html A: Magnolia 'Ann' was bred at the U.S. National Arboretum. She is a hybrid selection of the lily magnolia and the star magnolia. She is usually multi-stemmed and shrubby, but can also be grown as a small 8-10 foot tree. She blooms a couple of weeks later than the Japanese magnolia (Magnolia soulangeana) which is sometimes called a tulip tree. M. Ann is deciduous, has cup shaped reddish-purple flowers, and looks very similar to the Japanese magnolia. ..... better pics at these links....... http://www.waverlyfarm.com/catalog-plant.html?code=MGNHBAN Here is a link that might be useful: Magnolia 'Ann'

Good Morning Daisy- I've included three "recipes" I found to give you an idea how I intend to present this gift. I'll print them out and make a little booklet, so my friend will have a guideline if she wishes to use the herbs. If not, they will simply be additional plants for her flourishing gardens. She did mention that she really needed to replace a Feverfew she had lost recently. I don't want to make this gift too complicated, and it certainly isn't meant to replace medical treatment. She will understand that. I probably won't use the last recipe, as I haven't found a Vervain plant and am waiting to hear from Richters on the Virginian Scullcap I ordered! Tea for Tension Headaches Use one sprig of Rosemary, and three leaves of Betony per cup of boiling water. To retain the oils, keep the pot covered. This makes a relaxing tea that will clear the head. Make and drink a cupful once or twice a day to relieve tension as needed. Migraine Relief At the first sign of Migraine make a tiny Feverfew sandwich- One Feverfew leaf between two pieces of bread and butter to mask the bitter taste. Feverfew increases your blood circulation to head off and reduce a Migraine attack. Tincture for Chronic Headaches Using equal parts of Vervain and Scullcap (4 oz. dried or10 oz. fresh) make a tincture with one pint of 30 percent proof vodka in a large screw-top canning jar. Seal the jar and let steep for one month, shaking well everyday. After one month, strain the mixture through a cheescloth and discard the herbs. Store tincture in a clean, dark glass bottle until needed. Take on teaspoonful, three times a day, as needed.

Actually, because of our fierce summer heat, I find that plants in the garden do much better than the potted ones, which dry out incredibly quickly. We get a lot of what they call 'sea breezes' here, but I call them 'gale-force winds'. I use a heavy layer of mulch over all the garden, and that stops a lot of evaporation. I plan on getting my young helper to hammer in some lengths of pipe deep down. I'll water into the pipe, instead of onto the soil surface, and that way the water will reach the roots and encourage plants to send roots further down where it's more moist anyway.