Hi everyone,
  I am very new to all this and only accepted who I was meant to be just before Dec 2012.  ( I've "known" since I was 6 years old, but that was 34 years ago! ). 

I have started to take herbs to see how I feel on HRT.  I am very much aware to the effects of various recreational drugs from my youth (since stopped a long long time ago - I certainly would not enjoy it any more).  As such I can tell the difference between what is really felt and the effects of aforementioned rec., drugs.

Back to the herbs (of which I shan't detail here unless someone states it is allowed). I am very surprised by the near immediate affects after two days.   A sense of euphoria and a complete change in mannerisms. I am still me, but I am astounded how girly excited and chatty I have become. (I was always very chatty and rather effeminate before, but more so now).  Also, I have impressive belching, which is not the lady like effect I expected. I am still me, but a really girly version. The emotions are generally positive, except when I was walking down a road and crazy man took a swipe at me! In this case I felt the first sense of utter helplessness in my life. I ducked and he carried on - I was crazy and tried to punch every passer by! ( I live in Amsterdam,NL, and there are lot of mentally ill walking the street which is fine bar the violent ones.)

What concerns me is the immerse euphoric feeling ( and sense of well being ). In my opinion it feels similar to MDMA, without the deliberating and unwanted effects ( drooling tongue and making no sense ).  Although I can function quite well, I feel a little caught off-guard and concerned thus.
Is this usual to feel like this?

Most likely those euphoric feelings are just in your mind.  Herbals would not have any instant reaction, nor would Estrogen, it takes time to build up in your system.  Herbals will do little or nothing unless your taking mega doses which is not advised.

Thank-you for setting me straight.  Certainly no mega dose taken.
Very interesting though.
Strange as I'm quite good at knowing my mind.
Think I shall lay off the herbs, and wait for the shrink next week.

Please note: The title is misleading. I should be grateful if suffixed with:  (Some Herbs not the real stuff)


Edit: Took care of that for you. Devlyn

well there are herbs and vitamins and amino acids and electrolytes that can make you just feel healthy overall, but I don't think any of that works like actual prescribed estrogen does. I saw thread here about spearmint being a somewhat effective anti androgen though.

Absolutely, real estrogen is the cat's mwaarraarr...I did the herb thing prior to HRT, and whether it was "all in my mind" or authentic, didn't matter...I was happy and wanted MORE.

Doses for MEDS are not allowed, I believe that amounts for herbs are ok (but can't speak with authority re: this site's rules).

I also took menopause supplements ("extra strength"), and had good effect with those.

could you list the names of the herbs you took? Doing so is not forbidden in this forum; just like I can tell you I take spirolactone, finasteride and estrogen.

What we cannot post is specific dosages

We do prohibit the discussion of certain herbal compounds, it might be best to check with a staff member before posting anything you're not sure is within the TOS. The rules are in place for the safety of our members and guests. Hugs, Devlyn

I tried to PM you via the profile, but just got an error. I think I lack forum privileges. I tried to find the TOS, but could not.
@mods: Please edit accordingly.

Saw Palmetto
Fenugeek
Red Clover Extract
GABA
Reasonable amounts (mg) taken of all.
It should be worth noting that my GP said my T levels were rather low, and she thought that this contributed to the loss of hair on my legs ( I am unsure that I believe her-It could be due to wearing socks!!) I add this extra info., because we are all different.

Hello..and welcome!

Yeah, you can't PM until you are 15 posts in.

If you are doing the Herbs in a healthy manner and you feel euphoric then that's what counts right?

If your doc does place you on medical HRT, you will def notice a difference (peeing like a race horse is one)...but as I said..nothing wrong with feeling euphoric...even if it is a placebo effect.

The TOS can be found with other important information in the Announcements section.

TOS Rule # 8. The discussion of hormone replacement therapy(HRT) and it's medications are permitted, with the following limitations:
A. You may not advocate for or against a specific medication or combinations of medication for personal gain. This is strictly prohibited.
B. You may not discuss the means to acquire HRT medications without a prescription. The discussion of self medication without a doctors supervision is prohibited.
C. The discussion of recommended or actual dosages is strongly discouraged to prevent information obtained on this site from being used to self medicate.We can not in good conscience condone the self administering of these medications. Not only may self medication be illegal, but HRT medications can cause serious health problems, and many have the potential for life-threatening side effects that can only be detected and prevented with proper medical supervision. 

Quote from: alicel on January 11, 2013, 06:02:53 PM
I tried to PM you via the profile, but just got an error. I think I lack forum privileges. I tried to find the TOS, but could not.
@mods: Please edit accordingly.

Saw Palmetto
Fenugeek
Red Clover Extract
GABA
Reasonable amounts (mg) taken of all.
It should be worth noting that my GP said my T levels were rather low, and she thought that this contributed to the loss of hair on my legs ( I am unsure that I believe her-It could be due to wearing socks!!) I add this extra info., because we are all different.

Loose the GABA it has no feminizing effects and does present a risk to your health (despite internet  claims to the contrary). It is very likely that the euphoria and drooling are caused by the GABA.

In general I do not take any herbs they are simply not oversight on their quality control, so you really do not know what you are ingesting

I took saw palmetto  (4/day, there was no recommended dose on my box).

Red clover extract in hand lotion, rubbed onto breasts.

Strawberry Vines red licorice, orally 8/day.

And the menopause supplement...

I was happy with the feeling, and with the (minimal) breast development...buds behind nipples, breast "valley" of 1" depth after 6 months. (as a guy, the valley area was 0 depth, relative to nips)

I actually have a website link that talks about a few other herbs as well. But these are for cisgender women , but I think a few of them can be helpful for overall health

http://www.wholeliving.com/134831/17-best-medicinal-herbs?center=0&gallery=136063&slide=25616

Then I have a link i found for holistic-health-for-transgender-gender-variant-folks

http://www.ohlonecenter.org/research-papers/holistic-health-for-transgender-gender-variant-folks/

It has mostly herbs to avoid for ftm folks, but you can see what you like there.

Hi Alice -

Though I do not recommend the use of selected herbs in place of medically-supervised hormone replacement therapy (on the theory that phytoestrogens can mimic animal hormones), at the same time I note that some of these herbs have a long and storied track record in folk medicine.

Fenugreek, for instance, has been used for thousands of year by lactating mothers to stimulate breast milk production, and may have mild aphrodisiac properties.

Saw Palmetto has been used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia and lower libido in men, though the scientific data is equivocal.  Some male users have noted breast tenderness.

Red clover, though generally recognized as safe, does contain blood thinning properties.

With all medications and herb supplements, you should carefully check for adverse interaction with other medications you might be taking. 

EDIT: I have posted a notice concerning Pueraria mirifica and related products.

Please read below : No documented breast growth Do not waste your money and put your health at risk. There is a famous TG persons who moves around earth in a wheel chair due to the toxic effects of herbs consumption.


Obstet Gynecol. 2003 Jun;101(6):1345-9.
"Bust enhancing" herbal products.
Fugh-Berman A.
Source

Department of Health Care Sciences, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA. fughberman@aol.com
Abstract

"Bust enhancing" herbal products are widely advertised. No clinical trials have been published. These products contain a variety of ingredients, including grains, hops, saw palmetto, dong quai, chaste-tree berry, wild yam, kava, fennel, black cohosh, and fenugreek. Several of these herbs are hormonally active; for example, hops contain 8-prenylnaringenin, a phytoestrogen that is more potent than other dietary phytoestrogens. Many bust-enhancing dietary supplements contain substrates for Fusarium, a fungus that produces zearalenone, a potent estrogen that has been associated with breast enlargement in humans and other species. The use of bust-enhancing products should be discouraged because of lack of evidence for efficacy and long-term safety concerns

Thanks peky, for emphasizing the point.

Taken in moderation herbs will not do any harm (but do check with your dr, if you're taking any meds or have health conditions).

Having said that, whether or not there is actual, documented effects...if they help you feel better about yourself, and you aren't cutting the food budget...it is your life, your choice.

my Grandma had some wonderful herbal remedies for general ailments and health concerns,

in fact a lot of medicine that we take is chemically derived from plants

like for instance aspirin comes from a plant called white willow bark

I take Ginseng for energy (yeah it actually helps)

But be careful as Beth Andrea was saying, there is actually a website from the government that shows you interactions with herbs:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginformation.html

Herbs and Supplements

Browse dietary supplements and herbal remedies to learn about their effectiveness, usual dosage, and drug interactions.

Hi,

It has been a while since I posted.

GABA: I stopped taking the this two days ago.  No reason other than concern that I may well hurt myself.

Drooling/euphoria. No drooling took place. Drooling was a reference to MDMA not GABA nor herbs.

After taking these herbs for twenty days, I have realised that I mistook euphoria for senuality: something that I had always felt, but had always been 'hidden'. 

Summary of effects:
Mental
  I am less anxious. Really. I am
  I am happier.
  I am pleasanter to be with.
  I get on with people far better than I used to.
  I feel like I should have felt a long time ago, but had been suppressed.

Physiological
  Taste and smell:  a year ago my taste and smell dimished so much that I simply could not smell any more. Flowers were scentless. My smell and taste have returned. This surprised me.
  Breasts: Chest size increased from 34 to 35. (When exhaled completely)
  Hips.: I have gained something solid on my hips. Presume is is fat deposit. It is noticable. My hips are just shy of 37 instead of 36.
I gained 2 kgs in 20 days : I went from 58 to 60kgs.  Some of this is just below the waistline.... Oh well.
Previously I disliked marzipan. Now I like it. Weird.

I have reduced the quality of herbs because I realised the mental effects are the most important and these I wish to keep. The Physiological are most welcome, but this has to be balanced with work and family.  When I have completed the rounds with the psychologist (for a diagnosis - hate this part), then I can stop herbs and speak with a doctor for proper medical supervision for a low dose of oestrogen and a testosterone blocker. 
Another important reason for a keeping levels low, is to prevent any unwanted medical complications. Regardless of the use of herbs for millenia, it does not mean that there were no complications. I don't fancy a blood clot from taking too much red clover.

A.

Not to rain on anybody's picnic, but can't all of this be attributed to a mere placebo effect?