A CONVERSATION WITH VALERIE OTTO
Founder, Becoming, Inc.; developer of Oöna

Q. Why Oöna and why now?

A. For most women, using prescription drug therapies as an approach to menopause simply doesn't work. Oöna gives them a natural choice.

Q. Isn't "natural" one of the most misleading terms in the health field today?

A. Perhaps the most. What sets Oöna apart is that its basic ingredient, black cohosh, has been proven effective through extensive testing in Europe's Commission E Monograph series. Hundreds of botanicals were examined for efficacy and safety, and about one out of three didn't make it. One effective botanical that consistently alleviated menopausal/menstrual symptoms such as hot flashes, sleeplessness and irritability was black cohosh, the main ingredient of Oöna.

Q. Black cohosh?

A. Black cohosh, a relative of the buttercup and native to the Eastern United States, has a long history of alleviating the symptoms of menopause. It was used by American Indians before the arrival of Columbus. The American botanist John Bartram planted it in his first study garden in 1729. British physicians as far back as 1829 noted that the root of black cohosh was medicinal, but it wasn't until the 1940s that animal studies showed it helped relieve menopause symptoms.* Since then it has been used safely and effectively by about one and a half million women in Europe and Australia. More recently, extensive testing under Europe's respected E- Commission studies have provided further evidence. Many of these studies are available on our website at http://www.oonausa.com.

Q. If black cohosh extract has been around for so long and is so beneficial, how come I've never heard of it?

A. If you lived in Europe or Australia, you probably would have heard of it. Here in the United States, however, natural approaches to menopause were often overlooked in favor of prescription drug therapies. Now, as more and more women in this country seek a natural way to help ease their discomfort, the benefits of black cohosh are becoming more widely known.

Q. Since the cohosh plant is native to America, couldn't I just grow some in my backyard and grind up the root myself?

A. That's definitely not recommended. For one thing, many varieties of cohosh plants are harmful. Blue cohosh, for example, contains dangerous toxins. The ingredients in Oöna have no toxins. In fact, laboratory studies have shown that taking even 90 times the recommended dosage results in no toxicity. Secondly, one of the great advantages of Oöna is its efficacy. It's precisely manufactured so that you always get the exact same amount of key active compounds dose after dose after dose. Finally, Oöna also contains chaste berry extract, an ingredient that works very similarly to black cohosh and complements its effects.

Q: What is chaste berry extract?

A: Chaste berry extract is made from the dried fruit of the chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus). It's been used for its medicinal properties since the time of the ancient Greeks. Hippocrates cited it for its effects on female reproduction. In medieval times it was thought to decrease the sexual appetite of men, thus the "chaste" common name. It is now known that it has no effect whatsoever on male or female sex drive.

Q: What is its effect in Oöna?

A: Chaste berry extract has been shown in clinical studies to decrease levels of prolactin which, in turn, leads to increased production of progesterone during the menstrual cycle, reducing symptoms of PMS.* In one major study involving more than 4,000 patients, about one-third of the women reported total relief from symptoms, while more than 50 percent said they felt a marked improvement.*

Q. How does Oöna work? Is it a phytoestrogen, that is, an estrogen made from plants?

A. Though Oöna has some "estrogenic" effects, it has been shown in recent studies that it is not a phytoestrogen. In fact, it has no effect on organs related to menopause, including the uterus. Scientists and herbalists widely believe that the ingredients in Oöna help the body regulate itself so that it doesn't just soothe symptoms, it prevents them.* If taken as directed, most women find significant relief within 10-14 days, and an even greater sense of well-being after 3-4 months.* Black cohosh appears to address a wide range of menopausal symptoms, in part by selectively and significantly reducing levels of luteinizing hormone, the hormone shown to be the cause of hot flashes. At the same time, black cohosh leaves levels of follicle stimulating hormones and prolactin unchanged.*

The chaste tree berry extract works to lower prolactin levels (a hormone in the pituitary). Elevated prolactin levels are associated with both PMS and menopausal symptoms such as breast tenderness and feeling bloated.*

Scientists believe that the triterpene glycosides and flavonoids in black cohosh probably work together. Some studies suggest that the compounds in black cohosh bind to estrogen receptors and imitate the effect of estriol, the weakest of the three levels of estrogen and one which is not associated with increased risk of breast, ovarian or endometrial cancers.*

Q. I tried another brand of black cohosh and wasn't very impressed. Why should I expect Oöna to be any different?

A. It's different because Oöna is a powerful concentrated form of black cohosh. This isn't just a capsule filled up with ground black cohosh root. It's an extract - a concentrated form of the root that is standardized for its active ingredients. And because Oöna is standardized to a "marker compound" all of the constituents of the herb are present. Therefore, Oöna is not only made from the finest black cohosh grown, it also delivers the exact same dosage in every tablet. Herbalists recommend that most women start with ten 500mg tablets 3 times a day if they took the ground up cohosh root. But our research shows that women find this to be too difficult of a regime to maintain. So with Oöna, the recommended dosage to start is 2 tablets 3 times a day, and research shows itŐs very effective, with less incidence of stomach upset. And don't forget, Oöna has the added benefit of chaste berry extract, which complements the work of black cohosh.

Q. Is Oöna just for menopausal symptoms?

A. No, Oöna is also recommended to relieve the unpleasant symptoms of post- and pre-menstrual syndrome.*

Q: Can I take it just when I am having PMS symptoms?

A: Oöna's effectiveness comes from a regimen of taking it every day over a recommended period of time. It can relieve symptoms of post- and pre-menstrual syndrome, but only if taken as part of regimen.*

Q. Will Oöna interfere with any medicines I may be taking?

A. No. This is important to know because many women worry about safety issues, when something you take interferes with your medicines. Oöna is safe and you can take it with confidence. Of course, you should always let your health care provider know if you are taking Oöna or any other remedies. It's also very important to remember that you must stop taking it immediately if you are or may be pregnant. (If you should become pregnant while taking Oöna, it will not adversely effect your pregnancy in any way, but should be stopped as soon as you are aware that pregnancy is possible.)

Q: Does Oöna work for everyone?

A: Consistently, clinical studies show the ingredients in Oöna make a difference for 80% of women.*

Q. How can I get Oöna?

A. Oöna is available by calling our toll-free number 1-888-596-5154 or through our website http://www.oonausa.com. Oöna will be delivered directly to you. This guarantees you fast, convenient service and the utmost in privacy.

Q. When is it available?

A. We're launching December 15th and we couldn't be more excited! We're looking forward to changing the way American women approach menopause.