I understand this is an oldish post but I thought I'd put my two cents in. (And if you do choose to glance at my post, please do not go to the very end, but take the minute or two to read the whole thing. It may make a difference in your opinion of me and what I have to say. Thank you.)
I am 17. Clearly younger than the proper age limit to be taking herbal supplements and apparently (something made confusing to me by other people on the internet and on other forums) too young to even be noogling or taking BO.
But I honestly think it is a huge mistake to not allow minors to join this forum.
First, teenagers are not all stupid. I value my health, that is why I'm waiting until my twenties to start any herbal program (if I even want to by that point). And I thank everyone on this site and other sites for telling me to wait. I first heard about NBE when I stumbled upon Pueraria Mirifica. The different sites I visited never stated an age limit, and I was about to order a bottle off of Amazon but never recieved it due to a mess-up with shipping (and now I swear that God or good Karma had something to do with me not recieving that bottle...but that's another story).
When I finally did learn that I should wait until I am 18 (21) to start any herbal supplementation, I was curious as to why I should wait. Is it because companies selling these capsuls and pills were doing so for legal purposes? Is it because these supplementations have never been tested on young adults? Or is it because it can be harmful to the developement of teenagers and young adults (which I have very recently found out is the reason)?
It was not enough to only be told "don't do it." I needed a concrete reason (an explaination! citing science and/or studies) as to why NBE can be harmful to teens.
You may all say that looking at any thread, it is clear enough how NBE can be harmful. Well, I disagree.
I look at all these different posts of how women are taking SP, RC, FG, etc. which are resulting in headaches, cramps, and lighter periods. My first reaction is not "maybe this stuff isn't safe for teenagers", but instead "maybe this stuff isn't safe for anybody in general". Though, I then think about how three different friends are all on birth control with similar symptoms and no periods. Please, point out if I am wrong, but my logic is telling me that if my young body can handle birth control, it should definitley be able to handle any herb (maybe in a decreased amount, but still be able to handle it).
Though, my logic was wrong, because our bodies are more complex than that, and it took me many posts and many questions to find that out.
I, along with many other teenagers, are constantly asking the same questions that oh-so annoy you because our questions have no proper answers being published in a thread or in a section of a forum that we are likely to stumble across.
I like the idea of have a section on this site labeled 'IF UNDER --- YEARS OF AGE, VIEW THIS PAGE'. All teens will go straight to that page. They are not stupid. They will not ignore it. Obviously, they come on these forums for answers and to do research, or else they would have been experimenting with herbs from the start, not even considering what any one else with greater knowledge has to say.
I am sorry if any teenager has given you attitude over the computer for telling her something she does not want to hear. Clearly those types of kids will do what they want. But please don't punish the rest of us who truly want to learn the most we can about NBE. If it is truly bothersome, ignore it. You are the adults afterall, I would assume you are mature enough to let such stupidities and ignorance phase you.
But truly, a section for teenagers would be very helpful! I have very recently asked one of the more active members of this forum what he thought about me taking herbal supplaments and if he could recommend any herbs I should take. He was honest and polite in saying that it is not recommended at all and gave a deeper understanding of the dangers of starting a NBE program too young. I am embarrassed if I did annoy him, but I am very thankful because now I can feel like my decision to wait is a good one (and that living another four or five years with a small chest is okay).
He also shared something that, like I stated earlier, came as a suprise to me. On CherylsBreastTalk forum, it is stated that methods such as BO and chest pumps are safe for teenagers to use. He told me I should "shelf" my noogleberry for a while. Please don't forget that there are people who will tell us teens wrong information (I am in no way insulting the people apart of CherylsBreastTalk forum) that may compromise our health. I have seen some comments stating that a girl my age can take herbs, that 'a few years early' is okay.
Don't take one of our only reputable sources of information from us. You know very well how hard it is to come across information on the internet about breast growth that is not shady or corrupt.
Everyone on this site clearly has some form of self-esteem issues (you would accept your body for the way it is and not care about growing boobies). Teenagers are definitely no exception. Turning us away will only make us more upset and more likely to do something irrational. Embrace us and show us a thread that will answer all our questions.
And if one of us gets too annoying, have Eve ban her. As simple as that
There's my two cents... please don't rip me apart too bad, I'm sensitive.