Regain Your Hormonal Balance
Hormonal issues are the most common reason women come in to clinic to see me. The options for help on the NHS are limited and many women do not want to take medications for various reasons. Herbal medicines work incredibly well for hormonally related conditions as they support the body’s ability to find equilibrium again.
Read on to find out about how you can balance your hormones naturally with herbal medicines.
Hormonal Regulation
Direct hormonal tonics such as Chaste Tree Berry (Vitex Agnus Castus) work by acting on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis (HPO axis) to help balance hormones. It is best taken in the morning within an hour of rising as that is when the pituitary gland is most active. Chaste Tree Berry helps to normalise the ratio of oestrogen to progesterone, which can be particularly beneficial for women who experience premenstrual syndrome (PMS), irregular menstrual cycles, or other hormonal imbalances. It is of particular benefit in oestrogen-dominant conditions such as endometriosis and fibroids. You need to take Chaste Tree Berry for a minimum for 3 months to see improvements, so do stick with it!
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)
Red Clover has had a lot of research into it due to it’s rich source of dietary isoflavones. Diets high in these phytoestrogens has been implicated in reducing the effect of low oestrogen in menopausal women. It may benefit by slowing bone loss and reducing hot flushes, cholesterol and blood pressure. Red Clover can be useful herb to take around menopausal time but I often find the best outcome achieved from a herbal prescription due to the multiple nature of menopausal symptoms in each individual.
Hormonal tonics can sometimes be a bit confusing to use and can occassionally exacerbate symptoms. For more advice for your personal situation please contact me here.
Effective breakdown and elimination of hormones
Artichoke (Cynara scolymus)
The liver and intestines play an important role in hormonal balance. The liver helps break down hormones before they are excreted through the gut. Sluggish bowel motions indicate the liver and intestines need support to eliminate effectively. Digestive tonics such as Milk Thistle, Dandelion root and Artichoke can encourage liver function. Bitter tasting plants and herbs, such as Dandelion & Artichoke, improve bowel transit time as they encourage bile production and soften the stool. Milk Thistle is more appropriate for fast transit time or if the person has soft or loose bowel motions. All hormonal conditions will benefit from liver support and improving digestive function.
Effective digestion, including absorption and elimination, should be considered when looking to achieve hormonal balance. I see a higher tendency towards sluggish bowel movements and constipation with hormonal imbalance although this isn’t always the case. Drinking plenty of water is key and I suggest you aim for 2 litres a day of clear water. Eating 8-10 portions of fruit and veg a day is beneficial for so many reasons and also try to get as many different types of plant in your diet each week. Improving your microbiome with fermented foods (sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, kombucha, natural yoghurt) also plays an important role in digestive health.
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Nervous system and adrenal support
Long term stress has a negative effect on our reproductive hormones. Adrenaline and cortisol are produced as part of our stress response and, when chronic, can influence hormonal balance. This can be seen in many different ways such as cyclical changes or periods becoming more difficult to cope with. People might notice that their period is delayed around exam time or when planning a wedding, but this is just one example of how stress can affect hormonal rhythms.
St John’s Wort (Hypericum perfolitaum)
Herbs used to support the nervous system and adrenals glands help to reduce the negative impact of stress have a knock on effect to support hormonal balance. Herbal medicines help nourish the nervous system by strengthening and restoring resilience. Although the external stress may not change, people’s ability to cope will be improved. Nervous system restoratives take around 6-8 weeks for changes to to be noticed and will leave you more robust than when you started. These herbs include Oatstraw, Skullcap and St John’s Wort. These type of herbs will also improve energy levels and reduce anxiety. Please note John’s Wort does have interactions and contraindications so please check if you are taking any prescription medication before starting it.
Taking adaptogenic plants and botanicals can help restore adrenal function and help reduce our negative response to stress. They are quite extraordinary as they support us in many different ways: increase energy levels, improve immune function, enhance focus, concentration and much more. In improving our stress response they also contribute to healthy hormonal balance and improve cyclical symptoms such as PMT and other hormonally related symptoms. Shatavari is an adaptogen also classed as a cooling female reproductive tonic. It may be beneficial if you are trying to conceive or experiencing menopausal hot flushes.
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Blood Sugar Regulation
Hormones involved in the menstrual cycle and ovulation are highly sensitive to changes in blood glucose levels and balancing blood sugars can help regulate reproductive hormones. This can be noticed more readily when blood sugars are not balanced and the issues that arise from this.
When blood sugar levels are consistently high cells become less responsive to insulin and the body has to produce more to keep blood sugar levels stable. This can result in insulin resistance which can lead to irregular periods, acne, and other symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Consistently low blood sugar levels can lead to a decrease in the production of sex hormones which can disrupt the menstrual cycle and even lead to amenorrhoea (stopping of menstruation)
Cinnamon has been found to have several compounds that can help regulate blood sugar levels in the body. One of the most active compounds in cinnamon is called cinnamaldehyde which has been shown to be beneficial in lowering blood sugar levels. Cinnamon has slows the rate at which the stomach empties after a meal and can prevent spikes in glucose levels after eating.
Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)
It's important to note that while Cinnamon may have some benefits for blood sugar regulation, it should not be used as a substitute for diabetes medication or a healthy lifestyle. It's always best to consult with a healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet or medication regimen.
Bitters are found in bitter herbs, roots, and leaves such as dandelion, gentian, and burdock. While the exact mechanism of how bitters improve blood sugar balance is not fully understood, research suggests that plants with a bitter taste may help regulate blood sugar levels in several ways. They stimulate digestive enzymes; improve insulin sensitivity; slow carbohydrate absorption; and reduce inflammation. It is essential to taste these herbs rather than take them as a capsule. The whole process starts by the bitter taste increasing salivation in the mouth and should not to be bypassed by swallowing capsules. Without the bitter taste on the tongue they do not work ion the same way.
Circulation improvement
The circulation of blood and lymph are also involved in hormone health. The blood carries important nutrients to tissues and, along with lymph, removes waste products. This can be done through exercises that encourage movement around the waist and hips but herbs also play a supportive role.
Ginger (Zingiber officinalis)
Ginger can be beneficial in improving heavy, clotted and painful periods. It acts to improve pelvic circulation by improving nutrient delivery to uterine tissues as well as facilitating the removal of waste products thus reducing inflammation.
Fresh root ginger can be grated to make a strong infusion by steeping it in boiling water. I would use a thumb sized piece to a mug of boiling water. After 10 minutes this tea can be drunk or used to make a compress. To make a compress soak a cloth in the infusion, wring it out and apply it as hot as you can bear to the lower back or abdomen. This can be covered with another towel and hot water bottle. The compress is particularly good for painful periods.
Encouraging healthy lymphatic circulation is wonderful for reducing breast tenderness, fluid retention and bloating. Cleavers, also known as Sticky Willy, is a blood purifying tonic which clears waste products and products of inflammation through the lymph system. Herbalists often talk about it like a pipe cleaner for the lymphatic system. It is used to support weight loss, detoxification and is perfect if you are feeling sluggish or have any issue relating to tissue stagnation.
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