If you have been struggling with a hormone imbalance, there are many natural solutions that may help.
The safest and most effective ways to use herbs to balance hormone levels remain uncertain, but there are many herbs that have been shown to help.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, using hormone therapy, living with endocrine or mental health disorders, or have cancer you will want to use caution when using these herbs.
Some women may be interested in herbal hormone balancers during certain times in their lives like puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Other people might consider using herbs to balance their hormones for reasons related to health and aging, but what ever your reason, herbs may help.
1. Nigella seeds
Nigella sativa is also known as kalonji or fennel flower, and it has been marketed as "black seeds, or black cumin seeds". The seeds produce a phytonutrient called thymoquinone.
Researchers are investigating nigella seed’s protective and therapeutic effects in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
In animal studies, nigella seed extracts have helped regulate insulin, testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and thyroid hormone levels, among others.
What’s more, Nigella sativa acts similarly to the hormone estrogen in your body.
Some studies have explored whether nigella seeds could be an alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) during menopause to help balance estrogen.
2. Black Cohosh Root
It’s a popular supplement made from the ground roots of the black cohosh plant.
Black cohosh has been and is used to support women’s health issues like menstrual irregularities, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and symptoms of menopause.
Black cohosh may act as a phytoestrogen— a plant substance that acts similarly to the hormone estrogen when ingested in large doses.
A few studies have found black cohosh to relieve symptoms of menopause more effectively than a placebo or no treatment at all.
3. Marjoram
Marjoram and other types of herbal shrubs, such as oregano, have been used in traditional medicine for many years.
A small human study had people with PCOS drink marjoram tea twice daily for 1 month. Compared with the placebo treatment, marjoram tea was linked to significant reductions in fasting insulin hormone levels, which could indicate improved blood sugar management.
Marjoram appears to influence cortisol, insulin, and estradiol.
4. Red Raspberry Leaves
Red Raspberry leaves are high in vitamins and nutrients that your body needs in order to balance hormones. It is high in calcium, magnesium, potassium and iron.
The leaves contain an alkaloid called fragarine which researchers have found helps to simultaneously tone and relax the uterine muscle helping to balance the muscular action of the uterus.
Together the fragarine and astringency are thought to be responsible for many of the raspberry leaf benefits for women by helping tighten and tone uterine and pelvic muscles. Hence, the infusion or tea consumed regularly throughout the cycle may be of assistance in cases of uterine prolapse and excessive menstrual bleeding. It is also used to help soothe painful muscle spasms in the uterus, helping to ease menstrual cramping.
5. Maca Root
Maca root has been known as a natural Viagra.
Maca is a powerful adaptogen that allows the body to adapt naturally to stressful conditions. Adaptogens also help to improve the body’s natural balance or homeostasis.
Maca has been recommended for everything from impotence and infertility to depression, hot flashes, stress and memory loss.
6. Wild Yam
Wild Yam has been shown to work to naturally replace hormones. Because the goal of natural healing is to help the body to boost it's ability to produce hormones on its own, I don't recommend this herb unless necessary until your body is producing hormones on its own.
Other natural ways to balance hormones:
- Eat a healthy diet of whole foods, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds.
- Drink red raspberry leaf tea every day.
- Get regular exercise. Gentle exercises like rebounding, yoga or stretching may be helpful for balancing hormones.
- Manage your stress. Too much stress can drastically change levels of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Calming activities like yoga, meditation, or taking a walk in nature might relieve stress and keep these hormones in balance.
- Get enough sleep. Getting too little sleep or being exposed to artificial light during nighttime hours may lead to disruptions in melatonin and cortisol. It may also influence insulin resistance.
- Avoid endocrine disruptors. Endocrine disruptors are compounds in the environment, such as tobacco smoke, pesticides, herbicides, plastics, flame retardants, and fragrances in lotions and cleaning supplies, that may cause hormonal imbalances.
As always, the end goal is to help the body to stimulate and produce hormones on its own. Herbs can be used to help the body to heal, and then you should allow the body to work on its own.
I wish you the best on your healing journey.
🧡Shell