Best Herbs for Balancing Hormones in Women

Being a woman isn’t easy. Hormones, PMS, menstrual cycles, menopause the stress never seems to end.

Hormonal fluctuations are uncomfortable and can trigger mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. If that wasn’t enough, we also have to deal with pain and for some people, excruciating pain.

More and more women are ditching conventional hormone replacements and medications and treatments in search of more natural herbs for balancing hormones. Research suggests that long-term hormonal imbalances can also lead to breast cancer.

Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance

Sometimes it’s easy to tell when our hormones are way out of whack because we experience night sweats or excruciating pain. However, some symptoms are much subtler and may go unnoticed until other prominent symptoms arise.

* Low sex drive

* Endometriosis and painful periods

* Mood swings or unmanageable anxiety

* Irregular menstrual cycles

* Insomnia or oversleeping

* Overeating or increased appetite

* Weight gain, especially in the midsection such as hips, lower abdomen, and thighs

Fortunately, there are 24 natural herbs for balancing hormones

available.

Maca Root

Maca root has been used for centuries throughout the Andes for infertility and symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, sleep disruptions, and night sweats. Its long-term use makes maca root one of the best herbs for balancing hormones and increasing energy. Maca root is available as a tea which makes an excellent less-stimulating replacement for your morning coffee. It has mostly centered on these three shades of maca:

Yellow: This has been shown to help protect against UV radiation from the sun when applied in a liquid form to the skin.

Red maca appears to be good for bone strength.

Black: has been shown to promote bone strength and improved brain function, such as memory and cognition. In men, it can help increase sperm count and reduce issues like enlarged prostate in men.

3.5 grams of powdered Maca per day Start with a dose of 1 teaspoon and if you are tolerating that well, without side effects, increase the dose up to 1 tablespoon. If that proves too strong, lower the dose a little – to 2 teaspoons a day. Take maca for 2 to 3 weeks – because it can take that long before you see the full benefits.

Possible Side Effects & Precautions

Maca is generally considered safe . However, Peruvian natives believe that consuming fresh maca root may have adverse health effects and recommend boiling it first.

Additionally, if you have thyroid problems, you may want to be careful with maca.

That's because it contains goitrogens, substances that may interfere with the normal function of the thyroid gland. These compounds are more likely to affect you if you already have impaired thyroid function.

Lastly, pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult with their doctors before taking maca

Ashwagandha

Traditionally cultivated throughout southern Asia and especially India, Ashwagandha can reduce cortisol levels, regulate your endocrine system, increase sexual arousal, and reduce menopause symptoms. Having been considered as one of the best herbs for managing thyroid health,

Ashwagandha is a knock-out.

Dosage : Take 300–500 mg of a root extract with meals (with breakfast, if taken all at once).

Possible Side Effects & Precautions

Ashwagandha is a safe supplement for most people. However, certain individuals should not take it, including pregnant and breastfeeding women.

People with autoimmune diseases should also avoid ashwagandha unless authorized by a doctor. This includes people with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Hashimoto's thyroiditis and type 1 diabetes. Additionally, those on medication for thyroid disease should be careful when taking ashwagandha, as it may potentially increase thyroid hormone levels in some people.

Avena Sativa

Generations of women swear by avena sativa – or oats, being its common name – as a libido enhancer, alleviator of menstrual cramps, and general aphrodisiac. It is believed to increase blood flow and stimulate the central nervous system, encouraging the physical and emotional desire for sex. Researchers also believe avena sativa frees bound testosterone, an essential hormone for sexual desire in both genders.

Oat Straw Herbal Tincture 1-3ml up to 3 times per day.

Dose: Tincture ten to twenty drop doses, preferably in hot water.

Possible Side Effects & Precautions

None known, however proceed with caution if sensitive to gluten (celiacs disease).

Catuaba bark

The Tupi Indians of Brazil discovered and celebrated the many health benefits of Catuaba, particularly its effect as a libido enhancer. According to Brazilian research, the bark contains yohimbine, a known aphrodisiac and powerful stimulant. It stimulates the central nervous system, thereby providing energy and a more positive mood.

Catuaba Bark 465 mg=1 Capsule take one to two times per day with water.

Possible Side Effects & Precautions

Do not take this product if you are nursing or pregnant.

Turmeric

Turmeric doesn’t necessarily balance your hormones. However, it does have anti-inflammatory properties which makes it perfect for reducing pain from menstrual cramps or endometriosis. Turmeric also has antioxidant properties which inhibit aging and improve skin.

doses of 500–2,000 mg of turmeric per day, often in the form of an extract with a curcumin concentration (60–100 mg of curcumin) per day.

Possible Side Effects & Precautions

Turmeric usually does not cause significant side effects; however, some people can experience stomach upset, nausea, dizziness, or diarrhea. Gallbladder problems: Turmeric can make gallbladder problems worse. Do not use turmeric if you have gallstones or a bile duct obstruction. Bleeding problems: Taking turmeric might slow blood clotting. This might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding in people with bleeding disorders. Diabetes: Curcumin, a chemical in turmeric, might decrease blood sugar in people with diabetes. Use with caution in people with diabetes as it might make blood sugar too low. A stomach disorder called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Turmeric can cause stomach upset in some people. It might make stomach problems such as GERD worse. Do not take turmeric if it worsens symptoms of GERD. Hormone-sensitive condition such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Turmeric contains a chemical called curcumin, which might act like the hormone estrogen. In theory, turmeric might make hormone-sensitive conditions worse. However, some research shows that turmeric reduces the effects of estrogen in some hormone-sensitive cancer cells. Therefore, turmeric might have beneficial effects on hormone-sensitive conditions. Until more is known, use cautiously if you have a condition that might be made worse by exposure to hormones.

Vitex (Chaste-berry)

Vitex works directly with your pituitary gland helping to regulate estrogen and progesterone production. For this reason, vitex is a great natural alternative to the pill when it comes to easing PMS symptoms and menstrual cycles. Vitex is available in supplement and liquid extract form.

Dosage

For PMS symptoms, uterine fibroids, premenstrual acne, endometriosis, and female infertility, 400 to 500 mg of standardized extract For menopausal symptoms, low doses of about 200 mg per day. Agnuside is the active ingredient found in chasteberry, and powder extracts of chasteberry are generally standardized to contain 0.5% agnuside

Possible Side Effects & Precautions

Drug interactions or contraindications with chasteberry are unknown. However, because it increases dopamine, it may interfere with drugs that affect dopamine levels.

This would mainly apply to patients taking antipsychotic drugs and those who suffer from Parkinson’s disease. These individuals should consult their doctor before taking chasteberry.

Women taking other hormone-altering drugs such as birth control pills should not use chasteberry. Hormonal changes caused by chasteberry interrupt the action of these drugs. Furthermore, if you have a hormone-sensitive condition such as breast cancer, then chasteberry should be avoided

Dong Quai

Dong quai is known as the female ginseng due to its qualities as a “gynecological regulator.” This herb contains many vitamins and minerals including folic acid and B 12 which help support healthy blood flow. This ancient Chinese herb may also help reduce stress.

Dosages generally range from 2 to 4 grams per day, typically divided into two or three doses. However, it is always best to start with a smaller dose and work your way up to assess your tolerance.

Possible Side Effects & Precautions

Dong quai contains coumarin, one of the main ingredients in blood-thinning medications like Warfarin. If you are taking Warfarin or another blood thinner, taking dong quai may increase your risk of bleeding.

You should also be careful about combining dong quai with other natural blood thinners, such as ginger, Ginkgo biloba or garlic. Taking dong quai along with these compounds could increase your risk of bleeding or bruising.

For those who are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant, taking dong quai is not advisable and may increase the risk of miscarriage. It should also not be taken by those who are breastfeeding, taking oral birth control pills or using hormone replacement therapy.

Black Cohosh

Black cohosh is another anti-inflammatory which helps to reduce menstrual and muscle pain by lowering hormone levels. It is also one of the most studied herbs for reducing menopause symptoms including hot flashes.

Dosage 40 mg of standardized herb per capsule to guarantee 2.5% tripterpene glycosides I-2 times per day.

Possible Side Effects & Precautions

Black cohosh is associated with generally mild side effects, though some are more serious than others. One of the major side effects is liver damage. Don’t use black cohosh if you have a history of liver disorders. Also avoid it if you’re experiencing symptoms that can signal liver trouble, like abdominal pain, jaundice, or dark-colored urine.

Other side effects of black cohosh include:

upset stomach,dizziness,headache,nausea,vomiting,low blood pressure changes in heart rhythm

The black cohosh plant is in the same family as the buttercup plant, so people who have allergies to buttercups should not try black cohosh.

Black cohosh isn’t recommended for use during pregnancy or breast-feeding. There’s a risk of causing early labor for women who are pregnant. It’s not yet known if the herb is safe for breast-feeding women. It is also not recommended for use in children.