If you suffer from symptoms like fatigue, skin issues, weight gain, weight around the middle, trouble sleeping (or always sleeping), PMS, endometriosis, infertility, or PCOS, you may have a hormonal problem.
Hormones act as the body’s chemical messengers that affect different processes like metabolism, sexual function, reproduction and mood. The endocrine glands make hormones – these glands include the pituitary, pineal, thymus, thyroid, adrenal glands and pancreas. Hormones are also produced in the ovaries in women and testes in men.
Thankfully, you can balance and heal hormones with a few select herbs and some lifestyle changes. Getting enough sleep, ditching the caffeine, including a good quality probiotic in your diet and consuming healthy fats like hemp seeds, coconut and avocado, are all essential in helping balance hormones naturally.
5 Herbs to Heal Hormones Naturally
Ashwagandha
This adaptogenic herb helps reduce the stress hormone cortisol, which normally disrupts endocrine function and promotes premature aging. It is used in Ayurvedic medicine to help resolve adrenal- and thyroid-hormone imbalances.
Maca Root
Maca, a root native to Peru, contains powerful hormone-enhancing benefits. It is often taken to improve libido, energy levels, fertility and mood. It is high in vitamins like B1 and B12, and contains minerals like calcium and phosphorous. It also contains essential fatty acids. All of these nutrients combined are used by the endocrine system, which provide the body with special hormone-balancing effects.
Rhodiola Rosea
This powerful adaptogenic remedy is a great adrenal tonic for anyone experiencing hormonal imbalance or menopausal changes. It also helps regulate excess levels of stress hormones like cortisol, which when unbalanced, can lead to a compromised immune system and weight gain.
Chasteberry
This berry comes from the chaste tree, a tree native to Central Asia and the Mediterranean region. This berry has been used for thousands of years by women to relieve menstrual problems and stimulate the production of breast milk. Vitex, which is chasteberry extract, has also been believed to stimulate the release of leutenizing hormone (LH) and inhibit the release of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), giving off a progesterone effect. This leads to increased progesterone production, helping to regulate the menstrual cycle.
Black Cohosh
Indigenous cultures of the Americas have used black cohosh for over 200 years. It is a known supplement for treating menopausal and premenstrual symptoms. It also helps reduce inflammation in cases such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and neuralgia. Some scientific studies have also found that black cohosh acts like estrogen in body parts like the brain and vagina. Because of these estrogenic qualities, it is believed to help with regulation of hormones.
These herbs are some of the best at helping balance hormones. Sometimes medicine is prescribed to balance hormones, which you can read about here, but going natural is the only way you can truly heal the body. Always go the alternative route first!
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