Herbs have long been used to treat women’s gynaecological problems. As more and more research is coming out on the devastating side effects of hormonal birth control and other medications used to treat hormonal conditions, more women are seeking more natural options to restore their hormone balance and reclaim their health.
Hormone balancing herbs work in different ways and selection is dependent on therapeutic goal.
Below are some of the most popular choices and often used and as natural alternatives.
CAUTION: It is strongly advised that you do not take any of hormone balancing herbs while you are on hormonal contraceptives or Hormonal Replacement Therapies (HRT). Some herbs are used in treating sex-hormone related cancers, seek professional help for this. Most herbs are not recommended during during pregnancy and breastfeeding unless stated but also under supervision.
Vitex aka Chaste berry
Actions: hormone regulating, ovarian tonic, overall reproductive tonic.
Uses: hormonal acne, irregular periods, luteal phase dysfunction, mastalgia, PMS, recurrent miscarriages, fertility problems, fibroids, endometriosis, PCOS, hyperprolactinemia, increase milk supply for breast feeding mothers.
Caution: may exacerbate depression in women with progesterone deficiency. High dose can cause nausea, headache, acne, and digestive distress.
We use it in: HARMONY- Hormone Support
Wild Yam
Actions: analgesic, anti-inflammatory, uterine antispasmodic, regulates prolactin and progesterone.
Uses: progesterone insufficiency, uterine cramping, dysmenorrhea, and chronic pelvic pain, hyperprolactinemia, infertility, threatened miscarriage.
Caution: not to be used by with cholesterol lowering medication and progesterone products or by those with sex hormone–dependent cancers.
Tribulus
Actions: ovarian tonic, reproductive tonic, anti-inflammatory, aphrodisiac.
Uses: menstrual challenges, ovarian problems e.g ovarian cysts, PCOS, irregular ovulation or anovulation, follicular phase dysfunction, fertility problems, improve libido and sexual performance.
Caution: not recommended for use during pregnancy.
Available as a single blend: TRIBULUS
Black Cohosh
Actions: reproductive tonic, regulates oestrogen and emmenagogue, antispasmodic, uterine stimulant/tonic
Uses: irregular bleeding, dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, amenorrhea, breast cancer, chronic pelvic pain, PMS fibroids, infertility(due to irregular oestrogen levels), vaginal dryness and atrophy.
Caution: Headache, dizziness, nausea in excessive doses, use under supervision for Estrogen receptor-positive cancers.
We use it in: HARMONY- HARMONY- Hormone Support
Motherwort
Actions: antispasmodic, anxiolytic, antispasmodic, uterine tonic, emmenagogue
Uses: PMS,anxiety, absent periods, painful periods, endometriosis, fibroids menopausal symptoms, anxiety, Endometriosis, Irregular menstruation hyperthyroidism, increase milk supply
Caution: not recommended for use during pregnancy
We use it in: PMS RELIEF, Yoni-HEAL and Yoni-CLEANSE
Dong Quai
Actions: analgesic,anti inflammatory, uterine tonic, reproductive tonic and antispasmodic, aphrodisiac
Uses: irregular bleeding whether too much, too little or random,missing period chronic pelvic pain, infertility,promotes proper cuirculation within uterus, period pains and cramping, blood deficiencies e.g heavy bleeding and anemia. Endometriosis, fibroids and menstrual migraines
Caution: not recommended for use when having a heavy period, do not use with blood thinning medications e.g aspirin or prior to surgery, not recommended during breastfeeding and pregnancy
We use it in: IRON WOMBMAN-Blood Building Tonic
Red Clover
Actions:alterative, photo-estrogen(plant estrogens)
Uses: hormonal acne, vaginal dryness and atrophy, low estrogen conditions, absent periods.
Caution: due to high plant estrgoen profile, patients with risk or history of er-positive cancers are cautioned to use under supervision of a practitioner
Liquorice root
Actions:anti-inflammatory, Contains phytoestrogens, aphrodisiac, adaptogen
Uses:PCOS, acne, amenorrhea, vaginal dryness
Caution: should not be used in patients with hypertension, not to be used with immunosuppressive therapies
White Peony
Actions: anti-inflammatory, ovarian tonic, uterine antispasmodic
Uses: PCOS, irregular or absent periods, hyperprolactinemia, regulate testosterone levels, uterine cramps, pelvic pain and congestion, iron deficiency anaemia.
Caution: do not use with anticoagulants
Saw Plametto
Actions: uterine and ovarian tonic, aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory androgen and oestrogen lowering.
Uses: PCOS,abnormal hair growth, uterine hypertrophy, ovarian pain and atrophy, pelvic congestion, pelvic inflammatory diease, acne (adult).
Caution: not recommended for use with adolescents, may cause gastrointestinal upset.
