Natural herbs possess potent medicinal properties and many of them can help you restore the hormonal balance in the body. Such helpful herbs are lavender, thyme, myrtle, sandalwood, clary sage, and holy basil.
The endocrine system regulates the hormonal balance in the body, and if any of the hormones are out of balance, it affects the others, and this might lead to pain, fatigue, weight gain, and numerous other issues.
First, here is something you need to know about hormones:
– Thyroid hormones are produced by the thyroid gland, and they regulate the metabolic processes. These hormones include thyroxin and triiodothyronine.
– Sleep hormones: These hormones, like melatonin, which is produced by the pineal gland, affect the sleep quality, and sleep deficiency is a severe issue that makes the body susceptible to diseases.
– Adrenal hormones: These hormones are produced by the adrenal glands, such as cortisol, which lowers stress and helps the metabolic processes.
– Reproductive hormones: These hormones, progesterone, and estrogen regulate female fertility, menstrual cycles, and vaginal pH. Testosterone regulates libido, male fertility, the production of red blood cells, and bone mass.
Any hormonal imbalance causes numerous health issues, including cancer. Here are the most common symptoms of hormonal imbalances:
- Appetite changes
- Insomnia
- Weight gain or weight loss
- Hair thinning and hair loss
- Low libido
- Irregular menstrual periods or infertility
- Fatigue
- Digestive issues
- Anxiety and depression
Hormonal imbalances can be a result of various factors, like poor diet, stress, genetics, medical history, and exposure to toxins in the environment. These factors contribute to hormonal imbalances:
- Obesity or being overweight
- Elevated levels of inflammation due to unhealthy diets and sedentary lifestyles
- Lack of sleep or poor sleep quality
- Food allergies and gut issue
- Genetics
- Toxicity (exposure to toxins, pesticides, cigarettes, viruses, alcohol, and chemicals)
Yet, the following herbs will help you balance your hormones and prevent these symptoms:
- Sandalwood for lowering stress
Scientists have analyzed the effects of aromatherapy on women undergoing a breast biopsy and found that the combination of sandalwood and lavender oil gave even better effects than peppermint oil and orange oil, as it lowers anxiety and has powerful calming properties. Sandalwood also improves sleep quality.
- Clary sage for healthier menopause
This herb lowers the levels of cortisol, and at the same time, reduces the thyroid hormones. Moreover, studies have shown that it elevates the levels of estrogen in the case of menopausal symptoms.
- Holy basil for reducing anxiety
Studies have shown that this herb has powerful cortisol- lowering properties, so it soothes anxiety, and treats sexual problems, memory issues, fatigue and improves sleep quality.
- Thyme for preventing breast cancer
In vitro study estimated the effects of a few herbs extracts on breast cancer, and found that thyme was able to act with progesterone, a female sex hormone produced in pregnancy and menstrual cycle.
It is high in phytoprogestins and phytoestrogens, which affect the growth of the breast cancer cells. This beneficial herb inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells and prevents the function of the progesterone.
- Myrtle for improved sleep quality
Animal studies have shown that the myrtle extract has powerful anti-anxiety properties and relaxes the body. It also slows down the brain function and thus prolongs sleeping.
- Lavender
Lavender oil treats mood swings, anxiety, stress, and depression, and improves sleep quality, and this, in turn, prevents hormonal imbalances.
- Fennel for gut health
Fennel improves gut health and treats gut health issues which are believed to cause autoimmune reactions and thyroid disorders. It improves metabolism, treats inflammation, and helps digestion. All you have to do is to pour a few drops of the oil in lukewarm water or tea or rub 2 drops of fennel essential oil on the stomach.
- Ashwagandha
This herb effectively regulates hormones, helps the removal of free radicals, that cause cellular damage, and thus supports the function of the thyroid, and helps in the case of adrenal fatigue.
These herbs can be used in many ways, you can add them to your food or smoothies, teas, or in the form of ointments and poultices, or as essential oils and extracts.
As essential oils, you can add them to your warm bath, mix them with carrier oils and apply them to the skin, or diffuse them in a diffuser.
As extracts, they are in concentrated doses in powder form, when the water has been completely removed, and tinctures (liquid). For best effects, use tinctures on an empty stomach for 1 – 2 ml.
If you purchase herbal teas, make sure they are whole leaf ones and not tea bags. Drink these teas three times daily.
Source: organicplanner.com