A HEALTHY MIND: The influence of hormones on the female body and mind

Dear Lizél,

What do I need to look for in natural hormone replacement therapy?

Regards

Marna

Dear Marna,

I am going to propose hormone balancing herbs and explain what they do.

When you look for a natural hormone replacement, some or all of these herbs will be good options.

1. Chaste Berry:

• Stimulates and normalises the functions of the pituitary gland, which balances the hormones in our body;

• Reduces hot flushes;

• Alleviates symptoms of PMS and menopause;

• Used to treat menstrual irregularities, helps heavy bleeding;

• Improves irritability and has been found to alter moods;

• Relieves breast fullness and bloating;

• Helps with decreased libido and

• Helps with nervousness and dementia.

2. Dong Quai:

• Regulates periods, used for weakness during menstrual period;

• Reducing night sweats and hot flushes;

• Assisting period pains and heavy bleeding and

• Used as a blood purifier.

3. Wild Yam:

• This plant does not contain oestrogen or progesterone.

The disogenin in the herb is able to copy the effects of oestrogen in our bodies;

• Wild Yam regulates the levels of oestrogen;

• The herb is a balancer and will only do what is appropriate at the time;

• Helps with PMS;

• Helps with osteoporosis and

• Used to increase energy and libido.

4. Yarrow:

• Alleviates hot flushes and night sweats;

• Helps painful periods;

• Helps heavy bleeding and

• Is used to treat bloating.

5. Motherwort:

• A good herb for the reproductive system;

• Reduces hot flushes;

• Helps to calm anxiety at menopause and

• Helps combat insomnia.

6. Dandelion:

• Cleanses the liver. If the liver is functioning effectively, this prevents excess oestrogen from building up;

• Reduces water retention;

• Helps get rid of accumulated old female hormones and

• Helps with constipation and flatulence. Used to treat low urine output.

7. Golden Seal:

• Alleviates night sweats;

• Helps passive bleeding from pelvic tissues;

• Helps with liver disorders and

• Alleviates inflammation of the colon, good for constipation and flatulence.

8. Sage:

• Sage is a tonic and a natural anti-biotic;

• Used to treat excessive perspiration, alleviates night sweats;

• Helps calm anxiety and nervous disorders;

• Helps painful joints;

• It is an anti-inflammatory, and relieves muscle spasms and

• Used to treat digestive problems including flatulence, bloating and dyspepsia.

9. Black Cohosh:

• A good normaliser for the female hormone system, helping to regain hormone balance;

• Reduces water retention;

• Helps with painful periods;

• Helps with PMS and

• Reduces hot flushes.