adaptogenic herbs for hormones

7 Adaptogenic Herbs for Hormone Balance

Adaptogenic herbs are great for hormonal balance, stress control and fatigue issues. The situation when your hormones are unstable, may lead to disrupted energy levels, as well as increasing anxiety.

Adaptogenic herbs suppress the release of stress hormones. This means that daily stressful situations will not have such a strong effect on the body. While adaptogens can help in boosting a person’s hormonal levels and managing stress, there is so much more that these herbs can do.

Among other effects, adaptogenic herbs suppy your body with vital energy, help you to stay calm, to avoid chronical fatigue and to normalize sleep.

What Exactly Are Adaptogens?

Adaptogens are a specific class of herbs that affect the endocrine system, which, in turn, controls many of the body’s most important functions: immunity, digestion, energy, mood and emotions, and many other physiological processes.

Some of the recent studies have shown that adaptogens, among other things, protect the mitochondria from cortisol (the stress hormone).

Just as the name implies, adaptogens aid the body in coping with stress in a very natural, encompassing, and safe manner. As plant-based extracts, they assist in boosting the body’s ability to be resilient to damages caused by mental, physical, emotional, and environmental stressful factors.

How exactly do adaptogens work?

Once you take adaptogens, they go straight to your Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal Axis (HPA) to boost the body’s stress response system. It is important to note that the human body is not designed to encounter stress too often so if you are subjected to daily stress, the HPA is pushed to a level where it produces too many stress hormones. This will eventually cause hormonal dysfunction.

One cannot merely overlook the fact that the lifestyle of the average millennial pushes them to a point where the body’s stress response becomes overtasked. This is why there are many cases of hormonal imbalances, excessive weight gain, inflammation, mood swings and irritability. The role of adaptogens is to regulate the natural stress response of the body for some time by helping your hormones to find their natural balance.

herbal tea helps with anxiety

Best Adaptogenic Herbs That Can Help to Balance Your Hormones Naturally

1. Ashwagandha

This is a type of adaptogenic herb that can figure out when the body is stressed and helps it find its balance by reducing the level of cortisol (which is the hormone that controls stress and maintains the body’s metabolic function), and balances an excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain.

Just as it is with other adaptogenic herbs, the Ashwagandha aids both the adrenal and the immune systems of the body. It works perfectly to reduce tension by combating the body’s stress response. This herb does a lot of work like guarding the immune system, encourage healthy blood-sugar metabolism, and reduce cholesterol. It also boosts brain function in areas like memory changes. Reduction of stress and depression, as well as sexual prowess, are also part of the job done by this herb.

When you use this herb regularly, you will notice a lot of positive changes in your body as it will help to balance your brain, mood, heart, and libido.

How to take Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha comes in powder, tablet, or capsule form. Typically, one capsule contains 250 to 450 mg of powder from the roots and leaves of the plant.

The daily dosage for this plant has not been determined. In most studies, taking 450-500 mg of ashwagandha per day has shown good results with no side effects. In terms Also, in general, people have been taking the supplement for 2–3 months. Such potential problems, as addiction or withdrawal symptoms, were not recorded during this timespan.

When choosing a dosage, be sure to consult your doctor and the manufacturer on the package.

2. Chasteberry

This herb belongs to the mint family, but it is a more active herb than others in this family. It helps with the production of the luteinizing hormone which can help in the reduction of PMS, ease menstrual cramps, stabilize the menstrual cycle, and relieve the effects of endometriosis.

How to take Chasteberry

This herb can be sourced in different forms like essential oil, capsule, liquid, or tablet.

There is not enough scientific research to establish the exact recommended dose of Chasteberry for each specific condition or disease.The required dose may depend on various factors, including your age, health status.Take Chasteberry capsules according to the manufacturer’s recommendations on the back of the package.

3. Turmeric

This adaptogenic herb is very versatile as it can be utilized in a lot of ways in meals, drinks, and as a spice. It has a system-wide effect that serves anti-inflammatory purposes in more than 100 pathways in the body. Because of this, studies have shown that turmeric can help to relieve anxiety, muscle pain, metabolic syndrome, and other inflammatory issues. This is also a very important herb that boosts the health of the liver which is one organ that plays a very important role in hormonal balance.

How to Take Turmeric

You can take turmeric in several different forms. For example, powder form is great to be added to your immune boosting and detox drinks.

Supplement form is great for weight loss purposes.

4. Schisandra Chinensis

Another common name – magnolia-vine. This herb has been used in medicine for many ages to balance adrenaline hormones. Its active adaptogens have many helpful effects on the body’s central nervous system, the cardiovascular, endocrine, sympathetic, immune, and gastrointestinal systems of the body. All of these contribute largely to fight stress and aid hormonal balance.

How to Take Schisandra Chinensis

The best way to enjoy this adaptogen is to drink a cup of tea, brewed from the plant´s twigs and leaves. Such tea has a great toning effect. It can be consumed hot in winter and cold in summer. It gives vigor, relieves fatigue and drowsiness.

5. Rhodiola Rosea

This plant is also referred to as the golden root. It is a powerful herb that helps the body to fight against the negative effects of stress. Russian researchers categorize this herb as an adaptogenic herb because of its ability to boost resistance to different biological, physical, and chemical stress agents.

This is considered one of the most efficient anti-aging herbs because it influences cortisol levels. Note that cortisol is the body’s stress hormone, hence when it accumulates for a long time, it fosters the aging process. Rhodiola has proven to be very effective for physical stress as it helps to maintain hormonal balance. Regular intake of this herb promotes sharp memory and reduces mental fatigue.

How to Take Rhodiola

The best way is to consume it in the supplement form. In this article we have already discussed Rhodiola supplements and the dosage.

6. Reishi Mushroom

This is a very potent adaptogen that is filled with many antioxidants. It is known for its anti-aging, anti-tumor, immune boosting, and anti-androgenic effects.

The chemopreventive and antioxidant functions of this mushroom have been studied over the years, and as for its hormonal benefits, research has proven that the reishi mushroom can help to relieve the symptoms of hirsutism, PCOS, as well as acne by introducing an anti-androgenic effect into the body.

This mushroom is very beneficial in combating acne, unsolicited hair growth, and other symptoms of PCOS.

How to take Reishi Mushroom

The most convenient form for taking themushroom powder is in the form of capsules. Firstly, it provides the exact dosage of the powder. And what is important, in its encapsulated form, Reishi mushroom does not take time to cook – you just need to take the pill and drink some water.

7. Astragalus Root

A very important adaptogenic herb for hormonal balance. It has been used in Chinese medicine for many centuries for its adaptogenic properties. This herb builds the immune system and helps to fight against the effects of stressors. Astragalus root is very rich in properties that assist in reducing cholesterol levels and preventing heart diseases as well as diabetes.

This herb also helps to combat both viral and bacterial infections just as its inflammatory agents help it to mitigate against many chronic diseases. It fights against diseases like cancer, acute viral conditions, heart diseases, lung infections, and diabetes.

How to take Astragalus Root

You can either use dried astragalus herb to prepare some healing tea (just pour a glass of hot, but not boiling water and add 2 tbsp. of the dried herb),or you can choose a more convenient way and buy this adaptogen in a supplement form.

All the supplements listed above are very effective for hormonal balance so depending on what your health goals are, you can always choose the one that suits you best on the list. Remember that as always, it is very important that you check with a medical professional before you jump on a supplement. While you aim to stay healthy, it is always better to follow the right protocols to be on the safe side.

7-adaptogenic-herbs


Disclaimer: The contents of this website are for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice; the content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. 

 

Similar Posts