4. Sage
Sage is one of the first plants recommended for people starting to notice changes in their temperature, i.e. hot flashes and night sweats (the most common symptom of perimenopause and menopause). Reducing the temperature fluctuations that occur during these hormonal changes can help support a more restful and consistent sleep - therefore allowing you to feel more rested. Sage can also support the nervous system, in particular nervous exhaustion, which makes life incredibly hard for those suffering from hormonal imbalances.
We use sage, motherwort, red clover and yarrow in our Hormone Balance. This daily formula can help with the symptoms of both PMS and perimenopause.
5. Motherwort
Hormonal symptoms are often quite physical, e.g. hot flushes and night sweats, but a large part of perimenopause and PMS is the effect it has on your nervous system. This can produce some very uncomfortable and, at times, debilitating symptoms, so supporting your hormones and nervous system can really help to reduce these symptoms.
Motherwort is a nervine that supports the cardiovascular system, in particular by reducing heart palpitations that are associated with anxiety, worry and insomnia. It has a gentle effect that builds over time, making this a beautiful and highly effective herb for hormone balance.
Motherwort can also help with feelings of anxiety and worry, as well as working as an antispasmodic to relax smooth muscles. It promotes feelings of relaxation and also helps support the uterus, reducing cramping and pain, which can be a common PMS and perimenopausal symptom.
6. Red clover
Red clover contains isoflavones, which are plant-based chemicals that produce an oestrogen-like effect in the body. As it is not a synthetic hormone, it is a gentler way of helping with hormonal issues, as it has a ‘normalising effect’. Studies have proven how effective this herb for hormone balance can be.
Red clover has been used in clinical double-blind trials to reduce menopausal symptoms, particularly anxiety and low mood. Red clover is also used to support PMS as it has been found to help nervous system issues such as anxiety and low mood, as well as supplying extra antioxidant support to help reduce free radical damage that can occur from internal and external stress.
7. Yarrow
A common issue with hormonal imbalance is heavy or irregular bleeding. Yarrow has been traditionally used to help with bleeding due to its high tannin content, which gives it astringent (drying) properties. If you suffer from painful and clotty menstrual periods - yarrow is a good herb for hormone balance because it can help reduce these symptoms by working on supporting liver detoxification and supporting blood flow.
Yarrow is a bitter plant which helps to support the liver. The liver is normally working pretty hard to support your body, but with hormones that are out of balance, it has to work even harder. By increasing bitter food consumption or taking bitter plants, you can help support your liver detoxification pathways.
Yarrow can also help with the physical symptoms as it can reduce uterine muscle spasms and work as an anti-inflammatory, which can bring comfort to those suffering from menstrual cramping.
8. Paeony
Paeony is a very popular traditional Chinese herb. Traditionally, it is the bark that is used as a tincture. Paeony is often combined with other plants to support hormones (often, you find it paired with vitex).
Paeoniflorin is one of the active constituents in paeony. It is anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and has sedative properties. In vitro experiments have also shown that it can affect ovarian follicles through its action on the enzyme called aromatase. This enzyme is found widely throughout the body, especially in the ovaries, liver and fatty tissues.
Paeony works on normalising aromatase activity as well as reducing androgen production. Excessive androgens can present as extra hair on the face and body, cystic acne, and female baldness (predominantly PCOS symptoms and also after menopause).
9. Vitex
Vitex agnus-castus (Vitex) is one of the most recommended and popular herbs for hormonal conditions. Vitex is the genus name that refers to a broad range of species, but you might know Vitex agnus-castus for its common name, chaste tree or chasteberry. While the bark and the flowers are used in herbal medicine, the berries are most commonly utilised for medicinal purposes.
Vitex has been used traditionally for years to help with PMS, infertility, breast pain, irregular periods, missing periods, mood swings, oestrogen excess and low mood. Vitex supports an increase in dopamine, which helps your mood and motivation. It also supports healthy ovulation and the oestrogen to progesterone ratio.
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Working on hormonal imbalances can be tricky. You can always start slow and see if you notice any difference in your cycles. There are great apps you can download that can help track your period, pain and also any other symptoms you experience. This would be a great thing to incorporate when you start a new herb to see if it is helping your hormones.
References
Mohammadi, S., Karimzadeh Bardei, L., Hojati, V., Ghorbani, A. G., & Nabiuni, M. (2017). Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Curcumin on Insulin Resistance Index, Levels of Interleukin-6, C-Reactive Protein, and Liver Histology in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome-Induced Rats. Cell journal, 19(3), 425–433. https://doi.org/10.22074/cellj.2017.4415
Saghafi N, Rhkhshandeh H, Pourmoghadam N, Pourali L, Ghazanfarpour M, Behrooznia A, Vafisani F. Effectiveness of Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile) extract on pain control of cyclic mastalgia: a double-blind randomised controlled trial. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2018 Jan;38(1):81-84. doi: 10.1080/01443615.2017.1322045. Epub 2017 Oct 26. PMID: 29072514.
Trickey, Ruth. (2011). Women, hormones & the menstrual cycle. Fairfield, Vic : Melbourne Holistic Health Group
Rafieian-Kopaei M, Movahedi M. Systematic Review of Premenstrual, Postmenstrual and Infertility Disorders of Vitex Agnus Castus. Electron Physician. 2017;9(1):3685-3689. Published 2017 Jan 25. doi:10.19082/3685
