(the right way) to hormone balance with herbs
You’re probably leaning on hormonal herbs for help with period pain, dysmennhhorea, amenhorrea, coming off the contraceptive, maybe menopause, maybe hormonal acne or PMS, or maybe fertility. Let me know if you have another reason for working with hormonal herbs!
Agnus castus is one of the most trending female hormonal herbs - and i’m a little worried about it. It’s not exactly the easiest to use, and it’s definitely not friendly..
So we’ll be talking about specific indications and dosages of agnus castus here, alongside some other, more gentle, more accessible phytoestrogenic herbs and the physiology behind how they work to balance hormones (you know i love the science), then we’ll talk about other types of herbs that can balance hormones, and secondary herbal hormonal support.
Oh, and yes, we’ll be talking about female hormones; male hormone balance is a much shorter, different topic!
PHYTOESTROGENS IN GENERAL
Phytoestrogens are compounds found in plants that structurally resemble the hormone estrogen. Although not identical, they can mimic estrogen's effects to some extent when consumed by animals, including humans. Phytoestrogens can interact with estrogen receptors in the body, influencing various physiological processes such as reproduction, bone health, and cardiovascular function. However, their effects are usually much weaker compared to natural estrogen. In plants, these compounds serve various functions, including defense against herbivores and regulation of plant growth and development.
Some phytoestrogenic herbs include;
red clover which is specific for estrogen dominance associated with poor detoxification and lymphatic function;
Wild yam which is specific for menopausal associated hormone issues
Angelica sinensis root is indicated for dysmenhhorea or amenhorea associated with ‘blood deficiency’ which loosely translates from traditional medicine as the body and blood not being strong enough to have a period, possibly following periods of convalescence or malnutrition of some sort
Fennel, which can also be indicated as a galactogogue
And black cohosh which is specific for the midst of menopausal symptoms, or period pain that’s crampy and associated with both the lumbar and headaches
There are more, of course!
There are some contraindications for phytoestrogens including pregnancy and estrogen receptive cancers, so they should be used in appropriate conditions.
Agnus castus is NOT a phytoestrogen - it works in another, awesome, mysterious way, a way that no other herb i know of works in -directly on the pituitary.
Let’s start with agnus castus , and work back to other categories of herbs for hormones including; hepatoprotectives, adaptogens and hormones, and right at the end we’ll talk about secondary support for hormonal induced issues like antispasmodics, nervines, circulants and analgesics.
AGNUS SPECIFIC INDICATIONS
Generally, agnus increases progesterone in relation to estrogen, and decreases prolactin through direct effects in the anterior citatory. It’s indicated for low progesterone and estrogen excess.
It may also be indicated for reducing FSH and increasing LSH
cases it might be indicated :
support withdrawing from contraception
PMS associated with low progesterone / high prolactin
estrogen dominance associated with low progesterone
menopause symptoms such as migraines,
early pregnancy to reduce likelihood of miscarriage
Improving fertility as a result of improving ovulation and menstruation
DOSAGE
15-20 drops (approx 1ml) , any higher than 7.5ml a day and it starts to become more suppressive to hormones, in fact, at high enough doses, it may inhibit anterior pituitary function which results in decreased pituitary, adrenal, and uterine function. . Obviously, it should be avoided if you’re taking hormones.
agnus cactus is potent at altering pituitary hormones in doses as small as 1ml a day. It’s picky and specific, and can make things worse if it’s not given in the right way, it’s not a beginners herb, and there are safer, easier herbs to use for female hormone imbalances.
agnus is a member of the vervain family - a bitter, relaxing, stress-draining family full of potent alkaloids. It’s impossible to ignore the long, winding history of agnus’ association with the female psyche and fertility.
ANTISPASMODICS FOR PERIOD CRAMPS (AND WHY CRAMPS HAPPEN)
According to traditional medicine, cramps normally occur due to coldness. There’s not enough blood circulating to the region, or not enough blood in general such as in the case of nutrient deficiencies or anemia which could be caused by many different conditions and events. This is why heat helps cramps, and why warming, circulating herbs are used.
The science behind that is that cramps can be caused by constricted blood vessels -so there really is not enough blood in the area. The reason for the constriction is either unknown, or put down to poor circulation, or hormones. Estrogen is a strong vasodilator, if it’s low, such as in the first week of your period, blood vessels tighten. Prostaglandins can also play a role in constricting blood vessels.
Either way, the treatment is better circulation through topical heat or internal movement and warmth. This is generally how antispasmodics work, they either warm the area with better circulation, or act on the CNS to relax smooth muscles.
Some antispasmodic herbs include;
Black cohosh which, again, should be considered in cases of dual pelvic and head aches.
Viburnum opulus or prunifloium (black haw or guelder rose) which are interchangeable and should be considered in cases of the pain being in the back, legs, and giving muscle cramps.
Chamomile, there are two kinds -matricaria and nobilis- the cheapest is matricaria and likely the one you’ll get in teas. That’s the one you want for smooth muscle relaxing, antispasmodic actions. It’s also hypoglycemic and can improve post-pandrial glucose. Blood sugar does play a huge role in hormonal symptoms.
Lemon balm should be thought of in association with spasms that cause nausea
HEPATOPROTECTIVES FOR HORMONES
Hepatoprotective refers to the ability of a plant to protect the liver in some capacity, wether that’s by regenerating liver cells, or supporting liver function, or support detoxification processes. What’s this got to do with hormones?
The liver is primarily responsible for denaturing used hormones and expelling them from the body. When the liver is not functioning optimally, hormones are not effectively broken down and can recirculate causing imbalances. Likewise, if they’re not being expelled through good detoxification, they just get recycled.
Classic hepatoprotective herbs include milk thistle which contains silymarin, which has been shown to regenerate liver cells and protect them from damage -even protecting from poisons! Silymarin is also found in schisandra, which is more indicated for female hormones as it has an adptogenic effect on the whole endocrine system.
Herbs that help the liver to detox but don’t necessarily restore it, include; burdock root, dandelion root, barberry, and any bitter.
ADAPTOGENS FOR HORMONES
Adaptogens are a class of herbs and mushrooms that are believed to help the body adapt to stress and maintain balance (homeostasis). While there isn't a universally agreed-upon definition of adaptogens, they typically share several key characteristics or pillars:
Non-specific
Normalising
Low toxicity and side effects
Evidence based support
This non-specific bit makes it hard to choose adaptogens specific for female hormone balance, but there are some whose traditional use and energetics favour hormones more. Really, all adaptogens act on the HPA axis and will have some level of hormonal modulating.
Ashwaganda and Schisandra are the closest. Ashwaganda works most on modulating cortisol and is indicated in sleep disturbance due to cortisol imbalance, it’s also high in iron and can correct menstrual irregularities caused by iron-deficiency anemia.
Schisandra is indicated more in metabolic disturbance; it’s a great liver-protective and blood sugar balancer.
TONICS + WHAT THAT REALLY MEANS
A tonic is generally considered to be a herb or mix of herbs that brings nourishment, vitality, tone, and generally improved function to a system. It’s vague, but the tonics are usually high in minerals and vitamins, and have specific long-term restorative effects.
What’s this got to do with hormones?
Hormonal health is pinickity, and utterly depends on the right balance of fats, electrolytes, minerals, vitamins, circulation, and a relative strength of the blood. If one or more of these elements become depleted in stress (remember this can be a physical toll, mental stress, illness, etc..), hormone balance suffers. Tonics address one or more of these pillars.
Let’s look at some reproductive organ specific tonics :
Ashwaganda is an ayurvedic Indian herb, the name means ‘strength of a horse’ which could as easily be a response to its smell as its ability to strengthen the body’s endurance. It’s specifically indicated in hormonal imbalances related to stress and cortisol that are effecting sleep.
Goji berry is a chinese herb, in the chinese medicine system theyre used to ‘build blood’ where blood is ‘deficient’, this could be related to minerals and vitamins, or to the circulation of blood.
Angelica root is also traditionally chinese, and also a blood tonic, this one is specific for quality of the blood that has been reduced by
Nettle is a tonic for the blood through its high mineral and vitamin content, it’s indicated in conditions where minerals and vitamins are likely low such as convalescence or post-partum, stress, or chronic illness (remember nutrients get eaten up quicker in times of stress)
Rosehips are tonic through their deeply nourishing vitamin content. They’re also very well known to work on the emotional heart, and are indicated in cases of hormonal imbalance associated with grief, loss, loneliness or depression.
RELAXANT NERVINES AS SECONDARY SUPPORT
When our hormones are out of balance, it can lead to tension - hormones are powerful vasoconstrictors and dilators. Part of this tension can manifest as anxiety, stress, cramping, and muscle tension. Nervines are generally herbs that act on the nerves, and relaxant nervines act to relax the nerves. So, though these won’t interact with your hormones, they might ease the symptoms of imbalanced hormones.
Chamomile (matricaria) is a nervine associated with a nervous stomach -belly aches, cramps, or bloating from nervousness.
Valerian is quite a strong nervine, almost sedative, and you wouldn’t want to take it during a normal day at work! It’s indicated as a smooth muscle relaxant for anxiety patterns, a racing heart, and trouble sleeping.
Bitters can be effective nervines if the tension is associated with anxiety and uptightness.
lemon balm and lime flower are also strong, well tolerated relaxant nervines.
CIRCULANTS AS SECONDARY SUPPORT
As we’ve said a few times; uncomfortable hormonal symptoms such as cramps, irritability, hot flushes, and pain can come down to poor circulation, poor blood supply to an area that leaves it dry, constricted, nutrient-deficiency and liable to become tense.
It’s why heat works to ease period pain! It brings fresh, nutrient-rich blood to the area.
Some circulants, specific to hormones, that can relieve the pain of poor circulation are rose, cinnamon, ginger, and cayenne.
ANALGESICS AS SECONDARY SUPPORT
Finally, let’s talk about the herbs that just deaden the pain. Sometimes, we just need a break. No digging for the root cause, no trying and testing, just straight up relief.
Californian poppy is indicated in pain associated with tension. It is partly pain relieving because of its antispasmodic effects, and partly because of its interaction with GABA. It’s specifically indicated in supporting sleep.
Wild lettuce is similar in its indications for relieving tight, sharp, windy pain, and promoting sleep. It is, however, very strong, and you might find you have vivid dreams!
Black cohosh is the classic menstrual pain relief herb, it binds to opioid receptors, and has a vaso-active effect to relieve pain. It also has estrogenic effects and can rebalance estrogen. As mentioned, it’s indicated in musculoskeletal pain / tension in the neck and pelvis.
Willow back is indicated where aspirin is as aspirin is derived from willow bark and meadowsweet. This would be more of an inflammatory type pain as it inhibits prostaglandins.
