As many of you may already know, herbs have strogn medicinal abilities and are considered to be a natural cure for restoration of the hormonal balance in the body. Some of these herbs are thyme, myrtle, lavender, sandalwood, holy basi, and clary sage. The hormonal balance is regulated by the endocrine system and when there is an imbalance, one may be more prone to tiredness, ache, weight gain, etc.
Types of Hormones
Sleep hormones
These hormones, like melatonin which is secreted by the pineal gland, are associated with the quality of sleep. Sleep deficiency or insomnia is a serious health complication that makes the body more prone to illnesses.
Thyroid hormones
They are produced by the thyroid gland and balance the metabolic processes.
Reproductive hormones
Progesterone and estrogen are in charge of the fertility in women, the pH of the vagina, and menstrual cycle. Testosterone is known to regulate the fertility in men, the production of red blood cells, the libido, and the bone mass.
Adrenal hormones
They are secreted by the adrenal glands. One of them is cortisol which is known to reduce the stress and aid the metabolic processes.
The Most Common Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance
- Changes in appetite
- Insomnia
- Loss of weight
- Gain of weight
- Hair loss
- Hair thinning
- Reduction in libido
- Irregular menstrual periods
- Tiredness
- Issues with the digestion
- Depression
- Anxiety
The Reasons for Hormonal Imbalance
- Poor diet
- Too much stress
- Genetics
- Medical history
- Exposure to environmental toxins
The Best Herbs to Rebalance the Hormones
Sandalwood- reduces stress
According to a study, women who underwent breast biopsy and aromatherapy with sandalwood and lavender oil significantly minimized anxiety and contributed to calmness. This herb is also known to better the sleep quality.
Clary sage- healthy menopause
This herb has the power to decrease the cortisol levels and the thyroid hormones. Studies point out that it increases the estrogen in menopausal women.
Holy basil- prevents anxiety
It can lower cortisol and thus, reduce anxiety, fight off sexual and memory problems, and tiredness too.
Thyme- averts breast cancer
An in vitro study showed that thyme acted with progesterone, a hormone produced during pregnancy and the menstrual cycle. It contains compounds that disrupt the spread of breast cancer cells.
Myrtle- encourages healthy sleep
According to several animal studies, the anti-anxiety characteristics of thsi herb have the capacity to relax the whole body and slow down brain function, which in turn prolongs sleep.
Fennel- betters the gut health
With the help of fennel, you can heal health problems that can cause thyroid disorders and autoimmune reactions. It also has the power to enhance the metabolism, stop inflammation, and better the digestion.
Ashwagandha- regulates the hormones
It can encourage the elimination of free radicals and treat adrenal fatigue.
Additional Tips:
- When used as fresh or dried herbs, you can add them to meals, smoothies, teas
- As essential oils, feel free to add them to warm baths, diffuse them in a diffuser, or apply them topically