Herbs & the Hormone Balance

  • Jaspal Bajwa
  • India
  • Jul 25, 2014

 

 

Very often a wide range of troublesome symptoms that severely impact our health and quality of life are not well understood. This either leads to under-diagnosis or the other extreme - which results in expensive and unnecessary medication. The real culprit may, in fact, lie hidden in something as far-reaching as hormonal imbalance or brain health. Hormones are the chemical messengers produced by glands such as the thyroid, pancreas and adrenals. These are key to regulating our emotional health, metabolism, appetite, sleep cycles, cell growth and repair, stress reactions, sexual desire and fertility. Maintaining the delicate balance of hormones is critical to regulating millions of biochemical actions in the body. The vulnerability to imbalance can occur to anyone at any age. In relative terms, however, women are far more vulnerable, as is evidenced by the wide prevalence of chronic fatigue, weight-gain, mood changes, depression, reduced libido, hot flashes, insomnia, inflammation, pain, PMS (Pre-Menstrual Syndrome) and menopausal symptoms. One of the hormones - Estrogen - regulates many aspects of sexual and reproductive development, as also the health of the heart, blood vessels, bones, breasts, skin, hair, brain and the urinary tract. Aside from estrogen produced by the body, our modern lifestyle exposes us to estrogen-like compounds through the intake of drugs and from the environment. These compounds are known as xenoestrogens. Hormone imbalance in women from an excess of estrogen can have serious consequences. In recent years, over-use of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and birth control pills has drawn flak because of their long-term impacts on our health – especially through unintended consequences; the solution for one issue becomes a problem for another, through a messed up hormonal balance.

The good news in this context is the existence of plant-based phytoestrogens. Quite contrary to the name, phytoestrogens are not the same as an endogenous estrogen; hence, these do not contribute to any form of estrogen over-dosage. Being selective estrogen receptor modulators, phytoestrogens have the potential to reduce troublesome hormonal imbalance and menopausal symptoms, while at the same time lowering breast cancer risk. Phytoestrogens commonly occurring in food sources include isoflavones, coumestans and lignans. Some of the best sources are: nuts and seeds, such as flax, sesame, sunflower, almonds, beans (such as soy and mung), alfalfa sprouts, hummus, garlic, dried apricots and dates, olive oil, green beans, peas and blueberries. Amongst herbal extracts the leading examples are Ashwagandha, Black Cohosh, Dong Quai, Red Clover, Chastetree, Licorice, Fermented Soya, Schisandra, Bupleurum and Shatavari. 


Tip of the Week

Fortunately, hormonal balance can be corrected. It responds to lifestyle choices, such as elimination of sedentary habits and avoidance of exposure to dietary toxins, radiation and other environmental pollutants. Positive lifestyle choices, like maintaining an ideal weight ratio, can reduce insulin resistance and the over-production of estrogen. Hormones can be boosted by minimising needless stress, which pushes our adrenal glands to over-produce the stress hormone ‘cortisol’. Minimising reliance on over-processed food, refined sugars, white flour products, fast foods, deep-dried foods and products with high caffeine (or too many chemical sounding ingredients), can be a big step. However, it is most important to replace sedentary activities with active outdoor hobbies and sports, balanced by activities that allow our creative juices to flow; we should also spend quality time with family and friends. Ensuring a high quality of sleep and retaining a robust sense of humor is critical!


Nature’s Wonder Food of the Week:  Shatavari or Asparagus racemosus 

Native to India, Shatavari belongs to the same family as asparagus. It is one of the most powerful rejuvenating herbs in Ayurveda – and especially good for women’s health. In Sanskrit, Shatavari means ‘having one hundred roots’, or ‘having one hundred husbands’! It is revered as a nourishing, cooling, lubricating detoxifier, which calms stress and anxiety. It supports the normal functioning of the immune and digestive systems – it also increases our libido. Shatavari helps the immune system recover more quickly from exposure to toxins, by protecting blood-producing cells in the bone marrow and by enhancing the production of immune-regulating messenger molecules. Dry and irritated membranes in the upper respiratory tract are soothed by this herb, making it also useful in cases of bronchitis and chronic fevers. It is believed to bring into balance all of the body’s fluids. Powdered extracts from its roots have been used as a diuretic, galactogogue (supporting normal production of breast milk), aphrodisiac, antispasmodic, demulcent, antibacterial, digestive and an adaptogenic immunomodulator (the ability to balance pH in the cervical area). Steroidal saponins called ‘Shatavarins’ may be responsible for the hormone-like effect that Shatavari has on the reproductive system. These saponins have been seen to increase follicle-stimulating hormone in women. Shatavari contains Shatavarin-I - which is unique to Shatavari, and Protodioscin - which is also found in the male libido-enhancer Tribulus. Men may benefit from the herb as well, to recover from general sexual debility.

For Education purposes only; always consult a Healthcare Practitioner for medical conditions


Read More...


  • print
  • comnt
  • share

News from Communities

lowadd
  • Friday Gurgaon Seminar

    http://fridaygurgaon.com/arap_media_cms/gall_content/2014/8/2014_8$thumbimg129_Aug_2014_160822730.jpgOrange Fish
  • Gurgaon Speaks Up-Rest in Peace ''Damini''-Saturday Dec 29 @ Leisure Valley

    http://fridaygurgaon.com/arap_media_cms/gall_content/2013/1/2013_1$thumbimg104_Jan_2013_143656130.jpgOrange Fish
  • Genesis Foundation Fund Raiser

    http://fridaygurgaon.com/arap_media_cms/gall_content/2012/8/2012_8$thumbimg114_Aug_2012_091411630.jpgOrange Fish
  • Coca Cola Cricket trophy played in Gurgaon

    http://fridaygurgaon.com/arap_media_cms/gall_content/2012/3/2012_3$thumbimg117_Mar_2012_180857977.jpgOrange Fish
  • Union Budget 2012

    http://fridaygurgaon.com/arap_media_cms/gall_content/2012/3/2012_3$thumbimg116_Mar_2012_123404760.jpgOrange Fish
  • Union Budget 2012

    http://fridaygurgaon.com/arap_media_cms/gall_content/2012/3/2012_3$thumbimg116_Mar_2012_122004320.jpgOrange Fish
  • Renge Art Walk

    http://fridaygurgaon.com/arap_media_cms/gall_content/2012/3/2012_3$thumbimg102_Mar_2012_095312690.jpgOrange Fish
  • Friday Gurgaon Cricket team

    http://fridaygurgaon.com/arap_media_cms/gall_content/2012/2/2012_2$thumbimg119_Feb_2012_195202840.jpgOrange Fish
  • Genesis Fundraiser Gurgaon

    http://fridaygurgaon.com/arap_media_cms/gall_content/2012/1/2012_1$thumbimg129_Jan_2012_072409630.jpgOrange Fish
  • Gurgaon

    http://fridaygurgaon.com/arap_media_cms/gall_content/2012/1/2012_1$thumbimg102_Jan_2012_165747220.jpgOrange Fish

Latest Issue

Poll

Do you think government should reconsider its policy of promoting liquor vends in Gurgaon?



votebox View Results