The modern woman has lost touch with the healing power of herbs and is reminded of it when she has any issues with her hormones or cycle.
Traditionally, many women made herbal teas to balance their monthly cycles, grew herbs in their gardens and put them in their food for improved nutrition, and consulted herbalists if they needed help finding the right formulas. Many native cultures still retain their connection to plants and herbal medicines and foods.
Yet, the modern woman may hesitate to use them when she needs it, unless someone she really trusts with her health guides her in taking herbs. Many of the people I love who are very interested in food healing will reject herbs – I was surprised to have this conversation recently with my family member who did not understand the power of herbs. You will definitely want to use food to heal as well, but herbs strengthen in their effectiveness as you use them over time.
Herbs have functions that can stimulate healing, and as we study the herbs, we learn their uses and any interactions with medications. Herbs strengthen and nourish organs and tissues, generate fluids and hormones, and help your body find balance.
I have a patient who has several torn muscles and weakness from an underlying connective tissue disease who is showing surprising amounts of healing as we continue to lean into herbal formulas for her condition.
I lean into herbs as I get older for my own hormone health with herbs like wild yam, bai shao, Shatavari, and Wu Wei Zi. I incorporate my herbal formulas into my routine like any medication I have to take.
Another one of my favorite herbs is Ren Shen, or ginseng, which is shaped like a person and known as people root. It is revered for its ability to extend your health in aging and is shown in many studies to help fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Some herbs like echinacea and St. John’s Wort are powerhouses that rival and even surpass many medications. Echinacea is part of my autoimmune protocol and one of my favorite herbs for turning around some hard-to-treat conditions.
I use Mediherb the most, a pharmaceutical grade product line that ensures that the herbs are potent and contain the right components to address your health issues. I rely on this product line to get effective clinical results that turn around disease on lab reports and tests. My patients are regularly released to fewer doctor visits as their symptoms and overall health improves.
You can amplify the effects of herbs to gain further results with a few extra steps. In addition to taking my hormonal support formulas, I make sure to focus on:
Diet – eat plenty of protein, especially when you are craving sugar. Try to eat enough and eat on time.
Sleep – your body is trying to convert adrenal hormones, which are produced in your sleep, to sexual hormones. If you do not have enough adrenal hormones, then it’s hard for the body to keep up with the demand for sexual hormones.
Stress Management – I tell women that you are either making cortisol OR making hormones. Cortisol leads to inflammation, itchy skin, and poor sleep.
Taking herbs for the first time can be overwhelming for some people, here are some of the common barriers I hear from those who haven’t gotten used to it yet:
Lack of Familiarity – you might feel uncomfortable because you are not sure about herbs and how you will feel. I will guide you along the way and monitor how you’re feeling to make sure you are on the right herbal prescription.
Expectations – Herbs are not drugs – I describe them as milder than drugs, and you need to take them more than once a day for several days to get the effect you are looking for. It also tends to have a gradual effect. If you are used to an aspirin, ibuprofen, or antibiotics, you may struggle understanding the gradual, gentle nature of herbs. Remember to take them more than once a day and stick with the protocol to see the results you are looking for.
Taste – With herbal teas or tinctures, the taste may not be your favorite. Remember that the herbs are doing important work to help you get better and do your best to stick with it. Let me know if you’re struggling with the experience of taking your herbs so we can come up with a plan you can stick to.
Drug/Herb Interactions – Some patients really worry about how herbs will interact with their existing medications. In some cases, we will monitor the effects and keep an eye out for interactions. This does not necessarily mean that you cannot take medications and herbs safely together, you can make sure you have at least a 2-hour window between your medications and your herbs to prevent interactions. You can also seek advice from your doctor and your alternative health care provider if you have changes in your symptoms to tweak your protocol.
If you are taking herbs to support your hormones, be on the lookout for signs and symptoms such as hot flashes, sweating, fatigue, or pain/dryness with sexual intercourse – these symptoms indicate that you are not making enough hormones. Sometimes you might drift away from taking the herbs that support your female hormones, but treatment for hormonal issues should be ongoing based on your symptoms and how you feel. See me anytime your results shift – you should re-evaluate your herbs periodically to maintain your overall health.
I love helping my patients in the office with acupuncture and herbs or coaching clients by zoom with safe, effective protocols that really keep you healthy and get your hormones in place naturally! Schedule an appointment if you are wondering how herbs can transform your hormones, and we’ll come up with a plan tailored to your needs, preferences, risks, and symptoms.
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