Hormone fluctuations are experienced by most women during their monthly cycle. These changes, predominantly in the hormones estrogen and progesterone, can lead to many of the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, including bloating, cramping, headaches, anxiety, irritability, mood swings, anger and depression. Herbal supplements are a safe and effective way to support your body as it cycles through these changes. Vitex, licorice and maca are three popular herb used to balance hormones.
Vitex
Chaste Tree, or Vitex agnus castus, is considered the single most important herb for balancing the hormone changes associated with PMS. It is a complex herb that specifically acts on the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian, or HPO, axis to alter gonadotropin-releasing hormones and follicular stimulating hormones, and it can normalize the secretion of other hormones, reduce prolactin and balance estrogen/progesterone ratios. Joseph Pizzorno in "The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine," documents that over 30 percent of women achieve complete resolution of symptoms related to premenstrual hormonal changes when using vitex. A study in the British Medical Journal shows that the majority of women treated with agnus castus had a decrease in hormonal symptoms in regard to anxiety, depression, cravings and fluid retention. Vitex is considered a hormone neutralizer and uterine tonic.
Licorice
Licorice, or Glycyrrhiza glabra, can lower your estrogen/progesterone, or E/P, ratios to balance hormones. Plant constituents in licorice inhibit the enzyme that breaks down progesterone to elevate progesterone while simultaneously lowering estrogen. If you have mood swings and cravings, they are reduced when E/P ratios are in check. Glycyrrhetinc acid in licorice also has the ability to reduce fluid retention and bloating by blocking aldosterone hormone receptors to promote fluid excretion.
Licorice should not be taken by anyone with hypertension, heart or kidney impairment. Glycyrrhiza can elevate blood pressure and alter fluid metabolism.
Maca
Maca root, or Lepidium meyenii, is a medicinal plant used in Peru. Maca is rich in vital nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, selenium, iron and essential fatty acids. Maca has been used in Peruvian cultures for centuries with health claims to increase vitality, fertility and libido as well as acting as an adaptogen to regulate hormone imbalances. Methanol, an extract of the root, appears to have effects on the central nervous system. Although the actions of maca have not been proven, it is theorized that the high nutritional status of the root provides the endocrine system with optimal fuel to create a hormone balancing effect.
References
- "The Clinicians Handbook of Natural Medicine," Pizzorno, Joseph; Murray, Michael; Joiner-Bey, Herb; 2008.
- BMJ: Treatment for the premenstrual syndrome with agnus castus fruit extract: prospective, randomised, placebo controlled study
- Maca Root: Health Benefits & Attributes
