Certain natural supplements may be helpful in treating your hormone imbalance. According to MedlinePlus, hormones are powerful chemical messengers that travel in your bloodstream to reach your organs and tissues. Hormones help regulate numerous physiological processes, including growth, metabolism and mood. Some people develop hormone imbalances that can affect their quality of life. Before taking natural supplements to help treat your hormone imbalance, talk with your doctor about the possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions.
Chaste Tree Berry
Chaste tree berry, also known as Vitex agnus castus, is a natural supplement that may be helpful in treating your hormone imbalance. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, chaste tree berry, a member of the Verbena family, is used to help treat numerous health problems, including menopausal symptoms, menstrual problems, infertility and acne. Chaste tree is a fruit-bearing plant that is cultivated in warm temperate and subtropical areas. The fruit of the plant is used for medicinal purposes, including hormone imbalance. Chaste tree berry has a pungent taste and possesses drying tendencies. Ed Smith, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Therapeutic Herb Manual," states that chaste tree berry enhances your natural production of progesterone and luteinizing hormone while diminishing the release of follicle stimulating hormone, which helps balance your reproductive hormones.
Motherwort
Dr. Sharol Tilgner, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," states that motherwort, also known as Leonurus cardiaca, is a female tonic, diuretic, antispasmodic, nervine and emmenagogue, or a substance that stimulates menstruation. Motherwort is used to help treat hormone imbalances that cause premenstrual cramps with delayed menstruation, congestive amenorrhea or dysmenorrhea, nervous palpitations and premenstrual nerve tension. Motherwort is an herbaceous perennial plant native to central Eurasia, although it now grows throughout the world's temperate regions. Motherwort belongs to the Mint family, has a bitter taste and possesses drying tendencies. Practitioners of botanical medicine use the aerial parts of the plant in bud stage medicinally. If you are pregnant, warns Tilgner, you should avoid taking natural supplements containing motherwort, due to its ability to stimulate menstruation.
Black Cohosh
Black cohosh, a member of the Buttercup family, is a tall, flowering plant that thrives in rich, shady soils throughout eastern North America. Black cohosh, also known as Cimicifuga racemosa, has a bitter, sharp, acrid and spicy taste and contains numerous active substances, including glycosides, isoferulic acids and phytoestrogens. The root and rhizome, or underground stem, of the plant are used for medicinal purposes. According to the National Institutes of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements, black cohosh is used to help treat hormone imbalances associated with hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. Tilgner states that black cohosh is a female reproductive tract tonic, hypotensive, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, sedative, diaphoretic and mild expectorant. Tilgner cautions that you should avoid taking black cohosh if you are in your first trimester of pregnancy, due to its ability to stimulate menstruation.
References
- MedlinePlus: Hormones
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Chasteberry
- "Therapeutic Herb Manual;" Ed Smith; 2007
- "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth;" Sharol Tilgner, N.D.; 1999
- National Institutes of Health: Black Cohosh
