Progesterone plays an important role in the health of women across their entire life span. This sex steroid causes physical changes in the body and alters mental processes in the brain. Disease and aging reduce circulating progesterone, but taking prescription medications combats these changes. Such drugs, however, also cause negative reactions. Herbal treatments may provide a safer way to boost progesterone levels. Women should first speak with their doctor before taking any herb.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon bark, natural to Southern Asia, remains essential for Chinese traditional medicine. The main ingredient of cinnamon oil, cinnamaldehyde, has positive health effects such as bolstering the immune system. Cinnamon-induced changes to the endocrine system may underlie these effects.
A report by Y. Iwaoka and colleagues in the June 5, 2010, edition of "Life Sciences" looked at the impact of cinnamaldehyde on human cells maintained in a petri dish. These cells, taken from adrenal glands, produced more progesterone when exposed to cinnamon than to saline. Interestingly, greater amounts of cinnamaldehyde produced larger releases of progesterone.
While suggestive, two factors limit the conclusions of this report. First, the experiment tested only cultured cells and not live organisms. In addition, the study ran for only a short period of time. The long-term use of cinnamon may cause unexpected effects. Thus, women wanting to enhance their natural progesterone should wait until scientists conduct more trials.
Zhuyun
Many traditional remedies involve the simulataneous intake of multiple herbs. Zhuyun III, for example, typically contains Chinese angelica, Typha pollen, Pteropus feces, cinnamon, peony, fennel, corydalis, myrrh, ligusticum and ginger. Women take these pills to enhance their fertility. The mechanism behind this effect remains unknown, but it could involve increasing steroid levels.
An investigation by F. Liu and S. P. Luo described in the October 2009 issue of "Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine" evaluated Zhuyun use in pregnant women. Results indicated that Zhuyun significantly increased progesterone. This effect appeared related to a concurrent increase in immune chemicals like the interleukins.
These findings suggest that Zhuyun many boost progesterone. Such data, however, may not generalize well to other populations. The effect of Zhuyun on the fetus also remains unclear. Patients, therefore, must carefully consider the benefits and risks of herbs prior to ingesting them.
Unkei-to
Other nutritional supplements may alter progesterone levels as well. The Japanese herbal treatment Unkei-to contains Moutan bark, Cnidium stem, Pinellia root, Ophiopogon root, angelica, evodia, gelatin, ginger, ginseng, licorice and peony. This mixture treats menstrual complaints by affecting sex steroids like progesterone and estrogen.
A paper by T. Ushiroyama and associates in the September 2003 issue of "Journal of Reproductive Medicine" tested the effect of Unkei-to on women with luteal phase defects. In such women, ovulation ends early, thereby preventing pregnancy. Researchers showed that herbal intake enhanced progesterone and estrogen. It also extended the luteal phase and increased the pregnancy rate.
The results obtained by Ushiroyama and colleagues may not apply to other subjects, and Unkei-to may have adverse effects on an unborn child. Pregnant women should thus refrain from taking herbal treatments without first consulting with their doctors.
References
- "Life Sciences"; Selective Stimulation by Cinnamaldehyde of Progesterone Secretion in Human Adrenal Cells; Y. Iwaoka et al.; June 5, 2010
- "Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine"; Effect of Chinese Herbal Treatment on Th1- and Th2-Type Cytokines, Progesterone and Beta-Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in Early Pregnant Women of Threatened Abortion; F. Liu and S. P. Luo; October 2009
- "Journal of Reproductive Medicine"; Unkei-to for Correcting Luteal Phase Defects; T. Ushiroyama et al.; September 2003
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