Thousands of herbal products remain available today, despite concerns about their safety. Ancient legend surrounds many herbs, and modern research has revealed their power. While much work remains, the mechanisms behind such remedies usually involves the endocrine system. In fact, scientific reports have indicated that several herbs alter hormone regulation. While often effective, nutritional supplements should only be taken after you speak with a medical expert as to their possible side effects.
Kwao Krua
The Thai herb Butea superba, also called kwao krua, has alleged aphrodisiac properties. Such effects remain unsubstantiated, but this herbal remedy does affect the endocrine system. A 2010 report by W. Cherdshewasart and associates in "Maturitas" looked at the impact of Butea superba on hormone regulation. Male rats given kwao krua for 90 days had lower levels of testosterone relative to control animals. The researchers also observed some evidence of toxicity, and they expressed concern about the common use of Butea superba for erectile dysfunction. Thus, kwao krua remains unsafe until doctors collect more data.
Cinnamon
The chemical cinnamaldehyde serves as the active ingredient in cinnamon. This substance may explain the folkloric use of cinnamon as a treatment for menstrual distress. A 2010 paper by Y. Iwaoka and colleagues in "Life Sciences" evaluated the hormone-regulating properties of cinnamaldehyde. These scientists added the chemical to human adrenal cells maintained in a petri dish for a day. The adrenal gland manufactures many hormones including progesterone. Cinnamaldehyde enhanced progesterone production in a dose-dependent manner with greater amounts of the substance causing greater increases. While suggestive, it remains unclear whether human participants would experience similar progesterone increases after ingesting cinnamon.
Flaxseed
Linseed, also known as flaxseed, played an important role in ancient cultures as a digestive aid. Modern research indicates that flax helps treat cancer as well. A 2001 study, published in "Urology," by W. Demark-Wahnefried and team investigated the hormonal mechanisms underlying these beneficial effects. Cancer patients received flax-enriched meals for 34 days. This dietary change decreased testosterone levels and those of other masculine hormones relative to baseline. It also had positive effects on cancer proliferation. The researchers, however, considered these results preliminary and cautioned against using flax to treat cancer until additional findings become available.
Chasteberry
The vitex shrub produces a fruit known as chasteberry. Medieval legend states that this herb reduces sexual desire, but modern data do not support this claim. Chasteberry does, however, affect the reproductive cycle of women. A 2006 publication by L.M. Westphal and coworkers in "Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology" assessed the effect of a fertility supplement containing vitex fruit. These authors gave the supplement or a placebo to premenopausal females having difficulty reproducing. After three months use, the women receiving chasteberry had greater progesterone. They were also twice as likely to become pregnant. Scientists, however, must test more subjects before doctors can safely prescribe vitex fruit to infertile women.
References
- "Maturitas"; Androgen Disruption and Toxicity Tests of Butea Superba Roxb., A Traditional Herb Used for Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction, in Male Rats; Wichai Cherdshewasar, et al; June 20, 2008
- "Life Sciences"; Selective Stimulation by Cinnamaldehyde of Progesterone Secretion in Human Adrenal Cells; Y. Iwaoka, et al; June 5, 2010
- "Urology"; Pilot Study of Dietary Fat Restriction and Flaxseed Supplementation in Men with Prostate Cancer Before Surgery; W. Demark-Wahnefried, et al; July 2001
- "Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology"; Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of FertilityBlend: A Nutritional Supplement for Improving Fertility in Women; L.M. Westphal, et al; 2006
