Several medical conditions trigger estrogen dominance. This disorder alters the progesterone-estrogen balance, causing negative effects of excess estrogen to appear. These symptoms include premature aging and menstrual irregularities. Prescription medications and replacement hormones can treat these symptoms, but they often cause side effects. Herbal remedies that increase progesterone may provide a better alternative. Yet, these extracts can also cause unwanted reactions. People should speak with a doctor before self-medicating with herbs.
Cinnamon
Traditional healers have used the Cinnamomum verum plant to treat health ailments for centuries. Cinnamon, a common spice derived from this plant, also has healing properties. A 2010 paper in "Life Sciences" looked at the impact of the active ingredient in cinnamon. This substance, cinnamaldehyde, affects the endocrine system, and it may be useful in treating estrogen dominance. The authors added the chemical to adrenal gland cells maintained in petri dishes for 24 hours. Relative to no treatment, adding cinnamaldehyde increased progesterone, with larger doses causing larger effects. Tests with intact organisms may not produce similar results.
Dill
The Anethum graveolens plant may also help women to treat estrogen dominance. This plant, more commonly known as dill, produces a herb used to flavor Mediterranean dishes. Like cinnamon, dill also affects the endocrine system. A 2006 report in "Phytotherapy Research" evaluated the impact of dill on reproductive hormones. Female rats received nightly doses of either the herbal extract or an inert treatment for 10 days. Results indicated that dill intake increased progesterone relative to the sham treatment. No toxic effects of the herb were observed. Scientists must conduct similar tests in humans before doctors can recommend dill for estrogen dominance.
Lovage
The Ligusticum chuanxiong plant, also known as Chinese lovage, plays an important role in Asian traditional medicine. Commonly given for body aches, healers have also used it for menstrual problems, suggesting that it may affect the reproductive system. A 2006 experiment described in "Life Sciences" tested the effects of Chinese lovage in laboratory animals. Rodents received injections of either lovage extract or saline. Relative to saline, rats given Ligusticum chuanxiong showed an eight-fold increase in circulating progesterone. Oral doses produced similar results. No negative reactions to the supplement were seen in rats, but Chinese lovage may produce different effects in humans.
Skullcap
Women have used the Scutellaria baicalensis plant to prevent miscarriage for hundreds of years. The mechanism underlying this effect remains unknown, but it may involve steroid hormones. A 2009 study described in the "American Journal of Chinese Medicine" assessed the impact of "Chinese skullcap" on progesterone in laboratory animals. The authors gave pregnant mice baicalin, the active ingredient in Scutellaria baicalensis. Injecting the mice with this chemical reduced the number of fetal deaths in a dose-dependent manner. Larger doses were associated with fewer deaths. Additional testing will reveal if pregnant humans would benefit from using Chinese skullcap to prevent spontaneous abortions.
References
- "Life Sciences"; Selective Stimulation by Cinnamaldehyde of Progesterone Secretion in Human Adrenal Cells; Yoko Iwaoka, et al.; June 5, 2010
- "Phytotherapy Research"; Effects of Anethum Graveolens L. on Female Reproductive System; Malihealzaman Monsefi, et al.; October 2006
- "Life Sciences"; Dynamics of Progestogenic Activity in Serum Following Administration of Ligusticum Chuanxiong; Laurence S. Lim, et al.; Aug. 22, 2006
- "American Journal of Chinese Medicine"; Protective Effects of Baicalin against Bromocriptine Induced Abortion in Mice; Ai-Tuan Ma, et al.; 2009
