Natural herbs, including hops, red clover and fenugreek, can help stabilize estrogen levels in women. Balancing estrogen is especially helpful during menopause. Supplemental estrogen may relieve distressing menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, irritability and mood swings. According to clinical herbalist Susan S. Weed, author of the 2002 book "New Menopausal Years," plant-based estrogens can be effective in alleviating menopause discomforts and are much safer than hormone replacement drugs. Consult a doctor before using herbs.
Estrogen
Estrogen is the main female sex hormone. It regulates the reproductive cycle in women, along with progesterone. Puberty begins when the ovaries begin to produce more estrogen. Estrogen levels remain constant for the most part during a woman's life. During menopause, though, a woman's body produces less estrogen, which can result in irregular menstrual periods, vaginal dryness and night sweats. Hormone replacement therapy, HRT, was the standard treatment for menopausal complaints for decades. Women began to look for natural hormone alternatives after a 2002 article in the "Journal of the American Medical Association" exposed the risks of hormone replacement therapy, which include breast cancer.
Natural Herbs That Help Produce Estrogen
Alternatives to HRT are herbs that contain plant estrogens, which act like the estrogen hormone in the human body. Burdock root, red clover, seaweed, dandelion root, fenugreek, nettle, hops, flaxseeds and hops have plant estrogens, notes Weed. According to the 2011 "Complete Illustrated Book of Herbs" published by Reader's Digest, black cohosh, St. John's wort, lemon balm and sage contain plant estrogens as well. Herbs may interact in a negative way with medications, so discuss their use with your doctor beforehand.
Asian Natural Herbs That Boost Estrogen
A 2006 study in South Korea evaluated the potency of herbs with plant estrogens that are used in traditional Asian medicine. The herb with the most plant estrogen was kudzu flower, followed by ginger root, licorice root, turmeric root, Chinese rhubarb and loquat. Other natural herbs from Asia that can give women an estrogen boost include black cardamom seed, zhi mu, sha shen, fo ti and kudzu root, according to the study, which was published in "Natural Phytotherapy Research." Contact a health practitioner familiar with the use of these herbs for dosing guidelines for your individual needs.
Contraindications
Herbs with plant estrogens are contraindicated if you have fibroids or endometriosis, according to the "Complete Illustrated Book of Herbs." Additionally, if you have a type of hormone-sensitive cancer, which can include breast cancer or uterine cancer, do not use estrogenic herbs. If you have liver disease, avoid taking black cohosh, as it may aggravate the illness. Do not take red clover with anticoagulant drugs.
References
- "Journal of the American Medical Association"; Risks and Benefits of Estrogen Plus Progestin in Healthy Postmenopausal Women; Jacques E. Rossouw, et al.; 2002
- "New Menopausal Herbs: The Wise Woman Way"; Susan S. Weed; 2002
- "Natural Phytotherapy Research"; Evaluation of Oriental Medicinal Herbs for Estrogenic and Anti-Proliferative Activities; S.C. Kang, et al.; November 2006
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