7 Ways to Balance Hormones Naturally
Most people know of hormones and understand that we need them, but most people couldn't tell you what they do for us or how to fix an imbalance. So the real question is why the heck do we need these pesky cells and how can we keep them balanced?
Hormones are the messengers of the endocrine system, which help to regulate: sleep cycles, reproduction, emotions, physical growth, metabolism, body temperature, mental activity, the immune system, and energy levels. Any woman who has experienced hormonal imbalances due to pregnancy or menopause can testify to this type of internal torture (and lets not exclude Men from these irregular hormones). We need our hormones balanced to have a vital health as they help regulate our body, yet when there is an imbalance, things start to get a little crazy.
We don't have many options in western medicine for when our hormones begin to transitions other than a hormone replacement drug therapy. Although this can provide some relief, there are major side effects when it comes to taking these drugs, such as an elevated risk of stroke, heart attacks, and certain types of cancer. I believe that our body is naturally trying to decrease these hormones and by adding more you are upsetting the natural balance of things.
This blog is about 7 ways to balance your Hormones Naturally. Warning: This is not to replace any prescriptions from your western medical doctor nor is this to be used as any kind of medical advice. It's simply to inform people of other natural methods that can be used as part of a healthy lifestyle.
First of all what are the symptoms of a Hormonal Imbalance?
Woman can experience:
- Breast tenderness.
- Weight gain especially in the abdomen, hips, and thighs.
- Decreased libido.
- Mood swings, PMS, depression.
- Irregular cycles, heavy bleeding/painful periods.
- Thyroid dysfunction mimicking hypothyroidism.
- Fibroids
Men can experience:
- Low sex drive. Testosterone plays a key role in libido (sex drive) in men.
- Difficulty with erection. While testosterone stimulates a man's sex drive, it also aids in achieving and maintaining an erection.
- Low semen volume.
- Hair loss.
- Fatigue.
- Loss of muscle mass.
- Increased body fat.
- Decreased bone mass.
7 Ways to Maintain Hormone Balance Naturally are:
1. Acupuncture:
My expertise as a Registered Acupuncturist would agree that this is the best form of treatment! Acupuncture helps to stop the symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats by regulating your bodies internal temperature. It helps to balance the yin and yang which are your hot and cold aspects of the body. These treatments help to create a better blood flow which can improve your endocrine system regulation. Also, it can help to tonify the energy of your ovaries/testes that play a major role in the release of hormone such as growth hormone, estrogen and testosterone.
2. Chiropractic:
These doctors focus not only on your vertebrae health, they also focus on the nerve endings and where they run to. T2 & T3 nerves run toward the Thyroid which releases specific hormones which are converted from iodine. These hormones can play a major role in your metabolism and when affected can cause weight gain. By stimulating these nerve endings it can help to kick start the thyroid's circulation of hormones. Also, the Sacral spinal nerves of S1-S4 control the reproductive organs, therefore when adjusted it can stimulate impulses to these organs.
3. Chinese Herbs:
There are several different herbs/dried fruits that can help regulate the symptoms of a hormonal imbalance. Gogi berries according to TCM help to regulate Kidney Yin and Liver blood which can regulate symptoms of menopause. Dang Gui "Angelica" helps regulate blood flow. It's a phytoestrogen-rich root, used to build blood, regulate cycles and to help with hormonal balance. Ginseng supports the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, helping to maintain hormonal balance without over-stimulating the endocrine system. The main herbal formula that I prescribe to my patients is called "Two Immortals" by the company Golden Flower, because it helps to balance your body by adding nourishing herbs with none of the harmful chemicals or side effects.
4. Diet:
Evening Primrose Oil, contains omega-6 fatty acids, such as LA and GLA, that support overall hormonal function. Avocado's are full of Omega-3 and 6 oils that help with the brains overall cognitive functions. Also, a daily intake of the Siberian Rhubarb root extract offers significantly effective relief for 11 of the most common menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes. In a study of this root, participating women have reported symptom reduction that continued over 3, 6, 12, and 24 months to help improve quality of life through additional improvements in sleep quality and reduced anxiety and depression.
5. Exercise:
This I believe is just common sense for any type of ailment. If you exercise more the better blood flow you'll have, and if you have a better circulation of blood (where the hormones travel through) then you will have a better flow of hormones from the various organs that produce them. Also, it doesn't hurt to become heather in general to fight our bodies natural aging process. Plus, getting outside increases our Vitamin D intake which then helps because it acts as a natural hormone in our bodies and can help flush out any inflammation that may occur.
6. Essential Oils:
Clary Sage is a great essential oil for woman (that are not pregnant because it induces labor). This oil helps to balance estrogen levels because it contains natural phytoestrogens. It can be used to regulate your menstrual cycle, relieve PMS symptoms, treat infertility and PCOS, and even reduce the chances of uterine and ovarian cancer. A Thyme oil improves progesterone production, which helps to treat or relieve health issues like infertility, PCOS, menopause, depression, fibroids, hair loss and insomnia. Some other great oils to try are ginger, marjoram, and fennel. For mood swings try sandalwood, lavender or chamomile.
7. Teas:
Raspberry leaf tea is full of vitamins and it helps regulate menstruation. This leaf contains Carotenoids, citric acid, fragrine, pectin, tannin's and vitamins A, B complex, C, D and E. An easily assimilated form of calcium; manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, silicon and sulfur. Vitamin B's in particular help all the cells in the body regenerate thus why it is so important for hormones.
Also, Holy basil, which is also known as tulsi, helps to regulate cortisol levels, thereby working as a natural remedy for anxiety and emotional stress. Studies show that holy basil can also protect your organs and tissues against chemical stress from pollutants and heavy metals, which are other factors that can lead to a hormone imbalance.
Well that concludes my research on how to maintain and regulate those troublesome hormones of ours by using several natural methods. As a registered Acupuncturist and Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor I have seen wonders happen just by giving your body the tools that it needs to function properly. So help it out by a tune up or adding healthy fuel to the engine.
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