Natural hormone remedies are an increasingly popular choice for individuals seeking a holistic approach to hormone balance. These remedies primarily focus on lifestyle modifications and natural supplements to stimulate the body's hormone production. For instance, certain herbs like Wild Yam, Chaste Tree Berry and Clary Sage are well-known for their hormone-regulating properties.
However, it's important to remember that these natural remedies should be complemented with a healthy diet, regular exercise, and effective stress management techniques for optimal results.
Natural Hormone Therapy vs Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
Bioidentical hormone therapies are often considered part of the natural approach to hormone balance, but it's important to clarify what "natural" means in this context. Despite the term "bioidentical," these hormones are not extracted directly from nature. Rather, they are synthesized in the laboratory to have the same molecular structure as the hormones produced by your body. So, while they match your body's hormones on a molecular level, they are not derived in a purely natural way.
We often recommend trying to find balance naturally first, before introducing "synthetic alternatives" such as HRT, BHRT, and hormone-added supplements and topicals. It has been found that these products can build up in the body or not be as easily balanced later on. (Thus the known risk of side effects from long-term use.)
Small Changes that Aid with Long-Term Hormone Balance
Stress management plays a crucial role in maintaining hormone balance in the body. Under stress, the body produces an excess of cortisol, the "stress hormone," which can disrupt the overall hormonal equilibrium. Techniques such as mindfulness meditation, deep-breathing exercises, yoga, and even regular simple physical activities like walking/jogging can help mitigate stress levels.
Additionally, ensuring a balanced diet rich in organic fruits/vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains, along with maintaining regular sleep patterns, can support the body's natural stress response and promote hormonal balance.
We also recommend the Anxiety Aid tea to aid with balancing cortisol levels in the body.
Adequate sleep is also fundamental for hormonal balance. Sleep affects the production and regulation of a multitude of hormones, including those responsible for appetite, stress, growth, and reproduction. Consistent, restful sleep supports the body's natural rhythms and allows for the optimal functioning of these hormonal processes. When we sleep, our bodies get the chance to restore and rebalance the hormone levels that manage various bodily functions, including our mood, energy levels, and metabolic rate.
In case you're experiencing sleep troubles, we also recommend our Restful Sleep tea.
Reducing caffeine intake plays an essential role in maintaining hormonal balance. Caffeine, commonly found in coffee, tea, and energy drinks, stimulates the adrenal glands, which can lead to an overproduction of cortisol, the body's primary stress hormone. High cortisol levels can disrupt the overall hormonal equilibrium, contributing to issues such as insomnia, anxiety, and fatigue. Moreover, caffeine can interfere with the absorption of essential nutrients that support hormone health.
Caffeine's influence on stress and sleep might also potentially worsen PCOS symptoms. Therefore, women with PCOS might find it beneficial to limit their caffeine intake as part of their overall management strategy.
It's advisable to moderate caffeine consumption to avoid these potential hormonal imbalances. Replacing caffeinated drinks with herbal teas or water can be a beneficial step towards a balanced hormonal state.
If you are coffee-conditioned, like many others, consider trying a tea under the "A Little Boost" section to aid in the coffee weaning.
Alcohol consumption can also significantly impact hormonal balance. It can affect the liver's ability to metabolize hormones, leading to their accumulation and imbalance in the body.
For women, even moderate alcohol consumption can cause disruptions in the menstrual cycle and can lead to an increase in the production of androgens. This is particularly relevant for women with PCOS who already have high levels of these male hormones. Furthermore, alcohol can disrupt the production of stress hormones, exacerbating symptoms of anxiety and stress, which can indirectly impact hormonal balance.
Reduce Your Endocrine Disruptor "Daily Load"
Even if you managed to focus on all of the -healthy- options, it may simply not make up for the fact that we are slowly exposed to tons of endocrine disruptors on a daily basis.
Many of us have not even been educated on how clothing, plastics, and small daily choices impact our hormone balance in a very real way. Even though these scientific results have been readily available since the 90's.
Check out our other page on How to Reduce Endocrine Disruptors.
Try the Naturopathic Way Before Alternative Synthetic Ways
Many women we have met have found success with natural hormone therapy options for managing their hormones. However, often times it's not even recommended to try these methods first, before hormone balancing synthetics are prescribed.
We recommend at least trying to do it the natural way first, as it will be better for long-term results that do not have a "rollercoaster" effect on the body. For many, not only will it address the uncomfortable symptoms, but it will also aid with general wellbeing for a happier, healthier, totality of life.