Introduction:
This is an article about hormones. There are a lot of misconceptions about hormones especially when applies to women. There are many different hormonal imbalances that can cause a lot of difficulties for women. In order to understand these imbalances and what to do about them, it is important to first know what exactly a hormone is.
A woman’s hormonal balance, or “parathyroid hormone” levels, “oxytocin levels”, thyroid function and even female lifestyle choices are all factors in the way her body functions and reacts on a daily basis.
What does Hormonal Imbalances mean?
Hormones, also known as endocrine hormones, are the chemical substances that are produced, secreted and distributed by endocrine glands in the body.
Hormones play a very important role in the overall health and functioning of the human body. They regulate metabolic activities, aid digestion, synthesize proteins for growth and repair of tissues and transport chemicals from one part of the body to another. Hormone imbalances can interfere with normal bodily function and cause you to feel tired or experience other indications that something is wrong with your body.
Effects of Hormonal Imbalances in Women:
1) Estrogen:
An imbalance of estrogen can make you feel weak, tired and in some cases, depressed.
2) Progesterone:
Progesterone can cause irritability, loss of appetite and insomnia. If you have low progesterone levels, you could feel less sexual desire or have problems with your menstrual cycle.
3) Cortisol:
Cortisol is the main stress hormone that is responsible for regulating blood sugar levels, blood pressure and energy levels during times of stress. High cortisol levels can cause hypokalemia (low blood potassium), which results in fatigue and muscle cramps . Low cortisol levels can make women feel weak, fatigued and anxious or even depressed.
4) Estrogen (DHEA):
High levels of estrogen can cause fatigue and low libido. Low levels of estrogen can result in low libido, insomnia, depression and joint pain.
5) There is an imbalance between the sex hormones testosterone and progesterone. This imbalance might affect a woman’s moods, sexual desire as well as overall physical health.
Herbal remedies that balance Hormonal Imbalances:
The following herbs which contain these herbs will help to balance the hormonal imbalance symptoms in women allowing them to feel more energetic, alert and clear thinking without any mood swings or irritability. These herbs are especially useful when used in their tea form.
Passion flower:
This herb is a natural sedative and helps to balance estrogen levels. It is also used as a diuretic and used to regulate menstruation.
Rhodiola Rosea:
This herb increases energy and improves alertness. It also contain glutathione peroxidase, which can help with the detoxification of Free Radicals in the body. The beta-caryophyllene found in rhodiola can be oxidized to produce sesquiterpenes that are anti-oxidant (which means they protect the body from harmful free radicals) thus helping to reduce oxidative stressors present in the body.
Melissa Officinalis:
This herb is also known for its ability to raise energy and improve alertness. It also contains a phytoestrogen called Estradiol, which is also known as the female hormone. It can also be used to regulate menstruation.
Valerian:
Valerian has been used for centuries to help women sleep better and it may actually help with symptoms of depression and anxiety. Valerian contains a compound called valerenic acid that acts as a relaxant on the muscles in the body that regulate blood pressure. This reduces stress related hypertension and helps to relieve headaches too; such as migraines.
Conclusion:
Disruptions in hormone levels is not only normal, but it is something that happens to every woman from puberty until menopause. When there are imbalances in estrogen and progesterone, a woman may experience mood swings and suffer from unwanted weight gain. These symptoms can be managed with herbs which can be found in your local health food store or imported through various companies on the internet. An Herbalist is someone who practices herbal medicine; the use of natural plant-derived substances, such as fruits and vegetables, leaves, roots, stems and other parts of plants (herbs), as medicine. Herbalists often play a large role in the holistic health movement by advocating natural healing methods as an alternative or supplement to mainstream medicine.