HEALTH REPORT
Herbs for Hormone Health
Ashwagandha helps the body cope with stress, while also lowering blood pressure & boosting immunity.
Ayurveda , India’s traditional system of medicine, is a treasure trove of herbal solutions for hormone-related ailments.
• Perimenopause and menopause: During the transition to menopause – defined as the slowing and eventual cessation of production of the sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone - many women experience distressing symptoms, ranging from hot flushes and mood swings to vaginal dryness and breast tenderness.
Ashwagandha, shatavari and saffron are not just exotic- sounding names. They are safe and effective remedies which can be used in both topical massage oils and therapeutic supplement powders to be taken internally. These herbs provide much-needed support for women of all ages, helping to maintain a healthy hormonal balance through puberty, perimenopause and menopause. What’s going on? The following women’s health issues are primarily linked to hormonal changes. They respond well to dietary changes and gentle herbal supplements. • Premenstrual syndrome (PMS): This affects one in every three women, and in one in 20 women, it is severe enough to significantly disrupt her life. Symptoms are triggered by female sex hormones, particularly progesterone, in the weeks prior to menstruation. Evidence suggests that genetic predisposition is involved. • Menstrual pain (Dysmenorrhea): affects about 75 percent of women at some time in their lives. It often begins soon after the onset of menstruation and results from excessive production of prostaglandins, hormone-like substances which make the uterine wall contract. It may also develop later in a woman’s life due to other causes, including endometriosis. • Heavy periods: About one woman in 20 regularly has menorrhagia, or unusually heavy periods, which can cause iron deficiency and fatigue. It may be due to fibroids or polyps, or a side effect of using an intra-uterine device. An underactive thyroid may also trigger heavy periods, as can the approach of menopause.
Natural solutions The following herbs and mineral supplements are proven remedies that have been long been used therapeutically to support female hormone balance.
PMS and period pain
• Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus): Shown to have the potential to improve fertility and regulate menstrual cycles. • Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) : Excellent remedy for soothing the nerves and lifting the spirits. In the female reproductive system, lemon balm relaxes the spasms causing period pain. • Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) : Relieves nausea and sickness in pregnancy, relaxes uterine spasms and reduces menopausal symptoms. • Minerals: Zinc exerts beneficial effects on various hormones, including the sex and thyroid hormones. Magnesium relaxes muscles, eases PMS and menstrual cramps, and
increases bone density in postmenopausal women. Iodine plays a fundamental role in ensuring thyroid health, which regulates reproductive function.
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ISSUE 76 • 2026
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