The Oils That Can Help You Fix Your Hormones
Natural herbs contain many powerful medicinal compounds, many of which can be used to restore the hormonal balance in your body. Such amazing herbs are thyme, lavender, myrtle, clary sage, sandalwood, and holy basil.
Moreover, the endocrine system helps regulate the hormones in the body. So, if any of the hormones are out of balance, they start to affect the others and cause fatigue, pain, weight gain, and other health problems.
What You Need to Know About Hormones
The thyroid gland produces thyroid hormones. Their main function is to regulate the metabolic process. Such hormones are triiodothyronine and thyroxin. Other important hormones are the sleep hormone.
The pineal gland produces these hormones. One of them is melatonin. Furthermore, sleep hormones affect the quality of sleep. So, a lack of sleep can cause severe problems for the body and make it more susceptible to diseases.
Other hormones that you also need to know about are the adrenal ones. The adrenal glands produce these hormones which assist the metabolic processes and reduce stress. Such an adrenal hormone is cortisol.
There are also other hormones that play a crucial role in our bodies. Those are the reproductive hormones. The estrogen regulates menstrual cycles, fertility, and vaginal pH levels in females.
While testosterone regulates fertility, bone mass, production of red blood cells, and libido in males.
Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance
Any hormonal imbalance can result in various health issues, like cancer. Here are the most common symptoms that prove your hormones are not working properly.
- Depression and anxiety;
- Appetite changes;
- Digestive problems;
- Fatigue;
- Hair loss and hair thinning;
- Insomnia;
- Irregular menstrual cycles;
- Infertility;
- Low libido;
- Weight gain;
- Weight loss.
The Cause of Hormonal Imbalance
Many factors can cause hormonal imbalance like:
- Genetics;
- Stress;
- Bad diet;
- Medical history;
- Exposure to toxins.
But there can be other factors that may also contribute to hormonal problems. Some of them are: being overweight, sedentary lifestyle, increased inflammation, lack of sleep, gut problems, food allergies, and exposure to toxicity.
7 Herbs for Balancing the Hormones
Here are the best herbs that can help you balance the hormones.
1. Sandalwood
Researchers claim that sandalwood can help reduce stress. To conclude these results, researchers analyzed the effects of aromatherapy on women who had to undergo a breast biopsy (1).
According to the results, a combination of lavender oil and sandalwood provided better results than orange oil and peppermint oil. Sandalwood could reduce anxiety and provide calming properties.
Therefore, it could be useful for improving the quality of sleep as well.
2. Clary Sage
According to research, clary sage could be useful for healthier menopause. It can reduce the levels of cortisol and thyroid hormones. Furthermore, research shows that it can increase estrogen levels in case of menopausal symptoms (2).
3. Holy Basil
Studies show that holy basil could be useful for reducing anxiety. Moreover, it is a powerful herb that contains properties that can reduce cortisol levels. Therefore, it could prove useful for reducing anxiety and treating libido problems, fatigue, and memory problems.
Plus, it can even improve the quality of sleep (3).
4. Thyme
According to studies, thyme might be able to prevent breast cancer. Also, it can act with progesterone, the female hormone produced in the menstrual cycle and pregnancy (4).
5. Myrtle
Various animal studies show that myrtle can improve sleeping quality. Due to the potent anti-anxiety properties it contains, it can relax the body and slow down brain functions. Also, it’s effective against abnormal uterine bleeding (5).
6. Fennel
Fennel could prove useful for gut health and various thyroid disorders. Moreover, it can boost metabolism, treat inflammation, help with digestion, and relieve painful menstruation (6).
Plus, it is very simple to use. All you have to do is add a few drops of fennel oil to warm water and drink it.
Or, you can directly use two drops of this oil on the stomach and rub the area.
7. Ashwagandha
This herb can be immensely useful for balancing the hormones, supporting the function of the thyroid, removing free radicals, and reducing stress and anxiety (7). Therefore, feel free to add these herbs to any teas, foods, or smoothies you might like.
Also, you can mix them with carrier oils and apply them directly to the skin. For best effects, use these herbs in teas 3 times per day.
