Effective natural treatment & home remedies for hormonal imbalance

We know that hormones have profound effects on the emotional, physical and mental health. Hormones are chemical messengers which are playing a major role in controlling mood, weight, appetite and many others. The hormonal imbalances have become increasingly common in this modern lifestyle.

Also, certain hormones decline as we are getting older and some people experience more dramatic decrease than others. The most common signs and symptoms of the hormonal imbalance include hair loss and hair thinning; digestive issues; changes in appetite; low libido; insomnia; fatigue; depression and anxiety; weight gain or weight loss (which is not explained and it is not caused by intentional changes in your diet); infertility and irregular periods. The symptoms of the hormonal imbalances can range dramatically which depends on what type of disorder or illness they cause.

Some of the most common factors which lead to hormonal imbalance include high amounts of stress; lack of sleep and rest; toxicity; genetic susceptibility; high levels of inflammation caused by a poor diet and sedentary life; being overweight or obese; food allergies and gut issues [1]. If you eat a nutritious diet and other healthy lifestyle habits can help to improve your hormonal health and they can allow you to feel and perform your best. You need to talk with your doctor if you suffer from hormonal imbalance before you start using some of the below mentioned home remedies so you will avoid side effects.

Home remedies for hormonal imbalance

Quit smoking tobacco

It is known that tobacco smoke can disrupt levels of several hormones. The smoke can alter thyroid hormone levels, stimulate pituitary hormones and even raise the levels of steroid hormones, such as cortisol, which is linked to stress [2]. This is a reason why you should stop smoking as soon as possible.

Green tea for hormonal imbalance

The green tea is considered as a healthy beverage. It has antioxidants and compounds which can boost the metabolic health. There are some studies in which are said that drinking green tea can help to reduce fasting insulin levels [3]. Green tea has antioxidants which can help to manage the oxidative stress.

Fennel essential oil for hormonal imbalance

This natural cure can help you with the problems with the gut health. It has been found that these problems cause autoimmune reactions, including thyroid disorders. You can use fennel essential oil to relax your body, reduce inflammation, boost your metabolism, improve your digestion and gut health. You can rub two drops of fennel essential oil onto your stomach or add one to two drops to a glass of warm water or tea and take it internally.

Avoid overeating to prevent hormonal imbalance

The regularly overeating can lead to metabolic problems in long term. There are some studies in which are said that even the short – term overeating can cause changes in circulating levels of fats and it can increase the oxidative stress. Also, in these studies was noticed an increase in the ceramides which are fat cells in the skin and they can cause a significant increase which can promote insulin resistance. There should be done a lot more studies in future so you should be careful how much you eat. [1]

Eat plenty of fatty fish to prevent hormonal imbalance

Some fish have high levels of fats which can contribute to heart and digestive health and they can benefit the brain and the central nervous system. You should eat a diet which is rich in oily fish because it can help to prevent mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression. There are some cases when you add oily fish in your diet and it will help you to treat the disorders. Fatty fish has Omega – 3 which is playing an important role in balancing mood.

Eat lot of fiber to prevent hormonal imbalance

Fiber is playing an important role in the gut health and it can help to regulate hormones, such as insulin. There are some studies in which are said that some types of fiber work to balance levels of other hormones as well which can help a person to maintain a healthy weight. [4]

Learn to manage stress

It is known fact that stress can wreak havoc on your hormones. Cortisol and adrenaline are two major hormones which are affected by stress. Cortisol is known as “the stress hormone” and it helps the body to cope with the stress over a long period. The adrenaline is known as the “flight – or – flight” hormone which can provide the body with a surge of energy to respond to immediate danger. These hormones are triggered by the overwhelming lifestyles. The chronic stress is causing cortisol levels to remain elevated which can lead to excessive calorie intake and obesity which is also including increased belly fat. The elevated adrenaline levels can cause high blood pressure, anxiety and rapid heart rate. These symptoms are usually fairly short – lived. Adrenaline is having less chances of becoming chronically elevated. There are some studies in which are shown that you may be able to lower your cortisol levels by engaging in stress – reducing techniques, such as massage, yoga, meditation and listening to relaxing music. You should try to devote at least ten to fifteen minutes per day to stress – reducing activities, even if you do not feel like than you have any time to do it. [1]

Clary sage essential oil for hormonal imbalance

This natural cure can help to balance estrogen levels because it has natural phytoestrogens. It can be used to reduce the chances of uterine and ovarian cancer, treat infertility and PCOS, relieve PMS symptoms and regulate the menstrual cycle.

Avoid sugar and refined carbs

It is known fact that sugar and refined carbs are linked to many different health problems. You should avoid or minimize these foods because it can help to optimize hormone function and avoid diabetes, obesity and other diseases. There are some studies in which are said that fructose can increase insulin levels and promote insulin resistance, especially in obese and overweight people with diabetes or prediabetes [5]. You should know that fructose makes up at least half of the most types of sugar. This is including natural forms like maple syrup and honey, in addition to refined table sugar and high – fructose corn syrup. There was one study in which was said that people with prediabetes have experienced similar increase in insulin levels and insulin resistance whether they consumed 50 grams of high – fructose corn syrup, sugar or honey [6]. Also, the diet which is rich in refined carbs like pretzels and white bread can promote the insulin resistance in a large portion of adults and adolescents. It is noticed that following a low or moderate carb diet based on whole foods can reduce the insulin resistance in obese and overweight people with prediabetes and other insulin – resistant conditions like PCOS.

Holy basil for hormonal imbalance

This natural cure is also known as tulsi. It can help to regulate cortisol levels because it works as a natural remedy for anxiety and emotional stress. There are some studies in which are shown that holy basil can protect the organs and tissues against chemical stress from pollutants and heavy metals which are factors that could lead to hormonal imbalance.

Avoid too much light at night

It is noticed that too much exposure to blue light, such as from computer screens or cell phones can disrupt the sleep cycle. Our bodies respond to the light as if it was daylight and it adjusts hormones in response. There are some studies in which are said that the exposure to any bright artificial lighting at night can confuse the body which is causing to suppress the hormone melatonin and this negatively affects to many functions. You should artificial lights because it can help to regulate hormones and restore a natural cicardian rhythm. [7]

Get enough sleep to prevent hormonal imbalance

Sleep is one of the most important factors for having hormonal balance. It is noticed that levels of some hormones can rise and fall throughout the day in response to issues, such as the quality of sleep. This is a reason you should get a regular and full night sleep. [1]

Ashwagandha for hormonal imbalance

This natural cure can be extremely effective at balancing hormones. It can benefit the thyroid function because it can promote the scavenging of the free radicals which are reason for cellular damage. You can use this natural cure to support a sluggish or overactive thyroid and it can help you to overcome the adrenal fatigue. Your adrenals can become overtaxed when you are experiencing too much mental, physical or emotional stress, which is leading to disruption of hormones like progesterone, cortisol and adrenaline. [8]

References:

[1] Roop JK. Hormone balance – A cause for concern in women. Research Journal of Life Sciences, Bioinformatics, Pharmaceutical, and Chemical Sciences. 2018;4(2):237-51.

[2] Yu J, Song P, Perry R, et al. The effectiveness of green tea or green tea extract on insulin resistance and glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A meta-analysis. Diabetes & Metabolism Journal. 2017;41(4):251–62.

[3] Mischoulon D. Omega-3 fatty acids for mood disorders. Harvard Health Blog. 2018. Retrieved from www.health.harvard.edu/blog/omega-3-fatty-acids-for-mood-disorders-2018080314414

[4] Gaskins AJ, Mumford SL, Zhang C, et al. Effect of daily fiber intake on reproductive function: the BioCycle Study. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2009;90(4):1061-9.

[5] Basciano H, Federico L, Adeli K. Fructose, insulin resistance, and metabolic dyslipidemia. Nutrition & Metabolism. 2005;2:5.

[6] Raatz SK, Johnson LK, Picklo M. Consumption of honey, sucrose, and high-fructose corn syrup produces similar metabolic effects in glucose-tolerant and -intolerant individuals. Journal of Nutrition. 2015;145(10).

[7] Blume C, Garbazza C, Spitschan M. Effects of light on human circadian rhythms, sleep and mood. Somnologie. 2019;23(3):147–56.

[8] Sharma AK, Basu I, Singh S. Efficacy and safety of ashwagandha root extract in subclinical hypothyroid patients: A double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2018;24(3):243-8.