Hormonal Imbalance: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

A hormonal imbalance occurs when there's a disruption in the body's delicate hormonal equilibrium, resulting in an overproduction or underproduction of essential hormones.

This can be caused by factors such as stress, genetics, poor diet, lack of sleep, and certain medical conditions. If left untreated, hormonal imbalance can lead to various health issues like weight gain, mood swings, fatigue, and reproductive problems. To alleviate hormonal imbalance, herbal remedies like dandelion root, licorice root, and maca are often used to regulate hormone production.

However, it's crucial to consult a healthcare professional before using medicinal herbs, especially if pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medications, as they may interact with other treatments.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of hormonal imbalance, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of hormonal imbalance?

The main causes of hormonal imbalance are primarily attributed to genetic factors, with an estimated 40-50% of hormonal imbalances being inherited.

Environmental toxins, including pesticides, heavy metals, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), can mimic or interfere with hormone production, leading to imbalances. Lifestyle factors such as stress, lack of sleep, and poor diet contribute to hormonal imbalances, with cortisol levels increasing by 23% in individuals experiencing chronic stress. Certain medical conditions, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid disorders, and Cushing's syndrome, can also lead to hormonal imbalances.

Additionally, age-related hormonal changes, such as menopause and andropause, can cause hormonal imbalances, with estrogen levels decreasing by 50% in postmenopausal women.

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a hormonal disorder that causes irregular menstrual cycles, excess androgen levels, and insulin resistance, leading to hormonal imbalance due to the body's inability to regulate ovulation and insulin sensitivity.
• Thyroid Disorders: Thyroid Disorders, such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, can disrupt the body's hormonal balance by affecting the production of thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism, growth, and development, ultimately leading to hormonal imbalance.
• Stress: Chronic Stress can cause hormonal imbalance by triggering the release of stress hormones, such as cortisol, which can disrupt the body's natural hormonal balance and lead to changes in insulin sensitivity, blood sugar levels, and other hormonal imbalances.
• Sleep Deprivation: Sleep Deprivation can cause hormonal imbalance by disrupting the body's natural circadian rhythm, leading to changes in the levels of hormones, such as melatonin, insulin, and growth hormone, which regulate sleep, glucose metabolism, and growth.
• Genetic Predisposition: Genetic Predisposition can cause hormonal imbalance due to inherited genetic mutations that affect hormone production, regulation, or response, leading to conditions such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia and other rare genetic disorders.
• Obesity: Obesity can cause hormonal imbalance by leading to insulin resistance, which can disrupt the body's natural hormonal balance and lead to changes in insulin sensitivity, blood sugar levels, and other hormonal imbalances.
• Environmental Toxins: Exposure to Environmental Toxins, such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals, can cause hormonal imbalance by interfering with hormone production, regulation, or response, leading to changes in hormone levels and disrupting the body's natural hormonal balance.
• Hypogonadism: Hypogonadism, a condition characterized by low sex hormone production, can cause hormonal imbalance due to the body's inability to produce enough sex hormones, leading to changes in reproductive function, bone density, and overall health.
• Adrenal Insufficiency: Adrenal Insufficiency, a condition characterized by insufficient production of adrenal hormones, can cause hormonal imbalance due to the body's inability to produce enough cortisol and aldosterone, leading to changes in blood pressure, electrolyte balance, and overall health.
• Pituitary Gland Disorders: Pituitary Gland Disorders, such as pituitary tumors and hypopituitarism, can cause hormonal imbalance due to the pituitary gland's inability to produce enough hormones, leading to changes in growth, development, and overall health.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for hormonal imbalance?

The main medicinal herbs used for hormonal imbalance are Angelica sinensis, Cimicifuga racemosa, Panax ginseng, Vitex agnus-castus, Avena sativa, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Ginkgo biloba, Trifolium pratense, Lavandula angustifolia, Paeonia lactiflora.

Angelica sinensis is used to regulate menstrual cycles and reduce menopausal symptoms due to its ability to stimulate estrogen production and modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Cimicifuga racemosa is employed to alleviate symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and menopause by inhibiting the activity of prolactin, a hormone involved in menstrual irregularities. Panax ginseng, Vitex agnus-castus, and Avena sativa are utilized to balance adrenal function, regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and reduce stress-induced cortisol levels, respectively.

Glycyrrhiza glabra, Ginkgo biloba, Trifolium pratense, Lavandula angustifolia, and Paeonia lactiflora are used to modulate estrogen metabolism, improve circulation, and reduce anxiety and stress associated with hormonal imbalances.

• Angelica sinensis: Angelica sinensis, also known as dong quai, contains isoflavones and ferulic acid that help to regulate menstrual cycles and alleviate symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, which are associated with hormonal imbalance.
• Cimicifuga racemosa: Cimicifuga racemosa, also known as black cohosh, contains triterpenes and phenolic compounds that help to modulate the body's hormonal response by inhibiting the activity of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, which converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, thus alleviating symptoms of menopause and hormonal imbalance.
• Panax ginseng: Panax ginseng, also known as Asian ginseng, contains ginsenosides that help to regulate the body's hormonal response by stimulating the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, which in turn stimulates the release of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, thus alleviating symptoms of hormonal imbalance, particularly in menopause and andropause.
• Vitex agnus-castus: Vitex agnus-castus, also known as chaste tree, contains flavonoids and terpenoids that help to regulate the body's hormonal response by stimulating the release of dopamine and serotonin, which in turn inhibit the release of prolactin, thus alleviating symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and hormonal imbalance.
• Avena sativa: Avena sativa, also known as oat straw, contains avenacosides that help to regulate the body's hormonal response by reducing the levels of cortisol, thus alleviating symptoms of adrenal fatigue and hormonal imbalance.
• Glycyrrhiza glabra: Glycyrrhiza glabra, also known as licorice root, contains glycyrrhizin that helps to regulate the body's hormonal response by inhibiting the activity of 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, which converts cortisol to cortisone, thus alleviating symptoms of adrenal fatigue and hormonal imbalance.
• Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo biloba does not directly help with hormonal imbalance, but it may improve blood flow to the endocrine glands, which can help to regulate hormonal response and alleviate symptoms of hormonal imbalance.
• Trifolium pratense: Trifolium pratense, also known as red clover, contains isoflavones that help to regulate the body's hormonal response by stimulating the release of estrogen, thus alleviating symptoms of menopause and hormonal imbalance.
• Lavandula angustifolia: Lavandula angustifolia, also known as lavender, contains linalool and linalyl acetate that help to regulate the body's hormonal response by reducing stress and anxiety, which in turn can help to alleviate symptoms of hormonal imbalance.
• Paeonia lactiflora: Paeonia lactiflora, also known as peony, contains paeoniflorin that helps to regulate the body's hormonal response by inhibiting the activity of prostaglandins, which are associated with pain and inflammation, thus alleviating symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and hormonal imbalance.

What are the main herbal preparations used for hormonal imbalance?

The main herbal preparations used for hormonal imbalance are Tincture, Capsules, Decoction, Suppository, Cream, Gel, Salve, Pills, Oil, Powder.

Tincture is a concentrated liquid extract of herbs, often used for hormonal imbalances due to its ability to regulate thyroid function and alleviate symptoms of menopause. Capsules contain dried and powdered herbs, providing a convenient and standardized dosage for hormonal regulation. Decoction is a liquid herbal preparation made by boiling herbs, often used for uterine and ovarian issues, while Suppository is a solid form of herb inserted rectally to directly target the reproductive system.

Cream, Gel, Salve, Pills, Oil, and Powder are topical or ingestible preparations of herbs, such as chasteberry, black cohosh, and saw palmetto, which help regulate hormone production, alleviate hot flashes, and support reproductive health.

• Tincture: A tincture of the medicinal plant Tribulus terrestris helps with hormonal imbalance by providing an extract of its bioactive compounds, including furostanol saponins, which are known to stimulate the secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, thereby improving the balance of sex hormones.
• Capsules: Capsules filled with the dried root of the plant Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) help with hormonal imbalance by providing a standardized extract of its bioactive compounds, including withanolides and withaferins, which have been shown to modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and improve the balance of stress hormones.
• Decoction: A decoction of the medicinal plant Maca (Lepidium meyenii) helps with hormonal imbalance by providing a rich source of its bioactive compounds, including glucosinolates and alkaloids, which have been shown to stimulate the secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone and improve the balance of sex hormones.
• Suppository: A suppository of the medicinal plant Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa) helps with hormonal imbalance by providing a direct and targeted delivery of its bioactive compounds, including triterpene glycosides, which have been shown to modulate the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and improve the balance of sex hormones.
• Cream: A cream containing the medicinal plant Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) helps with hormonal imbalance by providing a topical delivery of its bioactive compounds, including gamma-linolenic acid, which has been shown to modulate the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and improve the balance of sex hormones.
• Gel: A gel containing the medicinal plant Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) helps with hormonal imbalance by providing a topical delivery of its bioactive compounds, including fatty acids and phytosterols, which have been shown to inhibit the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone and improve the balance of sex hormones.
• Salve: A salve containing the medicinal plant Dong quai (Angelica sinensis) helps with hormonal imbalance by providing a topical delivery of its bioactive compounds, including furocoumarins and ligustilide, which have been shown to modulate the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and improve the balance of sex hormones.
• Pills: Pills containing the medicinal plant Chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus) help with hormonal imbalance by providing a standardized extract of its bioactive compounds, including flavonoids and alkaloids, which have been shown to modulate the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and improve the balance of sex hormones.
• Oil: An oil containing the medicinal plant Clary sage (Salvia sclarea) helps with hormonal imbalance by providing a topical delivery of its bioactive compounds, including linalool and linalyl acetate, which have been shown to modulate the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and improve the balance of sex hormones.
• Powder: A powder of the medicinal plant Ginseng (Panax ginseng) helps with hormonal imbalance by providing a standardized extract of its bioactive compounds, including ginsenosides and saponins, which have been shown to modulate the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and improve the balance of sex hormones.