Ayurvedic Herbs to Balance Female Hormones: Ashoka – Saraca Indica
If you’re a woman like me in today’s time, you must be very much aware of the everyday health problems we face. It could be PCOD, PCOS, PMS, Thyroid, Hot flashes, Difficulty in conceiving to heavy, painful or irregular menstruation, the root of all these problems is a hormonal imbalance due to the times we live in and our lifestyle choices.
Believe it or not, at the time when alternate healing systems like Ayurveda were in practice, there were hardly any cases of such health issues occurring but still Ayurveda has deep understanding of a woman’s body and in-depth knowledge about how to bring her internal system in equilibrium. Today I shall share you with a list of ancient Ayurvedic herbs, which are really potent in treating the issues related to female hormones.
Tree is a boon for gynaecological health.
It stands at the topmost position of the list of herbs balancing female hormones as there is not even a single herb that can surpass its medicinal properties special for women. There is a story in Ramayana which narrates the importance of Ashoka tree for female reproductive health. It is said that when Ravana who was great scholar abducted Sita, he felt her pulse (as done in Ayurvedic method of pulse reading) and deciphered that she was suffering from gynaecological problems.
He brought her to a place called ‘Ashoka Vatika’ which was full of Ashoka trees. During her stay in Ashoka Vatika, Sita drank the water from leaves of Ashoka tree and she was healed of all her health problems, hence this tree is also called Sita Ashoka. The Ashoka tree is considered sacred throughout the Indian sub-continent. Ashoka tree contains many essential nutrients like calcium, glycoside, haematoxylin, tannins, catechin, ferrous compounds (iron) and carbonic compounds of carbon. The bark of the tree contains ketosterol.
The nutrients tannins and catechin help to restore the normal blood flow during heavy and excess menstruation. Ashoka herb relaxes the uterine muscles and endometrium that ease stomach cramps during the mensuration process. The nutrient Haematoxylin in Ashoka bark regulates an irregular cycle and treats cysts, fibroid, amenorrhea, and white discharge. Apart from women health-related problems, it is also used as a brain tonic and help improves intellect and concentration. It is also used in the treatment of diabetes, internal bleeding, acne, kidney stones, stomach inflammation and mouth ulcers. Ashokarishtha is a very famous medicine made out of Ashoka bark that is given for all sorts of menstruation-related issues.
#Shatavari – Racemosus
Racemosus is an asparagus variant that people use as a herb in Nepal, the Indian Subcontinent, and Sri Lanka. It has many health benefits, but it is best known for the fact that it could treat diseases related to the female reproductive system.
-It balances the female hormones and supports the already balanced hormones.
-It also proves to be quite helpful in treating PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome) and reducing menopause symptoms such as night sweats and hot flashes.
-It is also good in treatment of PMS and controls pain and excessive blood loss during menses.
It also treats problems like leucorrhea, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea and other pelvic inflammatory diseases .
-It balances the pH of the vaginal area .
-It also aids in improving the quantity of milk production in lactating women.
Besides its merits on a woman’s health, it benefits the male reproductive system, reduces fever and inflammation, improves the fertility rates, helps relieve stomach ulcers, conquers stress, gives the body immunity energy and strength. Antioxidants in Shatavari keep the body young and energetic. It promotes digestion and if taken regularly, may even help to build a physique or gain weight.
-Shatavari can be taken as capsules or a powder.
#Shatavari Side Effects:
It should be avoided by those people who have kidney problems and heart conditions.
Shatavari acts as a causative agent for skin and pulmonary allergies and reactions in some.
It has a diuretic effect that can affect the process of sodium absorption inside the body. People who take Shatavari have more chances of dehydration
Shatavari can decrease blood sugar levels and should not be taken along with diabetes medicines
#Ayurvedic Herbs To Balance Female Hormones:
#Lodhra – Symplocos Racemosa
Lodhra or Symplocos Racemosa is an incredible herb that is available in many parts of Asia as well as America. The herb is very useful to treat female gynaecological disorders.
Lodhra is especially useful while treating repeated abortions. It normalizes and regularizes hormones FSH and LH which regulates the development of reproductive processes of the body. Water content of the Lodhra stimulates female reproductive cycle.
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Lodhra has anti-androgenic features which eliminate the problem of ovarian cell dysfunction in PCOS and thus encourages fertility. It reduces the testosterone levels which are much higher in PCOS patients.
It regulates hormones and restores the levels of oestrogen and progesterone and cholesterol.
It is uterine tonic and works wonder. It calms the uterine tissue.
-It is very useful in regulating Leucorrhea, a type of white discharge.
-It controls Menorrhagia or heavy bleeding during menses.
-It aids the regeneration of body health and strength after delivery.
-Besides the women health issues, Lodhra is considered to treat skin diseases such as acne, leprosy. It accelerates the wound healing process due to its pH balancing function. Medicated ghee prepared with the powder of Lodhra bark is used for treating eye diseases. It is also applied in the treatment process of ulcers, haemorrhage and dental diseases.
#Nirgundi – Vitex Negundo
Nirgundi or Vitex Negundo is that herbal product that is mainly remembered by their wonderful analgesic qualities. Every part of the plant, be it leaves, bark or root, is beneficial for all kinds of aching in human bodies. Nirgundi leaves are an excellent remedy for the gynecological health of females. It assists in healing treatment of Pre Menstrual Syndrome PMS
Menstrual Irregularities
-Severe Menstrual Pains
-Luteal Phase Defect (LPD)
-Breast Pain
-Menopausal Symptoms
-Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder(PMD)
-Hyperprolactinemia
-It regulates the female reproductive hormone oestrogen and regularises the Menstrual cycle. It also improves the fertility levels and helps in conceiving without any problems.
Nirgundi is easily available in powder, juice as well as capsules. It is always better to grow this plant in your garden because it can be very much useful in daily life, due to pain management properties for arthritis, sciatica, muscle pains due to injuries.
#Manjistha – Rubia Cordifolia
Manjishtha or Indian Madder(Rubia Cordifolia) is an herb cultivated in India, Africa and few southeast Asian regions. It is mainly known for cleansing blood. It is beneficial in all types of pitta disorders as it is Pittahara. It can manage both the doshas pitta and kapha. It can also be used very effectively for the treatment of uric acid induced arthritis.
-It has many healthy attributes in women health like
-It has antispasmodic properties hence is very useful in relieving uterine cramps during menstruation.
-It regulates female hormones and regulates the menstruation cycle. It promotes the normal female cycle.
-It cleanses the uterus which results in improved blood flow.
-It is anti-inflammatory and helps remove uterine swelling and inflammation.
#FAQ
1. Are there adverse effects to these Ayurvedic herbs?
These herbs, including Shatavari, can have diuretic properties that may lead to dehydration. Some may interact with diabetes medication, lowering blood sugar. Continue seeing the doctor, based on your individual medical issues.
2.How long does it take to see a result with these herbs?
There are different results in the recovery process, varying from case to case and differing with each individual’s health condition. Usually, benefits can be obtained on a hormonal level within several weeks or even months of using Ayurvedic herbs on a regular basis.
3.Will these herbs be compatible with other forms of conventional medicine?
Herbal preparations are commonly used and can often be used in conjunction with conventional treatments, though it is important to see both an Ayurvedic practitioner and a conventional doctor in such cases in order not to interfere with one another.
4. Do these herbs have usage for all women?
Although these herbs are, overall, considered to be safe for most women, there is always the possibility of these risks looming with pre-existing medical conditions, such as kidney or heart problems or a woman who may be pregnant; so first consulting a health-care professional or Ayurvedic practitioner beforehand would be a good idea.
5. How might these herbs be ingested?
These herbs can be taken in any of its various forms, like powders, capsules, tinctures, or as a part of any Ayurvedic formulation such as Ashokarishta, for example. It would be best if one were to follow the recommended dosage for these herbs as prescribed by a healthcare professional.
Nice post! It’s always good to learn about natural ways to help with hormonal balance. Just wondering, with so many benefits of the Ashoka tree, are there any side effects we should be cautious of? Also, for those of us who can’t easily find these herbs, are there any substitutes or supplements that could work similarly? It would be helpful to know about availability in other regions too. Thanks for sharing!
P.S. I came across a site, https://world-prices.com, which shows global prices of herbs and such, but not sure how reliable it is.