PLANT LORE STUDY GROUP: MAY 2025: BOTANICALS FOR WOMEN: HORMONE-BALANCING HERBS: PART II

The Menstrual Cycle: is part of the reproductive system that prepares the body for possible pregnancy.

A typical menstrual cycle lasts from 24 to 38 days & has 4 phases:

·        Menses phase: begins on the first day of the cycle and involves the shedding of the uterine lining through the vagina if pregnancy hasn’t occurred. Most women bleed for 3 to 5 days, but a period lasting 3 to 7 days is usually not a cause for worry.

·        Follicular phase: begins on the day that menses starts and ends at ovulation. During this time, the levels of estrogen rise and causes the lining of the uterus, the endometrium, to grow and thicken. In addition, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) causes follicles in the ovaries to grow. During days 10 to 14, one of the developing follicles will form a fully mature egg or ovum.

·        Ovulation: occurs at about day 14 in a 28-day menstrual cycle. A sudden increase in luteinizing hormone (LH) causes the ovary to release its egg.

·        Luteal phase: lasts from about day 15 to day 28. The egg leaves the ovary and begins to travel through the fallopian tubes to the uterus. The levels of progesterone rise to help prepare the uterine lining for pregnancy. If the egg becomes fertilized by sperm and attaches itself to the uterine wall, known as implantation, pregnancy occurs. If pregnancy doesn’t occur, estrogen and progesterone levels drop and the thick lining of the uterus sheds during menses.

Herbs to Support the Menstrual Cycle:

Chasteberry: Berry (Vitex agnus-castus): when taken on a long-term basis, is very reliable for evening out and balancing the parts of the menstrual cycle. It has an adaptogenic and restorative quality that is specific to the endocrine system. Vitex shortens menstrual cycles that are very long, 34+ days, and lengthen cycles that are very short, 26 days or less. It is slow but steady acting in its herbal energy and efficacy. This slightly bitter, pungent tasting berry has a libido-stimulating effect for some people and has toning down effect on the sex drive of others. This is how it got its nickname, "monk's pepper". Vitex is also useful for supporting healthy progesterone levels during the luteal phase and works through stimulating the pituitary gland which contains no active hormones or building blocks of hormones on its own.

Red Clover (Trifolium pratense): a member of the bean or legume family known for its phytoestrogenic effects such as improving the balance of estrogens in the body, which impacts the menstrual cycle. One way red clover does this is by helping the body to clear out toxic and foreign xenoestrogens, which come from plastics and environmental hazards. It does this by itself, as a phytosterol, filling estrogen receptor sites where xenoestrogens could potentially go. A friend to fertility and a proponent of hormone happiness, red clover is also rich in protein and minerals, and the flower can be consumed raw or cooked as well as taken in a tincture or tea form.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale): works its magic on the menstrual cycle through the liver, the optimization of which is critical for healthy menstruation. Since excess hormones are cleared through the liver, keeping this organ of elimination and detoxification happy and primed is key to keeping hormones in check and the endocrine system nurtured. You can do this by regularly taking bitter herbs such as burdock, yellow dock, and dandelion before meals to help the liver, kidneys, and other eliminative organs to live stay healthy.

Ginger: (Zingiber officinale): a versatile herb, ginger can be used in capsule form, or as an herbal tea during the days leading up to the menstrual cycle to support a healthy response to PMS. It can also be used throughout the month for long-term and ongoing discomfort.

Minerals: grounding the body with essentials like calcium and magnesium is key to the rhythm of a healthy menstrual cycle. One of the best ways to accomplish this is with nourishing herbal infusions, which are the body's key to bioavailable and mineral-dense nutrition that is as easy to make as a tea. Nourishing herbal infusions of nettle and oatstraw cost less than taking a multivitamin every day, take about five minutes to make, and offer so much value. Use herbal vinegars on salads, in soups, or on veggies for extra mineral goodness.

Motherwort: Flowers & Leaves (Leonurus cardiaca): also known as the mother herb, motherwort increases circulation to the pelvic and abdominal area and acts as a gentle nervine with an affinity for the reproductive system. It can be used to soothe PMS signs and signals, regulate the nervous system, and calm the discomfort of spasms, occasional sleeplessness, digestive upset, or cardiac hiccups associated with menses.

Red Raspberry (Rubus idaeus): a classic uterine strengthener and reproductive muscle tonic, red raspberry has antinausea and antispasmodic properties and can be used to support female reproductive health.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): has the ability to both bring forth blood and kickstart a sluggish cycle with its emmenagogue properties. Yarrow can also be used to staunch bleeding that is too vigorous or heavy, making it a very effective menstrual cycle balancer. Yarrow is a uterine and circulatory tonic that provides vitality and strength to the uterus and ensures that the blood contained within the pelvic area does not stagnate.