“Will I use my hormones for good or evil today?”
The cycle of feeling tired all day only to lie in bed wide awake all night has become increasingly common. We have inconsistent appetites, sudden hunger and food cravings, mood swings and irritability, skin problems, difficulty concentrating, digestive issues, and sudden weight changes. Do any of these sound familiar?
While these can be attributed to a wide range of root causes, the role of hormones as a major contributing factor is drastically overlooked.
Your Endocrine System
While all parts of our health and body are interconnected, this concept is even more pronounced when it comes to our endocrine system. Hormones are defined as a substance made in one part of the body, that travels through the blood and has an effect somewhere else in the body. They are a major part of our endocrine system, a complex network made up of glands plus the hormones they secrete. Note that the endocrine system works very closely with the nervous system. There are 8 glands within the endocrine system (although there are other parts of the body that actually produce hormones, such as the liver):
Adrenals
Gonads (ovaries or testes)
Pancreas
Parathyroid
Pineal
Pituitary
Thymus
Thyroid
Men & Women Each Face Challenges with Hormones
The health challenges caused by hormones as well as the full extent to which they can cause undesired symptoms in our bodies is not fully appreciated. Women who seek help for their hormones from medical providers run the risk of being dismissed or being “overly dramatic.” In addition, results on blood work can change throughout the month given the hormone cycle women go through. This creates a challenge in confirming the exact state of hormone health in a woman’s body.
The challenge men face is similar. It’s incorrectly assumed that men don’t experience issues with their hormones. Studies can be misleading, as men are far less likely to seek help for medical issues (see: Source 1 , Source 2). When hormones are considered for men, the conversation often begins and ends with only testosterone. Do not be fooled: men get hormonal too! Ever see a guy slapping his keyboard because the “R” button is stuck? He might just be hormonal. Men might have different sexual organs than women, but their hormones remain a foundational element of their well-being.
Symptoms of Imbalanced Hormones
Some of the most common symptoms of imbalanced hormones include:
Fatigue
Insomnia
Brain fog
Irritability and mood swings
Weight gain or loss (especially around midsection)
Skin issues
Anxiety
GI issues (indigestion and constipation)
Hair thinning or hair loss
Temperature dysregulation
Low libido
Irregular or heavy periods
PMS symptoms
Breast tenderness or fibrocystic breasts
Migraines
Dry skin and brittle nails
8 Hormone Balancing Herbs
Hormones are intricate, to say the least. Your body can experience symptoms and signs of hormone imbalance years before the issues show up in testing. By the time testing reveals that your thyroid is dysregulated, it’s likely significantly impacted other hormones too.
1. Chaste Tree Berry (aka, Vitex)
Vitex tends to have a normalizing effect on estrogen in the body. It’s also known to help the body regain natural balance after the use of birth control pills. It’s effective in stimulating the pituitary gland and increasing the production of progesterone.
This herb is best taken consistently over a longer period (e.g., 6+ months). It is a beneficial single herb to help maintain feelings of emotional balance before and during menstruation.
2. False Unicorn Root
False Unicorn Root is utilized as a general tonic for the entire genito-urinary tract. Note that several herbalists speak of the combination of False Unicorn Root + Cramp Bark in being an effective general treatment for female reproductive disorders. It’s also beneficial for nausea, indigestion, and painful or irregular menstruation.
3. Ashwagandha
I don’t want to play favorites but… When it comes to adaptogenic herbs that also calm and nourish the adrenals, is there really any competition? Adaptogenic herbs help the body “adapt” to physical and psychological stress. Ashwagandha has been used for over 3,000 years, and is known to replenish and strengthen a fatigued system. Go get some (like, now).
4. Shatavari Root
Shatavari has a long history of use in India as a hormonal tonic and in ceremony to render deeper love, compassion, and vitality. It makes an excellent remedy for severe adrenal deficiency (think: burnout and chronic exhaustion). It’s also nutritive and beneficial to the female hormones.
5. Morinda Root (aka, Noni)
Most relevant to our discussion, Noni helps with balancing blood sugar (the endocrine system releases hormones to do this), preventing kidney and bladder infections, and supporting several GI symptoms including digestive weakness.
Though still being studied, to this point it’s been identified that Noni is the best available source of something called “proxeronine.” It is an alkaloid precursor to xeronine, an essential compound used by the body, without which we cannot survive. “So yea, I’m kind of a big deal,” said Noni.
6. Rhodiola
Rhodiola is a wonderful adaptogen that helps support adrenal function, balance cortisol output, and control proper estrogen levels. It is a beneficial antioxidant that helps the body with stress and fatigue.
7. Cordyceps Mushroom
Pertinent to this formula, Cordyceps helps with liver function and detoxification, regulating blood sugar, and general regulation of hormones (especially the adrenals).
8. Ginger Root
Ginger has some relevant benefits, however it is often used strategically in an herbal formula as a “catalyst” herb. This means its purpose is to help the herbs work cohesively, while simultaneously enhancing the effects of each herb. In addition, Ginger is a gentle assistant with hormonal imbalance, and is wonderful for circulation which is beneficial during various parts of the menstrual cycle, especially for cramps.
Where Do I Start?
The 8 aforementioned herbs make up the formula within Wild Wholistic's herbal blend: Womb Whisperer .
As the name suggests, this product is marketed to women; however, many males (including my own male clients) have benefited from this formula. Not only do men have estrogen present in their bodies, but they have a need for estrogen to function optimally.
My work is designed specifically to discover hormone imbalances before they become severe and systemic, and to deal with them in a more effective and efficient manner. Bioenergetic testing helps to reveal imbalances as they begin in the body, and address them at the root. In addition, it helps identify what the body needs most through things like nutrition, exercise, supplements, and bioenergetic imprints.
If you’ve been dealing with never-ending hormone challenges or you suspect your hormones aren’t quite right, Apply Here to work with me and begin reclaiming the life you deserve.
A bioenergetic scan and session would provide you:
Clarity on what your body needs,
Specifics on where your body is struggling most and where it’s thriving,
A customized protocol and imprints designed specifically for you, and
Actionable steps and insights to give you the confidence that you can heal and take back your life
Stefanie Smit is a Bioenergetic Root Cause Practitioner & Health Coach. She guides individuals through the challenges of chronic illness to help them find clarity in the WHY behind their symptoms, so they can find a clear path forward back to a life of health and purpose.
Contact: edenenergetix@gmail.com
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