I’m sharing 22 adaptogens for hormones today. You’ll enjoy this post if you have now (or have ever had) hormone problems.

I remember when I started working with my hormone doctor. She told me,

The gut and hormones are directly related. If we work on hormones, we’re also helping heal the gut. If you continue focusing on gut healing, then your hormone function will improve, too. They go hand-in-hand.

I have never forgotten this.

Gut and Hormones

Simultaneously, I have kept my eyes focused on both the gut and hormones. Anything that disrupts the hormones has a cause-effect on the gut. As I’ve grown deeper with my focus on healing the gut holistically (i.e. not believing it’s just food or just any one thing), I am seeing clear correlations.

This year, I have focused heavily on the lifestyle component of healing the hormones and gut.

While food is a part of this, I have tried downplaying it in my head and in the everyday life. Instead, I have been hyper-focused on 4 things:

1. Reducing stress
2. Digging to the bottom of issues vs. letting them lay dormant (both personally and health-wise)
3. Skincare. I stopped pretending my makeup and skincare wasn’t disrupting my hormones. Ladies – it can and it does, which is why I am so passionate about Beautycounter. If you’ve spent thousands of dollars focusing on food as a means for your hormone and gut cures, but haven’t yet stopped to think about all the (hundreds of) hormone disruptors you’re applying to your body every single day, today should be the day.
4. Reconsidering workouts. In other words, I rarely “workout” these days.

Over time, I have realized the correlation between hormone and gut problems isn’t just me. I would say 90% of the women who come to me and/or buy The Gutsy Girl’s Bible have both gut and hormone issues. 

Because I know that adaptogens are powerful for hormones, I put together this list of 22 adaptogens for hormones.

Crowd out the junk, and add in healing components.

Some of these components might include the following 22 adaptogens for hormones.

22 Adaptogens for Hormones

Click HERE to save these 22 adaptogens for hormones for later.

 

1. Amla

   ‘Amalaki‘ can literally be translated to mean ‘sour,’ indicating its very sharp and sour taste profile. Amalaki also means ‘Dhatri,’ which translates as ‘mother’ or ‘nurse,’ indicating that Amalaki is a primary healing and nourishing herb for the body and soul. It is prescribed for many imbalances, including boosting immunity and digestion, as well as heart and metabolic disorders. 

2. Ashwagandha

   Ashwaghanda is an adaptogenic herb that you might not otherwise think to add for gut healing. Here is why I do: improves thyroid function, relieves “adrenal fatigue,” combats stress and anxiety, and boosts immune function. One thing to make note of with Ashwagandha, though, is that it is a nightshade. 

3. Cordyceps

   Cordyceps are a type of fungus, better known as a species of edible medicinal, nutritionally beneficial mushrooms. Research shows that, “cordyceps can act like mild stimulants or “adaptogen herbs,” fighting stress or fatigue and naturally increasing energy levels. Some of the most researched benefits of cordyceps also include improving athletic performance, increasing immunity against viruses and even promoting longevity.”

4. Eleuthero

   Eleuthero can help improve the health of your adrenal system, which is in charge of managing your body’s response to stress. In doing so, eleuthero is able to combat stress and the negative effects it causes such as fatigue.

5. Holy Basil (Tulsi)

   Tulsi not only helps protect the body from the degenerative effects of stress, but it also repairs the body from its damage. These are the properties of an adaptogen, and tulsi is rapidly emerging as one of the world’s finest. Tulsi treats the body at a deeper level than most other adaptogens, which may be why tulsi’s benefits extend far beyond its ability to cope with stress.

6. Maca

   Maca is considered by researchers to be a true adaptogen (an adaptogen is a substance which raises the non-specific resistance in an organism). It does many awesome things for the body, but my favorites are: increase energy and endurance, enhances fertility, enhances memory, learning, and mental ability, helps build muscle and is good for healthy teeth and bones.

7. Rhodiola

   Rhodiola, or Rhodiola rosea, helps prevent fatigue, stress, and the damaging effects of oxygen deprivation. Evidence also suggests that it acts as an antioxidant, enhances immune system function, and can increase sexual energy. 

8. Panax Ginseng

   “Panax,” the genus which encompasses both American and Asian ginseng, equates to “all-heal” in Greek. It helps with immunity, muscle damage and physical endurance, contains anti-cancer properties, and can provide positive short-term improvements in cognitive function. I have also written about Ginseng and gut health [HERE].

9. Schisandra

   Schisandra, also known as five-flavored berry, owes its name Wu Wei Zi (five flavored berry) to the fact that it is sweet, sour, salty, bitter and pungent. As an adaptogen, Schisandra is a potent general tonic, decreasing fatigue, enhancing physical performance, and promoting endurance. The berry counters stress by reducing the levels of stress hormones in the blood. 

10. Astralagus

    Astragalus contains flavonoids, saponins, phytosterols, and other potentially beneficial compounds. Lab and some human studies have shown that it has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumor, and immune-boosting effects.

11. Licorice Root

    Licorice contains a powerful compound called glycyrrhizic acid. It’s this acid that stops the body from breaking down cortisol. Cortisol is the ‘stress hormone’ made by the adrenal glands and released when the body is under mental and physical pressure. Low levels of cortisol are associated with adrenal fatigue syndrome, and can lead to feelings of tiredness, mood swings and poor immune function.

12. Moringa

    Moringa is one of the things I added when healing my perioral dermatitis naturally. But its benefits extend far beyond that, and one of the key benefits is that it helps regulate thyroid function because it’s an adaptogenic herb. 

13. Gotu Kola

    Gotu Kola is an extremely healing herb for the nervous system and has been shown to repair and restore axons [2], which are used to transmit nerve impulses throughout the brain and body. As such, it has been used as an anti-anxiety, anti-stress and anti-insomnia medicine throughout its long history of human use. 

14. Bacopa

    Bacopa monnieri is a creeping marsh plant that is traditionally used as a nootropic (cognitive enhancer), for longevity, and to help with anxiety and depression. It’s possible that the improved cognition is likely a result of the reduced anxiety. Bacopa is an effective adaptogen and can help you cope with stressful situations and decrease stress in all regions of the brain.

15. Bilberry

    Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) is a relative of our cultivated blueberry; both the fruit and the leaves of this plant have been used for their benefits in the urinary tract, reproductive system, respiratory, and endocrine systems. The fruit is high in antioxidants, earning bilberry a strong reputation for use with all kinds of eye disorders.

16. Dang Shen

    Codonopsis Root (Dang Shen) is often used as a gentler alternative to the stronger Ginseng, Codonopsis has a long history as being an excellent lung, blood, muscle and overall body tonic. 

17. He Shou Wu

    He Shou Wu, also known as Fo-Ti, has benefits which include: DNA protection and repair, longevity and more, libido booster and sexual health tonic, and hair growth and rejuvenation.

18. Jiaogulan

    In the last 50 or so years, there have been numerous studies proving Jiaogulan’s efficacy for: regulating blood pressure, lowering cholesterol, boosting immunity, reducing inflammation, and preventing tumors and improving recovery for post-chemo and radiation treatments. Most medicinal adaptogenic herbs largely serve a primary purpose and may contain a weaker secondary or tertiary benefit. But Jiaogulan works wonders for the benefits listed above as well as several others, including lean-muscle gain, and mental balance.

19. Lycium

    Lycium Barbarum (Goji) contains a high concentration of nutrients that are extremely impressive. These include plant-derived polyphenolic antioxidants; carotenoids such as beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, lutein, beta-cryptoxanthin, and lycopene; vitamins C, B1, B2, and niacin; more than 30 essential and trace minerals, including zinc, iron, copper, calcium, selenium, and phosphorus; polysaccharides; and 18 amino acids such as isoleucine, tryptophan, leucine, and arginine. 

20. Reishi

    Red Reishi, commonly known as Ling Zhi in Chinese, is a herbal mushroom known to have miraculous health benefits. When Reishi is taken regularly, it can restore the body to its natural state, enabling all organs to function normally. It is also an immune modulator – regulates and fine tunes the immune system.

21. Shatavari

    In India, Shatavari means, “she who possesses 100 husbands.” This is referring to the herbs rejuvenation effect upon the female reproductive organs. The adaptogenic has so many female indications. Shatavari is best known as a female rejuvanitive. It is useful for infertility, decreased libido, threatened miscarriage, menopause, leucorrhea and has the ability to balance pH in the cervical area.

22. Suma

    Last, but certainly not least, the adaptogen that means, “for all things.”According to the American Pharmaceutical Association, herbalist in North America believe suma is an “energizing adaptogen” as it boosts the immune system and combats low energy.

There you have it – 22 adaptogens for hormones.

Here is some more information, as it relates to the above, that might be helpful.

What is a Good Amla Powder?

Check out the Terrasoul Organic Amla Powder. In addition to the Amla information above, it is also a good source of vitamin C.

What is Licorice Root Tea?

I love the Traditional Medicinals brand for organic, super high-quality teas. 

The most common reason the Gutsy community uses it is for gastrointestinal upset. 

In fact, licorice root contains anti-bacterial properties. During my healing journey, I took DGL (which stands for deglycyrrhizin licorice). The exact one I took was the Rx Vitamins Chewable Licorice DGL. You can get them on Amazon HERE or through my Wellevate dispensary HERE for even cheaper.

Some choose DGL vs. regular licorice root for safety reasons, but if you’re truly concerned about it, be sure to work with your health care provider.

 

Have you ever used any of these 22 adaptogens for hormones? Do you currently use any?

If you liked this post, you might also enjoy:

1. THIS private Facebook group for all things Gut Health, ‘Adrenal Fatigue,’ Hormones
2. All About GI Hormones
3. Destroyed Hormones Part II

Xox,
SKH