Naturopath, Dr Muneerah Kuraishi, offers a number of ways to balance hormones naturally using diet and lifestyle changes to correct the hormonal imbalance.
Harsh chemical drugs to rectify hormonal imbalance can ravage the body with side effects. A far healthier option is to balance hormones naturally by nourishing the female endocrine system and reproductive organs with a healthy diet, providing nutrients that facilitate holistic health and healing on a cellular level.
Our body functions are largely controlled by the endocrine system, which releases hormones playing the role of chemical messengers. When our hormones are well regulated, the body is in harmony.
But if any hormone is slightly in excess or deficient, a hormonal imbalance occurs which can throw the body out of gear, resulting in considerable physical and emotional distress.
In women, the hormones oestrogen and progesterone control and maintain the reproductive cycle. Oestrogen helps to mature the breast and genital organs whereas progesterone matures the uterus and regulates ovulation.
An imbalance of oestrogen or progesterone may cause low libido, poor breast health, menstrual disorders, uterine fibroids, weak bones and a host of psychological problems like unwanted anger, irritability, mood swings and anxiety.
Harsh chemical drugs to rectify hormonal imbalances may ravage the body with its side effects. We know that Hormonal Replacement Therapy (HRT) boosts the risk of breast cancer.
A far healthier option is to balance hormones naturally by nourishing the female endocrine system and reproductive organs with a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables, providing nutrients that facilitate holistic health and healing on a cellular level.
Naturopathy treats female hormonal imbalances through sensible diet control, with a healthy combination of cleansing and rejuvenating natural food recipes, and simple therapeutic yoga movements, which bring about a proper balance and rhythm of the delicate endocrine system.
Balance hormones naturally in common menstrual disorders
Naturopathy can address the three most common menstrual disorders:
- Excess menstruation: Dysmenorrhea
- Less menstruation: Menorrhea
- Absence of menstruation: Amenorrhea
To treat these menstrual disorders naturally, drink a glass of hot water mixed with the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of fresh ginger juice with one tablespoon of pure honey and take it twice a day from two days prior to the commencement of the menstrual cycle.
During menstruation, this needs to be taken four times a day. This combination helps to ease the initial pain and discomfort of menstruation and also helps to cleanse the uterus and fallopian tubes. In a few months, it helps to balance hormones naturally and regulate any abnormalities in the monthly cycle.
Scanty menstruation may be caused by a deficiency of vitamin B, vitamin C and potassium. Hyperacidity and flatulence also hamper a steady menstrual flow, causing unwanted pain and discomfort.
Take 300 ml of orange, sweet lime, muskmelon or watermelon juices, with a tablespoon of honey, flavoured with tulsi, ginger and mint leaf for prompt relief twice a day.
The absence of periods, or amenorrhea, may be of two types. Primary amenorrhea is mainly due to genetic factors. Secondary amenorrhea is caused by illness, shock and stress.
Natural therapies like steam baths, acupressure and hydrotherapy can treat this with long-lasting results. To alleviate symptoms of PMS, practice deep breathing thrice a day, in vajrasana pose.
In summary:
- Avoid coffee, drugs and alcohol.
- Increase your intake of raw fruits and vegetables, soups and juices.
- Have a light and nutritious meal instead of heavy meals.
- Maintain constant blood glucose levels with a balanced diet.
- Take iron and calcium supplements daily.
- Simple naturopathic treatments, like hip bath, mud pack, cold fomentation, can be taken twice daily
Prevent endometriosis, fibroids & ovarian cysts
Need some handy tips to prevent endometriosis, fibroids and ovarian cysts? Avoid sugar, coffee, drugs and alcohol. Light and nutritious meals should be eaten instead. Raw fruits and vegetables, soups and juices are excellent.
Make use of the health-promoting benefits of vegetable soups. Combine carrots, cabbage, cauliflower, beet, pumpkin, drumstick, fenugreek, dill, green grams, radish, ash gourd, bitter gourd, tomato and spinach. For flavour use garlic, ginger, and white onions.
Balance hormones naturally for menopause relief
To balance hormones naturally in menopausal women, use a vaginal douche to facilitate the cleansing and lubrication of the vagina.
A simple home douche may be prepared in lukewarm water, with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and a pinch of salt. This will prevent itchiness and dryness of the vagina.
A good recommendation for natural hormone replacement is a diet of soya milk, soya beans, tofu, chickpeas, beans, lentils, alfalfa, apples, barley, carrots, cherries, fresh beans, garlic, oats, peas, pomegranate, sesame, wheat, nuts and cloves.
Substitute normal (black) tea with green tea, lemongrass, parsley and fennel, mint, basil, cinnamon, cloves, fresh ginger and pure honey as a natural sweetener.
To prevent osteoporosis and arteriosclerosis, we recommend two tablespoons of black sesame seeds, slightly heated in a frying pan, and taken twice a day.
Consume low-fat dairy products, fibre, copper, iron, and vitamin and mineral-rich fruits and vegetables. Avoid non-vegetarian dishes as much as possible.
Preventing urinary tract infection (UTI)
For cleanliness and hygiene of the urino-genital track, follow this advice:
- Wear cotton innerwear that is regularly washed and ironed
- Avoid perfumes and deodorants on the skin
- Wash the genitals after intercourse
- Urinate after sexual intercourse to prevent infection
- Wash the pelvis, navel and adjoining areas with five litres of cold water
- Trim pubic hair before the monthly cycle
Super-nutrition to balance hormones naturally
We recommend this super-nutritive diet to prevent menstrual abnormalities and symptoms of hormonal imbalance.
Triphala: 6 grams per day twice a day with lukewarm water
Aloe Vera: 30 ml pure gel twice daily
Mumra Almonds: 5 pieces a day
Walnuts: 2 to 4 with 150 ml orange juice once daily
Sesame seeds: 2 tablespoons twice daily
Honey: 2 to 3 tablespoons in juices. or just plain
Peanuts: 50 gms roasted or boiled eaten as snacks
Cashew nuts: 5 to 6 unsalted eaten as snacks
Kelp: 2 to 4 tablets twice daily with water
Ginger: 20 ml juice twice daily with juices or tea
Garlic: 2 to 4 finely chopped in salads.
Ginger and garlic are essential for the toning of the uterus and are good for the reproductive system.
Use the advice in this article to correct hormonal imbalance and balance hormones naturally with diet and lifestyle changes.
About the author:
Dr Muneerah Kuraishi is a certified Naturopath, a yoga expert, author and spiritualist who has put her decades of clinical research into ways of living a beautiful and fulfilling life.
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