Hello dear blurtians, I am Mnkong Emmanuel Saah, a certified Public Health Educator, and Independent Consultant Affiliate ( ICA ), Himalayan Institute Cameroon. And I am happy to come around again this time to share with you on what I titled "how to use herbal medicine and Nutrition to manage hormonal imbalance and Stress in Women*".
AIM OF THE PRESENTATION:
° The aim of this presentation is to present the impacts of herbal medicine and Nutrition to support hormonal balance and stress management in women and; to discuss the importance of hormonal health for women and to educate them on various strategies to improve Women's health outcomes and to give them the knowledge they need to handle their health.
Introduction:
° Female hormones such as estrogen and progesterone are a group of chemicals produced by the ovaries, both of which are stimulated by luteinizing hormones and follicle stimulating hormone which are produced in the pituitary gland. Research supports herbal medicine as safe can help women cope with menopausal symptoms and improve the health of their lives.
° Hormonal changes occur in women in various stages of life including, menstruation, pregnancy and menopause and can cause a range of physical and emotional symptoms. Nutrition plays a crucial role in regulation and promotion of hormonal balance in Women; while herbal medicine has been used traditionally to support women's health.
°Discussions and analysis:
° Stress management:
√ Stress management can aid in producing and balancing other hormones, such as serotonin and dopamine; which are neurotransmitters.
√ Elevated cortisol levels caused by chronic stress may cause symptoms like anxiety, depression, high blood pressure; which is why it is important to** manage stress** by finding ways to combat it. Something as easy as listening to music, yoga and meditation can help reducestress.
√ Stress interferes with the normal function of thyroid hormones, estrogen and progesterone.
√ When the body experience extreme stress the adrenal glands release adrenaline, also known as epinephrine into the bloodstream. Adrenaline prepares the body for a stressful "fight or - flight" situation by increasing heart rate that allows more oxygen to reach the muscle making the body ready to react.
Nutrition:
° Eating good fats is essential for hormone production as it is these fats that build our hormones as well as reduce inflammation. So women should always include a portion of good fats in their diet.
° Another hormone balancing habit is by adding healthy fats like avocado, Salmon, walnuts etc to your diet.
° Fats, particularly those rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, support the structure and function of cell membranes including those of hormones.
° Food rich in fiber such as green vegetables can also be so supportive in balancing hormones and stress management.
PRACTICAL EXAMPLE OF HERBAL MEDICINE TO MANAGE HORMONAL IMBALANCE AND STRESS IN WOMEN; TYPICAL EXAMPLE OF "DANDELION" ORGANIC HERBAL MEDICINE:
° A herbal organic medicine known as "dandelion" has been identified as very important in supporting hormonal balance, and it's role in women's health is discussed. Hormonal balances are common issues among adolescent girls. The onset of *menstruation, irregular cycles, and hormonal fluctuations" can cause physical and emotional changes, that can lead to emotional instability, anxiety and depression
°Dandelion helps to increase bile flow. Bile is a substance that transports those packaged up waste products ( like estrogen ) to the gut for pooping.
° It can help improve liver function.
° For those with interstitial cystitis, it may also soothe the bladder.
° The liver plays an important role in regulating hormones, especially estrogen. Not only does it metabolizes this important hormone, but it also helps to eliminate it, whether the estrogen is from natural sources or from artificial sources. To keep metabolism working well, we have to nourish the liver. Dandelion roots often thought as a weed, is one of the most powerful tonics available. Take the root regularly as a decoction.
° In addition, dandelion root may also help with water retention and PCOS bloating, which are common symptoms of hormonal imbalance in women.
° Dandelion roots can be used to help balance hormones by nourishing the liver, which metabolizes and eliminates hormones like estrogen in women. Dandelion root can be taken as tinctures or decoction which is made by simmering the root for 15 minutes.
Note:
Dandelion leaf and root should not be used by people with gallstones or allergic to yarrow, ragweed, marigold, chamomile and daisies.
