THERE seems to be a supplement for everything – from immune support and joint health to sleep and energy.
But many women these days are looking for a more natural solution.
Meanwhile, Google searches for ‘how to help hormones’ have risen by 528 per cent in the past month while ‘balance hormones naturally’ searches are also up by 229 per cent.
And experts reckon you can help grow your own hormone-support garden, combining natural ingredients to look after your body.
Robin Antill, at 1st Choice Leisure Buildings, has given his advice on the best plants to naturally support women’s health, helping menopause and PMS symptoms, bloating and calming nervous system.
SAGE: SUPPORTS OESTROGEN
Sage has been traditionally used to help ease symptoms like hot flushes, night sweats and mood swings caused by menopause and perimenopause.
Robin said: “A study in 2019 showed there was a difference in the severity of menopausal symptoms after taking a sage supplement for four weeks.
“You can grow sage in a pot with well-drained soil and prune it regularly to encourage fresh growth. Steep the leaves in hot water to make a herbal tea.
“You can use fresh leaves, but you can also preserve them for longer by hanging a bundle of stems upside down in your shed for one to two weeks, until dry.”
YARROW: REDUCES HEAVY PERIODS & HELP WITH PCOS SYMPTOMS
Yarrow is a UK native wildflower that grows in grasslands like lawns and meadows.
The expert says: “It contains tannins and flavonoids that regulate hormones and has traditionally been used to help with menstrual discomfort.
“It can ease cramps and help regulate flow and studies have shown that it can decrease the detrimental effects of PCOS.
“Harvest the flowers of the yarrow and dry them in your shed and steep in hot water for a tea; drink during the menstrual phase to help symptoms.”
ROSEMARY: HELPS WITH PMS SYMPTOMS
Improved blood flow can improve many health concerns, but it also very helpful in reducing PMS symptoms, inflammation and brain fog linked to perimenopause.
Robin says: “Rosemary contains rosmarinic acid and antioxidants that improve circulation, and it has also been linked to cognitive support that can ease symptoms like lack of focus and memory.
Like sage, it can be made into a tea with fresh or dried sprigs, after being grown in a sunny spot in a well-drained pot, but you can also simply use it in cooking, if you prefer – you can even use a cooled tea as a hair rinse to improve scalp circulation, which can support healthy hair.
FENNEL: HELPS WITH BLOATING & MENOPAUSAL SYMPTOMS
Fennel seeds are a natural source of phytoestrogens, which are compounds that mimic oestrogen in the body and can be used to reduce menopausal symptoms like hot flushes and sleep issues.
The expert said: “It also helps to relax digestive muscles, to aid with bloating.
“The seeds can be harvested at the end of the growing season, crushed, and steeped into a tea. You can also eat the fresh bulb to help with digestion.”
LEMON BALM: CALMS NERVOUS SYSTEM & STABILISE MOOD
Lemon balm contains compounds like rosmarinic acid, citral, and linalool, that support GABA activity in the brain. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that has a calming effect on the nervous system, controlling the hyperactivity of nerve cells that are linked to stress and anxiety.
Robin says: “You can use it to ease sleep disruption, irritability and anxiety, and it’s particularly help during perimenopause and PMS when cortisol levels are higher.
“Lemon balm spreads quickly, so it’s best to grow in a pot.
“Steep fresh leaves into a tea or add fresh leaves to salads. You can even use the leaves to infuse into honey and put dried leaves in a sachet in your pillow to support sleep further.”
- Always ask an expert to help with edible plants if you’re not sure what’s in your garden
