Herbal Remedies for PCOS to Revitalize the Body, Mind and Senses

 

 

What is PCOS?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder common in women during their reproductive age. Women with PCOS are prone to having infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods or high levels of the male hormone (androgen) in their system. Here, the ovaries might develop small collections of fluid and fail to release eggs regularly.

This disorder has various symptoms attached to it, like cramping or bloating, stress, anxiety, sleep issues, headaches, acne, etc. The symptoms and their severity vary from person to person along with the effectiveness of its treatments.

As is the case with every other disease, one of the primary forms of treatment is medication, followed by dietary abstinence and lifestyle changes. People who do not want to take medicines right away, opt to focus on dietary restrictions and making lifestyle changes. If you wish to find an answer to one of the most common questions surrounding PCOS- “how to cure PCOS”, one of the emerging yet effective remedies has been the use of herbs.

There are many ways that they can help improve your overall health both physically and mentally, but the tricky part is figuring out which herb will help with what symptom. Since natural herbs have so many amazing healing benefits and are known to help with more than just one symptom, here is a list of herbal remedies for the numerous symptoms and ill effects of PCOS:

 

Ashoka

Ashoka is full of anti-inflammatory compounds. It is a uterine stimulant that helps improve uterine contractions and keep the reproductive organs healthy by stimulating the ovarian tissue. It also helps in fixing the endometrium and reverses the damage brought on to its sensitive lining due to inflammation. It is beneficial when it comes to regulating estrogen levels as well. It also contains anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties that help in guarding the urinary tract against fungal as well as bacterial infections. The Ashoka herb has been known to fight menstrual irregularities and is an excellent remedy if taken as a PCOS herbal tea.

 

Lodhra

Lodhra is believed to be useful in managing female disorders like leucorrhea (excessive vaginal discharge) which is caused by vaginal infections as it contains antimicrobial as well as anti-inflammatory properties. It helps keep excessive menstrual bleeding under control by promoting blood thickening due to its hemostatic (a process that stops bleeding) and astringent properties. For women experiencing PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), Lodhra is quite useful as it increases the female hormone levels and reduces the male hormone levels in the female body. This assists in the maturation and release of eggs which tends to get compromised otherwise due to hormonal imbalance and manages the symptoms of PCOS.

 

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is one of the most commonly recognised ayurvedic herbs which has been traditionally known to be a powerful adaptogen, which means that it assists in aiding the body when it comes to balancing hormones which could consequentially relieve stress and other symptoms of the polycystic ovarian syndrome. By regulating the stress response and providing nourishment to the endocrine system (ovaries, thyroid, adrenals) Ashwagandha powder assists in fighting several symptoms associated with PCOS like fatigue, increase in stamina, and balanced blood sugar and mood swings, reduced anxiety, improved sleep, and hormone production. It is known to help in cases of weight-related obesity during PCOS, reducing insulin resistance, and alleviating anxiety and depression.

 

Shatavari

Shatavari is known to be very beneficial when it comes to treating numerous reproductive and female health issues. It makes for a very effective tea for PCOS as well. It assists in regulating menstrual cycles by maintaining a balance between hormones and the target cells. It stimulates and supports follicular development and growth which is ultimately required for conception. This herb also helps balance the estrogen and progesterone levels in the body. These are the two main hormones that are responsible for all the functions surrounding ovaries, conception, pregnancy, and labour.

 

Ginger

Ginger helps address fertility issues among women with PCOS by regulating hormones associated with it. It proved to be effective with no side effects even at high doses, making it an effective alternative for taking care of PCOS. It also helps manage the chronic inflammation that comes along with PCOS as it contains ingredients like gingerol, shogaol, paradol and zingerone, which have all been linked to a decline in inflammation. Ginger also helps with one of the worst symptoms of the menstrual cycle- period pains. It reduces the duration and intensity of menstrual cramps without any side effects like rashes, liver damage, stomach pains, etc. that are linked with equally effective over-the-counter remedies like ibuprofen.

 

Spearmint

Spearmint has proven effective in bringing on a prominent decrease in the levels of testosterone among women suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome. It also has anti-androgenic effects and is known to help with certain hormonal imbalances brought upon by PCOS. It is anti-androgenic which can also help reduce the number of unwanted ovarian follicles which can consequentially help to improve the regularity of your menstrual cycle. Women with PCOS are prone to insulin resistance, which can lead to type 2 diabetes. While this has mostly been tested on rats and there aren’t a lot of human studies on the same, spearmint did prove to lower insulin resistance, successively reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes so if looking for natural remedies free from negative effects, you can give this a chance. It has also helped improve hair loss associated with PCOS as well as reduce unwanted hair growth like facial hair among women, also known as hirsutism.

 

Stinging Nettle

Stinging nettle root works to improve and balance the endocrine system. It can bind to excess androgen and estrogen hormones in the body and get rid of or distribute them when and where they are required. Stinging nettle offers multiple nutritional benefits as well. They are loaded with vitamins like C, B and K as well as minerals such as choline, calcium and magnesium. Stinging nettles can be used in many ways and offer benefits for women of different age groups. This herb offers immune support, hormone balance, hair regrowth, lactation benefits and an energy boost along with detoxifying benefits. It can also restore metabolism and work as an anti-inflammatory component.

 

Natural herbs definitely help curb the effects of PCOS to some extent, but if you feel like it is proving to be ineffective in your case or it just isn’t effective enough, you can opt to get it checked by a professional. Also, know that while these teas are natural and beneficial when looking for a period pain solution, they must still be taken in moderation to avoid counter effects and worsening of symptoms.