Ladies, let’s have a real talk about “that time of the month.” For many women, menstruation brings more than its fair share of discomfort. Mood swings, cramps, hot flashes, bloating, headaches, heavy bleeding – it’s enough to spoil your days.
From Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and painful periods to perimenopause and menopause, our hormones can put us through the wringer!
When our hormones are out of whack, life gets messy quickly too. But before you reach for the Midol or hormone pills, let me tell you about two ancient herbal remedies that can help bring your hormones back into balance the natural way: licorice and peony!
Licorice: The Great Hormonal Harmonizer
Licorice root has been used for centuries in traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a women’s health tonic.
In TCM, it’s called “the great harmonizer” for its ability to balance female hormone levels gently.
The magic lies in the phytoestrogens contained in licorice root. Phytoestrogens are plant compounds that mimic estrogen in the body. The two main phytoestrogens in licorice are glabridin and liquiritigenin. Here’s how they help regulate your hormones:
- Glabridin – Can increase low estrogen levels, helping alleviate menopause symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness. It also helps regulate the metabolism of cortisol, lowering excess levels caused by stress.
- Liquiritigenin – Helps reduce high estrogen levels which contribute to PMS symptoms like breast tenderness, bloating, and mood swings. It also boosts progesterone, which opposes estrogen.
So in essence, licorice phytoestrogens provide a gentle balancing effect on estrogen and progesterone throughout the menstrual cycle. Let’s look at how the science stacks up for using licorice root for common hormone-related issues:
PMS Relief
Several studies have found licorice extracts effective for relieving PMS symptoms like fatigue, cramps, and mood changes. The phytoestrogens help stabilize hormone levels while the anti-inflammatory action reduces cramping.
Easing Menstrual Cramps
Licorice root has antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties that help relax the muscles and reduce cramping during menstruation. Both the phytoestrogens and anti-inflammatory compounds (e.g. glycyrrhizin) are involved.
Cooling Menopausal Hot Flashes
Studies conducted by the National Institutes of Health confirm licorice root can reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes and night sweats during perimenopause and menopause. It raises estrogen levels while also keeping cortisol in check – a hormone combo that helps control hot flashes.
However, it is important to note that pregnant and breastfeeding women, and those with kidney and heart disease, or high blood pressure should avoid licorice and its products.
Peony: The Queenly Hormone Balancer
Like licorice root, peony root also has a long history of use in TCM as a female reproductive tonic. It’s nicknamed “the queen of flowers” for its delicate blossoms and powerful benefits for women’s health.
The main phytoestrogen in peonies is paeoniflorin, which helps to regulate hormones gently. Peony also contains other active compounds that reduce inflammation and muscle spasms, making it excellent for painful periods. Let’s look at what the research has uncovered:
Immune & Inflammation Regulation:
Peony root contains disease-preventing antioxidants and compounds that reduce excessive pro-inflammatory immune messengers (cytokines). This helps avoid inflammation-related reproductive issues like uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts (PCOS), and endometriosis.
Hormone Modulation:
Animal research reveals special constituents in peony called monoterpene glycosides help regulate progesterone, estrogen, testosterone, and other hormones for females. This enhances menstrual cycle regulation.
Mood Support:
Studies show that peony root compounds like paeoniflorin may support mood by inhibiting chemical messengers that reduce serotonin, an important neurotransmitter promoting stable moods and emotional well-being. This explains the traditional uses of Peony for relieving anxiety, depression, and irritability.
Pain Relief
Investigations show paeoniflorin and other peony root components reduce contractions, relax smooth muscles (like the uterus), ease cramping pains, and lower pain messenger signaling—thus supporting applications against menstrual cramps, PMS headaches, and similar female complaints.
Licorice and Peony: Better Together
Licorice and peony offer complementary benefits that make them ideal partners for hormonal health. Let’s look at why this herbal dream team works so well together:
- Androgen Reduction & Metabolism Regulation: Together licorice and peony decrease elevated testosterone associated with PCOS and regulate hepatic enzyme activity modulating sex hormone metabolism.
- Inflammation Modulation: Licorice compounds regulate prostaglandin production while peony isolates reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines. Combined they offer multi-target effects against inflammation underlying menstrual cramps, fibroids, PMS breast tenderness, and related issues.
- Smooth Muscle Relaxation & Pain Relief: Glycyrrhizin from licorice plus paeoniflorin from peony provide calcium channel blocking, and anti-spasmodic effects on smooth muscles like the uterus—granting cramp relief. Both also reduce pain signaling in the nervous system. This grants synergistic analgesia against dysmenorrhea and possibly endometriosis.
Some specific ways you can use include:
Herbal Tea
To make a balancing herbal tea, you will need:
- 1 tablespoon dried licorice root
- 1 tablespoon dried peony root
- 1 cup hot water (not boiling)
Start by measuring out the herbs and placing them in a teapot or heatproof cup. Pour the hot water over the herbs and let them steep for 5-10 minutes. You want the water hot but not boiling to avoid damaging the delicate plant compounds.
After steeping, strain the tea through a fine mesh sieve into your favorite mug. The strained herbs can be composted. Drink 1-2 cups of this aromatic tea daily for hormonal support. Feel free to add honey, lemon, or milk to taste.
Herbal Tincture
For a convenient tincture blend, you will need:
- Licorice tincture
- Peony tincture
- Glass dropper bottles for each
Start by purchasing or making high-quality licorice and peony tinctures. Fill the dropper bottles half full with each tincture. Simply squeeze 1-2 drops of each tincture into water, tea, or juice once or twice daily. Shake gently before use.
The nice thing about a tincture is you get consistent dosing in an easily concentrated form. Be sure to store the bottles away from direct light and heat to preserve potency.
Some Quick Tips For Safe Use:
- Licorice root that contains glycyrrhizin content should be limited to 100 mg daily or less when planning to use continually for more than 4-6 weeks at a time. This mitigates the risk of developing electrolyte imbalances or hypertension over extended supplementation.
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- Consult your doctor if taking medications or if you are pregnant/nursing.
- Watch for signs of allergy like rash, itching, and digestive upset.
Wrapping It Up!
Licorice and peony present a safe, gentle option to balance hormones holistically, without resorting to hormone replacement drugs. They have centuries of traditional use behind them, validated by a growing body of scientific research.
If your hormones have you pulling your hair out, give this natural herbal duo a try. You’ll be thanking licorice and peony for restoring hormonal harmony in no time!
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