My 5 Favorite Adaptogens for PMS & Balancing Hormones

Happy Wednesday!

As we all know, PMS kind of sucks. Scratch that. It REALLY sucks. I did a post on PMS (why we get it, how to manage it, and how to prevent it) you can read all about it here.

In that post, I talked about why we get PMS and what we can change in our diets to help with the symptoms. I chatted about different things that can trigger PMS and what to avoid. I also reviewed some supplements and lifestyle tips that may be help as well.

This is part of ‘My 5 Part Women’s Health Series’ – Part 1: PMS.
For this post, I wanted to dive deeper into the world of adaptogen!
What is an adaptogen exactly? Basically, it’s a natural substance (herb, root, ect) that may help the body adapt to stress and help with the damaging effects of stress. They can help balance hormones and lets be honest, who wouldn’t want that !? I looove learning about these and from my own personal experiences, I love how they make my body feel. Here are some of my favorite adaptogens for PMS symptoms & hormone balancing:

1. Ashwagandha. This one is my FAV and I put it as #1 for a reason. I take it daily and absolutely LOVE how it makes me feel. Not only is this amazing herb & root nourishing for the thyroid, but it’s also nourishing for the adrenals. It can also help your body overcome the effects of long-term stress (adrenal fatigue). Adrenal glands are responsible for reacting to stress on the body by releasing adrenaline and cortisol. As we know, fatigue, lack of energy, irritability, anxiety, and mood swings are all common symptoms of PMS. Ashwagandha can help your body deal with these symptoms and may help prevent them in the future.
   
2. Maca. This root is another one of my everyday-go-to’s. It contains vitamins A & C, and a few B’s as well as the minerals magnesium, calcium, iron potassium, zinc and many more. Power house #seriouslytho. This root is beneficial for balancing hormones and helping your body deal with stress. Maca may help with relief of mood swings, bloating, fluid retention and low sex drive. Note: maca should be used with caution or not at all by women with estrogen-sensitive conditions such as ovarian or uterine cancers, estrogen receptor positive breast, or uterine fibroids. Check with your doctor before using!
   
3. Holy Basil. When you have your period, it causes a loss in iron (ain’t that fun) and this can cause irritability, bloating, and fatigue. Holy basil contains iron, which may help all of those symptoms and can help lower stress. It may also help improve circulation, reduce inflammation and reduce anxiety. It also may help control blood sugar levels. Bonus: if used topically, it can help with acne!
4. Schisandra. This berry may help calm anxiety and irritability as well as decrease fatigue. It can help reduce stress and help balance hormones. What’s really cool about schisandra is that its actually referred to as Wu Wei Zi or “five flavor fruit”. This means that it is sweet, sour, salty, bitter and pungent and this can relate to the five of the elemental energies: fire, wood, earth, metal and water. This addresses the five major organ systems of the body: liver, heart, spleen, lungs and kidneys. How fun! #nerdingoutonnutrition
   
5. Shatavari. Known as the ‘queen of women’s adaptogens’, and with good reason. It can help with low libido, dryness, bloating, cramps and irritability. It can also help regulate your monthly cycle. Win win!
   

Some other adaptogens and non-adaptogens that are helpful for PMS symptoms and balancing hormones:

>> Cramp bark (for helping relieve cramps)
>> Wild yam root (for mood swings & cramps)
>> Chasteberry *vitex* (cramps, bloating, moodiness, breast tenderness)
>> Dong quai (reducing stress & balancing hormones)

Adaptogens are something I like to introduce one at a time and start low with the dosage. I only introduce ones that I feel my body truly needs and not because they are currently ‘trendy’. If you add to many different supplements into your daily diet at the same time, it’s hard to figure out which ones are working and which ones aren’t. A good way to start introducing them into your day can be through adding them to elixirs. I personally love adding maca and holy basil to elixirs, especially in the winter months. I feel nourished drinking elixirs filled with super foods that help balance out my hormones.

Do you have any favorites that I didn’t mention? Leave a comment below ♥

Marcy xo