Tag Archives: phytohormones

Phytotherapy: a safe and effective solution for hormonal help

Healthy Solutions, Hormones, , , , , , , , , ,
Published May, 2011
Update Sept, 2019-  at end

Many women using synthetic hormones stopped when the Nurse’s Initiative published the negative side effects. Now more women use natural treatments to help with hormonal challenges, ranging from acne to weight gain and hot flashes.

Phytotherapy is the use of plants, either from food or herbs, for healing purposes. Phytotherapy is a wonderful alternative for hormonal balance because it works with your body to give you what you need, and has a proven track record of safety and efficacy.

Both women and men have hormone receptor cells that can be filled (like a key fitting into a lock) in several ways: EDC’s: endocrine disruptors produced by industrial by-products; xenoestrogens: prevalent in plastics, household, personal care products, fertilizers, pesticides; our body’s own hormones, AND plant precursors to hormones, or phytohormones.

The healthiest choice when our own hormones are out of balance is to use phytohormones to fill our natural hormone receptor sites, so that the toxic forms have no sites available, and will be eliminated via liver, kidneys, lymph and bowel.

One example is Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)(US). This herb acts positively to reduce hot flashes, in addition to its long historical uses as an antidote for snake bites, fevers, phlegm, and a tonic for the central nervous system. Many women have had exceptional relief from hot flashes and night sweats with a standardized formulation of Black Cohosh combined with Dong Quai. This formula, known as FE (Flash Ease) can work within the week, without the negative side effects inherent in drugs.

Maca (Lepidium meyinii) is another herb that has hit the American market in the last 10 years. To learn more about these and other natural aids for overall female hormonal health, join us for fun and informative dinner classes in Duncan. The next class will deal with Hormones for both Women and Men. This $10 investment can make a difference in your life! We’ll discuss Men’s health,  Monday June 13th. Call 250-748-6802 to register.

You can also learn everything you ever wanted to know about herbs that grow in the Cowichan Valley, in our Annual Herbal Intensives.

Also be sure to understand the more about the phyto hormones from soy, in our article: The Soy Controversy  and Soy and Breast Cancer .

UPDATE September 16, 2019

There are other herbs that one may have unwarranted warnings due to the general misunderstanding about the different  human interactions  of phyto hormones, human hormones, pharmaceutical hormones and environmental, toxic hormones (xenohormones) such as xenoestrogens mentioned above.

Some more common herbs that carry warnings are: licorice, red raspberry, dong quai, ginsengs, wild yam, red clover, chaste-tree berry,  evening primrose, ginkgo and saw palmetto.

Brassinosteroids (BS) are natural low-molecular-mass bioregulators, i.e., plant hormones that are present in all vegetable matter and possess growth-modulating and adaptogenic activity. Many common foods including plum, pear, apple grape berries, beans, sprouts, cabbage, spinaches, soybeans, grains, hops, garlic, onion would also be contra-indicated if one followed this (il)logic.

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine recently published a summary stating that they have found no credence to the suggestion that soy may be harmful to human health. This affirms my 2010  Soy Controversy post is still valid.

You may also want to refer to Soy and Breast Cancer .

These plants all have their benefits, so do not be scared off by medical warnings that are based on biochemical mis-information.

© Lorene Benoit, BEd, MHH, CHC, CI, CRA.

Master Holistic Health, Certified Herbal Consultant, Educator author of The Paw Paw Program, A Christopher Columbus Approach to Cancer……

Contacts:

Phone: 250-748-6802

Email:                       TakeTheNaturalPath@gmail.com

Website Contact: http://www.naturalpathremedies.com/blog/contact/

Hormones Make You Happy

Hormones, Pregnancy, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

 

One of my early teachers was Dr. Versendaal, a chiropractic doctor from whom I learned specialized muscle testing called Contact Reflex Analysis. He said, “Hormones are what make us happy”.

 

Hormones play such an important role in the health of all animals; in their miniscule amounts they have huge effects. They determine our sexual traits, yet both sexes need the same hormones to function; just in differing amounts. Hormones are secreted by endocrine glands in the human body. From the top down these are:  pituitary, hypothalamus, thyroid, parathyroid thymus, pancreas, adrenals ovaries/testes. Hormones are also secreted from fat cells and the colon.

 

Yes, the colon! Did you know that more serotonin is produced in  the colon than in the brain? Instead of anti-depressants, more people could be happier and healthier to ensure their colon is clean and working daily, rather than spending billions on damaging chemical anti-depressants.

 

To give you an idea of their complexity, the adrenal glands are responsible for secreting over 50 different hormones.  Besides their known function of dealing with stress, adrenal hormones also are responsible for fat storage and breakdown, insulin transport, pH balance, allergic response, fluid and mineral balance, temperature control, the list goes on.

 

Hormonal imbalance can manifest as teenage acne, conception problems, miscarriages, PMS, menopause and andropause discomfort, depression, hypo or hyper thyroidism, breast lumps and tenderness, hair loss and mood swings, to name a few.

 

We may ask why present day society is dealing with so many challenges with hormonal balance? Industrial by-products known as endocrine disruptor chemicals (EDC’s) have been on a steady increase in our society. These toxic mimickers have similar structures which can bind with our natural hormone receptors, wreaking havoc on our metabolism. Offenders occur in plastics, household and personal care products, fertilizers, pesticides, heavy metals. Our bodies contain up to 148 synthetic chemicals according to CDC analysis 2005. As the number of chemicals increases annually, this amount has likely doubled by 2014. The National Toxicology Program 2012 Report lists 64 Known Human Carcinogens (cause cancer), including Aflatoxin (found in improperly dried grains, corn, peanuts, some cow milk, rancid oils, cosmetics), Formaldehyde (most vaccines),   Tamoxifen and XRays (medical cancer treatments).  To avoid these one must make informed choices for every purchase or treatment you choose.

 

On the positive side, we can choose to include phytohormones, which are plant based hormonal replacements and precursors. They too can fill our natural hormone receptor sites, but with healthy, gentler forms that prevent the more toxic forms from binding.  These can be a boon to our health, as opposed to the detrimental effects of EDCs and xenohormones.

 

Just one example is Maca, Lepidium meyenii, also known as Peruvian Ginseng. As with all plants, it does not contain hormones, (only animals produce hormones), but acts positively on the hormonal system of both males and females. A four month study using males aged  22 – 44 stated that Maca increased semen volume and total sperm count remarkably. Maca stimulates the glands so they produce needed hormones. Maca has the ability to balance the hypothalamus and pituitary glands promoting healthy adrenal, ovary and testes function. Maca is widely used to balance symptoms of menstruation and menopause such as hot flashes, depression, vaginal dryness and irritability. It helps by regulating estrogen and androgen receptor sites. As far as safety, some Peruvian women take Maca from the age of three. These women are very powerful, even the elderly. Men use Maca as a safer alternative to Viagra, with the benefits and none of the dangers.

 

For hot flashes, a formula called Flash Ease combines the benefits of Black Cohosh and Dong Quai. As a concentrated timed release formula, it is very effective. If you are not getting control of you hot flashes after trying this at 2 per day for 1 bottle, get in touch – we can determine what WILL work for you!

All hormonal challenges can also be helped by following healthier lifestyle recommendations as suggested in Lorene Benoit’s Book:

The Paw Paw Program – The “Christopher Columbus” Approach to Cancer – The World IS Round and Cancer CAN Be Treated Naturally.

To order any of the professional quality herbs or supplements that we use in our practice, please contact us directly for both discount prices and our support. We have trained practitioners to support you; NOT available if you order from Amazon for same price.

Email: Lorene@NaturalPathRemedies.com  OR Phone: 250-748-6802

There is no fee for setting up account or placing orders, and we are here to serve you, wherever you are located in the world!

United States:   www.TakeTheNaturalPath.myNSP.com  – choose US at top of screen   Phone NSP 1-800-453-1422 and use sponsor #1143615  to become Premium member –  no fee, 20-25% discount, free shipping, no obligation and our support.

Canada:  www.TakeTheNaturalPath.myNSP.com  –   or phone 1-877-257-4372 , and use Canada sponsor #1143615  to become Preferred Customer. If you are looking to start a business helping others, contact Lorene Benoit for training.

Soy controversy

Soy Benefits, , , , , , , ,

There are many controversial views about soy and soy products.

This article was updated December, 2018.                                           Truth stands the test of time.

The negative talk about soy usually relates to it being indigestible and its phyto estrogens promoting early puberty, sterility in males,  estrogen receptive breast cancer, depressing thyroid function.

The positive side refers to it being a viable, environmentally green protein source,  and its phyto estrogens helping with menopausal symptoms and preventing breast and other cancers.

Our take on soy uses the same approach that we encourage our clients to embrace concerning ALL  natural health issues:

1. Do your research and try to find out who has paid for the research you are reading – this is not always easy to determine and untangling sponsorship connections can take some time!

2. Look at historical perspectives from whatever part of the world this plant (or herb,  product, diet, etc.) originates from.

3. Pay attention to YOUR body if you implement something new. Learning to listen to your body will tell you more than anything else.

This being said, these are our additional thoughts concerning soy:

  • People have to be moderate in their consumption of soy – we do not need a 1/2 lb. slab of tofu – look at how Japanese have traditionally used small pieces in soups and stir fries
  • Avoid over consumption of sugar laden soy products, milks and yogurts filled with guar gum and other fillers and thickeners – not a Japanese staple
  • Fermented soy products DO add other benefits – miso is one of the most nutritious
  • Understand that phyto estrogens are not hormones. Only animals have hormones. Phyto estrogens are plant (phyto) estrogens. They act beneficially in the body by filling hormonal receptor sites, which prevents the body from utilizing more potent or toxic hormones, such as the type of estrogen that does promote ER breast cancer, and chemical hormones, called xeno estrogens. So most people experience positive results.
  • In our office we used a non-GMO soy isolate based protein powder for more than 20 years. Our clients loved this product and after so many years, not one had any thyroid issues; many experienced most of the benefits listed below.
  • It has become more difficult to obtain reasonable quantities of non GMO soy based protein at competitive prices, plus people have been unduly scared off with soy misinformation. Nature’s Sunshine has replaced soy proteins with other excellent protein blends. Three favorites available in both Canada and US are:   In.Form Metabolic Age Support Pea Vanilla Shake, which is vegan, gluten free and contains phytosterols; IN.Form Metabolic Age Support Whey, and Nature’s Harvest, containing protein, vitamins, minerals and vegetables. In the US many people also love the Love and Peas Sugar Free.
  • Some of the benefits that any quality protein supplement will provide for people are:
  1. weight management
  2. endurance and energy for athletics
  3. balancing blood sugar levels for both hypo and hyper glycemia
  4. reducing negative hormonal symptoms of menopause and andropause

On pages 203 -204 of Lorene Benoit’s book:  The Paw Paw Program – The “Christopher Columbus” Approach to Cancer – The World IS Round and Cancer CAN Be Treated Naturally, a recipe for Super Shakes is given, which can include this SynerProtein.

For more information, and personal advice for supplements specific for YOU,  or to order  from our same supplier at wholesale discount, please contact our office.

Should you wish a document of soy related research which has helped form this opinion, we will gladly share a multi-page reference list gratefully provided by Dr. Hugo Rodier, Board Certified MD  PLUS Nutritional and Integrative Doctor. Just email us and ask for “Dr. Rodier’s Soy Research”.