Herbs for PCOS. Energetics and Holistic view
Vitex Agnus Castus
Energetics of vitex agnus castus
Tonic, emmenagogue, vulnerary, warming, dry, bitter, spicy.
Below is a picture of Ovarian follicles and of a Vitex , from a ‘doctrine of signatures’ point of view it could be considered that the vitex plant resembles the follicles and similar in shape to ovary. An old belief was the fingerprint of god is left for us and the plant world is showing us its use in the way it displays itself in the world.
Its bitter dry property makes it a herb that can decongest and drain a congested system and its warming properties can encourage flow, indicated for aiding menstruation.
This bitter response can aid a overly excited hot system and bring about calm. Also ridding and decongesting things we no longer ‘need’ this can have a knock on effect of decongesting what we no longer need in the mind and quieting an over excited condition.
The warmth added along with the bitter encourages flow and movement as to balance its bitter properties. It can bring about feelings of balance, moving forward and release. Also used to increase feelings of attractiveness and sexual desire in woman.
Considered anti inflammatory to uterus, Vitex is also a reproductive herb. It acts on the brain’s pituitary gland, which controls and regulates all the other glands in the body along with regulating and normalizing hormone production by releasing follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).
This, in turn, signals the ovaries to produce more of the hormone progesterone which may explain its benefits in PCOS. Balance is the mechanism here, re-regulation of the pituitary encouraging balance and re-regulation in life and within our emotional center. Also indicated for dissolving fibroids and cysts.
Studies
Incresed serum estradiol, progesterone, pregnancy rate, (REF2) pregnancy rate REF 3
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Black Cohosh
Energetics- Bitter, slightly astringent (tannins), Dry, slightly cooling.
Relaxant, antispasmodic, nervine, hypotensive, digestive stimulant.
Cohosh is used to stimulate ovulation in PCOS and has been studied with suggestions it can replace Clomid (clomiphene citrate) (STUDY).
The astringent tannin nature of the herb can represent a pulling in of a more scattered or fragmented mind. A focusing and directive pulling in of ‘energy’.
This can enable one to become more present and feel more secure. Again a pituitary herb like vitex, it gives balance thoughout, careful monitoring of dosage however to see what works for the individual as not to ‘tip the scales’.
Cohosh and progesterone
During ovulation, progesterone prepares the body for pregnancy. It causes the uterine lining to thicken and fosters an environment for fertilization to occur.
Progesterone also has a host of non-reproductive functions, some of which include regulating your mood and cognition
As Black cohosh causes progesterone levels to increase, it also increases the mood. It is a herb that reminds woman to feel safe in their self and to encourage creativity.
It is a precursor to all the steroid hormones, including estrogens and testosterone. Its chief function is to synergize the actions of estradiol in the female organs, especially in pregnancy.
Luteinizing hormone-
This hormone can be higher in PCOS and raised levels can cause more androgens and estrogen to be produced, which if both are raised can cause distruption in ovulation Some women with PCOS tend to have higher levels of LH (luteinizing hormone).
The raising progesterone effect of Black cohosh can counter act this imbalance and this is another way this herb can aid menstruation regulation and the ovulation process.
Others notes on Black Cohosh
Also a thickening of the endometrium was noted in studies. This is needed for the embryo to implant during pregnancy, if this doesn’t occur it is shed to renew itself again. Black cohosh can encourage this process, again adding to its ability to invoke feelings of creativity and release.
Also working on the nervous system , pituitary gland and hypothalamus (reaction to fear and stress, links the nervous system to the endocrine system) to maintain balance.
Bitter effect
Herbs that are bitter in nature like Vitex and Cohosh can also have a cooling effect and cool what is termed ‘liver heat’ or stored anger and emotions, through bile flow increase, gall bladder function and increased assimilation and a decongesting detoxifying action on this vital organ.
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Peony
The energy of the peony plant, in folk lore is said to bring out the beauty of the woman
Also bitter in nature, it can reduce elevated androgens
Again this bitter can relieve anger, tension and congestion in the body and mind.
white peony has been shown to help increase low progesterone, reduce elevated androgens (like testosterone) and help regulate both estrogen and prolactin levels.
What all of this means is that peony may be helpful in regulating menstrual cycles, as it supports healthy follicle (egg) development in the ovaries via the Aromatase enzyme. This enzyme is also helpful in regulating LH:FSH hormone ratios, which out of balance delay ovulation and can interfere with healthy fertility
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, peony is often combined with licorice for maximum benefit, and I happen to agree which is why licorice is also on this list.
PEONY & LICORICE
White peony contains a constituent called paeoniflorin, which has been shown to reduce serum testosterone levels. It promotes the aromatization (or conversion) of testosterone into estrogen, making white peony one of the herbs for PCOS. TJ-68 is a traditional Chinese formula containing a combination of equal parts white peony and licorice. In a trial of 34 women with PCOS this combination significantly reduced serum testosterone levels. In a trial of 8 women with elevated androgen as similar effect was observed. Pairing white peony and licorice makes a great combination of herbs for PCOS to help boost ovulation due to the testosterone lowering effects.
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