How to Balance Hormones Naturally

Answers compiled by Jan Bowers

Why should I care about hormonal balance?  According to the Reference Guide for Essential Oils, 4th Edition, hormone imbalances can accelerate the aging process, and heighten the risk of cancers and other diseases. 

Some hormones, such as cortisol, sometimes called "the death hormone," increase with age.  These increases can contribute to chronic problems like high blood pressure, blood sugar imbalances, and abdominal obesity.

Other hormones, such as DHEA, melatonin, testosterone, and progesterone, decline with age.  These declines can result in lowered immunity, decreased energy, disturbed sleep cycles, and increased risk of systematic cancers. 

Estrogens can also decline with age, though not as rapidly as progesterone, which creates an estrogen dominance.  This state of imbalance is common in women over 40 due to an increased frequency of ovulation and dramatically lowered production of progesterone.  Such an imbalance can result in depression, weight gain, mood swings, and an increased risk of cancer in the breast, cervix, and uterus. 

What does the thyroid have to do with my hormones?  The thyroid gland is located at the base of the neck, just below the Adam's apple.  It produces hormones that control the body's metabolism, digestion, circulation, immune function, hormone balance, and emotions.

A lack of thyroid function does not necessarily mean the problem lies with the thyroid.  The thyroid is controlled by the pituitary, which signals the thyroid when to produce thyroid hormone.  The hypothalamus is also involved - the pituitary gland is directed by chemical signals sent by the hypothalamus gland, which in turn monitors hormone levels in the blood stream.

A hyperthyroid condition is created when the thyroid is overactive, and can result in anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, arthritis, and loss of skin pigment.  Supplements like Sulfurzyme, paired with oils like EndoFlex, myrrh, spruce, and lemongrass, have shown success in balancing the hormones.

Hypothyroid occus when the thyroid is underactive, and can cause fatigue, yeast infections, lack of energy, reduced immune function, poor resistance to diseas, and recurring infections.  Supplements like Thyromin, paired with oils like lemongrass, spearming, pepperming, myrrh, clove, and EndoFlex have been successful for many.

What can I do about it?  Harvard researcher John Lee, M.D, has found that natural progesterone is "very well absorbed through the skin, 40-70 times more efficiently than if you take it by mouth."  Topical hormone creams can be effective in naturally balancing the hormones, especially in combination with nutritional modification and lifestyle management practices that support maintenance of the desired hormonal change.  Transdermal creams have revolutionized the way that hormone imbalances are treated, and are rapidly becoming the standard for economical, easy care.

As noted in the Reference Guide for Essential Oils, a number of clinical studies have shown that use of essential oils can enhance the ability of hormones to penetrate the skin and enter the blood stream.  Researchers at Pisa University found in 2002 that essential oils like cardamom, melissa, myrtle, and orange boosted hormone penetration through the skin and into the blood and tissues.  Additional studies at the University of Bradford in England confirmed these results, and a 1996 series at the China Pharmaceutical University found an increased rate of drug absorption following the use of eucalyptus and peppermint essential oils.

What about synthetic hormones?  I encourage you to look at hormone imbalance as the system-wide problem that it is.  Hormones are chemical messengers that travel through the body coordinating complex processes like growth, fertility, and metabolism, according to PBS.org.  They can even alter behavior, affect the immune system, and guide the development of the brain during gestation.  Sound complex?  It is!  Synthetic hormones are very different biochemically than natural hormones (which cannot be patented and sold for profit), and are not effectively synthesized by the body.  Long term use of synthetic hormones has been shown to increase risks of heart disease, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, and osteoporosis.  The body's natural hormones, however, are powerful weapons that lower the risk of these diseases.  So before turning to drugs, I encourage you to give more natural methods a try.  (Remember, as more and more information about the healing powers of oils, diet, and other holistic measures comes to light and are validated in lab tests, an increasing number of doctors are willing and eager to explore the benefits of these practices with their patients.  Don't be afraid to speak up and discuss your desire for a natural treatment option with your physician!)

What is available to me right now?  Young Living Essential Oils offers a number of essential oils-based products to empower you to begin balancing your hormones today.  Pick up your desk reference or ask Jan about a variety of skin creams (Prenolone, Progessence, Prenolone +, and Regenolone).  Some contain DHEA, and they all have varying amounts of each hormone in them.  Other helpful tools include ImmuPro (to moderate interrupted or shortened sleep cycles and low immunity), and the nerve regenerator NueroGen (a topically applied cream containing essential oils, hormones, and nutrients designed to spark nerve regeneration).

Jan's note:  Chlorine is a potent estrogen inhibitor.  After spending up to 6 hours daily in the pool for nearly a decade as an elite competitive swimmer, I suffered many side effects of imbalanced hormones, including weight gain, depression, mood swings, extreme fatigue, and a very weak immune system.  These challenges were further complicated by poor diet and ingestion of birth control pills.  I began the path to recovery by taking Thyromin daily and applying 1-2 drops of Lemongrass over my thyroid twice a day to stimulate cleansing and regeneration.

Unfortunately, the current state of the environment and prevalence of environmental estrogens means that everyone needs to be proactive about thyroid health.  Want to know your risk?  Iridology analysis is a good way to ascertain genetic predisposition to thyroid problems; contact Jan for more information.