Herbal Teas for Women's Health & Hormone Balance
(And They’re Not Only for Women!)
Women’s lives go through widely varying hormonal phases: from childhood, through teenage years to adulthood (and perhaps becoming a mother), and eventually, menopause and aging. At each phase the body and mind are developing, changing, continuously discovering the new human we are today. These transitions remind me of the words of Toni Morrison “You are your best thing” (Beloved). As a woman-owned and operated business centered on health and wellness, we’re keen on understanding the benefits of tea and herbals at all these different stages in a woman’s life. And as we do with all our teas, we hope to present all the information available to us to help our broader customer community find improved health and wellness.
The work that went into our new Goddess Collection gave us the opportunity to examine which functional combinations of herbs could best support the body’s natural hormonal balance. The result is an extension to our line of adaptogenic teas. We love adaptogens for their ability to help keep the nervous system grounded in times of stress. [1] Their non-specific response comes from their ability to help regulate stress hormone production, and that’s their silver bullet. If you need a lift, the adaptogens help stimulate some energy. Conversely, if you need calming, that’s the effect which comes your way.
Hormones are key to vibrant health and longevity. They act as the body’s messengers, driving critical mechanisms in vital organs and systems, including metabolism and stress response. Hormonal communication is regulated by the endocrine system, within which the reproductive hormones have the lowest functions, as they are not essential to sustaining life. (Thyroid and adrenal hormones are at the top.)
Therefore, men as well as women can enjoy the benefits of the teas in our Goddess Collection, as their active herbal ingredients don’t exclusively target women’s reproductive health. Hacking your stress levels to be consistently managed, be that through healthy diet and exercise, yoga or meditation, is important for all of us. Stress can launch a series of physical responses which affect immunity, cognitive function, and our circadian rhythms (internal clock that regulates sleep).
Venus Rising, a deliciously sweet and soothing hibiscus blend with red raspberry leaf, licorice, lady’s mantle, fennel, St John’s wort, lavender, and cramp bark. We developed it specifically to support women’s menstruation cycles, to help soothe cramps, headaches, and mood swings. However, hibiscus is also touted for its support in prostate health and erectile dysfunction [2]. Red raspberry leaf and lady’s mantle has been used traditionally to soothe the stomach and digestive system, [3] [4] and St. John’s wort is sought out for mild calming action. [5]
Mamahood tea was created for nurturing milk production and postpartum healing. The addition of fenugreek, which new moms have turned to for lactation support for centuries, gives the sweet and creamy red tea base a savory, spicy side. Fenugreek is also touted for soothing digestion. [6] This blend also includes oatstraw, and adaptogen traditionally used as a caffeine-free stimulant and brain booster, and blessed thistle, which was historically used as a wellness tonic for monks in the middle ages.
Women's Wisdom rounds out this new line with a blend that supports hormonal balance through menopause. It is a blend which includes six adaptogens, alongside lemongrass and sage. This tea has a comforting and cooling flavor profile. It includes gingko biloba, a traditional herbal choice for mood and cognition support during aging. [7]
All three teas in the Goddess Collection are organic certified, naturally caffeine-free, and available for your enjoyment in loose leaf formats as well as pyramid tea bags. Give them a try and let us know what you think in the comments below.
REFERENCES:
[1] Lian-ying Liao, et al. A preliminary review of studies on adaptogens: comparison of their bioactivity in TCM with that of ginseng-like herbs used worldwide. Chinese Medicine 2018; 13: 57.
[2] Hui-Hsuan Lin, Kuei-Chuan Chan, Jenn-Yuan Sheu, Shu-Wen Hsuan, Chau-Jong Wang, Jing-Hsien Chen, Hibiscus sabdariffa leaf induces apoptosis of human prostate cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, Food Chemistry, Volume 132, Issue 2, 2012, Pages 880-891.
[3] Yang, J., Hao, Y., Li, N., Wang, C. and Liu, Y. (2021), Metabolic and microbial modulation of phenolic compounds from raspberry leaf extract under in vitro digestion and fermentation. Int J Food Sci Technol. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijfs.
[4] Francesco Capasso et al. Plants and the Digestive System, Phytotherapy, 2003 ISBN : 978-3-540-00052-5
[5] Klaus Linde et al, St John's wort for depression—an overview and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials, BMJ 1996; 313 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.
[6] Al-Habori, M. and Raman, A. (1998), Antidiabetic and hypocholesterolaemic effects of fenugreek. Phytother. Res., 12: 233-242.
[7] Tan, Meng-Shan et al. ‘Efficacy and Adverse Effects of Ginkgo Biloba for Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis’. 1 Jan. 2015 : 589 – 603.