Hormonal imbalances affect mood, energy, appetite, metabolism, sleep-wake cycles and reproductive health. In essence, a “hormone imbalance” means you have too much or too little of one or more hormones. Hormones themselves are chemical messengers that are secreted into the blood and carried to organs and tissues of the body to exert their functions. There are many types of hormones that act on different bodily functions and processes.
Ayurveda, as a holistic medical science, holds a strong understanding of the role the digestive system plays with all bodily systems, including the endocrine system. Although Ayurvedic texts do not specifically refer to ‘hormones’, the depth of knowledge held on how organs and bodily systems function together reflects how Ayurveda has continued to successfully heal many hormonal imbalances over time.
With hormones playing a key role in many bodily processes, imbalances can show up in different ways. The body produces over 50 different hormones and varying symptoms can reflect which hormones are imbalanced.
Signs of hormone imbalance can include:
- fatigue
- hair loss & thinning
- difficulty losing weight
- feeling cold
- dry skin
- blood sugar issues
- craving carbs
- unwanted hair growth
- fibrocystic breasts
- uterine fibroids
- bloating
- difficulty sleeping
- brain fog
- excess belly fat
- constipation
- irregular periods
- painful or heavy periods
- low libido
- acne
- PMS/PMDD
- headache
An Ayurvedic Treatment for Hormonal Imbalance
The Ayurvedic approach to restoring and maintaining hormonal balance involves effective holistic and natural strategies to nurture gut health, which is crucial to digestive health and hormones.
There is an increasing understanding in Western Medicine of the body’s microbiome – and even more specifically – the gut-hormone connection. The gut microbiome is comprised of the bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract that affects metabolism and physiology.
Some of the essential functions of the microbiome include:
- Assist the synthesis and regulation of hormones and neurotransmitters
- Facilitate absorption of macro and micronutrients
- Play an essential role in the immune system
- Help to regulate estrogen levels in the body
Modern medicine today understands that the microbiome affects the hematological, immune, cardiovascular and endocrine systems. Ayurvedic medicine holds the understanding that microbiome affects ojas/immunity, agni/digestive fire, ama/toxin accumulation, manas/mind, doshas/elemental make up, dhatu/bodily tissues, mala/metabolic wastes.
- Agni (Digestive Fire): Ayurveda places great emphasis on agni, which represents the digestive fire responsible for breaking down and assimilating nutrients from the food we eat. A strong agni ensures proper digestion and absorption of nutrients, which is crucial for maintaining hormonal balance.
- Toxins (Ama): Poor digestion can lead to the accumulation of ama, or toxins, in the digestive system. Ama is considered a major contributor to imbalances in the doshas and can interfere with the functioning of various bodily systems, including hormone regulation. The accumulation of ama may disrupt the endocrine system and contribute to hormonal imbalances.
- Vata Imbalance: Ayurveda recognizes vata dosha as being closely linked to the nervous system and the movement of hormones. An imbalance in vata can affect the communication between the gut and the endocrine system, potentially leading to hormonal disruptions. Vata imbalance may manifest as irregular menstrual cycles, mood swings, and other hormonal issues.
- Pitta Imbalance: Pitta dosha, associated with the fire element, plays a role in metabolic processes and can influence the production of hormones. An excess of pitta can lead to inflammation in the digestive tract, disrupting the absorption of nutrients and affecting hormonal balance.
- Kapha Imbalance: Kapha dosha, linked to stability and structure, can impact hormonal health by influencing factors such as weight and metabolism. An excess of Kapha may contribute to sluggish digestion and the accumulation of excess body fat, potentially leading to hormonal imbalances.
Restoring and Maintaining Hormonal Balance
Western medicine recognizes the significance of the vast differences in the composition of each individual’s gut microbiota, as well as in each individual’s physiological functioning. This is in direct alignment with both Ayurveda’s understanding of unique constitutional types and the varying locations where elements reside in the body.
The first step to restoring hormonal balance is understanding your constitution or elemental ratio in a state of balance. This provides the guiding compass for the elements that need to be balanced for an individual. In Ayurveda, we understand that what we take in through each of our five senses has a direct impact on our physiology. We use our senses intentionally to bring in the elements that we need to restore and maintain balance.
Nutrition/Spices
A balanced diet catered to your constitution is essential to treatment. We consider not only the nutrients in food but also how well your digestive fire is able to absorb and assimilate those nutrients. This is why nutritional guidelines can change as digestive fire becomes balanced. Ayurveda offers various cooking methods and digestive spices to help restore balance to the digestive fire. Cumin, turmeric, ginger and fennel are common digestive spices used to restore agni but, of course, they are implemented based on their qualities and the qualities that an individual needs, such as warming, cooling, pungent, sweet, etc.
Herbs
Herbs are powerful allies for re-balancing when used appropriately. They can be used to target many different tissue layers of the body, including the digestive region.
Triphala is a traditional polyherbal formula comprised of three fruits and with a strong affinity for the digestive region. It balances all three doshas. It can stimulate appetite, reduce hyperacidity, and deliver antioxidants as well as an antiinflammatory action and immunomodulating functions. It should only be taken as prescribed by an Ayurvedic clinician who can assess your constitutional needs and appropriate dosing.
Ayurveda beautifully adapts herbal formulas to each individual and can be used in tea infusions or decoctions, oil or ghee blends, powder or capsule form, as a body oil and more.
Ama Alleviation/ Detox
Many different detoxification or cleansing therapies can alleviate toxins, or ama, in the body. These can include bastis/enemas, monodiets of easy-to-digest, well-cooked whole food meals, heat therapy, lymph massage and purgation.
Sensory Therapies
Sensory therapies can either purify (clear out) or tonify (make stronger) based on client need. Daily sensory therapies include tongue scraping, oil pulling, abhyanga as well as neti, aromatherapy, color therapy and sound therapy. This is a holistic approach to restoring gut health in order to restore hormonal balance.
Recent Western Medical research is helping us to understand the connection between the microbiome and many different preventative and curative treatment approaches of Ayurveda. Maintaining a healthy gut is integral to supporting hormonal balance. By addressing digestive imbalances, reducing the accumulation of toxins, and promoting overall wellbeing, Ayurveda aims to optimize the functioning of the endocrine system and holistic health.
Article authored by Chloe Chaput, who is dedicated to her role as a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist to work with women’s health, male and female fertility challenges, parents or caregivers, and children to address a variety of clinical health concerns at the root of their cause. Contact Path Wellbeing today to set up your appointment with Chloe Chaput, CAS.
The information contained within this article is for educational purposes only and should not replace the direct advice of a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. Always consult a medical or other professional healthcare provider when considering a new health regime.
