Women have been drinking tea to balance hormones naturally across many cultures for hundreds of years. And recent scientific studies have indicated that certain herbal teas can aid in hormone regulation while offering various other health benefits.
So what is the best tea for hormone balance?
Luckily nature has blessed us with a bounty of herbs such as green tea, milk thistle, chaste-berry, clover, yarrow, lady’s mantle, and many other hormone-balancing teas listed below.
And that means that if your hormones are out of whack, chances are there is a tea that can help with your hormone woes.
Whether you are experiencing PMS, perimenopause, or menopause with their characteristic symptoms, hormone-balancing teas can help.
And so in this post, I will discuss the best herbal teas you need to keep your hormones happy and how they help with hormone balance.
What are the best teas for hormone balance?
The following are among the best teas for female hormone balance.
Ashwagandha
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Ashwagandha, also known as Withania somnifera or Indian ginseng, is an adaptogenic herb from the nightshade family. And as an adaptogen, ashwagandha modulates the stress response through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis ( HPA).
The HPA produces several hormones including cortisol the stress response hormone and research shows ashwagandha can help reduce cortisol which improves the stress response, anxiety, and sleep.
Ashwagandha may have other hormonal balance health benefits such as:
- May have antidiabetic effects, by improving glucose uptake, and insulin sensitivity studies have also shown.
- Ashwagandha increases fertility hormones such as FSH, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone according to a 2016 study in the International Journal of Fertility and Sterility
- May increase estrogen levels and ease symptoms of menopause including hot flashes, fatigue, depression, irritability, and vaginal dryness(source).
- WS may also improve thyroid function. A 2017 placebo-controlled study found that ashwagandha extract lowered TSH a marker of thyroid dysfunction in subjects with subclinical hypothyroidism. And subclinical hypothyroidism is common in many menopausal women.
vitex/ Chasteberry tea
Chaste berry also known as Vitex agnus castus is the fruit from the chaste tree and is native to the Mediterranean regions and Asia.
Chasteberry is used to alleviate hormonal imbalances that cause PMS symptoms, such as breast tenderness, period pain, and period irregularities.
In fact, a 2001 study on 178 women found that taking 1 tablet of 20mg of Vitex daily for three months improved their PMS symptoms.
Vitex may also improve fertility for women with luteal phase problems that cause infertility.
So it is during the luteal phase that progesterone increases thickening the lining of the uterus to support a pregnancy.
But when there is no progesterone to stimulate the thickening of the uterus, then the uterus cannot support a pregnancy and pregnancy fails.
A double-blind study on 52 women taking 20mg of vitex daily for three months found that vitex helped to suppress prolactin, increase progesterone, and correct the luteal phase defects thus improving fertility.
And another double-blind study on 38 women with secondary amenorrhoea, 31 women with luteal insufficiency, and 27 with idiopathic infertility found that women taking vitex were twice as likely to get pregnant as women not taking vitex.
In this study, luteal phase hormone levels also improved and spontaneous menstruation in the women with amenorrhea was more likely.
Vitex may also improve hormonal imbalance symptoms in women going through menopause.
A 2019 placebo-controlled study found that Vitex extract alleviated menopause symptoms such as night sweats and hot flashes and anxiety and depression associated with menopause.
Other benefits of taking Vitex tea include the following:
- clears hormonal acne
- reduces uterine fibroids
- helps to treat endometriosis
Ready to try a chaste berry tea? Celebration Herbals Organic Chaste Tree Berries tea is a great one to try. Again remember to check with your doctor before taking any supplements.
Red clover Tea
Red clover is a perennial flowering plant and a member of the legumes family such as beans and peas.
Red clover has been used in Europe and northwest Africa as an herbal medicine to treat many conditions including whooping cough, arthritis, and menopausal symptoms.
Red clover tea contains isoflavones, phytoestrogens, or estrogen-like compounds that improve estrogen balance.
And for menopausal and post-menopausal women, low estrogen causes unpleasant symptoms like hot flashes, cardiovascular problems, osteoporosis, anxiety, and depression.
Research studies have shown that red clover may improve many symptoms of menopause including hot flashes and vaginal atrophy.
Another randomized controlled study found that taking 80mg of red clover isoflavones was effective in reducing anxiety and depression in postmenopausal women.
And red clover tea is a great source of vitamin C, magnesium, calcium, chromium, niacin, and potassium which also support hormone balance.
Red clover tea also provides the following health benefits:
- improves blood circulation
- increases bone strength
- boosts immunity
- helps improve inflammatory conditions like eczema and psoriasis( source)
Yarrow tea
A flowering plant in the sunflower family, yarrow can be recognized as a long-stemmed flowering plant with many segmented leaves (millefolium), and a cluster of yellow, white, and pink flowers.
Flowers may also be red or salmon in color.
Yarrow, also known as Achillea millefolium has been used for centuries in many parts of the world for its many health benefits including hormone balance.
Legend has it that yarrow was named after the mythical Greek hero, Achilles, who used it in battle to stop the bleeding in his soldiers’ wounds.
Yarrow is an astrigent, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and a diuretic herb.
Yarrow tea has been used traditionally to regulate the menstrual cycle and reduce menstrual discomforts such as heavy bleeding, pain, and menstrual cramps. Yarrow contains flavonoids that are antispasmodic, helping to relax the uterus and relieve period cramps.
Research shows that yarrow has estrogenic effects due to the presence of phytochemicals luteolin and apigenin that activate the estrogen receptor, and thus help improve estrogen deficiency. So it helps to alleviate menopausal symptoms.
Yarrow may help balance blood sugar levels by reducing oxidative stress.
According to studies, oxidative stress produced in diabetes increases the progression of pancreatic damage. And pancreas damage reduces insulin production making diabetes worse.
Also, a research study on rats found that yarrow showed a reduction in many markers of oxidative stress including increased levels of glutathione the body’s master antioxidant.
The study concluded that “A. Santolina have a high hypoglycemic activity which may be due to its antioxidative potential”
Yarrow tea also contains flavonoids and alkaloids that may also improve anxiety and depression according to research.
Yarrow tea is traditionally used for amenorrhea or the absence of periods.
It is believed to improve blood flow to the uterus and the pelvic area resulting in menstruation.
However, more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness.
So if you have no contraindications, try a cup of yarrow tea to improve your hormone imbalances.
How to make yarrow tea:
Use one tablespoon of chopped leaves or flowers in one cup of boiled water. Let steep for-10-15 minutes. You can drink one to three cups per day.
A good tea infuser is great for this. I highly recommend this tea infuser for loose tea. Or you can simply get Celebration Herbals yarrow tea.
Black cohosh tea
Black cohosh is a member of the Buttercup family native to Eastern North America.
Black cohosh tea has been used by Native Americans to treat various conditions including menopausal symptoms.
While black cohosh is reputed to treat many health problems it is now mostly used to treat menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and PMS.
However, research on the effectiveness of black cohosh and its mode of action is conflicting and inconclusive. Therefore more research is needed.
Lady’s mantle
Also, known as Alchemilla vulgaris, lady’s mantel is a member of the rosaceae family. Lady’s mantle has been used for a myriad of women’s health problems since medieval times.
Lady’s mantle has several hormonal health benefits including:
- stimulates the production of progesterone which is necessary for ovulation, and regular menstruation.
- ladys’ mantel is rich in tannins and has astringent properties which help to curb heavy menstrual bleeding.
- has anti-spasmodic properties due to the presence of salicylic acid and quercetin, compounds that are analgesic( relieve pain) and anti-inflammatory.
Please note that lady’s mantel is not recommended if pregnant or breastfeeding. Always check with your doctor.
Lady’s mantle can be used as tea by brewing 1-2 teaspoons of the leaves in a cup of hot water and standing for 5-15 minutes.
Holy basil
Holy basil also known as Tulsi, is revered in Ayurveda medicine and has been used in India for thousands of years.
Because of its ability to treat various health conditions, holy basil is referred to as the elixir of life (source). Holy basil is also referred to as the” “incomparable one,” the mother medicine of nature” and “the queen of herbs,” which clearly indicates that holy basil is highly regarded and revered in Ayurveda medicine.
According to the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine holy basil is an adaptogenic herb known to help the body in adapting to physical, chemical, metabolic, and psychological stressors.
As an adaptogen, holy basil helps the body deal with stress by regulating cortisol, the stress hormone.
Studies also show that tulsi tea has a positive effect on blood sugar, improving prediabetes and diabetes by lowering cortisol levels and blood lipids.
- Holy basil helps to
- improve blood glucose control
- regulate blood pressure
hibiscus tea
- Hibiscus tea is an anti-inflammatory- thus protecting cells and hormone-producing organs.
- that supports weight loss. There is a close relationship between healthy weight and hormone balance.
- Hibiscus tea supports the liver and a healthy liver is important for hormone balance.
- hibiscus tea may also help women in menopause experiencing low estrogen levels.
- Studies find that hibiscus contains phytoestrogen that like real estrogen and helps alleviate menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats. However, more research is needed.
- drinking hibiscus tea may improve blood sugar metabolism
- and supports a healthy liver due to its powerful antioxidant properties which help with toxins removal, as well as excess removal of hormones.
Hibiscus also acts as a contraceptive and can prevent conception when used by either males or females.
According to research, hibiscus may prevent implantations, prevent ovulation and reduce sperm count.
Of course, if you want to get pregnant you want to avoid hibiscus tea.
Hibiscus tea may regulate periods and help with dysmenorrhea or period pain, and signs of premenstrual syndrome or PMS.
This is due to the phytoestrogens in hibiscus can induce menstruation as well as
Fenugreek tea
Fenugreek is a popular herb and spice used in Ayurvedic medicine. Fenugreek contains alkaloids, steroidal saponins, and flavonoids.
A study published in the Journal of Food Biochemistry found that fenugreek extract alleviated symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats, ( vasomotor symptoms), insomnia, and depression in perimenopausal women.
After supplementation, estradiol and progesterone levels increased which is because fenugreek contains diosgenin, a phytoestrogen.
Oastraw tea
Oat straw comes from the same plant that produces the oats we eat for breakfast.
Oatstraw tea is made from the stalk and leaves of the oat plant which is harvested at its prime when it is full of nutrients.
Oatstraw is reputed as a nervine that provides support for the nervous system and alleviates anxiety, and mood imbalances, and improves sleep.
Oat straw is rich in various vitamins and minerals plus other nutrients. It’s high in B vitamins such as folate and thiamine.
Oat straw is also high in iron, calcium, zinc, phosphorous magnesium, and selenium.
So drinking oat straw tea is a natural way to support your hormone health.
You also have the health benefits from these vitamins and minerals that help to fight oxidation and boost energy, and metabolism.
Motherwort
Motherwort tea has been used for thousands of years as folk medicine to treat many health conditions. Motherwort is a perennial herb native to Europe and Asia.
Motherwort is nervine used for stress relief and as a calming tonic for the nervous system.
Motherwort helps with irritability and mood swings of menopause and also reduces hot flashes severity.
Other benefits of motherwort tea include:
- Motherworts also help improve heart health.
- It lowers blood pressure and regulates the heart rate and reduces palpitations and arrhythmias due to hormonal imbalances.
- Motherwort has a mild sedative effect that also helps to calm the heart rate and nerves.
- Motherwort acts as a uterine tonic and helps with pelvic circulation and blood flow in the pelvic area.
- Regulates menstruation and improves amenorrhea.
- calm menstrual cramps.
Dong Quai
Donquai has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Don Qui, a member of the same family as carrots, celery, and fennel is grown in China, Korea, and Japan, in cold mountain regions.
Don Qui has been used traditionally to treat many health conditions, mostly female health issues such as menopause symptoms, and that is why it is referred to as the female ginseng
Studies show don Qui may help lower blood sugars and improve insulin resistance.
Red raspberry leaf tea
Red raspberry leaf has been used for many years across Europe, Asia, and North America, especially for women’s health and hormonal balance. Due to its benefits on women’s health, red raspberry has been dubbed a woman’s herb.
Red raspberry leaf is a rich source of vitamins, B, A, and C and is also rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and iron.
And raspberry leaf contains antioxidant polyphenols and tannins that protect the body from oxidative stress thus helping hormonal balance.
A cup of the red raspberry leaf is rich in fragrance, which tones and strengthens uterine wall muscles and inhibits uterine activity.
That means raspberry leaf can help reduce cramping during periods and prevent premature labor.
However, if pregnant don’t drink raspberry leaf tea before 32 weeks.
But after that drinking raspberry tea will strengthen your uterus for labor.
Indeed raspberry tea has been shown to shorten labor and prevent drastic interventions.
Red raspberry tea may also provide these benefits:
- Reduce PMS symptoms such as cramping
- Regulates periods
- Support fertility and labor
- Reducing menopause symptoms
- Reduce morning sickness
- Reduce bleeding
- Increase milk supply
Milk Thistle Tea
Milk Thistle is also known as Silybum marianum and is well known as a liver cleanser. Milk thistle has been used for over 2000 years to treat many conditions including liver, kidney, and gallbladder problems.
These are you are your detox organs which are very important for hormone balance.
The liver is especially important for hormone balance because it detoxes excess hormones such as excess estrogen and toxins that may also cause hormonal imbalance.
Milk thistle was also traditionally used to increase milk production in lactating women likely by increasing the hormone prolactin the milk-producing hormone.
The active ingredient in milk thistle is silymarin, a group of flavonoid antioxidants that help the liver to repair itself and regenerate new cells.
Milk thistle is a potent purifier that is used in cases of liver poisoning from various things such as mushroom poisoning, alcohol, or even Tylenol overdose. Milk thistle also helps protect the liver of patients going through chemotherapy.
Milk thistle may also improve insulin resistance and improve blood sugar levels for people living with diabetes ( source)
However, before using milk thistle, make sure to check with your health care provider as there are some contraindications against using milk thistle. Contraindications may be indicated:
- In thyroid disease. There is research showing milk thistle may interfere with T3 metabolism.
- If you are on certain medications such as blood thinners, cholesterol medications, anti-anxiety medications, and certain cancer drugs.
- If you have an allergy to the family of plants such as marigolds, ragweed, and daisies.
Green tea
Green tea has many health benefits and turns out green tea is great for hormone balance too.
A 2017 study in the Journal of Education and Health Promotion found that green tea led to weight loss in women with PCOs, reduced free testosterone, and improved insulin resistance.
Green tea also offers other health benefits;
- Reduces stress hormone cortisol and therefore improves the stress response. Research finds that stress activates the endocrine system, especially the hypothalamus pituitary adrenal axis. And that can lead to other hormone imbalances. So drinking green tea helps prevent other hormone imbalances.
- Green tea contains L-theanine a compound that helps you feel calm by boosting serotonin, GABA, and dopamine your feel-good neurotransmitters.
- Green tea contains antioxidant flavonoids that fight free radicals that can lead to hormonal imbalances.
- Green tea may also reduce estrogen in women with estrogen dominance.
The good thing is there are so many green teas you can try. One of my special favorites is matcha green tea which you can use to make teas lattes and smoothies too.
If you want to give matcha green tea a try and reap its many amazing health benefits, I highly recommend Kiss Me Organics Matcha powder.
Dandelion
Many people are quick to vanquish any dandelion that dares to pop up on their carefully manicured lawn.
But dandelion is not the pesky weed you think of but a potent plant full of some amazing health benefits.
Dandelion tea has used been used traditionally as a liver tonic for many years. And research shows dandelion tea stimulates and detoxifies the liver.
As a liver detoxifier, dandelion helps to support estrogen metabolism by flushing out excess estrogen.
Dandelion root tea amps this detoxification ability by not only improving glutathione the body’s master antioxidant activity but also supporting other hormones in glutathione metabolism.
And by supporting a healthy liver, dandelion tea improves hormonal balance because the liver plays a major role in hormone metabolism.
Furthermore, studies also indicate that dandelion tea may also improve blood sugar metabolism and insulin resistance.
And the best part is that every part of the dandelion from the leaves to flowers and roasted dandelion root is edible and can be made into a delicious tea.
Dandelion root is also an especially great source of vitamins A, C, K, and B as well as minerals such as zinc, potassium calcium, iron, magnesium, and manganese.
Shatavari
Shatavari also known as asparagus racemosus is native to India and has been used in Ayurveda medicine for over 3000 years.
Shatavari is used to treat many conditions including hormone imbalances including menopause problems.
Shatavari is an adaptogenic herb that regulates the body’s stress response.
And as an adaptogen shatavari works on the hypothalamus, and pituitary-adrenal glands and regulates the hormones produced in these organs helping the body to cope with both emotional and physical stressors.
Shatavari is also used to treat PCOS a hormonal condition characterized by elevated androgen hormones that cause infertility, insulin resistance, weight gain, and infertility.
And Shatavari is also used by breastfeeding mothers to increase breast milk because Shatavari increases prolactin hormone production the hormone that helps with milk production.
Spearmint tea
A 2010 study found that drinking spearmint tea reduced androgen levels in women suffering from PCOS.
Polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS is a condition in which elevated male hormones such as testosterone causes women to have excess facial hair, stop ovulating and having periods, or have irregular periods.
These elevated androgens lead to insulin resistance weight gain and infertility.
But the good thing is that drinking a cup of Spear min tea may help relieve PCOS hormonal imbalance.
Stinging Nettle tea
Nettle is rich in vitamins and minerals including calcium, zinc magnesium, and iron. These vitamins and minerals are essential for hormonal balance.
Stinging nettle also contains polyphenols and flavonoids such as quercetins and coumarins. It is also a great source of antioxidants such as lutein and beta-carotene.
Nettle is also a good source of healthy fats such as alpha-linolenic acid.
All these nutrients are great for hormone balance.
Other hormonal balance benefits of stinging nettle.
- Because stinging nettle is a rich source of iron, it benefits thyroid-stimulating hormone production from the pituitary gland. So iron enhances thyroid function.
- Stinging nettle also lowers blood sugar. A compound in nettle mimics the effects of insulin activity thereby helping blood sugar into cells.
- Stinging nettle may be effective in lowering testosterone levels in women with PCOS, as well as helping regulate menstruation.
- Nettle is anti-inflammatory. And this is good for hormone balance because inflammation drives hormonal imbalance conditions such as diabetes and PCOS, even hypothyroidism, especially Hashmotos.
- Nettle root also contains lignan compounds known to have some estrogenic activity.
Conclusion
When it comes to hormone health we need a holistic approach to keeping our female hormones in balance. And drinking herbal teas that support hormone balance is a great way to have happy and well-nourished hormones and improve your overall health as well. So start stocking some good herbal teas for your hormonal wellness.
And as always, ask your healthcare provider before using any supplements.
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