College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

 

Reproductive-health - Foods & Herbs ListCLASSIFICATION OF FOOD, HERBS, & LIFESTYLE

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Reported by John Immel Asheville, NC
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AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE ON REPRODUCTIVE-HEALTH

Comparing Sex Hormones

Each of the main sex hormones has unique biocharacteristics that affect the entire constitution. Based on this analysis, which hormones are dominant in your constitution?

Testosterone - Hot, moist, heavy

Male sex hormone but still needed in women. Anabolic muscle builder, gives umph & vigor. See also Anti-androgen for herbs that reduce testosterone. Testosterone production is stimulated by release of LH and FSH from the pituitary.
  • Deficiency causes fatigue, lack of motivation, low libido, lack of vigor.
  • Hypothyroid stimulates pituitary => stimulates PCOS
  • Dopaminergic herbs relax pituitary => anti-androgen

Estrogen - Heavy, Moist, Anxiolytic

Female sex hormone. Anabolic muscle builder. See also Anti estrogenic herbs. Cooler than progesterone. Estrogen deficiency (as in menopause) causes a drop in heat / metabolism.
  • Symptoms of Excess Estrogen - Overweight, K+, damp, heavy periods (due to thicker endometrium), tender breasts during menses, PCOS, Fibroids, Endometriosis.
  • Symptoms of Deficient Estrogen - Light period, dryness, low libido, bone loss.

Progesterone - Hot, Dry, Relaxing

Progesterone is a warm, muscle relaxing hormone that maintains and prepares uterine lining for implantation. Elevated during pregnancy and luteal phase of menstrual cycle. It relaxes muscles and especially the pelvic floor to prepare hips for childbirth. This relaxing quality also acts as a vasodilator that can lead to varicose veins. Progesterone raises body temperature - it is essentially metabolic/catabolic but more regulatory. It builds muscle mass. As pregnancy hormones naturally suppress fertility hormones, progesterone tempers/opposes estrogen. It is diuretic.
  • Symptoms of Deficient Progesterone - Loss of self-esteem, withdrawal tendencies, fatigue. Short luteal phase (short menstrual cycle). Progesterone deficiency mimics estrogen dominance i.e. painful, swollen or lumpy breasts, etc.
  • Symptoms of Excess Progesterone - Light or delayed period.

Oxytocin - Hot, Light, Tense

Stimulates uterine contraction (during labor, postpartum, etc), release of breast milk (let down reflex). Tribal (+bonding to infant, loyal to inner circle, hostile to outsiders / other groups / people with different opinions / cultures / beliefs). Produced by pituitary, stimulated by breastfeeding, ejaculation. Anabolic to muscle and bone, but causes weight loss (catabolic) through reducing food intake, increasing energy expenditure and inducing lipolysis.
  • Symptoms of Deficient Oxytocin: Objective, unbiased but also more detached, indifferent to those close to you.
  • Excess oxytocin (side effect of hormonal birth control): Miscarriage, tribal behaviors, hostility towards outsiders, nepotistic behaviors, reduces libido and alters sexual preferences.

Prolactin (galactagogue) - Cold, Heavy, Dry

Causes production of breast milk. Suppresses fertility & menstruation by decreasing estrogen and testosterone (which is why breastfeeding women do not menstruate). Suppresses fat metabolism (leading to weight gain) but also suppresses fat storage (leading to hyperglycemia) so that sugars will be available in milk. Stimulates insulin release. Causes vaginal dryness. As it suppresses reproductive hormones, prolactin is associated with depression, anxiety, and hostility. Hypothyroidism causes higher prolactin levels. See also anti-prolactin herbs.
  • Increased by pregnancy, nipple stimulation, stress, hormonal birth control, & pituitary stimulation (often due to hypothyroid).
  • Decreased by dopaminergic (as in mint).

Estrogen Effects, Dominance, & Deficiency

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About the Author

John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda. His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs the Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda, offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.

John's hobbies & specialties include advanced digestive disorders, medieval Catholic philosophy, & botany. He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University. John, his wife Natalie and their 7 kids live in Asheville, NC

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