Natural Remedies to Cure PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)
PCOS is a multifactorial problem affecting women. Different women present with different symptoms. Even the underlying cause may be different. Adopting natural ways to correct the problem may help you get a complete resolution of this issue. First let’s know about certain dos and don’ts for PCOS
Changes in lifestyle and daily routine
1. Avoid processed vegetable oils and Intake good fats
Be sure to stay away from processed vegetable oils: canola, soybean oil, corn oil, vegetable oil, etc. Good fats are those fats that aren’t highly processed for example butter, coconut oil, lard/tallow, Olive oil (extra virgin). This helps maintain a good hormonal balance in the body.
2. Stay away from factory meat and animal products
As animals are injected hormone shots which may accumulate oestrogen in their fat, this meat may cause oestrogen increase in the body which is often associated with PCOS. It is better to buy more organic/grass-fed meat
3. Avoid Refined Sugars And Grains
Refined sugars can take away the essential nutrients from the body and can lead to insulin resistance. This leads to an imbalance of hormones in the body which could be the cause of PCOS. Thus cutting down on these sugars can be extremely helpful.
4. Say no to processed foods and AGEs
Higher levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) have been found in the blood of women with PCOS. Reducing intake of dietary AGEs can reduce insulin levels in women with PCOS in significant amounts. Thus avoid animal derived and processed foods like pasta, white flour, corn syrup which are rich in AGEs.
5. Eliminate sources of Xeno-oestrogens
Certain beauty products and other substances like plastics may contain substances resembling oestrogen which may cause alteration of hormone balance on consumption. It is a great idea to select natural and organic beauty supplies.
6. Avoid plant estrogens
These photo-estrogens take up the place of natural ones and cause excess levels of estrogen in the body. It is also believed that they may reduce body’s ability to make natural estrogens over a period of time.
7. Avoid foods with preservatives and artificial enhancers
These chemicals can reduce liver function and problems with production of insulin hormone. Processed foods with additives like aspartame, colouring agents and artificial flavour enhancers should be avoided.
8. Avoid foods triggering inflammatory response
Women with PCOS have shown to have an inflammatory response in their body.
Thus, food allergens and triggers of inflammation should be avoided as they may cause inflammation in the body.
9. Keeping check on calories
Making a routine of calorie intake during breakfast, lunch and dinner times can greatly improve hormonal levels. Eating maximum calories in morning meal improves insulin and glucose levels and reduce levels of testosterone.
10. Consuming Whole foods
Whole foods help maintain good body health and energy levels. These are the substances which are consumed directly without any modifications or processing.
11. Regular exercise
Including exercise in daily routine can greatly help the body. Low-intensity exercises like yoga, walking, cycling etc can be practised easily.
12. Use natural women products
Using pads made of fabric for those days of the month should be preferred over sanitary napkins and tampons available in the market. The dioxin used in tampons can cause cancer and infertility issues while disposable pads may provide an atmosphere for bacterial growth.
13. Pay attention to Liver health
The liver is one organ which removes used up and extra hormones from the body. Maintaining its good health by consuming foods like beetroot, lemon etc can help it work efficiently and thus keep all these toxins away from the body.
14. Adopt lunaception
It is a method of taking sleep in complete darkness as it is related to the natural production of hormones in the body. In lunaception, a woman needs to sleep in complete darkness for her entire cycle except for three days. Cycles start getting regularised after practising it for few months.
Maintaining a balance of blood sugar levels and hormones in the body while also working to promote regular ovulation and menses is the ultimate goal for treating PCOS.
Using herbs and whole foods based supplements is an effective way to regulate the menstrual cycle. Natural hormones can be restored in the body by drinking fertility tea daily. Let’s find out the herbs which are extremely beneficial for PCOS.
Using herbs for PCOS
1. Cinnamon (Cinnamomum Verum, Czeylanicum)
It helps in keeping the sugar levels in control in women with resistance to insulin. It helps in providing good blood circulation to reproductive organs and can decrease the endometrial hyperplasia, a condition associated with PCOS.
2. Ashwagandha root (Withania somnifera) and Eleuthero root and stem bark (Eleutherococcus senticous)
These herbs help by providing support in the functioning of our hormonal or endocrine system of the body.
3. Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
This root maintains hormonal balance in the body by checking their production and release from endocrine organs. It also helps in maintaining healthy liver function.
4. Maca root (Lepidium meyenii)
This herb acts by increasing the levels of the hormone, progesterone. Thus it works to balance the level of two important hormones, oestrogen and progesterone in the body.
5. Burdock root (Arctium lappa)
As efficient functioning of the liver is important for elimination of toxic products, Burdock root augments good liver function.
6. Gymnema leaf (Gymnema sylvestris)
Insulin and blood sugar levels are kept under control by this herb as it is known as sugar destroyer.
7. Tribulus fruit (Tribulus terrestris)
The incidence of cysts in ovaries in PCOS may be decreased by this fruit. It also helps in regulating ovulation in the body.
8. Saw Palmetto berry (Serenoa repens)
It has been proved to reduce hirsutism, a condition of excessive body hair and reducing hair on the head. This is seen in association with PCOS. Saw Palmetto acts by stopping production of a substance, DHT which helps in controlling hirsutism. Also, it decreases acne and endometrial hyperplasia associated with hormonal balance in PCOS.
Adding natural substances to diet
1. Omegas
These are the essential fatty acids which reduce the inflammatory response in the body. Consuming omegas both through foods you eat and through supplementation especially omega-3 and 6 can greatly help in PCOS.
2. Vitamin supplements
Ensuring proper and adequate amounts of vitamins help in increasing healing process and boosts up immunity. Intake of multivitamin supplements can help women with pcps especially by balancing hormonal levels.
3. Royal Jelly and Bee Propolis
These two also help in decreasing inflammation in the body. Thus they help in restoring the natural hormonal balance of the body and boost the immune system.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
It not only balances ph levels in the body but also helps inefficient detoxification from the body. Thus it keeps a check on bacterial and fungal infections. Using few tablespoons of it with water especially in the morning can be greatly helpful.
5. Raw Cacao
It is rich in two important minerals, iron and magnesium, which are required by women greatly during their cycles. One tablespoon of raw cacao can keep a check on hormonal balance and energy levels in the body.
6. Iron rich foods
Focussing on the intake of more green leafy vegetables like spinach and plant origin foods like lentils, goji berries etc which contain high levels of iron can be helpful in PCOS.
7. Systemic Enzyme Therapy
This is a strategy which employs using a mixture or blends of enzymes which assist body’s immune system to tackle inflammation. Thus it modifies the natural biological response of the body in healthier direction
Other natural remedies for PCOS include flaxseeds, fenugreek, spearmint tea, cod liver oil etc. When so many herbs and natural substances are available and can work in an equally effective way without any side effects as caused by medications, it is better to put them to use to get rid of your PCOS in the most natural and holistic way!
