April 14, 2025 – Newsletter Archive

Hormonal Imbalances And Your Health

Hormonal imbalance is the presence of too much or too little of a hormone in the blood. For example, the body relies on a delicate balance between estrogen and progesterone. When estrogen takes the lead, it can trigger migraines, weight gain, insomnia, and even thyroid issues.  In today’s newsletter we focus on hormonal imbalance and its impact on women’s health. 

Causes for hormonal Imbalance

There are many causes of hormonal imbalances. Some causes are natural. For example, hormonal fluctuations during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Medical conditions like thyroid disorders, autoimmune diseases, and certain cancers may influence hormonal imbalance too. Lifestyle factors such as chronic stress, unhealthy diets, and being overweight or obese are also contributors. Additionally, exposure to some chemicals in the environment can affect hormone levels. This includes exposure to chemicals like certain pesticides, industrial chemicals (perchlorates, plychlorinated biphenyls {PCBs} and perfluoroalkyl substances {PFAS}.

Perchlorate salts are primarily used as oxidizers in solid rocket fuels, explosives, fireworks, and road flares. They are also used in airbag inflators, rubber manufacturing, and some pharmaceutical applications, such as treating hyperthyroidism. Perchlorates can be found in certain food packaging and as a component in some fertilizers as well.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a group of non-flammable and stable synthetic chemicals, that may be found in coolants, lubricants, insulators in electrical equipment, heat transfer fluids, and as additives in paints, plastics, and rubber products.

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are used in a wide variety of products to make them resistant to water, grease, oil, and heat. They are commonly found in everyday items like non-stick cookware, food packaging, stain-resistant fabrics, as well and firefighting foams.

Hormonal imbalances can lead to a variety of complications, including reproductive issues (infertility and irregular periods), metabolic problems (diabetes and obesity), and cardiovascular risks like heart disease. They can affect mood, energy levels, and even increase the risk of certain cancers.

Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance

Common symptoms of hormonal imbalance include weight changes (gain or loss), lower sex drive, muscle and joint pain, muscle stiffness, fatigue, low energy, mood swings (anxiety or depression), sleep disturbances (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep), skin problems (acne, dry skin, changes in skin texture), digestive issues (bloating, constipation, or diarrhea), and headaches. The symptoms are dependent on which hormone is out of balance.

An Alternate Health Approach to Hormonal Imbalance

Conventional medicine hormone therapy, can cause a range of side effects, including hot flashes, loss of interest in sex, weakened bones, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and weight gain. More serious side effects, such as an increased risk of blood clots or stroke, can also occur with certain types of hormone therapy. Hence, the pursuit of herbal and alternate medicines.

Several herbs are traditionally used and are receiving scientific attention for their potential to support hormonal balance. This includes medicinal plants such as Sage herb (Salvia officinalis), Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), Valerian, (Valerina officinalis), Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa), Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), Black cumin (Nigella sativa),Vitex (Vitex agnus-castus), Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis), Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), Alfalfa (Medicago sativa), St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum), Panax ginseng, Aniseed (Pimpinella anisum), Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), Red clover (Trifolium pratense), and Wild Soybean (Glycine soja).  These are proven effective remedies in women health

Knowing what hormone is experiencing imbalance is key information for your holistic practitioner to assist you in addressing the issue. 

If you intend to prevent hormonal imbalances, you must focus on a balanced lifestyle that includes a nutritious diet, regular exercise, stress management, and adequate sleep. There is also the need for management of chronic health conditions. Another prudent action is not smoking.

SelfCare Activity

Why should you be concerned about hormonal imbalance?
Why would someone opt for herbal remedy instead of conventional medicine hormone therapy?
What are some of the steps you can take to prevent hormonal imbalance?
What are the steps you plan to take to prevent hormonal imbalance?

SelfCare Weekly Recipe

This week we focus on heavy metal detox bath. Some heavy metals are nutritionally essential elements playing key roles in our health and wellness. Heavy metals like iron, cobalt, zinc, copper, chromium, molybdenum, selenium and manganese are beneficial. Others are considered as potentially toxic in high amounts or certain chemical forms.

Heavy metals are used in industry, agriculture, medicine and technology. This raises concerns regarding their impact on our health and the environment.  Experts suggests that metallic ions may interact with substances in our cells, (such as DNA and nuclear proteins), leading to DNA damage, cell death, and risk of developing cancers. It is believed that exposure to heavy metals through ingestion, inhalation and dermal (skin) contact causes several health problems such as, cardiovascular diseases, neurological and neurobehavioral abnormalities, diabetes, and blood abnormalities. Due to extensive damage caused by heavy metal poisoning, effective ways of ridding the body of them are pursued.

The most common method for the removal of heavy metals from the body is administration of chemical chelators. Chelators (as used in medicine) are substances that bond with metals to aid their removal from the body.  However, the use of medicinal herbs to aid in the removal of heavy metals from the body is attracting attention. This is due to their fewer side effects. 

Herbs noted for their detoxifying action includes Garlic (Allium sativum), Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum), Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum), Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), and Turmeric (Curcuma longa). Sometimes herbal fibers and Chlorophyta (green algae) are used to treat heavy metal poisoning.

Baths are employed to assist with the resolution of heavy metal toxicity. A bath detox is especially effective when done in conjunction with the taking of herbal formula specifically formulated for internal use.

Heavy Metal Detox Bath

1/3 cup Bentonite Clay
1/3 cup Epsom Salt (or dead sea salt)
1/3 cup Baking Soda
3 drops of your favourite essential oil or herbal bath teas (optional)
Put all ingredients in a bath of warm water. Soak for 45 minutes to an hour.

SelfCare Personal Development Sayings

Did you know that every thought you entertain physically changes your brain? Did you know that you have the power to choose which thoughts to keep and which to let go of? A big part of selfcare is thought analysis and management.

Negative thoughts come to all of us, but what we do with them makes all the difference.

If you are highly motivated in using knowledge, you will become wise. If you are a keen listener, you will receive a lot of information. And when you are full of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding you will be the leader and guide for those seeking direction.

Never judge or arrive at a conclusion before you investigate thoroughly. There are many sides to every conversation, many perspectives to every subject. Seek to understand them all, then arrive at a conclusion.

Do not be afraid of working hard. Do not run away from difficult challenges. Show me what is easy and is worth much?

Do not endorse those who practice unjust judgment. You will lose the ability to differentiate between justice and injustice.

There will always be the temptation to go with the flow, follow the trend and be numbered with the crowd. Be smart. Let wisdom and knowledge be your guide

Join me this and every Monday morning @

https://zeno.fm/radio/ohr-1-station/
For a special edition of ‘The Other Dimension’, a psychological approach to wellness.
Monday Mornings
8:05 am — 8:20 am EST
5:05 am — 5:20 am PST
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