Strengthening Women's Hormone Health With 10 Medicinal Mushrooms
Did you know that our hormones are like the superheroes of our bodies, controlling everything from our moods to our metabolism? They're the ones responsible for making us feel vibrant and energized, or down in the dumps.
In fact, our hormones have a hand in almost every aspect of our health and wellbeing, including our digestion, stress levels, sleep cycle, ability to reproduce, and even our ability to fight off disease and pathogens.
When our hormones are out of whack, it can lead to all sorts of problems like anxiety, depression, insomnia, chronic fatigue, and even cardiovascular disease and cancer. That's why it's crucial to keep our hormones in balance and functioning optimally.
For women, in particular, hormone imbalances are becoming more and more common, leading to issues like PCOS, endometriosis, and infertility. But don't worry, there's good news! There are supplements available that can help restore balance to our endocrine system and optimize our hormone levels.
One such supplement is mushroom products. Certain mushrooms are particularly beneficial for women's health and hormone balance, and we're going to explore them in more detail. So, let's dive in and learn about the best mushrooms for women's health!
Table of Contents
Medicinal Mushrooms Significance In Women Health
Mushrooms can work wonders for women's health, especially when it comes to hormone balance. These amazing fungi have some truly profound medicinal benefits that can make a big difference in how we feel and function.
For one thing, mushrooms are great at boosting our immune system and helping us handle stress. They're also really effective at detoxifying our bodies and getting rid of harmful xeno-estrogens that can mess with our hormones. Xeno-estrogens are everywhere in our environment, from the cosmetics we use to the foods we eat, so getting them out of our system is key to maintaining hormone balance.
But that's not all – mushrooms can also help restore balance to insulin resistance and inflammation, which can help to lower excess estrogen levels in our bodies. And when it comes to specific types of mushrooms, there are some real standouts for hormone balance.
Reishi mushroom, for example, is a real superstar when it comes to balancing estrogen levels. It's great for liver support and can help remove harmful toxins from our bodies. Plus, it's particularly nourishing for our adrenals, which play a key role in hormone production.
Other mushrooms like Maitake, Cordyceps, and Shiitake are also fantastic for improving blood flow and detoxification, which can help rebalance our sex hormones. Maitake in particular has been shown to be useful in restoring hormonal balance by improving insulin sensitivity.
And when it comes to obesity and insulin resistance, addressing these metabolic issues can be crucial for minimizing the negative effects of excess estrogen in the body. So, if you're looking to balance your hormones and improve your overall health and wellbeing, mushrooms might just be the answer you've been looking for.
Support During PMS Symptoms
The term PMS is frequently used to describe women's emotional reactions, regardless of whether it is the appropriate time of the month or not. PMS is characterized by a combination of symptoms such as irritability, mood swings, fatigue, and anxiety. Medicinal mushrooms such as Cordyceps, Lion's Mane extract, and Reishi mushroom are excellent remedies for PMS.
Cordyceps is well-known for its energy-boosting properties, which can help combat fatigue and restore vitality. Lion's Mane extract can aid in calming the nerves, reducing stress, alleviating mood swings, depressive moods, irritability, and anxiety. Reishi can also aid in managing stress, depression, and promoting balance, tranquility, and a stronger meditation practice.
PCOS & Endometriosis Treatment
PCOS or polycystic ovary syndrome is a hormonal disorder that occurs in females when there is an increased level of androgens or male hormones in the body. This hormonal imbalance leads to irregular or absent periods, heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, facial hair, acne along the jawline, difficulty in conceiving, and a higher risk of developing metabolic diseases such as insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and obesity.
Mushrooms, especially Maitake mushroom, can be beneficial for women with PCOS. Certified Organic Maitake Mushroom from Teelixir can help improve insulin sensitivity, regulate menstrual cycles, and induce ovulation, according to recent studies. By restoring normal insulin levels, Maitake mushroom helps reduce inflammation, which may decrease the symptoms of PCOS.
Endometriosis is another condition that affects women, causing tissue growth in abnormal places within the uterus. It can lead to severe pain, painful and irregular periods, and infertility. The cause of endometriosis is unknown, but Reishi mushroom can help reduce inflammation in the pelvic area, which is beneficial for women suffering from endometriosis, uterine fibroids, dysmenorrhea, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
Mitigates Menopause Symptoms
As women, we are forced to deal with many life and hormonal changes, and menopause is one of those times that we cannot avoid. It is an inevitable part of our evolution and aging process, but it doesn't have to be all bad if you incorporate medicinal mushrooms for menopause.
Menopause is associated with a decline in sex hormones, which causes a wide range of symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, and irritability. Fortunately, there are some great medicinal mushrooms that can help alleviate these symptoms.
Research has shown that Cordyceps mushroom can help mitigate the symptoms of low estrogen, such as irritability and mood swings, by stimulating the release of estrogen (17B-estradiol). Cordyceps is also known to boost libido and sexual vitality, in addition to inhibiting the breakdown of serotonin (the "feel good" hormone) by MAO enzymes, which improves mood and state.
Reishi mushroom is helpful in balancing out the over-stimulation that causes symptoms such as restlessness, insomnia, and hot flashes, as well as strengthening the liver. In TCM (traditional Chinese medicine), hot flashes are associated with a dysfunctional liver, so supporting the liver throughout menopause can potentially reduce discomfort.
Memory can be affected during menopause, along with mood swings, anxiety, irritability, and depressive states. Research supports Lion's Mane's ability to enhance neural networks, reinforce existing neural patterns, and improve mood. A 2010 study showed that Lion's Mane reduced anxiety and depression among menopausal women who used it for four weeks, further demonstrating how Lion's Mane can alleviate menopausal symptoms and improve overall well-being.
Boost Libido
Traditionally, Cordyceps is known for enhancing libido in males, but anecdotal reports and studies from China suggest that it can have a similar effect on women.
Low libido in women can be caused by hormone imbalances, stress, medications, reduced emotional well-being, and fatigue. Cordyceps mushroom is known for significantly fighting fatigue while also boosting energy to enhance sex drive. Reishi mushroom can help manage stress and emotional well-being, making these two mushrooms a powerful combination in reigniting libido and improving the sex life of individuals.
Sex also has numerous health benefits, such as strengthening the immune system, supporting psychological well-being, decreasing inflammatory markers, and reducing stress and anxiety.
Improve Fertility
Infertility is a topic that is becoming more openly discussed among couples, and IVF is becoming increasingly common. This is thought to be due to changing lifestyles and increased exposure to stress. Fortunately, medicinal mushrooms can be easily accessed and utilized to increase the chances of falling pregnant, as mushrooms and fertility are closely linked. The fertility effects of medicinal mushrooms can be helpful in promoting conception.
Cordyceps sinensis is an excellent mushroom for fertility. It has been used by IVF patients and those struggling with fertility, with research showing its usefulness in boosting female fertility and improving IVF success. This is because Cordyceps stimulates 17B-estradiol (estrogen) production through various pathways, including aromatase expression, which is the enzyme for estrogen production. This application of boosting estrogen not only benefits fertile women but also menopausal and older women, increasing both testosterone and estrogen levels and mitigating menopausal symptoms. Moreover, as estrogen is bone protective, it can help prevent osteoporosis and bone weakening in older females.
Reishi mushroom is also beneficial for fertility. The negative impact of stress on fertility is well-known, and using the ultimate anti-stress herb, Reishi mushroom, can decrease the release of cortisol in the body, mitigating inflammatory cascades and negative implications when trying to conceive. Reishi can also strengthen the adrenal glands and reduce stress in women seeking to conceive, thus decreasing the negative impact that stress has on fertility. Women who are stressed about conceiving may find Reishi mushroom fertility effects useful in reducing their stress levels and associated symptoms such as insomnia, irregular sleep cycles, shortness of breath, irritability, nervousness, and anxiety.
Lion's Mane fertility effects are also significant in balancing the nervous system and reducing stress. Additionally, imbalances within the body can cause issues with fertility and conception, such as insulin resistance and inflammation. Maitake has been shown in numerous studies to re-normalize insulin feedback pathways in the body, mitigating stress-induced fertility issues.
Support During Pregnancy
According to Taoists, pregnancy requires a significant amount of Jing, our primordial life force energy that serves as the foundation for our overall well-being.
Jing can be likened to our energy reserve, and it is crucial that we nourish, protect, and foster this valuable substance. We have pre-natal Jing, which is determined in-vitro and influences our constitution. Therefore, it is essential to take care of our Jing so that we can pass it on to our children and provide them with the best possible health and strength.
As women, we tend to deplete our Jing (known as leaking Jing) in our daily lives, managing families, businesses, friends, and ourselves. Consuming medicinal mushrooms during pregnancy can help cultivate Jing and strengthen organ systems, reducing the fatigue and bodily stress that often accompany pregnancy and supporting post-pregnancy recovery.
Reishi mushroom is particularly beneficial for strengthening the immune system, and mothers who consume Reishi during pregnancy report having calmer babies and experiencing less complicated births.
However, it is important to note that there is limited evidence supporting the safety and usage of medicinal mushrooms during pregnancy and breastfeeding, making it difficult to evaluate the risks and benefits of their consumption. Always consult with a healthcare professional before using any medicinal mushrooms during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Support post-pregnancy
Incorporating Cordyceps, Chaga, and Reishi into a post-pregnancy and breastfeeding routine can help the body recover, revitalize organ systems, and boost the immune system. This can benefit the baby as well by strengthening their immune system and overall constitution.
Teelixir's Certified Organic Wild Chaga Mushroom has been linked to the prevention of various childhood and adult health issues, including skin problems, low immunity, digestive difficulties, and learning disabilities that result from early exposure and nourishment. Adding mushrooms to your post-pregnancy routine can help to strengthen your baby's microbiome and immune system, reducing the likelihood of future health issues. Prevention is always better than treatment.
Improves Breast Health
Breast cancer is more likely to occur as a person ages, and as such, prevention is always preferable to treatment. Reishi is believed to be specifically protective against breast cancer because its triterpenes are cytotoxic to cancer cells, according to studies.
Reishi's triterpenes have also been shown to suppress NF-kB, which is believed to play a role in the development of hormone-dependent cancers such as breast and ovarian cancer.
Studies have also reported a reduction in fatigue, anxiety, and depression in women undergoing breast cancer treatment who consume Reishi.
Polysaccharide-K (PSK) extracts from Shiitake, Maitake, and Turkey Tail have been found to be beneficial for breast cancer in numerous trials. Additionally, consuming medicinal mushrooms during cancer treatment has been found to up-regulate and support the immune system, improving survival rates and decreasing the side effects of treatments like chemotherapy and radiation.
Agaricus blazei has also been found to enhance NK cell activity in those with gynecological cancers such as cervical, uterine, and endometrial cancers and reduce chemotherapy side effects.
All medicinal mushrooms, due to their polysaccharide complexes and immune-modulating properties, activate and up-regulate the body's own immune defenses. Turkey Tail, thanks to the famous mycologist Paul Stamets, has the most extensive research on cancer.
Fight Candida
Despite being a fungal organism, Candida can be eliminated through the use of medicinal mushrooms, which are known to have anti-fungal defenses to survive.
Candida is responsible for various health issues, including thrush, UTIs, IBS, IBD, gut dysbiosis, and autoimmune conditions like Crohn's and UC.
Studies have shown that Shiitake, Oyster, Turkey Tail, and Reishi have anti-fungal properties. Additionally, it is suggested that chitin, a type of polysaccharide and non-soluble fiber found in mushroom cell walls, can prevent the colonization of Candida species in the microbiome and intestinal wall.
Mushrooms for Women’s Health
Women often prioritize the needs of others or work towards achieving their own goals, often neglecting their health and well-being.
To truly embody our feminine energy and pursue our dreams, it's crucial to nurture and balance our hormones. Incorporating medicinal mushrooms into our daily routines, whether in our morning coffee, tea, smoothies, or cooking, can help support our health and well-being. Starting with mushrooms for hormone balance can help us manage stress better, reduce hormonal imbalances, restore vitality and Jing, improve the health of our children, and unleash our natural badassery!
Written by Eliza Hedley
Eliza is the millennial nutritionist– a health, mindset and abundance enthusiast obsessed with helping millennial's experience living at a higher level. Her relaxed new age approach and understanding of nutrition and wellness sees her empowering and coaching individuals to understand that their health is the ultimate asset. Upon experiencing first hand the power and place of tonic herbalism and medicinal mushrooms in everyday life, Eliza’s become an adaptogen fangirl and feels their utilisation in today’s world is essential for abundance and wellbeing.
Website: https://themillennialnutritionist.com/
Instagram: @themillenialnutritionist
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