Poly cystic ovarian syndrome as the name implies refers to presence of multiple cysts on the ovaries of women of reproductive age. It is not a disease, rather a collection of diseases occurring together i.e., syndrome, the culprit being higher androgen (male hormones) in the female body and insulin resistance according to latest research. It is a disease at metabolic level which is basically co occurrence of two out of these three conditions.
It affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age and is thought to be the reason of deaths due to cardiovascular diseases throughout the world. It may lead to occurrence of acne, hirsutism, weight gain, abdominal cramps, irregular periods, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, eating disorders, and even more chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular disorders.
PCOS has several management strategies that include medicines, phytotherapy, dietary modifications, and lifestyle modifications. Lifestyle modification and weight management has the greatest impact on PCOS women and has been known to improve the health of large percent of women suffering from PCOS.
Dietary modifications in PCOS include increasing the protein content of your diet, reducing simple carbs and shifting to complex carbs, including good fats in your diet like omega three and six fatty acids. Furthermore, there are several phytonutrients that help in balancing the hormones in your body, reduce insulin resistance, decrease the fats in your body, and restore your menstrual cycles.
These bioactive compounds or nutraceuticals include lignans, dietary fibers, omega three fatty acids, and many others which benefit the body, and they can be take in the form of herbal teas.
In this article, we present you with some of the most wonderful and magical herbal teas that not only balance your hormones but also help you lose weight.
The intake of essential phytonutrients through herbal formulas has been validated by several research done recently. A trial was done in 2020 in which PCOS subjects were tested for efficacy of several herbal teas like cinnamon, green tea, aloe vera, and silymarin. The results showed marked and significant improvements in overall health and metabolic profile of PCOS women. Another study was done in 2023 where green tea was supplemented to PCOS patients for weight loss and improvement in anthropometric measurements, and results were significant enough to prove that green tea is efficient in improving overall body health. Several other studies showed effects of spearmint, chamomile, licorice, dandelion, hibiscus, raspberry leaf, pomegranate, nettle, and peppermint teas to improve the co morbidities occurring due to PCOS.
https://journals.iium.edu.my/ijahs/index.php/IJAHS/article/view/874
These herbal teas are discussed below with their potential benefits in improving PCOS symptoms.
1.Spearmint tea
Spearmint tea is known to be the most effective herbal tea known up till now. It acts as functional food as it lowers the androgens in women, lower testosterone, and also promotes ovulation. Studies reveal that people with PCOS consuming spearmint tea daily for 3 months restored their monthly ovulatory cycles, and also showed marked improvement in hirsutism. This helps improve the overall quality of life in PCOS subjects.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13048-020-00633-8
2.Cinnamon tea
Cinnamon is a very powerful food also known as super food. According to a study done by Diabetes care, It reduces the blood glucose levels in PCOS patients and also aids in lowering insulin resistance. In patients with PCOS, the blood glucose levels are extremely high which means that it may cause the risk of diabetes type II in PCOS women. Cinnamon helps with the menstruation cycle and its regulation by balancing the female hormones.
3.Green tea
Green tea has powerful bioactive compounds known as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). This compound is anti-inflammatory and antioxidant in nature. It helps reduce the insulin resistance in the body and is responsible for reducing the incidence of PCOS symptoms.
4.Chamomile tea
Chamomile tea is generally known for its soothing, and calming properties; therefore, it reduces abdominal cramps, uterine contractions, period discomfort. It is phytoestrogenic in nature, so it helps with balancing hormones i.e., Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing hormone (LH). Thus, it is a great remedy for PCOS and alleviates its symptoms.
5.Ginger tea
Yet another magical remedy for PCOS symptoms is ginger tea. It helps in hormone balance in females with PCOS. Ginger has anti inflammatory properties which helps lower the incidence of high cholesterol in PCOS subjects. Ginger is also responsible for menstrual cycle regulation.
6.Licorice
Another effective food against the raised testosterone levels is “licorice”. It helps lower the androgens in women thereby reducing hirsutism and acne. This also improves mood disorders and anxiety symptoms. It aids in weight loss and management of blood sugar levels.
In a nutshell, herbal tea blends can be effective against managing PCOS symptoms. These nutrient rich teas help the body relax, nourish, and improve simultaneously. Overall quality of life is improved significantly by drinking these teas. When combined with a balanced diet, regular exercise, and healthy lifestyle lead to improvement in overall health of PCOS women who are down and depressed due to clinical signs of PCOS.