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Hormone Replacement Therapy
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Hormone is often a word accompanied with a few jitters and elbow jabs. In
reality hormones do so much more than increase libido, though that is an
important function! Hormones control metabolism, keep the immune system strong,
ensure proper growth and bring on sleep--just to name a few. Hormones are
manufactured and secreted into the bloodstream by the endocrine glands. These
glands work together much like an orchestra does when creating a symphony. All
must participate and the balance needs to be right for the music to be
beautiful. As we grow older, our orchestra players become weak and the level of
hormones secreted by the glands begins to drop, causing many problems such as
decreased immunity, mood swings and poor circulation which can lead to loss of
memory.
Scientific research on plants has brought about the development of synthetic
hormones. These hormones have been a blessing to many men and women, bringing
relief from serious symptoms, yet they have also brought with them risks, such
as an increase in cancer. Luckily there are natural ways to increase hormone
production and avoid both the symptoms and the risks. Following is a list of the
endocrine glands with the natural ways you can protect and build them, helping
them to bring you a beautiful symphony of hormones.
Pituitary
The pituitary is a pebble size gland located just behind the eyes in the center
of the brain. It is often called the "master gland" because the 6-10
hormones it secretes regulate the functions of the other endocrine glands. The
pituitary is also responsible for growth, tissue repair and reproduction.
When the pituitary is weak it may be unable to signal the other glands to
work. With all of the endocrine glands out of order, many symptoms arise.
Alfalfa is the principle herb for strengthening the pituitary. Alfalfa has deep
roots which pick up many trace minerals which may be important for the pituitary
to function correctly. Aromin may also be a good source of trace minerals.
Three, a combination of kelp, dandelion and alfalfa, provides many trace
elements which may help strengthen the pituitary.
To produce hormones, the pituitary also needs many essential amino acids.
Spirulina has an abundance of amino acids. Target TS-II contains minerals
chelated to amino acids to move them directly to the pituitary gland, where they
assist in making the thyroid stimulating hormone.
Pineal
The pineal gland is found in the brain, between cerebral hemispheres at the back
of the skull. It is a pea-sized, crystalline structure which is often called the
third eye because it is said to give us our ability towards instinct and
intuition. The pineal gland in all animals is much larger than the human pineal
gland which researchers feel is the reason animals seem to be more attuned to
instinct.
The pineal gland produces the hormone melatonin, which acts as a
"clock" telling our bodies such things as when to sleep and mature.
This gland is stimulated by the lack of sunlight. When the pineal gland is not
functioning properly, the person may experience depression, insomnia and even
early aging.
Little is known about what herbs affect the pineal gland, however, by
strengthening the pituitary gland we can often positively affect the pineal
gland. The pineal gland may be sensitive to the amounts of minerals and trace
minerals in the body, therefore it may be beneficial to take alfalfa or a trace
mineral supplement.
Thyroid/Parathyroid
The thyroid is located at base of the throat and the parathyroids obtrude from
it. The thyroid produces the hormones triiodothyronine and thyroxine which
regulate metabolism and mental and physical development. Without the function of
the thyroid we could not properly use our food for energy or dispose of the
waste. The thyroid needs iodine for maximum function. Natural sources of iodine
are kelp and black walnut. Without iodine a person will develop a goiter, in
which the thyroid becomes inflamed and enlarged.
TS-II with Hops and KC-X also contain iodine to build the thyroid as well as
nervines to calm the nerves, because overactivity of the thyroid and parathyroid
may lead to problems with the nervous system such as anxiety, rapid heart beat,
sweating, tremor, diarrhea, menstrual problems and increased appetite.
The parathyroid regulates calcium and phosphorus in the body. When calcium is
abundant, the parathyroid helps the body absorb calcium and build bones. When
calcium is needed, the parathyroid sends hormones which pull calcium from the
bones, leading to problems such as osteoporosis. To ensure that your body has
adequate calcium, you may want to supplement your diet with Calcium with
Magnesium & Vitamin D.
When the thyroid and parathyroid are underactive, children develop cretinism,
a disease which causes the child to lose mental capabilities and grow
dwarf-like. Adults with underactive thyroids gain weight, lose energy, have dry,
swollen skin and tissues, and mental dullness. These glands may be underactive
because the pituitary is failing to send activating hormones. Target TS-II may
help the underactive pituitary.
Thymus
The thymus is located just behind the sternum and a little above the heart.
Modern scientists often consider the thymus gland to be one of importance only
to the developing child, helping develop the lymphatic system and build
immunity. Scientists feel that after infancy the thymus shrinks because it is
not needed.
Herbalists, on the other hand, often feel that the thymus is just as
important to adults as children. The thymus gland is associated with good
self-esteem and immunity. When people have high self-esteem they are more likely
to take care of themselves. Even in adulthood the thymus contains many
T-lymphocytes which make antibodies to protect the body against disease.
A weak thymus gland causes weak immunity and can be caused by low
self-esteem. Echinacea is an herb known for it's ability to increase immunity.
Scientific studies show it increases the thymus's output of T-cells. Rosehips
are good for the thymus gland. They are high in vitamin C and have been used to
protect against and treat colds. THIM-J is a combination developed specifically
to improve thymus function. It includes herbs to fight viral and bacterial
diseases, to increase immune response and to boost low self-esteem. Thymus
Glandular contains actual thymus substance in addition to spleen, lymph, bone
marrow and pituitary substances to strengthen the thymus gland and increase
immunity. Supplementing the diet with these substances will strengthen your own
corresponding body systems. Also included are l-lysine, echinacea purpurea,
golden seal and cat's claw.
Pancreas
The pancreas has a dual role as both an endocrine and exocrine gland. It
produces both enzymes and hormones. The pancreas is located behind the stomach.
As an exocrine gland the pancreas releases the enzymes it creates to help with
digestion. As an endocrine gland, the pancreas has groups of cells called the
islets of Langerhans which produce the hormone insulin. Insulin controls the
body's use of glucose.
When the pancreas is stressed, the result is hypoglycemia or diabetes. With
hypoglycemia, the blood sugar is too low. Licorice helps hypoglycemics to
balance their blood sugar. HY-A is a combination developed to strengthen the
weakened pancreas which causes hypoglycemia. HY-A contains licorice, dandelion
to strengthen the liver which is often weak with the pancreas, safflowers and
horseradish to improve digestion.
With diabetes the blood sugar is too high, and often diabetics must take
insulin. Golden seal has been shown to help lower the blood sugar. Tests show
that adults suffering from diabetes were able to lower the amount of insulin
needed or even stop taking insulin by taking golden seal. P-14 contains golden
seal, juniper berries, uva ursi, huckleberry, mullein, yarrow, garlic, slippery
elm, capsicum, dandelion, marshmallow, nettle, white oak and licorice to
strengthen the pancreas in the case of diabetes. Target P-14 contains all the
herbs of P-14 in addition to chromium and zinc chelated to amino acids, taking
them directly to the pancreas where they aid in insulin production. PBS is made
for diabetics. It contains cedar berries to help the pancreas produce insulin,
golden seal to lower blood sugar, burdock for the liver, Siberian ginseng-an
overall tonic, and horseradish to aid digestion. Chromium has been proven in
scientific studies to prevent conditions of both hypoglycemia and diabetes. It
balances the blood sugar bringing high sugar levels down and low levels up.
Adrenals
The adrenal glands are located on the top of each kidney. The adrenals produce
about 50 hormones. They produce the hormones adrenaline, epinephrine and
norepinephrine, which are responsible for our fight or flight response. They
also produce hormones which allow our muscles to grow and our carbohydrates and
electrolytes to be metabolized. The adrenals produce hormones, androgens, which
stimulate the sex glands. When our adrenals are working properly the body easily
fights disease and stress. Also the circulation is good, bringing needed
nutrients to all the cells of the body.
On the other hand, when the adrenals are low in function, the body becomes
stressed and fatigued. The person also has poor circulation. Extremely weak
adrenals can cause Addison's disease, in which symptoms are darkened skin,
dizziness, fatigue and low weight. To help weakened adrenals it is good to take
adaptogenic herbs. These herbs help the body fight stress and fatigue. Licorice
root is an adaptogenic which increases energy and balances blood sugar levels.
It strengthens the adrenals and can be used as an anti-inflammatory in place of
steriods (adrenal hormones). Gotu kola is another adaptogen which can help
weakened adrenals. Gotu kola not only helps the body overcome stress, but also
increases circulation, especially to the brain. Studies show that vitamin C and
B-complex vitamins help to boost the immune system, and therefore aid weak
adrenals.
Reproductive
The reproductive organs are the testes in the males and the ovaries in the
females. These organs create our maturity and sexuality.
Both males and females produce the same reproductive hormones, it is the
amounts which make the difference. Males produce more testosterone and
androsterone, while females produce mostly estrogen and progesterone. In women,
ovaries release hormones in cycles which control the menstrual period and can
provide the proper environment for the production of a child. In men, the testes
are responsible for the production of sperm and sex drive. These hormones are
not cyclic, but are regulated by the pituitary and the hypothalamus.
Several problems occur when the amount and type of hormones produced get out
of balance. A woman who doesn't have enough of the female hormones gets a deeper
voice, sturdier build, aggressive personality and a mustache. Black cohosh has
an estrogenic effect and can help women with this condition. Dong quai balances
estrogen. It increases the use of available estrogen but shuts off estrogen
production when it is excessive. FC with Dong quai contains red raspberry, dong
quai, ginger, licorice, black cohosh, blessed thistle, queen of the meadow and
marshmallow. FC with Dong quai helps PMS, menstrual irregularity and menopause.
It is very nutritive and helps strengthen the ovaries. It can be used long term.
FCS-II is also for women suffering with PMS, menstrual irregularity and
menopause. It strengthens the ovaries and helps to balance hormonal problems.
FCS-II is more medicinal than FC with Dong quai and should be used short term.
It contains golden seal, red raspberry, black cohosh, queen of the meadow,
althea, blessed thistle, dong quai, capsicum and ginger.
When men don't have enough of the male hormones they get weaker muscles, a
rounder bodies and they develop breasts. Siberian ginseng provides steroidal
precursors and assists in the production of testosterone. Bee pollen contains
many nutrients essential to the body and it is known to increase energy. It
contains a gonadotropic hormone which strengthens male sex glands and may
increase the production of testosterone.
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