Phytotherapy — the key to hormonal balance?

'Phytotherapy — the use of medicinal plants to heal and restore balance — is an age-old tradition that is slowly gaining more interest in the United States. And in my opinion, it’s been a long time coming. Plants hold truly amazing healing properties and some of the most exciting research is being done around how plants can act to naturally balance hormones. As we learn more about the underlying mechanisms of phytotherapy, science has been able to increase its effectiveness, while maintaining the gentle side effect profile herbal remedies are known for.

When you look at the numbers, it’s clear that the majority of the world’s population today relies on botanical medicine and a plant-based diet for survival. But in this country there continues to be so much fear around efficacy, safety and regulation. I know my patients need and deserve more information on this subject. So let’s take a closer look at phytotherapy and how it can gently and effectively restore health and hormonal balance.'

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Conventional HRT doubles heart disease risk in two years
by What Doctors Don't Tell You -

'Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) dramatically increases the risk of heart disease within two years of a woman starting the drug, new research has confirmed.

Combined HRT – which includes both estrogen and progestin – doubles the risk of heart disease, the major Women’s Health Initiative has concluded. The risk remains the same for all women of any age, provided they started HRT therapy within 10 years after menopause.

Overall, combination HRT doubles the risk for stroke and dangerous blood clots, and women are being urged to discuss these very real dangers with their doctors before beginning treatment, say researchers from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.

Earlier studies have confirmed that combined HRT also increases the risk for breast cancer.'

(Source: Annals of Internal Medicine, 2010; 152: 211-7).

From healthy.net