Herbal teas for PCOS with proved benefits, an easy way to manage and heal PCOS effectively !

Herbal teas and Drinks for PCOS

Hi everyone, I have discussed about 10 herbal drinks for PCOS earlier in my Youtube video. I thought i would just review and add some more. 

You would have heard again and again from various sources that if you have PCOS, you should not consume processed sugar, limit caffeinated drinks (like coffee, tea), avoid dairy products, alcohol and soft drinks. So what can we consume instead of this? what is the alternative?

After I accepted my PCOS and made a decision to fight PCOS. I researched and learned a lot about PCOS from books, blogs and most importantly from research papers. My background in Biology and computational biology research really helped me with my understanding of PCOS. The first dietary change I wanted to make was stop using processed sugar. I decided to quit drinking coffee and tea. I was so much addicted to coffee and tea, that if I don't have coffee/tea in the particular time I will start getting headache. I decided to quit coffee not because of the caffeine but for the sugar and milk I consumed along with it. In a day I would drink atleast 2-3 cups of coffee or tea. So, coming out was not that easy. 

I studied about how some herbs which have proved to be beneficial for PCOS in research papers. One by one I started using these herbal teas in the place of my normal coffee or tea. I substituted sugar for honey or palm sugar. Here are some of the herbal teas for PCOS with proved benefits.

1. Chamomile Tea:

Chamomile tea helps with anxiety, depression and reducing testosterone levels in PCOS women. It also has anti-inflammatory effects. This amazing herbal tea helps to calm your nerves and even helps with controlling cholesterol.

Whenever you buy chamomile, buy the flowers, don't buy in combination with green tea or other herbs. I have used other products also in combination, it had absolutely no calming effect nor chamomile taste. One of the products not to buy is Organic India.

I used to buy true elements which was very good but it is not available anymore. Tea treasure chamomile is so good 👍. I got it from Amazon i have given the link below.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) Tea

• ACV helps to reduce weight and control blood sugar.
• Most women with PCOS have ovulation problems. In one research paper, researchers have found that ACV helps in restoring ovulation i.e. egg release. But results were seen in women who had high carbohydrate diet.
• One drawback of consuming ACV is that it should not be consumed too much - because ACV is not good for dental health it causes tooth enamel erosion. It is always advisable to have ACV with a straw. 

To make ACV tea

1. Boil some water
2. Pour it in a cup
3. Add 1 tsp ACV, lemon juice, 
4. Sprinkle cinnamon, add honey(optional) and drink.

3. Turmeric Tea 

Turmeric tea has lot of health benefits for women with pcos. Turmeric is a natural supplement. It is anti inflammatory, has anti-oxidant properties, fights depression, lowers cardiovascular diseases and helps in weight loss. Turmeric is loaded with antioxidants. I make my Turmeric tea from raw turmeric root. The flavour and the taste is so good compared to using powdered turmeric. Only major difference between raw turmeric and powdered turmeric is bioavailability. Nutrients are easily absorbed (main component is curcumin) and used by body while using raw turmeric.

How to make Turmeric tea:

Add a cup of water to a vessel, add little peeled and grated turmeric not more than 1/4 tsp. If adding powdered turmeric, add a pinch 1/8 tsp. Bring the water to boil. Pour it in a cup and squeeze some lemon, add a pinch of black pepper powder. Stir well and drink.🍵

Note:

1) black pepper powder helps in the absorption of curcumin from turmeric. Just 1% of pepper is enough.

2) you don't need any sweeteners while using raw turmeric, it tastes good. If your using powdered turmeric you can add some honey, if needed.

.

4. Cinnamon Tea

It controls blood sugar, improves menstrual cycles.

There are two types of cinnamon : Ceylon cinnamon and Cassia cinnamon.

Cassia cinnamon is commonly used. It will be thick and dark brown.The smell will be strong because it contains 95% cinnamaldehyde compound.

Ceylon cinnamon will be thin and light brown.The smell will be little less as it contains between 50-63% cinnamaldehyde compound.

Both these cinnamons have the property to control blood sugar but if you take the Cassia cinnamon too much, it will become toxic which is not safe to consume.

But Ceylon cinnamon is safe. This cinnamaldehyde compound helps in controlling the progesterone level and reduces the testosterone level.

It is very helpful for women with heavy menstrual bleeding (Menorrhagia) because it helps to control the bleeding.

To make cinnamon tea:

1. add ½ or ¼ tsp cinnamon to hot water
2. Squeeze some lemon juice (optional)
3. Add honey and consume.

5. Spearmint Tea

Spearmint helps in hirsutism, blocking unwanted hair growth in face, below chin and other parts of the body. It has anti-androgenic properties.

It reduces testosterone which helps in reducing hirsutism.

In a particular research, it is said that women who consumed Spearmint 2 times a day for 30 days had improved LH, FSH levels and reduced unwanted hair growth.

But, this is effective in the case of mild hirsutism.

If you do not have Spearmint tea bag, you can use fresh mint leaves.

To make Spearmint tea, 

1. add 1 tsp Spearmint leaves in hot water and 
2. let it soak for 3-4 minutes.
3. Then, strain the water in a glass, add honey and consume.

6. Moringa Tea

Moringa for PCOS. Moringa leaf extract has been shown to reduce blood insulin levels, decreases androgens and improves folliculogenesis in women with PCOS. This is one of my favorite herbal teas. I use moringa for teas and smoothies.

Drinking Moringa tea in the morning helps in weight loss - It helps to give you a flat tummy. Research suggest that if you consume moringa with metformin, it helps with fertility.

Moringa is a superfood, it has lot of health benefits. Drinking moringa tea is like taking a multivitamin. Watch my video for more information about the benefits of Moringa. You can get moringa powder from online, shops or you can even prepare the powder at home.

Check out how to make prepare moringa powder at home for tea and smoothies:

https://youtu.be/L2bqWEMenpk (in English)

https://youtu.be/J0E4OfwYgr8 (in Tamil)

I have made a video on how to make Moringa tea :  https://youtu.be/JsnLPD6yRIg

To buy moringa powder online : 

7. Green Tea

• Rich in antioxidant properties.
• It aids in weight loss.
• It is a mood booster.

Green tea has little caffeine content. Green tea will not go well with empty stomach for some people. There are chances for getting digestive problems with Green tea. So, do not drink too much Green tea.

Making of Green tea 

1. Add 1 tsp Green tea leaves in hot water and let it soak for 3 minutes.
2. Then, strain the water in a glass, add honey and consume

8. Non-diary Chocolate Milk

Raw cocoa helps in increasing serotonin and helps in weight loss.

It reduces stress and increases insulin sensitivity.

To make Chocolate milk, 

1. add 1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder in 1 glass of almond milk 
2. Add honey and consume.
3. You can refrigerate and consume it as cold chocolate milk

It is very tasty, very delicious and also healthy for PCOS.

9. Tulasi Tea

• Lowers blood sugar levels
• Boost immune system function
• Lowers fever
• Cures headache
• Reduces stress
• Increases energy and stamina

10. Nettle Leaf Tea

• Nettle leaf tea reduces stress and tension
• Good for fertility - Nettle helps tone and nourish the uterus, It also strengthens the adrenal glands and kidneys
• Nettle tea is used to treat allergies
• Used for anti-inflammatory properties
• Used to promote hair growth
• Many minerals present in this herb can be consumed long-term to benefit bone, skin and nail health, anemia and those with maldigestion

11. Lemon Tea

Start your day with lemon water and honey🍸. I have been following this for a very very long time.  Somedays I have apple cider vinegar along with lemon and honey🍋🍯. It had really helped me maintain my weight with PCOS. Even with days of not exercising it has helped manage my weight.

I have been enjoying the health benefits of lemon water and honey for a very long time. little did I know, what it was doing to my teeth 🦷. Once I had a appointment with my dentist for a tooth filling he took my impression and studied it and ask me if I have bruxism 😬( grinding of teeth at night). Later figured out that it was due to drinking lemon water and apple cider vinegar. Thankfully I came to know before doing much damage to my teeth. I then  learnt how to enjoy the benefits of Lemon water without damaging  tooth enamel.😀😁🍸🍋🍯.

It is always advisable to have lemon tea with a straw. 

12. Licorice Tea: 

Licorice health benefits are similar to Spearmint tea but more effective.

It helps improve hirsutism and it is very good for fertility.

To make this  Licorice tea:

• add ½ tsp licorice powder,
• ¼ tsp cinnamon powder,
• ¼ tsp turmeric powder,
• ¼ tsp powdered ginger powder in little hot water
• Add this in almond milk or coconut milk
• Add little dry chilli powder if needed (optional)
• Add honey and consume.

This tea is very effective for fertility because it contains cinnamon, turmeric and ginger apart from licorice. If you are trying to conceive, you can consume this effective licorice tea.

Bottom line: 

All the herbal teas and drinks which I have explained are very effective for curing PCOS. These herbs are tested though research, they have proved benefits, feel free to read the research articles given below.

Enjoy herbal tea as per your mood, menstrual cycle and symptoms. Enjoy different teas throughout the day. I start my day with lemon, honey and cinnamon, I add either Apple cider vinegar, Moringa or Ginger to it, later,  I drink Spearmint tea or Turmeric tea. In the evening, Green tea, Spearmint tea or Turmeric tea. At night, I drink Chamomile tea sometime before going to bed. It helps very much in controlling depression and stress. Find out which teas you like. 

Herbal teas are better than taking numerous costly PCOS supplements. These natural herbal supplements help you manage your PCOS symptoms effectively. Cinnamon, Ginger, Apple cider vinegar and Moringa teas are helpful in weight loss and managing blood sugar levels. Spearmint tea and Licorice tea will be effective for hirsutism. Chamomile tea, green tea and Chocolate milk are helpful for depression. Turmeric tea, Moringa tea and Licorice tea will be helpful for fertility / conception.

More about herbal teas for PCOS. 

Check out this video 

To read more about the effects of these herbs for PCOS, feel free to read these articles

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0015028206045559

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/193229681000400324

https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/tjem/230/1/230_17/_article

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2305050016000154

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5570407/

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/293654181_Effect_of_moringa_oleifera_with_and_without_metformin_on_an_experimental_model_of_metabolic_syndrome_in_rats

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30369967

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ptr.2900

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ptr.2074

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5788221/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3719301/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5961291/

To join the Facebook PCOS support group click here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2071552952970929/

For regular updates follow me on:

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/pcos.goodlifehub/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Goodlifehub123

To buy the raw ingredients for the PCOS teas / drink online:

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How to balance your hormones through what you eat ? Cycle sync

How to eat according to your menstrual cycle to balance your hormones ? Hormones keep changing throughout the month and your body requires specific nutrients for every stage of the menstrual cycle. Eating in this way will be beneficial to those who are trying to conceive, ladies who have PCOS/PCOD, PMS symptoms and other periods problems. you need to drink atleast 2 litres of water everyday.

1st phase Menstrual phase (1st week) :

In this stage both estrogen and progesterone is low. Because of bleeding iron is depleted in the body so the food you intake during this phase should be rich in iron, and foods that help to absorb iron like Vitamin C rich fruits and vegetables and anti-inflammatory spices like ginger, turmeric and cinnamon to reduce periods cramps.

2nd phase Follicular phase (2nd week) :

The food you take during this week should provide all the nutrients needed for the follicle to grow and mature it should be rich in Folic acid, Vit B 12 &  Vit E. Sweet potatos and greens are rich in Vit E. Estrogen keeps rising in the body we should also take foods that helps to metabolize this like sprouts and fermented foods. You also need omega 3 , take fish oil supplements have walnuts, badam and peanuts.

3nd phase Ovulation phase (3nd week) :

This is the shortest phase, eat lots of cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower and broccoli this is rich in glutathione an antioxidant and it helps to detoxify and flush out estrogen.

4th phase Luteal phase 

In this phase, estrogen decreases and progesterone increases. Eat foods that are rich in  Zn , Mg and Vit b6, these are precursors for progesterone production. Eat pineapple if your trying to conceive as this has bromelain that helps in implantation. As estrogen decreses in the body it also decresed seratonin a mood hormone so have dark chocolate/unsweetened cocoa powder.

To know more about hormone balance though food watch: 

Click here to download the shopping list printable for all the 4 phases .

Stay tuned for recipes and menu planning according to cycle sync.

Click here to Subscribe to my channel :
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsL6hsioTxVAw67pv4Oekdw?sub_confirmation=1 and click  the bell icon so that you get all notification  regarding updates, recipes and menu planning

To know about seed cycling check this:https://youtu.be/iNT3jG6B6ak 

GoodLifeHub #goodlifehub #foodmedicine #hormonecure #tamil #homeremedies #PCOSremedy #hormonalimbalance #periodsproblems #PMSsymptoms #periodspain #PCOScure #hormonalimbalance #estrogen #progestrone  #balance #PCOS #PCOD #thyroid #PMS #naturalcure #conceivenaturally #menstrualcycle #naturalcure #seedcycling #cyclesync #ovulationinduction #natural #foodremedies #foodcure #implantation #periodstracking #periods #naturalremedy #naturopathy #eggimplantation #medicine #herbalcure #herbal #fruits #vegetables#PCOSdiet #irregularperiod

My PCOS journey and the lessons learn't !

My story began in 2010, when i was diagnosed with PCOD after 2 months of menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding). The doctor said i had cysts after seeing my ultrasound scan and gave a tablet of metformin for a month and sent me home. she dint say anything else, she dint give me any caution, dint tell me that this could last my lifetime. 


I had absolutely no clue what this was, dint search the internet to find answers as i was too busy with my love life, all i knew was that my hormones are out of control. I dint bother about this much, as i had no awareness about PCOD/PCOS at that time. My parents thought it can be treated with few medications and dint care much as, i am always used to having problems and pain during my periods ever since my menarche. I wish someone had then advised me and told me what this was about and how serious i should have taken it. I used to think about PCOD only when my periods wouldn't stop for months and i had to go to doctor to take injections and medications to stop the bleeding and then i would forget about it and go back to my life until the next period.


I got married in 2012, to the love of my life after lots of struggle and painful memories. I also started my PhD research work the same year. Death, financial problems, treason, property loss, depression and family problems, joblessness, lack of PhD stripend came one after another. My PCOS symptoms had peaked my periods was unpredictable, my hairfall wouldn't stop i was scared to even comb my hair. I was extremely frustrated with life and felt life was not fair and at some point even want to take away my life.The most frustrated part was not having a child- at the beginning of marriage i felt it was a blessing not having child  as my husband and i couldn't support ourselves. but then later it was too depressing to see several pregnancy strips with just a single line. I always got my periods so i thought it wouldn't be a problem to get pregnant. what i dint know that time was that having periods does not mean that you ovulate. 

Metformin side effects

Every time i went to my gynaecologist she would give me metformin and some other supplements and advice me not to have chicken. I hated to take metformin as i wondered why the hell i should take diabetes medicine when i don't have diabetes. But still i took. After a month of continuous usage i got severe migraine headache i went to my doctor she gave me several blood tests but could n't find the reason for my headache. She even ordered a CT and a CT contrast. I landed up with ulcer, stomach cramps and vomiting because of the medications. I dint know what to do, i was helpless i stopped all medications and metformin and my headache gradually decreased. I dont know why my doctor even failed to recognize that my migraine was a result of metformin and not any other cause. Every gynecologist i have visited have prescribed metformin for me, when i complain they would change the brand name and give me the same medication and i would land up with some side effect or another. 

Treatments i underwent..

I couldn't take much time to care for PCOD or baby as PhD kept me occupied. At the end of 2015 i finished my PhD and submitted my thesis. We also shifted our house near a teaching and research hospital. Were i started to go for treatment i took all blood test, did X ray to check for blockage and then did follicular studies, and found i was not ovulating. I was given clomiphene/clomid to induce ovulation but still it was of no use. Had severe PMS symptoms and vomiting. Every time the dosage of clomid was increased. It was months of waiting for hours in the waiting room, embarrassing moments in scan room, several pricks and clomid side affects. I almost had 6 months of clomid cycle & then i discontinued treatment because i got a post doctoral position in a reputed university in the city.


I started post doctoral position in 2016, work was far away from home and it took 3-4 hours of travel each day and work was too stressful. My periods became more erratic i started getting periods after every 2 months and the duration was for almost a month. Mid 2017 i started feeling very very tierd, having chest pains, headache and i was craving very badly for chalk, slate pencils and paints. One day when i was about to cross the road i felt very dizzy and took a cab back home from work. I took a master check up. My Hemoglobin(Hb) was only 5 and i had to undergo blood transfusion followed by iron injections to increase my blood Hb. This was due to menorrhagia coz of PCOD. The doctors warned me i need to take step to manage my PCOD.


i started treatment again in the university hospital. I was given FSH injections to induce ovulation when it dint work the dosage was increased i felt like a guinea pig/ experimental mice in the lab once again, it was too frustrating. I was then asked to do ovarian drilling, laproscopic surgery as drugs and injections dint work. 


I went to another doctor for a second consultation, she told me i had resistant PCOS and talked to me about what treatments she intended to do which included several months of follicular scans,  FSH injection and IUI. And then she went on to talk about IVF - all that i could see was a business women and not a doctor there. The first step of IUI or IVF is ovulation induction which would solve my ovulation problem i dont know why i should go for IUI/IVF. I feel pity for all the ladies who blindly fall prey for these business doctors and infertility clinics who convinces patients for IUI and IVF when there is no need for it. I woke up and decided to be my own advocate.


After being fed up of all the Allopathy treatment i want to try homeopathy/ayurvedha as they say it has no side affects but then again i was wrong.  In Ayurvedha Kottakal they gave some tonics for balancing my hormones after taking it i was constantly vomitting and then i could n eat at all. Went back they again gave some tonics which dint suit me.. I then gave up 

PCOS Depression ..

I quit my job in end of 2017 due to extreme job pressure and stress. i started suffering from severe depression. i realized PCOS has taken over my life completely, i had no control over my weight gain, periods problem, hirutism, hyperpigmentation. It affected my life completely i couldn have a child nor have a career or a normal life. I was suffering badly with depression i would keep crying for hours at times get agitated and throw everything i was completely moody all the time and then a friend introduced me to law of attraction and guided meditation. That along with little help from husband helped me to come out of my depression.

My steps towards healing ...

 A huge step i took towards curing myself was talking about my PCOD problems and making my husband understand about it. I made him read about PCOD he has been completely supporting ever since. 


I took a project to heal myself the best research i have done so far. I started reading lots of research papers trying to understand PCOD my background in biology and my experience in research made it easy for me. 


I started understanding the actual facts and the myths. I started searching for natural methods to balance the hormones and tried lots of things and finally found seed cycling which helped me with menorrhagia, i found significant change right from the first month i practiced it. 


I tried to reduce my weight, went to gym for 3 months and worked on cardio but my weight din't reduce even a bit. I learnt and made significant changes in my diet and started taking supplement to manage PCOS naturally. which help me to shed some kgs. I totally stopped taking coffee, tea, sugars , desserts and i am happy i made a choice to quit. 


From what i was, i made a good progress, i accepted the truth that this is what it is and i have to fight this PCOS. I changed my attitude from " what did i do to deserve this? , this PCOS is ruining me, my life is finished ! , Why should i follow diabetes medications and diet?? , if i quit all these i have nothing to eat i will starve......" 

to

 "i need to fight this, i should be healthy to be happy, i am eating healthy foods, i have lots of healthy options, i have new recipes and foods to try ....."


I forgave myself as it was not my fault or anyone's that i have PCOS... I have learnt to live with it.. made the changes a part of my daily routine and found a way to be happy again..


Today i want to help women like me with PCOS. Share the knowledge that i have, spread PCOS awareness , talk about recent research developments, help them with diet , supplements and other things that worked for me. Help PCOS women overcome depression and fight PCOS. 


On that objective i have started Goodlifehub,

https://www.youtube.com/c/goodlifehub  



If i have had the awareness, help and knowledge of how to manage PCOS years before i wouldn't have lost so much happiness and i could have tackled PCOS easily. I dont want another cyster to suffer in silence without knowledge about PCOS like me.

Some pointers for women with PCOS 

• Learn about PCOS, know about it. 
• Understand your body. 
• Be your own advocate 
• Getting emotional support is very important to cure PCOS depression and manage PCOS . Talk to your spouse or parents and get help
• Make changes to your diet
• Reduce weight and maintain a healthy weight through diet, supplement and exercise
• Before going for infertility treatment, reduce all your PCOS symptoms and balance your hormones so that the medications work.
• Get rid of chemicals and toxins, be aware of xenoestrogens
• Reduce stress
• Sleep well for atleast 8 hrs so that your hormones can do its job.

#PCODstory #PCODjourney #PCOS #PCODdepression #goodlifehub #GoodLifeHub #metformin #menorrhagia #PCODcure #PCODawareness