Natural Remedies for an Irregular cycle
With Nikki Hill
Nikki has been balancing women’s hormones, using natural remedies, for over twelve years. Professional, warm and extremely knowledgeable, she has expert knowledge in nutrition, herbal medicine and naturopathic medicine.
She has a wonderful reputation built over years of clinical experience. Her trusted advice and herbal remedies have supported friends, clients and me to have a more balanced cycle.
I went to see her to ask her advice on what she would recommend for someone with an irregular cycle. Our conversation is shared below.
What made you focus on women’s hormones?
It was my hormonal issues that brought me to natural medicine. I had my first period age 14, I then moved to Hong Kong with my family, and my period didn’t return. A year later, it was acne, rather than the absence of my period, that drove me to visit the doctor.
I remember being handed the pill with no explanation. I took it and a month later I had a period. At the time, I didn’t realise that this wasn’t a true period – it was just a withdrawal bleed from the hormones in the pill. I don’t think many girls, still to this day, realise this. Anyway, within 3 months on the pill, my skin cleared and I was happy. However, over the next couple of years I started to gain weight and become really irritable and wanted to find a more natural solution.
It was my sister who introduced me to naturopathic medicine, and as soon as I heard about it, I remember thinking, that this is exactly what I want to do. While studying I was in a lecture on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and it hit me, that’s what I have. I went to the doctor for tests which confirmed it. Testosterone was the main hormone that was out of balance, it was far higher than it should have been.
Studying how to naturally treat PCOS, I came off the pill, made dietary changes and took herbal medicine. My period returned naturally within a few months and by nine months I had regular 30 day cycles and have been regular ever since. Years on the pill had led to weight gain and digestive issues including bloating. Once I sorted out my cycle, all my symptoms disappeared.
I don’t think people realise there is an alternative to period issues. With holistic therapies it is possible to treat the cause rather than mask the symptoms with the pill, HRT, antidepressants or painkillers.
I see a lot of women in their mid-thirties who are trying to conceive. A lot of them usually had period issues when they were younger, were prescribed the pill and have been on it for the last 10-15 years. Unfortunately a lot of the symptoms they were experiencing before they went on the pill have returned so I spend a lot of time trying to rebalance their hormones.
The pill seems like the perfect solution, but it is just masking everything.
What are the common things you might see in a client with an irregular cycle?
Usually clients have very stressful lives and might be struggling with anxiety. Their routine typically is all over the place, skipping meals is common and fuelling their day with endless cups of coffee or tea. Their time is taken up with other things so will reach for quick and easy meals. They are likely to be over doing it and skimping on sleep.
I also see some clients who are overly conscious about their health, and may inadvertently be eating a very low-calorie diet, or not eating sufficient protein or fats. These clients typically exercise a lot but don’t allow any restorative activity and will fit in lots of high energy workouts around a busy work diary.
Women tend to take on the majority of the emotional load, worrying about Auntie Mary’s birthday, picking up the kids, organising social events, running the house, while also running a business, working full time and mothering. It is a lot of stress for someone to hold.
In your opinion, what is normal in a cycle, is it normal to notice mood swings, pain, heavy bleeding?
You should notice a change in mood across your cycle, this is very normal. Your mood is influenced by hormones, oestrogen dominates the first half of the cycle and is motivating, this is an active, uplifting time, you will probably feel like you want to take on the world.
Around ovulation, you may feel more frisky and flirty! Your testosterone boosts a little and you can normally do more then, this would be the time to run a personal best, lift a heavier weight.
Progesterone, which dominates the second half of the cycle, is more inward focused, a creative time, you won’t want to go out as much. This is the time in the cycle to do my restorative exercises and book in for a reflexology appointment.
During your period, I encourage my clients to rest as much as possible – and give them permission to do no exercise except a gentle walk or something. It’s the ideal time to curl up on the sofa, light a candle and read a book.
If you’re experiencing period pain or heavy bleeding this isn’t normal, and both are worth investigating.
Are there any lifestyle changes you would recommend?
Learning to prioritise you and your heath. Give yourself permission to sit down and do nothing. Learn how to access a restful state.
Rituals are a huge part of the healing process, drawing yourself a warm, beautifully scented bath. Sitting down with a cup of tea. For me, tea solves everything!
Knowing who you are and what will make you take that time for yourself each day. For me that is tea and that’s why I developed my teas. It helps me to take time out during my day and sit for a few quiet moments.
Sleep is so important for good hormonal health, so if there are any issues there that would be something to focus on first.
How about dietary changes, what would you recommend for an irregular cycle?
You need to be eating good fats. Cholesterol is a pre-curser to all hormones produced in the body, including progesterone. So, it is important to include a wide variety of saturated and essential fatty acids in the diet and avoid polyunsaturated vegetable oils.
Good fats include, cold pressed oils (coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil), deep see fish, avocado, macadamia nuts, olives, coconut chunks, fresh organic butter and whole cream, ghee and tallow, coconut milk, coconut cream (look for ones without any guar gums or carrageenan)
Fats to reduce in the diet are hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated fats and oils such as margarine, vegetable shortenings, fat substitutes, low fat products, chocolate, heated vegetable oils, French fries, crisps.
Also reduce wherever possible, all highly processed vegetable oils (soy, corn, safflower, peanut, canola or cottonseed), commercial mayonnaise.
Blood sugar is also something to focus on, eating regular balanced meals with a quality protein, good fat and carbohydrate will really help with this. The reason blood sugar is so important is that if it is dipping regularly, this creates a stress response in the body and will cause cortisol to be released which inhibits progesterone production.
What teas, tinctures and herbs would you recommend for an irregular cycle?
Chaste Tree is amazing for irregular cycles and increasing progesterone. You can’t take this herb while on hormonal medications and stop when pregnant.
Female Harmony Tea - this is by far my most popular tea – partly because it’s such a wonderful hormone-balancing tea for all females – from adolescence to menopause; and because it looks pretty and tastes delicious and seems to have an instant calming effect.
This tea helps to relieve premenstrual tension and irritability and regulate your cycles. Useful if you suffer irregular cycles especially due to stress, PMS, trying for a baby or suffer menopausal irritability.
The key ingredients in this tea are;
Rose petals: Gorgeous smelling rose has a hormone balancing effect on the female reproductive system, regulating periods and lessening premenstrual and menopausal irritability.
Chamomile: A great herb for steadying the nerves, particularly for stress, anxiety and premenstrual tension. It helps to calm the chaos in the body and support the nervous system.
Lady’s mantle: Traditionally Lady’s mantle has been used for women’s complaints of all ages – from adolescence to menopause. It helps to regulate the menstrual cycle, decreases period pain and heavy menstrual bleeding.
Dandelion leaf: A natural diuretic to ease fluid retention associated with PMS
Lemon balm: Traditionally been used to soothe nervous and muscle tension, relieve anxiety and lift the mood.
Female Tonic Tea - a highly nutritive tea that aids in regulation of normal menstrual flow. It contains uterine tonics that have a normalising effect on the uterus and assist with normal uterine function. This tea also contains uterine astringent herbs that work to tighten the tissues of the womb and help lessen heavy menstrual bleeding while toning the uterine muscles and normalising blood flow.
The key ingredients in this tea are;
Yarrow: It promotes circulation, yet is extremely astringent, stopping excessive blood flow. Yarrow is drying and moistening; promotes sweating and detoxification but strengthens and tightens tissues. It stimulates the uterus to bring on menstruation yet curbs heavy menstrual flow; effectively aiding in regulation of menstrual flow. High in the bioflavonoid rutin.
Lady’s mantle: Traditionally Lady’s mantle has been used for women’s complaints of all ages –from adolescence to menopause. It helps to regulate the menstrual cycle, decreases period pain and heavy menstrual bleeding.
Stinging nettle: Nettle is both astringent and high in iron, vit. C and chlorophyll, all of which help iron-deficiency anaemia. It is considered an excellent nutritive herb for heavy menstrual bleeding.
Raspberry leaf: Works to tone the uterine muscles and normalise blood flow during menses. This is one of the best normalising herbs for the female reproductive organs. Raspberry leaf is astringent, contracting and shrinking internal and external body tissues. May help prevent haemorrhage or excessive bleeding. It also contains moderate levels of iron, vitamin C + A.
Rosehips: High in vitamin A, C and K – all important vitamins to help tighten tissues and aid iron absorption so perfect when combined with iron-rich herbs such as nettle and raspberry leaf.
How quickly would you expect people to notice results after taking your herbal teas and tinctures?
The majority of clients will see a change in the first month. With all herbs taken for hormones you should allow three months treatment before reassessing. Sometimes cycles can fluctuate before settling into a more regular pattern.
You can buy Nikki’s teas and tinctures in the treatment room or from her website. For more follow Nikki at…
If you would like some support with an irregular cycle, please get in touch and we can create a bespoke plan for you.
