The Sunlight Experiment

Herbal Actions

Hormone Modulator

Helps balance and regulate hormones

Helps balance and regulate the endocrine system rather than simply pushing it one way. Filter to herbs acting on a specific pathway — oestrogen, androgens, prolactin or thyroid; hormonally active herbs warrant care in pregnancy and hormone-sensitive conditions.

How it works

Hormone Modulator is not one mechanism but several overlapping ones. Each of these is its own herbal action — follow a link for the herbs strongest in that mechanism.

Estrogenic Supports or mimics estrogen activity, often via phytoestrogens. Androgenic Supports or mimics male sex-hormone (androgen) activity. Antiandrogenic Opposes or lowers androgen (male hormone) activity. Aromatase Inhibitor Slows the conversion of testosterone into estrogen via the aromatase enzyme. 5α-Reductase Inhibitor Blocks conversion of testosterone to DHT — relevant to prostate health and hair loss. Prolactin Inhibitor Lowers prolactin levels, often through a dopaminergic mechanism. Thyroid Modulator Supports or helps balance thyroid hormone activity. Spermatogenic Supports sperm production, count and quality. Antispermatogenic Reduces sperm production — relevant to fertility regulation. Antifertility Reduces fertility — the basis of traditional contraceptive use; the female counterpart to antispermatogenic. Antiprostatic Supports prostate health and eases benign prostatic enlargement.

Herbs with a hormone modulator action (14)

Key herbs

Herbs for which hormone modulator is a headline action.

Chaste Tree

Vitex agnus-castus

GalactagogueFemale TonicProlactin InhibitorUterine Tonic

Hops

Humulus lupulus

SedativeAntispasmodicAstringentBitter

Saw Palmetto

Serenoa repens

Anti-inflammatoryAntiprostaticAntispasmodicAntiandrogenic
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Abuta

Cissampelos pareira

AnalgesicAnti-AbortiveAntifertilityAntibacterial

Albizzia

Albizzia lebbeck

AntiallergicAntihistamineHypolipidemicAnti-inflammatory

Ashwagandha

Withania somnifera

AdaptogenSedativeTonicAnti-inflammatory

Chaste Tree

Vitex agnus-castus

GalactagogueFemale TonicProlactin InhibitorUterine Tonic

Damiana

Turnera diffusa

AphrodisiacAntimicrobialAntifungalAnticancer

Fennel

Foeniculum vulgare

CarminativeAppetite SuppressantAntispasmodicGalactagogue

Hops

Humulus lupulus

SedativeAntispasmodicAstringentBitter

Peony

Paeonia lactiflora

AntiandrogenicAnti-inflammatoryAntispasmodicDopaminergic

Saw Palmetto

Serenoa repens

Anti-inflammatoryAntiprostaticAntispasmodicAntiandrogenic

Stinging Nettle

Urtica dioica

AlterativeAnti-inflammatoryAntilithicAntimicrobial