HPO & Estogen- HPO & Estogen- like Compounds like Compounds
Jan 02, 2016
HPO & HPO & Estogen-like Estogen-like
CompoundsCompounds
HPO & HPO & Estogen-like Estogen-like
CompoundsCompounds
Hormone Review
Hypothalamus ==> GnRHAnterior Pituitary ==> FSH, LHOvary ==> Estradiol, Progesterone
Is that it?
Vitex agnus-castus
Hormones and the Menstrual Cycle
Types of estrogens & their receptors:
Estrone
Estradiol
Estriol
-Estrogen receptors
-Estrogen receptors
LH - Stimulates the granulosa cells of the ovary to produce estradiol. Ovulation Tester kit measures LH in the urine. When levels spike, ovulation will occur, and fertilization is a possibility within the next 24-48 hours.
FSH - Stimulates the follicle to become a corpus luteum and begin producing progesterone. When FSH spikes, the ovum is released from the follicle.
Functions of LH & FSH
Estradiol acts as a growth hormone for all tissues of the female reproductive tract, as well as bone, blood vessels, liver, and brain. Estradiol binds to both ER and ER receptors. During pregnancy, estradiol increases due to placental production.
Progesterone causes thickening of the endometrium to prepare for implantation and thickening of the cervical mucus to block the cervical os. It also stimulates other tissues with progesterone receptors including breast, intestines, brain, gall bladder, and oral mucosa. Progesterone is also produced by the adrenal glands and the placenta during pregnancy.
Functions of Estradiol & Progesterone
Herbs Used to affect Estrogen & Progesterone
Vitex: increases progesterone (LH agonist) and decreases estradiol (FSH antagonist) *Application: Restores balance in cases of low progesterone (cause of majority of PMS, miscarriage, dysmenorrhea, metorrhagia, and hormonal acne)
Phytoestrogens: Medicago sativa (formononetin), Trifolium pratense (formononetin), Glycyrrhiza glabra (saponins & phyto sterols), Actea racemosa (formononetin & triterpenoid glycosides)
Phytoprogesterones: Trigonella foenum-graecum (diosgenin), Dioscorea villosa (diosgenin), Chamaelerium luteum (diosgenin)
GOOD - given to adolescent females
GOOD - given to postmenopausal women
GOOD - given to premenopausal women with family history of BRCA
NOT GOOD - given to women taking tamoxifen
Understand how phytoestrogens work, and this should make sense.
Estrogen-related Tumors & Phytoestrogens
Trifolium pratense vs. Medicago sativa
Trifolium vs. Medicago
BOTH are in the Fabaceae family and fix nitrogen
BOTH are found in open fields and disturbed soils
BOTH contain formononetin & biochanin A• which convert to diadzein (equol) and genestein in the body, respectively
BOTH are very nutritive and alterative• very high in minerals, protein, and vitamins
BOTH contain saponins, coumarins, and flavonoids
Hemoglobin vs. Chlorophyll
Canavanine Sandwich?
(Trigonella foenum-graecum)
Family: Fabaceae
Part used: seeds
No known toxicity
“Urine and sweat will smell like maple syrup”
Contains Diosgenin
(Trigonella foenum-graecum)
THIS HERB WILL BE REVISITED WHEN YOU STUDY DIABETES!!!
Dioscorea villosa
Dioscorea villosa
Family: Dioscoreaceae
Part used: root
No known toxicity
Beware of widespread misuse of the common name “Mexican Wild Yam”
X X X
Dioscorea villosa
Family: Dioscoreaceae
Part used: root
No known toxicity
Beware of widespread misuse of the common name “Mexican Wild Yam”
X X X
Dioscorea villosa
Active constituents:High amounts of Diosgenin (steroidal saponin)• Hormone precursor used in the production of most all steroid ‘natural’ hormones, especially progesterone• Increases estradiol binding• Relaxes gall bladder and digestive smooth muscle
Russell Earl Marker
Also contains starch and tannins
Dioscorea villosa
Actions:Antioxidant, inflammation modulating, estrogenic, antispasmodic, cholagogue, increases body secretions
Dosing:Crude: 2-4g encapsulated, or by decoction, TIDFE: (1:1) @ 45%, 2-4 ml TIDTincture: (1:5) @45%, 2-10 ml TID
Safety: Non toxic, however contraindicated in estrogen-sensitive conditions.
Actaea racemosa
Actaea racemosa
Family: Ranunculaceae
Part used: root
No known toxicityOverdosing will produce severe frontal headache.
Menopause. 2008 Jul-Aug;15(4 Pt 1):628-38. United States Pharmacopeia review of the 30 black cohosh case reports of hepatotoxicity.
Chamaelirium luteum
False Unicorn Root
Family: Liliaceae
Part Used: Root
Endangered
Chamaelirium luteum
Uterine tonicRegulates mensesResolves ovarian cysts
Steroidal saponins• Sapogenin• Diosgenin
(Asparagus racemosus)
Ayurvedic: Shatavari
Great alternative to Chamaelirium
X
Case 1
48 year old female with perimenopausal symptoms. She is experiencing hot flashes and night sweats. She is very anxious and has a bad relationship with her husband, but feels too weak and vulnerable to stand up for herself. She has palpitations, especially when stressed. She is emotional and weepy in the office, explaining that she feels like she is ‘losing her mind’. She is still cycling, mostly regular, but lighter and occasionally skips a cycle.
Case 1List her symptoms and match them to specific herbs…
Hot flashes:
Night sweats:
Anxiety and depression:
Heart palpitations:
Stress:
Metorrhagia:
Case 1List her symptoms and match them to specific herbs…
Hot flashes: Actea racemosa, phytoestrogens
Night sweats:
Anxiety and depression:
Heart palpitations:
Stress:
Metorrhagia:
Case 1List her symptoms and match them to specific herbs…
Hot flashes: Actea racemosa, phytoestrogens
Night sweats: Actea racemosa, sedatives
Anxiety and depression:
Heart palpitations:
Stress:
Metorrhagia:
Case 1List her symptoms and match them to specific herbs…
Hot flashes: Actea racemosa, phytoestrogens
Night sweats: Actea racemosa, sedatives
Anxiety and depression: Withania somnifera, Hypericum perforatum, Melissa officinalisHeart palpitations:
Stress:
Metorrhagia:
Case 1List her symptoms and match them to specific herbs…
Hot flashes: Actea racemosa, phytoestrogens
Night sweats: Actea racemosa, sedatives
Anxiety and depression: Withania somnifera, Hypericum perforatum, Melissa officinalisHeart palpitations: Leonurus cardiaca, Medicago sativa, Avena sativaStress:
Metorrhagia:
Case 1List her symptoms and match them to specific herbs…
Hot flashes: Actea racemosa, phytoestrogens
Night sweats: Actea racemosa, sedatives
Anxiety and depression: Withania somnifera, Hypericum perforatum, Melissa officinalisHeart palpitations: Leonurus cardiaca, Medicago sativa, Avena sativaStress: Glycyrrhiza glabra, Asparagus racemosus
Metorrhagia:
Case 1List her symptoms and match them to specific herbs…
Hot flashes: Actea racemosa, phytoestrogens
Night sweats: Actea racemosa, sedatives
Anxiety and depression: Withania somnifera, Hypericum perforatum, Melissa officinalisHeart palpitations: Leonurus cardiaca, Medicago sativa, Avena sativaStress: Glycyrrhiza glabra, Asparagus racemosus
Metorrhagia: Vitex agnus-castus, Dioscorea villosa, phytoestrogens
Case 1
Her Formula
Vitex agnus-castus 30 ml 25%Actaea racemosa 20 ml 17.5%Medicago sativa 20 ml 17.5%Leonurus cardiaca 10 ml 8%Dioscorea villosa 10 ml 8%Withania somnifera 10 ml 8%Glycyrrhiza glabra 10 ml 8%Panax quinquefolium 10 ml 8%
Total 120 ml
Sig. 3ml TID. Take 2ml Valeriana officinalis & Stachys betonica before bed.