Is there any natural herbals to replace estrogen & testosterone w/o side effects? Thanks.

herbs/ supplements with an oestrogen-like effect in the body:-
- red clover (GI problems, nausea= possible side effects but rare).
- black cohosh (GI problems, headaches, increases the chance of miscarriage, dizziness, weight gain, possibility of hastening spread of breast cancer if used by an individual with breast cancer). one to avoid i reckon. we rarely recommend this one because it seems to induce side effects more readily than other herbs with similar qualities.
- dong quai (very rare but possible side effects include diarreah, fever, increased photo-sensitivity).
- soya isoflavones. linked to this other foods also contain phytooestorgens besides soya, being: legumes, linseeds (others too no doubt but i can't remember them all!). (couldn't fidn any side effects relating to this, but there maybe some)

herbs/ supplements with a testosterone effect in the body:-
- royal jelly (mild GI problems, but never to be used by anyone with a sensitivity to bee products or by asthmatics, besides that side effects are very rare)
- tribulus terrestris (sp?) (side effects are very rare- only reported= mild GI problems. it works by stimulating the release of luitinising hormones which lead to the body producing more of its own sex hormones. in men this comes in the form of testosterone and in women in the form of oestrogen.
- muira puama (because of its stimulant action it can cause insomnia but avoided in too high a dose around bedtime there have been no other side effects reported)
- horny goat weed ( i love the name! :jester: ) (no reported side effects)
- ginseng (avoid if have high blood pressure, are prone to nervousness, avoid use near to bedtime if prone to insomnia, avoid if are hypoglyceamic).

apart from black cohosh, which i would avoid, side effects do exist but they are mostly very rare and can be avoided through correct use/ timing of use of herb.


was it for yourself, or someone else? why do you need them? it might help to narrow down the choice. general health? lifestyle? etc.


alex. :)

Maca has no side effects. It is an adaptogenic root vegetable containing many nutrients and amino acids. Capsules or powder form. (Powder doesn't taste very good. It balances male and female hormones by stimulating the pituitary gland, so you never receive any actual hormone like substances by taking maca. It lets your body produce the proper proportion of its own hormones. Gives energy and stamina during stressful times. Has mild anti-depressant effects.

He Shou Wu is a Chinese herb that helps hormones too. It does contain hormone-like substances. It is used to increase mail fertility, calm PMS, detoxify the liver and help hairloss.

I have had very good results from soy isoflavones (walmart) for the hot flashes, night sweats. :)

thanks everyone for your reply!

Chasteberry, commonly called Vitex, is excellent in balancing hormones, whether your menstrual cycle is irregular, settling the effects of PMS and menopause too as well as helping women with infertility issues when no reason can be found for the actual infertility.

You can buy this in healthfood stores, but getting the dosage right is important. My menstrual cycle was all over the place and took forever for it to start and finish. I began by purchasing vitex at the healthfood store, but it wasn't doing much for me b/c i wasn't getting the dosage right. I then went to a naturopath who gave me liquid drops and in the right dosage and now my periods start and finish without a problem. The only thing i still get now is the spotting at ovulation time, but that's supposedly something a lot of women get.

Chasteberry/Vitex has been around from Ancient Roman times and likely before and it has no known side effects.