How These 7 Herbs Support Working Women’s Energy, Hormones, Focus, & More!

Sep 6

From Gaia Herbs, By Kristen Boye BS, Natural Health

Whether harvesting crops, building an online business while wearing babies, to climbing the corporate ladder while caring for aging parents, women have always been masters at multitasking work responsibilities within and outside the home.

However, this superpower comes at a cost.

Surveys and research show women often bear the brunt of work and household responsibilities, child-rearing, 1 and caring for aging relatives 2 all while acting as the emotional and often spiritual rock for their families.

Perhaps this uneven distribution of responsibility plays a role in why women are more susceptible to chronic diseases and emotional unrest due to stress—which affects women more intensely than men.

Although the solutions to challenges facing working women (inside or outside the home) are complex, one thing is for sure: self-care is essential for preserving a woman’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Traditional herbs have always played a special role in women’s self-care rituals because they’re gentle, practical, versatile, accessible, and take very little time to use.

In this article, we explore seven game-changing herbs to support working women in every aspect of their lives, from cycle support to sleep and everything in between.

How Traditional Herbs Have Supported Working Women For Centuries

Herbalism has always been a female-dominated profession, with 68.6% of herbalists identifying as women today. 3

From the village wise woman or midwife to female shamans, herbalists, and grandmothers’ home remedies, women have always had a special connection with herbs and plants.

Even in patriarchal societies where only men practiced as healers, women were often charged with gathering and preparing herbal preparations and using herbs in their role as midwives.

Modern women are also much more likely than men to turn to traditional herbs and other forms of alternative medicine to support various aspects of health. 4 5

The remarkable thing is this connection between women and herbalism has survived against all odds, including but not limited to the witch hunts of the 16th and 17th centuries and women’s exclusion from medical school (or school in general), and even other forms of patriarchal traditional healing.

Still, women passed on their knowledge of plants, often in secret, from generation to generation and used this wisdom to help untold numbers of other women, as well as men, children, pets, and farm animals.

That wisdom is still available to us today, and there is now ample scientific evidence backing the traditional uses of many plants.

Here, we explore seven (of many) herbs that support the unique needs of working women in the twenty-first century.

Top 7 Best Herbs To Support Working Women

In preparing this list, we considered some of the most common health concerns of working women and which herbs may offer the most multifaceted support.

Here are seven herbs that help support the menstrual cycle, stress response, sleep, thyroid function, attention, energy, stamina, hormonal function, immune system, breastmilk production, and vitality.

1. Vitex For Cycle Support

It’s a rare woman who wouldn’t benefit from some cycle support at some time in her life.

From PMS to cramps, mood swings, fatigue, and bloating, monthly changes in hormone levels can be very disruptive to a woman who already has a lot on her plate.

Although there are many herbs to help support a woman’s cycle, Vitex is one of the most popular and versatile.

Also known as Vitex agnus-castus, Chasteberry, and Chastetree Berry, this traditional herb provides multifunctional cycle support, including: 6 7 8 9 10

Supporting normal progesterone and prolactin levels
Helping ease PMS
Promoting a normal cycle length
Helping reduce menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and mood swings

In other words, if you had to choose just one herb to help support your cycle through all seasons of life, Vitex should be a top consideration.

Learn more in: Is Vitex Berry/Chasteberry Safe? A Look at the Side Effects and Contraindications.

2. Ashwagandha for Stress, Sleep, Thyroid, and Perimenopause Support

Ashwagandha, also known as Withania somnifera, Indian Ginseng, or Winter Cherry, is an ancient Ayurvedic herb belonging to the adaptogen family.

Adaptogens are herbs that promote a healthy stress response through their positive impacts on the Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal (HPA) axis.

The HPA Axis plays a central role in supporting many aspects of hormonal function, including stress, sleep, thyroid, and reproductive hormones.

Specifically, Ashwagandha has been shown to be potentially effective in helping support several aspects of women’s health, including: 11 12 13

A healthy stress response and calm state of mind
Normal adrenal function and cortisol levels (cortisol is your body’s master stress hormone)
Various aspects of sleep function, including sleep duration, sleep quality, sleep efficiency, sleep latency (how long it takes to fall asleep), and mental alertness upon waking.
Normal thyroid function
Relieving mild to moderate symptoms of perimenopause

Ashwagandha is generally very safe to take unless you have an allergy to nightshades.

Discover more about this treasured stress-busting tonic-like herb in:

3. Lion’s Mane for Calm, Focused Attention

With so many demands and responsibilities taking up brain space, staying calm and laser-focused on the task at hand can be difficult.

For this, many women turn to nootropics, like Lion’s Mane Mushroom.

Nootropics are a classification of herbs and other substances that support cognitive function. 14

Some other examples of nootropic herbs include Lemon Balm, Ashwagandha, Ginkgo, Gotu Kola, Saffron, and Bacopa.*

Lion’s Mane, named for its shaggy mane-like appearance, is a tasty and functional mushroom that’s been shown to support several aspects of cognitive function, including: 15 16 17

Supporting nerve growth factor (NGF) production, which is vital for the growth and survival of brain cells.
Overall cognitive function and memory in older adults
Nervous system function

Lion’s Mane is delicious with a lobster-like flavor and consistency when prepared fresh with a little butter and salt.

However, most people take it as a supplement.

Discover more about the fascinating world of functional mushrooms in: Are all Mushrooms Addictive? The Truth About Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail, Chaga, & Other Mushroom Supplements.

4. Maca For Energy, Stamina, and Hormonal Support

Also known as Peruvian Ginseng, Maca is an ancient Incan food that has gained popularity as a tasty energy-supportive herb with additional hormonal benefits for women and men.

Like Ashwagandha, Maca is considered an adaptogen, which is typical of plants that grow at high altitudes and/or in harsh climates.

Research suggests Maca can provide a wellspring of possible benefits to women at any stage in life, including: 18 19 20 21

Supporting normal reproductive function
Supporting hormonal function during childbearing and menopausal years
Promoting normal stress response
Menstrual support
Promoting normal desire and sexual function
Promoting energy and stamina

Maca is a root vegetable enjoyed by the people of the South American Andes for centuries.

Its pleasant flavor makes it an excellent addition to baked goods, energy balls, and hot or cold beverages. It’s typically taken as a powder, capsule, or tincture.

Try these Cacao Energy Bites Recipe With MacaBoost Cacao-Ginger, an energizing Maca Matcha Latte, or a savory Macamole to get your daily fix.

5. Elderberry Syrup or Gummies Broad-Spectrum Immune Support

Sweet and tart Elderberry syrup is popular among herb-loving families for supporting immune function in children and teens, but it’s also great for moms (and dads)!

Elderberry is supported by ample scientific research for promoting various aspects of immune function and regulation and respiratory function through its active plant compounds like anthocyanins, a type of powerful antioxidant. 22 23 24 25 26

Elderberry is also safe to take long-term, and choosing syrup or gummies is a nice change of pace from capsules, tinctures, or powders.

Browse our blog for creative ways to get your Elderberry fix, including:

6. Fennel for Breast Milk Production, Easier Pumping, and Happier Baby Tummies

Choosing to give birth is each person’s own decision, but herbs can help should someone decide to become pregnant and give birth. Whether you’re a nursing stay-at-home mom, on maternity leave, or pumping at the office, most moms worry about having enough milk to support a growing baby or toddler.

Traditional midwives, herbalists, mothers, and grandmothers have long relied on “galactagogue” herbs to support lactation and make nursing and pumping easier.

Fennel seed is one such herb.

Studies suggest polymers of the active plant compound anethole, such as dianethole and photoanethole, support the normal production of prolactin, the hormone required for normal milk supply, via their effects on dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in milk production. 27

Traditional herbalists also swear by Fennel taken by the mother to produce a calming effect on the baby's digestion through breast milk. 28

You’ll find Fennel in many lactation teas, either alone or combined with other galactagogues like Fenugreek or Red Raspberry.

You can also make your own Fennel tea by combining 1 teaspoon crushed fennel seeds with 1 cup boiling water.

Bonus: Fennel has also been shown to help with menstrual cramps! 29

Learn more about this tasty and versatile herb in: 9 Benefits Of Fennel (Beyond Digestion).

7. Nettles as a Nutritive Female Tonic for Energy, Vitality, and Balance

Nettles have long been used as a nutritive tonic to support women’s health, energy, and vitality.

Dark green Nettles contain several essential nutrients, including protein, fiber, vitamin A, vitamin K, B vitamins, iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, sulfur, zinc, manganese, copper, and nickel. It also contains flavonoids, tannins, fatty acids, amino acids, and carotenoids.

With all this nutrition packed into one herb, it’s no wonder nettles have been cherished as an energy-supportive and revitalizing herb for women (and men) for centuries.

Studies also suggest nettles may support a normal histamine response, joint comfort, heart function, 30 and hair growth and strength, although more research is needed.

Nettles are in fact stinging nettles, which is why most people take them as a tea, tincture, or supplement.

However, with careful foraging or procurement from a farmer or forger, you can prepare Nettles like spinach or any other leafy green. When harvested young, they have a pleasant grassy flavor that isn’t overpowering or bitter.

Find inspiration in: 14 Ways To Bring Nettles Into The Kitchen.

Want To Learn More About Herbs for Women’s Health and Wellness?

Herbs can be incredible allies for women of all walks of life seeking more autonomy over their health and happiness.

For more information on herbs and natural wellness practices for women’s health, check out the following articles:

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