Introduction: I am Mnkong Emmanuel Saah, a certified public health Educator and Independent Total Health health Consultant ( ICA ) affiliated to Himalayan Institute Cameroon ( HIC), and a researcher on herbal medicine. And I am presenting this presentation to my audience of steemit Community space to share knowledge which can be very useful and important in Hormonal Balance and stress management, with the use of herbal medicine.

My target audience are; the general public, Women , medical students, adolescent females or girls.

The aim of this presentation is to:

• (a) explore the use and impact of herbal medicine to support hormonal balance and stress management which play a negative impact on women's emotional health. And to,
• (b) discuss the importance of hormonal health for women and to educate them on the various strategies to adopt, in order to improve Women's health outcomes and to give Women the knowledge they need to handle their health.

General background:

Hormonal changes occur in women in various stages of life including menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause, and can cause a range of physical and emotional symptoms. In the face of this, herbal medicine as well as nutrition play a crucial role in regulation and promotion of hormonal balance in Women; while herbal medicine has long been used traditionally to support Women's health, not neglecting healthy lifestyle choices that also impact hormonal balance and stress management in women positively.

• Talking about the women, it should be noted that female hormones such as estrogen and progesterone are a group of chemical produced by the ovaries, both of which are stimulated by luteinizing hormones and follicle stimulating hormone which are produced in the pituitary gland. Research support herbal medicine as safe, and can help women cope with menopausal symptoms and improve quality of life.

Discussion and analysis on hormonal balance and stress management:

• Manage your Stress: Stress management can help in producing and balancing other hormones, such as serotonin and dopamine; which are neurotransmitters.

• Elevated cortisol levels caused by chronic stress may cause symptoms like anxiety, depression, and high blood. This is why it is important tomanage stress by finding ways to combat it. Something as easy as meditation, or and listening to music can reduce your Stress.

• Stress interferes with hormonal function of the thyroid hormones, estrogen etc.
  When the body experience extreme stress, the adrenal glands release adrenaline, also known as epinephrine, into the bloodstream. Adrenaline prepares the body for a stressful "fight or - flight flight" situation by increasing the heart rate that allows more oxygen to reach the muscle making the body ready to react increasing, blood pressure, sugar levels and alertness.

• Stress harms the hormones in several ways. The hormone cortisol is known as stress hormone because it helps your body cope with long term stress.

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LIFESTYLE CHOICES THAT MAY CONTRIBUTE POSITIVELY IN HORMONAL BALANCE AND STRESS MANAGEMENT:

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It is important to note that making healthy lifestyle choices and nutrition is a priority in stress management and hormonal balance in Women. Not undermining chemicals properties derived from herbal medicine;

EXERCISE

• Getting regular exercise in your weekly routine has been linked to a host of hormone benefits. Cardio exercises like running, walking etc are important in this process. The Hormonal effects of regular exercise may prevent overeating. Even short exercise sessions help.

• Getting enough physical activity strongly influences your Hormonal health. It enhance hormones, receptor sensitivity.

• Another hormone - balancing habit is adding healthy fats to your foods like Salmon, avocados, walnuts etc.

• Eating healthy fats is essential for hormone production as It is these fats that build our hormones as well as reduce inflammation.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF HERBAL MEDICINE TO IMPACT HORMONAL BALANCE AND STRESS MANAGEMENT IN WOMEN; THE CASE STUDY OF "DANDELION"

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• To explore the role of herbal medicine for women's Hormonal Balance. Here I focused on woman as the primary participants on the hormonal imbalance disorders as primary outcome of interest.

• Through my research in herbal medicine, I found out that Dandelion has been identified as very important in supporting hormonal balance, and their role in women's health is discussed. Hormonal imbalances are a common issue among adolescent girls. The onset of menstruation, irregular periods, and hormonal fluctuations can cause physical and emotional changes, that can lead to emotional instability, anxiety, and depression.

• Dandelion root can be used to help balance hormones by nourishing the liver, which metabolizes and eliminate hormones like estrogen in women. Dandelion root can be taken as a tincture or decoction which is made by simmering the root for 15 minutes.

Dandelion may help support the secretion of the hormones insulin, which is responsible for regulating the blood sugar. In addition, dandelion root may also help with water retention and PCOS bloating, which are common symptoms of hormonal imbalance in Woman.
"The root of a dandelion benefits the body improving digestion, inhibiting activity of lipase, known to reduce fat absorption, which may promote weight loss". More specifically weight loss is largely due to loss of water and not fat loss.

• It helps to increase bile flow. Bile is a substance that transport those packaged up waste products ( like estrogen ) to the gut, for pooping. It can help improve liver function. And for those with interstitial cystitis, it may also soothe out the bladder.

• It is important to note that the liver plays an important role in regulating hormones, especially estrogen in Women. Not only does it metabolizes this important hormone, but it also helps eliminate it, whether the estrogen is from natural resources or from artificial sources. To keep metabolism and elimination working well, we want to nourish the liver. Dandelion root often thought as a weed, is one of the most powerful tonics available. Take the root regularly as a decoction, simmered for 15 minutes or in tincture form.

• Note should taken that if you are allergic to ragweed, chrysanthe mums, marigold, chamomile, yarrow should avoid dandelion. Dandelion leaf and root should not be used by people with gallstones without supervision of a healthcare practitioner.

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PROPOSALS OR SUGGESTIONS

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As a way forward in combating hormonal imbalance and stress management in women, I wish to propose and recommend the following priorities and approaches:

a) it is important for future health providers, medical students, to be equipped to deal with changes, support and promote health education among their peers in the communities.

b) More research should be made to identify herbal medicine that can be used to combat hormonal imbalances in women and soothe out stress that impact women's health negatively.

c) health educators should educate and promote healthy behaviours, prevent chronic health conditions and improve overall wellbeing. Encouraging healthy diet with other pillars of lifestyle medicine such as active living, stress reduction, restorative sleep and integration of healthy lifestyle approaches and education. And this can improve overall women's health. By prioritizing health education for adolescent girls in medical schools, we can help promote healthy lifestyle and prevent chronic health conditions that may arise later in life.

CONCLUSION

Considering the fact that hormonal imbalances and stress remain a challenge in women health, priority should be given in the different approaches in combating health hazards that keep women so vulnerable to. That notwithstanding, herbal medicine, nutrition and healthy lifestyle practices are p indispensable to enhance hormonal balance and stress-free living.