How to Obtain Natural Estrogen Through Foods & Herbs

Menopausal women and women who have low levels of estrogen need not resort to HRT (hormone replacement therapy) medication to alleviate pre- and post-menopausal symptoms. For many of these women, HRT is not an option, due to increased risk of developing breast or uterine cancer. Fortunately, there are many foods and herbs containing natural phytoestrogen (plant estrogen) that should be incorporated daily into a healthy diet.

Instructions

Foods That Should Be On Your Shopping List

1

Add these legumes to your list: soybeans, soybean sprouts, tofu, soy milk and soy flour. All are very rich in phytoestrogen. Other good sources are red beans, green peas, dried split peas, black-eyed peas and garbanzo beans (chickpeas). Fix yourself a bowl of split pea soup (split peas) or snack on hummus (garbanzo beans).

2

Add these herbs and seeds to to your favorite dishes or make teas with them. Herbs that have high levels of phytoestrogen include: black cohosh, red clover, dong quai, sage, parsley, licorice, and hops. Seeds include fennel seeds, anise seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and flax seeds.

3

Add some of these vegetables and sprouts to your list. The vegetables and sprouts with the highest concentrations of phytoestrogens include: alfalfa sprouts, beets, carrots, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, olives, peppers, potatoes, pumpkin, rhubarb, tomatoes, and yams.

4

Add some of these fruits on your list, as they contain the highest concentration of phytoestrogen: apples (applesauce), cherries, dates, papaya, plums, and pomegranates.

5

Add some other foods high in natural and plant estrogen, such as wheat flour, rice and rice flour, oats and oat flour, barley, baker's yeast, dairy and eggs, olive oil, and meat.