10 Best Herbal Teas for PCOS

Hormone balancing, PCOS friendly herbal teas

Herbal teas have many health benefits but if you have PCOS, there are a few specific herbal teas that can help to improve insulin resistance, reduce testosterone levels and balance hormones naturally.

In this article I’ve listed 10 of the best herbal teas for PCOS.

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Drinking herbal tea is an easy to way to help with getting your PCOS symptoms under control.

1. Spearmint Tea

Spearmint tea is one of the most popular herbal teas for PCOS.

It helps to reduce excess testosterone in the body, which is one of the main causes of acne, hirsutism (excess hair on the body and face) and thinning hair on the scalp.

A 2010 study showed that spearmint tea has testosterone lowering properties in females with hirsutism.

The participants in the study drank spearmint tea twice daily for 30 days, while other participants consumed a placebo herbal tea.

After 30 days the women who drank the spearmint tea had a significant reduction in free and total testosterone levels. [1]

2. Licorice Root Tea

Licorice root is another popular herbal tea for supporting the adrenal glands and removing excess androgens (male hormones) from the body.

Studies have found that Licorice root inhibits the symptoms of PCOS by regulating imbalanced hormone levels and irregular ovarian follicles. [2]

Licorice root also has anti-inflammatory and immune boosting properties. If you don’t like the taste of licorice tea you can also try licorice capsules.

3. Holy Basil (Tulsi)

Holy Basil tea, also known as Tulsi, helps to balance blood sugar levels and lower cortisol levels.

Cortisol is a stress hormone that is elevated during periods of prolonged stress, which can lead to higher insulin levels.

By keeping insulin levels balanced, Holy Basil can help to lower the production of excess testosterone, which reduces acne breakouts and eases PCOS symptoms.

4. Green Tea

Green tea is best known for its high levels of antioxidants but it also helps to reduce insulin resistance and testosterone levels in women with PCOS.

Studies have found that drinking green tea regularly significantly reduces fasting glucose and hemoglobin A1c levels. (Hemoglobin A1c is a test that measures your average blood sugar level over the past 2 to 3 months). [3]

Lower blood sugar and insulin levels means there is less testosterone produced by the body, which helps to reduce PCOS symptoms.

Green tea is also helpful for weight loss. Studies have shown that it helps to boost the metabolism and increase fat burning. [4]

5. Cinnamon Tea

Cinnamon tea helps to reduce blood glucose levels and improve insulin resistance. [5]

Keeping insulin levels under control is one the key ways to reduce PCOS symptoms.

Cinnamon can also help to promote a regular menstrual cycle and helps to increase pregnancy rates in women with PCOS.

6. Raspberry Leaf Tea

Raspberry leaf is a popular herbal tea that helps to reduce stagnation and congestion in the ovaries and uterus.

Raspberry leaf is a great tea to try if you have PCOS and you’re trying to conceive.

7. Nettle Leaf Tea

Nettle leaf tea is helpful for reducing free testosterone levels in the body.

It also has the ability to balance testosterone and estrogen levels, while also improving liver detoxification.

8. White Peony Tea

White Peony is another herbal tea that is helpful for reducing testosterone levels.  

It can also stimulate ovulation and help women with PCOS to conceive.

9. Marjoram Tea

Marjoram tea is well known for its ability to regulate the menstrual cycle and balance hormones.

It also helps to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce excess androgens. [6]

10. Dandelion Root Tea

Dandelion root tea is helpful for supporting the liver to clear out excess hormones.

Many hormonal problems are exacerbated by a build-up of hormones within the liver.

Dandelion root helps the liver to work more efficiently and eliminate toxins from the body.

Traditional Medicinals Healthy Cycle Tea is an herbal tea blend that helps to regulate the menstrual cycle.

It contains organic herbs including raspberry leaf, licorice root, stinging nettle leaf, dandelion leaf and root, along with a blend of spearmint leaf, rose hip, lemon verbena leaf, Indian lemongrass leaf, ginger and chamomile flower.

So there’s my list of the best herbal teas for PCOS.

Have you tried any PCOS herbal teas? Let me know in the comments below.

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