Treat PCOS using herbs and nutrients, guided by an accredited Naturopath
What is PCOS?
PCOS is a collection of symptoms—primarily androgen excess and anovulatory cycles—caused by different underlying factors.
PCOS is a complex condition, and each person will have their unique set of underlying drivers, and a unique set of symptoms. In fact, it isn’t actually a condition, it is a word to describe a collection of symptoms that are caused by underlying factors, which are unique to individual bodies.
Figure out the underlying factors, and treat the root causes, to resolve the collection of symptoms. For more info on root causes, check out my blog post which includes questionnaires on how to figure out your ‘root cause’.
With PCOS, there is can be an issue with ovulation and progesterone levels, which can affect the amount of DHEA, oestrogen and testosterone levels there are in the body.
Symptoms of PCOS -
Every body is unique in their set of symptoms, but common ones include:
Menstrual irregularities - some people have longer cycles, some have shorter cycles, some don’t get a cycle. Some also notice a change in the bleed flow and length and change in the bleed colour (such as brown blood, spotting etc)
Hirsuitism - fuzz and/or hair on the lip, chin, tummy
Hormonal acne - located on the jawline, chest, neck or back
Anxiety or mood changes
Weight changes - some people struggle with weight loss, others struggle with weight gain, others struggle maintaining a consistent weight, or some people notice weight only at their tummy
Sugar or carb cravings
PCOS naturopath support -
The naturopathic aim is to find the root cause of the hormonal imbalance when you have PCOS, and treat that to resolve your symptoms.
We do this by:
having in depth consultations to go through symptoms of the whole body, the diet, previous health history, family history and the environment
using functional hormone testing to investigate hormone levels to set a ‘baseline’ - important so that we can go back and recheck in future!
using functional and pathology testing to investigate the root cause of your hormonal imbalance
Key naturopathic recommendations:
Recommended Diets for PCOS
Wholefood eating, minimised refined sugars, alcohol and carbohydrates long term (1).
If inflammation is severe, or there is an autoimmune thyroid issue happening also, a short term anti-inflammatory diet is often used.
If there is a metabolic picture, macro balanced eating focussing on protein is often used.
If there is a cortisol/stress picture, caffeine may need to be reduced or eliminated.
Recommended Nutrients for PCOS
Antioxidants and anti-inflammatories like selenium, quercetin, resveratrol, bromelian, a good quality fish oil and vitamin D (based off blood test results) (1).
Ovarian nourishing nutrients like zinc and B6.
Insulin support using myo/chiro inositol & chromium.
Stress/nervous system support using magnesium and activated Bs.
Fertility support if required using COQ10.
Liver supporting nutrients: Taurine.
Thyroid supportive nutrients if required such as iodine, selenium & tyrosine.
Natural herbal remedies for PCOS
Not all herbs will be required, the type of herb will be chosen based off your individual presentation and constitution and the knowledge base of your practitioner. Just because a herb is indicated for insulin resistance, that you have, does not mean that herb is right for you -
this is because HERBS also have individual profiles - some may be ‘hot’ or ‘cold’ in nature, and you might be a ‘hot’ constitution so adding in another ‘hot’ herb will not make you feel good, or some might not be good to use when you have elevated liver enzymes, which you might have, or some might not be safe to use in early pregnancy, and you’re trying to fall pregnant - this is why I cannot stress enough the role your practitioner plays in ensuring your plan is safe for you.
Antioxidants and anti-inflammatories like turmeric/curcumin and green tea.
Insulin sensitisers and blood sugar regulators like cinnamon, berberine containing herbs, gymnema, fenugreek, and bitters.
HPO regulators (for ovulation): peony, shatavari, chaste tree (if prolactin is high).
HPA regulators (for stress): withania, oats green, rhodiola, rehmannia, licorice.
Thyroid regulators: Withania, bacopa, Bladderwrack, Motherwort, Lemon balm, Bugleweed. These herbs are for both hypothyroid & hyperthyroid bodies so it will depend on the thyroid picture for what is recommended.
Anti-Androgenics: Sarsaparilla, peony + liquorice combination, saw palmetto, tribulus, spearmint.
Liver herbs to aid in detoxification of hormones & inflammatory toxins: Dandelion root, bupleurum, globe artichoke, st marys thistle.
Cyst management support: Thuja, immuno-modulating herbs.
Topical castor oil for cysts.
PCOS lifestyle recommendations
Stress reducing strategies.
Optimising exercise routine - ensuring not ‘overexercising’ and incorporating a mix of cardio & strength, as well as relaxation like stretching and yoga.
Low tox strategies such as buying more plants, ditching plastic, vacuuming regularly.
Getting more sunlight.
Ensuring adequate hydration.
Lymphatic drainage support.
How to figure out the root cause of PCOS
Testing is recommended based off a thorough case history, but some common ones are:
heavy metal and hair mineral test,
complete microbiome mapping test,
adrenal/hormone test.
Blood tests for PCOS
Again, not every test will be recommended, it will depend on your individual case history.
Inflammatory markers - ESR, CRP, ANA, vitamin D, homocysteine.
Fasting insulin, fasting glucose, HbA1c, oral glucose tolerance test.
Ovarian hormone panel
Day 3 of cycle - Estradiol, FSH, LH, SHBG, prolactin
Day 21 of cycle (if you have a normal 28 day cycle, if irregular, this day will be different) - Progesterone, DHEA, testosterone, free testosterone, estradiol, SHBG.
AMH levels (often increased).
Adrenal hormones
Fasting, morning cortisol 2 hours after waking naturally.
Other vitamins:
Magnesium, red cell zinc, b12, folate, iron studies.
It is important to note the optimal levels of these markers, and not go off the reference range in your blood tests. This reference range is an average, not an ‘optimal level’ of health. This range is based off a population and can be different ranges if you go through different labs, and different ranges if you are in a different area - i.e QLD vs WA, or QLD vs Rome in Italy. Many people do not understand this and are often told their blood tests are normal based off this reference range.
Vitamin D deficiency is more common in women with PCOS and is related to insulin resistance, ovulatory dysfunction, and infertility. Supplementation with vitamin D has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity, menstrual regularity, and fertility outcomes (1).
Consultations for PCOS | Stafford, Brisbane
If you’re struggling to manage your PCOS symptoms with conventional medicine, or you’re just wanting a more natural way to support your body, I would love to guide you!
Natural medicine looks for long term solutions for optimal wellness instead of bandaid treatments.
Have questions? Book in for a free discovery call! Click here
Citations:
Muhammed Saeed AA, Noreen S, Awlqadr FH, Farooq MI, Qadeer M, Rai N, Farag HA, Saeed MN. Nutritional and herbal interventions for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): a comprehensive review of dietary approaches, macronutrient impact, and herbal medicine in management. J Health Popul Nutr. 2025 May 2;44(1):143. doi: 10.1186/s41043-025-00899-y. PMID: 40317096; PMCID: PMC12049039.
Calvo F, Karras BT, Phillips R, Kimball AM, Wolf F. Diagnoses, syndromes, and diseases: a knowledge representation problem. AMIA Annu Symp Proc. 2003;2003:802. PMID: 14728307; PMCID: PMC1480257.
Rubin R. It Takes an Average of 17 Years for Evidence to Change Practice-the Burgeoning Field of Implementation Science Seeks to Speed Things Up. JAMA. 2023 Apr 25;329(16):1333-1336. doi: 10.1001/jama.2023.4387. PMID: 37018006.
