Healing Herbs for Trans Folks

Herbs have this uncanny gift to balance and release in spaces where you didn't even know there was imbalance or tension. I have found this gift most appreciated in my experience as a trans person. For those that aren't familiar with the term, someone that identifies as transgender doesn't fit into the gender binary of male/female sexes. Transsexual tends to refer to someone who seeks hormones or some sort of altering process or treatment to appear as the gender he/she/they/ze feels. Transgender or trans is a broad term to refer to the great umbrella of gender diversity/deviation. Herbs can be such a great presence to feel more like present in your personal power and identity.

I have spent a lot of time researching this topic as it is near and dear to my heart. I have lots of information that I want to pass on, but perhaps too much for one blog post. I encourage you to email or contact me in some way if you have any questions!

There are a few great herbs that I have found very helpful through my own experience as a trans person. I will share these, but there are many more that are helpful and are safe to use while on hormones.

Milk Thistle Seed: If you are taking hormones as a trans guy or gal, milk thistle seed is a great herb to be taking. Milk Thistle protects liver cells from toxins and helps repair damaged liver tissue, which is helpful since being on hormones can be hard on the liver. It is not too over-detoxing and will not interfere with hormones in any way.

Dandelion Root and Blessed Thistle: Both of these are great liver herbs. Some people are cautious when on hormones about taking detoxifying liver herbs since there is some concern that it will lessen the effect of the hormones. I personally have not found this to be so, but it is important to do what feels right to you. Dandelion and Blessed Thistle are both wonderful as a detoxifiers, but in particular they are helpful in helping the body get rid of excess hormones, in particular excess estrogens that do not act as estrogen in the body but rather the estrogens that are toxic and the body aims to get rid of. When on hormones, either estrogen or testosterone, if there is an excess of hormones they often become toxic estrogens in the body. Dandelion and Blessed Thistle help flush these toxins from the liver. I have definitely felt healthier and more in balance when on either Dandelion or Blessed Thistle. I would not recommend being on both at the same time.

Burdock: Another herb that is helpful to the liver, it is also great at clearing up any skin issues including acne. If acne has become a problem since beginning hormones, than burdock may be a great help.

Sarsaparilla: As a liver herb and blood cleanser, this herb also helps the body flush excess toxic estrogens from the body. While Dandelion and Blessed Thistle focus on the liver, Sarsaparilla has a more dispersing nature. It combines well with liver herbs.

Red Clover: Red Clover is a great gently detoxifying herb that is full of nourishing vitamins and minerals. It will also benefit the skin if you are experiencing acne as a result of hormone treatment. It is very supportive to the lymphatic system, cleansing and detoxing your body. It encourages testosterone as it is an estrogen blocker. A wonderful hormone balancer whether you are on hormones or not. It is a very power anti-cancer herb. A great herb for everyday.

Nettles: It is hard to think of a situation where nettles wouldn't be healthy. As an herb that is full of tons of vitamins and minerals, this is a great herb to take everyday to nourish your body to enable it to function in the healthiest way possible. It benefits the kidneys and thyroid which can be taxed when taking hormones. Nettles also encourage healthy skin and hair.

Raspberry leaf: As someone that is female bodied and on hormones, I have loved using raspberry leaf. Raspberry leaf is super nourishing to all of the reproductive organs. This is really important especially if you are a trans guy on hormones. It does not interfere with hormones nor will it bring on your cycle. Even if you are not on hormones, it nourishes the lower belly chakra which is likely a place of tension in many trans people. I have definitely felt healthier and more in balance when consistently taking this herb.

Ashwagandha: This herb is part of a sort of unofficial class of herbs called adaptogens. Adaptogens across the board help you deal with stress, enhance your immune system, nourish your adrenals, and often assist digestion. Ashwagandha in particular is very nourishing to the thyroid and helps balance hormones. Other adaptogens include eleuthero (siberian ginseng), tulsi (holy basil), schizandra, reishi, maca, and ginseng.

Nervines: Anyone who is trans may also experience stress or anxiety around being deviant from gender norms. Herbs such as milky oats, passionflower, skullcap, california poppy, motherwort, rose petals, linden, and lemon balm.

Herbs to avoid

Emmenagogues are herbs which bring on your period. If you are on hormones and would like to discontinue your period then I would recommend not taking these herbs. However if you are not on hormones but dislike your monthly cycle, I actually would recommend taking emmenagogues since they can help balance your cycle and reduce PMS symptoms.

Emmenagogues include: Dong quai, mugwort, angelica, black cohash, blue cohash.

Kava Kava

St. John's Wort – If you are taking hormones then you should avoid taking St. John's Wort internally. It is such a powerful liver cleanser that it will cleanse any hormones you might be on. It is fine to use St. John's Wort oil externally.

Flower Essences

Flower essences are the energetic footprint of the spirit of the plant. They do not include the physical properties of the herb so there is absolutely no concern about combining them with hormones if you are on them. Here are a few flower essences I have found especially helpful.

Larch: encourages self love and self care. Helps boost self confidence.

St John's Wort: helpful when feeling anxious, unsafe. Strengthens one's boundaries and allows your inner light and strength to radiate. Very protective.

Yarrow: great for ensuring strong boundaries. Helps ground you in your inner strength.

Aspen: Calms and alleviates fear in the face of the unknown.

Eastern Hemlock: Helps guide you through transformation.

Calla Lilly: Helpful in clarifying sexual identity, balancing to male and female energies.