Why hormone health and holistic care matter. And how managing those can lead to a happier, healthier life.
It all starts with puberty. You might have had your Phys Ed teacher or parents talk about your body during this time and the changes to expect. In your 20s and 30s, it might be about getting pregnant or not getting pregnant. This is when tracking a cycle might first begin. Those stages might last for years and change from one plan to another. During this time, there are mostly ten-minute OBGYN appointments once a year. From there, it might be fertility medications and/or postpartum hormone changes, as well as perimenopause and then menopause, as well as various other hormonal imbalances sprinkled in between. By the time most women reach the perimenopause stage of life, they are often in the dark about cycle tracking and hormonal swings and what types of nourishments, exercise, and treatments can help them feel more balanced and healthier.
For held’s October event, we are partnering with Anita Nicholson, FNP-BC, APRN, one of the region’s leading integrative medicine providers and menopause experts specializing in women’s health, sexual health, and healthy aging, and Abbie Gross, an herbalist, postpartum doula, and holistic natural foods chef. Below we asked Abbie a few questions for a sneak peek into October’s event topics.
Abbie Gross, an herbalist, postpartum doula, and holistic natural foods chef
Can you tell us about Illustrious Herbal and your background?
AG: Illustrious Herbal is multifaceted in that it encompasses all my different offerings, including a holistic natural foods chef, herbal consultations, and postpartum doula services.
To be illustrious or shine brightly, I believe the plants offer us this gift. By working closely with the plants for the past five years, I have seen an incredible shift in myself and others I had the opportunity to work with.
I am a trained holistic natural foods chef and have been cooking professionally for over 14 years. I became a chef to use food as a healing tool. I support individuals and families through nutritious meals that are catered to their unique dietary needs and individual health goals. I reached a point in my cheffing career where I wanted to offer another healing modality, and that was when my path of studying herbal medicine began to bloom. I studied with Mischa Schuler of Wild Carrot Herbs in Portland for the past five years and have focused on women’s health. It was after the birth of my daughter in 2022 that I really saw a need to focus my business on supporting those who were newly postpartum and to fully encapsulate all my different skills. That is why I became a Postpartum Doula.
The common thread throughout all the pillars of Illustrious Herbal’s offerings is that I am passionate about supporting women in all phases of their lives and helping them achieve their specific wellness goals.
How can someone new to herbal remedies begin to understand what would be best for their hormonal needs?
AG: Every person has a different constitution. Some people run hot, others cold, some are dry, others damp. That is why there is never a one-size-fits-all herb to treat a specific health concern. When I sit with an individual, I begin to come up with a list of herbs that can support their whole being. As herbalists, we treat the whole person and not just their health concerns, which is a more holistic approach than the allopathic approach we may be used to.
In an herbal consultation, I always start the conversation by asking about their sleep, digestion, menstrual cycle, and overall mood. These are key areas where we can then begin to understand what is going on in the whole person. From there, we could gather a picture of what needs help to bring into balance, and a customized herbal tea or tincture formula would be created. Herbs work gently in the body by bringing it back to a state of homeostasis. Generally, it takes 3 months for us to see a shift in the body’s patterns.
We know you'll be sharing more on hormones at held's October event, but can you share three herbal allies that are great to have in your cabinet heading into the winter season?
AG: Absolutely! Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is a wonderful ally that can be taken daily in syrup form; it is very easy to come across in most grocery stores. It is wonderful to take as a preventive throughout the fall/winter season. Elderberry is antiviral, immune enhancing, and rich in antioxidants.
Other favorites for immune support are medicinal mushrooms, such as reishi, shiitake, maitake, cordyceps, turkey tail, and lion’s mane. Medicinal mushrooms are rich in antibacterial properties, act as immune modulators, and are anti-inflammatory.
These can be taken as a capsule, or you can make a nourishing broth with dried shiitake mushrooms or a soup with fresh maitake or shiitake mushrooms. Add plenty of garlic, a sprinkle of seaweed (like dulse), and your favorite soup vegetables.
Last but not least is ginger (zingiber official); the fresh or dried root is effective at clearing up dampness in the respiratory tract. Ginger is a warming and drying herb, which makes it great for congestion, damp, wet coughs, or that first sign of something coming on.
Ginger can be taken as a tea, or my favorite is to make ginger shots. To make ginger shots: Peel and chop one large piece of fresh ginger root, place it in a high-speed blender, add the juice of one lemon, and add enough water to cover the pieces. Blend until all the pieces turn to a pulp, and strain with a fine mesh strainer. Take a shot of the strong, powerful medicine. If you are feeling extra spicy, sprinkle some cayenne pepper on top!
IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS
Tenaya and Mary Beth share a bit about their hormone journeys and why they are so excited about October’s event.
Tenaya—I think the idea of hormones first entered my vocabulary in middle school when my friends and I started getting our periods. We didn’t actually use the word hormones—we just said, “I have my period” or leaned on euphemisms like “Aunt Flo from down South is here.” If a girl got a little heated or teary, you’d hear the whispers: “Oh, she must be on her period!” Looking back, it was unsettling to have people talk about your body and emotions like that. It felt dismissive—like our feelings weren’t valid.
Years later, when I started thinking about pregnancy, hormones suddenly became a central topic in conversations with my OB and reproductive endocrinologist. That’s when I learned about ovulation windows, how women are most fertile between 20 and 29, and how fertility drops dramatically after 30. It was terrifying and depressing. I remember sitting there, wanting to shake my doctor and yell, “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?” I felt like I had somehow missed my chance to conceive naturally. Then, after having my first child through IVF and experiencing severe postpartum, I learned—far too late—about the hormonal shifts that happen after birth.
So why am I excited about our October event? Because it’s time we openly discuss every stage of hormonal health—what to expect, what to watch for, and how to take control. From understanding fertility and optimizing our bodies for conception to recognizing the signs of perimenopause and menopause, we need to be informed. I want to know how to regulate my mind and body through food, teas, exercise, and, yes, hormonal treatments. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that women have to do their own homework and advocate for themselves—especially when it comes to hormonal health.
Mary Beth - I never thought much about my period until trying to get pregnant in my mid-30s. I was on birth control for most of my 20s and had a pretty regular cycle with little to no monthly symptoms. It wasn’t until a few years ago I heard tips like, “It’s best to interview during week two of your cycle because, at this time, high estrogen and testosterone are sharpening your brain skills and making you think faster on your feet.” Postpartum hormone dips followed both of my childbirths but only one felt significant enough to seek medical care for a short time. Then, I was back to my ten-minute OBGYN appointments. I hit 40 and my period and its side effects were all over the map. I tried a couple of birth controls but they both made me feel like I wanted to crawl out of my skin. I've recently tried the Mirena IUD and the jury is still out on that for a bit. Now at 42, I’m hearing more and more about perimenopause - a term I honestly didn’t know existed until a couple of years ago. Due to pelvic floor strength (hopefully more on that for a future held event!) my past running workouts have changed and doing more cardio doesn’t help me get toned like it has in the past, I actually see a huge difference in my energy when eating more balanced, and my bounceback from one-too-many margaritas isn’t like it used to be. Those are just a few of the changes I’m noticing in my body as I head toward the mid-40s mark. Growing up I just figured at 50 years old I would hit menopause, have hot flashes, grow even more chin hairs, start chair yoga (nothing wrong with that!), and begin dressing like Diane Keaton in Father of the Bride 2. But now 42 feels like the new 32 (does every generation say this?!) I’m excited to learn more about perimenopause and tips on how I can feel more balanced and strong in my body at this time in my life. Also, why am I seeing so much about creatine for menopause? I don’t want to be the Hulk with hot flashes! I’m also hoping that makes me more prepared for menopause - leaning more towards Diane Keaton in Something’s Gotta Give.
