The PMDD Naturopath Holistic Approach

Why I take a holistic treatment approach

Because the science points to a network problem, the care plan needs a network solution. My approach supports your brain chemistry, your stress system, and your daily life—all together. Imagine you’re juggling work, family, and a social life. You don’t need yet another ball to juggle—you need the whole juggling act to get easier.

1) Foundations first

• Sleep and circadian rhythm: consistent bed/wake times, morning light, calmer evenings. Small wins here often pay off fast.

• Plant-rich, anti-inflammatory meals: steady blood sugar, plenty of fibre, colourful plants, and adequate plant proteins (tofu, tempeh, legumes, quinoa).

• Key nutrients:

• Magnesium for stress support and sleep.

• Omega-3s for mood and inflammation (I prefer Ahiflower as my top omega-3 + omega-6 GLA source).

• Iron, B12, iodine, vitamin D checked and corrected when needed.

• Alcohol and caffeine: dial back in the late luteal week if you notice they make symptoms worse.

2) Targeted, evidence-informed supports

I don’t prescribe pharmaceuticals. Instead, my work uses nutritional and herbal medicine to support the same biology (GABA, serotonin, HPA axis) in a gentler, well-timed way.

Herbal medicine (used cyclically and safely)

• Saffron – for low mood, anxiety, and irritability in the late luteal phase. I use a standardised extract and dose it consistently; many women feel a steadier mood quickly

• Vitex agnus-castus (Chaste Tree) – to support healthy cycle signalling and late-luteal stability. Best taken in the morning, and given 8–12 weeks to assess effect.

• Kava – short-term support for anxiety, tension and sleep in the premenstrual week. I use quality-assured extracts, screen for liver issues, and avoid combining with alcohol or sedatives.

Nutrients (test first, then target)

Some of many possible examples include:

• Magnesium (often glycinate or taurate) in the evening for stress regulation, sleep, and muscle tension.

• Omega-3s & GLA from Ahiflower® daily to support mood and lower inflammation.

• Vitamin B6 (as P-5-P) where indicated, with sensible dosing.

• Iron, B12, vitamin D, iodine/selenium only if labs show you need them—guessing helps no one.

Natural ways to steady the ALLO/GABA “calm system”

• Timing matters: I build luteal-phase plans (or symptom-onset plans) that combine magnesium, targeted herbs, breathwork and sleep routines to reduce late-luteal reactivity.

• Gentle somatic work (paced exhale, grounding, light movement) widens the gap between trigger and reaction when your system feels on edge.

Safety & fit

• Every plan checks for interactions, contraindications, and life context (workload, parenting, travel).

• Not for pregnancy or breastfeeding unless specifically assessed.

• If you’re on any medications, we coordinate to keep your plan safe.

In short: we use well-chosen herbs, targeted nutrients, and precise timing across the cycle to support the brain and nervous system—without pharmaceuticals.

3) Trauma-aware nervous-system work

• Family Constellations and Rapid Core Healing to process deeper emotional patterns in a safe, structured way.

• Somatic and regulation skills: breath, paced exhale, gentle movement, and simple grounding you can use anywhere—school run, staff meeting, or a too-brightly lit supermarket aisle.

• Psychological support: when useful, I coordinate with therapists so your plan is joined-up.

4) Personal data, not guesswork

• Cycle and symptom tracking to confirm a late-luteal pattern.

• Targeted lab testing (when indicated) to rule out “look-alikes” and correct nutrient gaps.

• Review and refine: your plan adapts as your body responds.