Why hormone health and holistic care matter
And how managing those can lead to a happier, healthier life (and not turning into the Hulk with hot flashes)
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.
(This is the stock photo that appears when we search for “menopause”—while it’s a beautiful setting, it feels analogous to what women often deal with: an unguided walk through menopause, left to understand and manage their own physiologically, emotional, and mental changes.)
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 concept of hormones started to become part of my vocabulary in middle school when my friends and I started to get our periods. We didn’t actually use the term “hormones”; we just said, “I have my period” or used euphemisms like “Aunt Flo from down South is here.” If girls got a little heated or cried, you would hear whispers of “Oh, she must be on her period!” Reflecting back, it was uncomfortable to have people talk about your body and your psychological state. It also felt dismissive. No longer were our emotions appropriate or that someone should take accountability for making us feel a certain way. It was our “Aunt Flo” who was making our prepubescent selves pissed.
Years later, when I was thinking about pregnancy, the word “hormone” became a topic of conversation between my OB and my reproductive endocrinologist. During those appointments, I learned more about ovulation windows and that women are most fertile between the ages of 20-29. And when you hit 30, it drops precipitously with each year. It was scary and depressing. It felt like shaking my doctor and yelling, “Why didn’t you tell me?” I had somehow missed the finite window of time to conceive naturally. And when I did have my first child through IVF and suffered severely from postpartum, I learned only then about the effects of hormones after birth. Again, it was too little, too late.
So, why am I excited about our October event? It’s time that we openly learn and discuss every hormonal stage and its effects and symptoms. From how to make our bodies more fertile to knowing the signs and symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. I want to know how I can better regulate my mind and body through food, teas, exercise, and, yes, hormonal treatments. Because as I’ve learned in life, we women need to do our own homework and self-advocacy when it comes to our bodies, particularly 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.
UPCOMING held HAPPENINGS
Held is partnering with Abbie Gross, an herbalist, postpartum doula, and holistic natural foods chef, for our October event. Attendees will walk away with a better understanding of how hormonal changes can impact multiple aspects of a woman’s well-being, what causes those changes besides age, how to detect the signs and symptoms, and the types of nourishment needed to help regulate the imbalance.
Experience an after-hours private tour with a curator of the Portland Museum of Art’s Peggy Bacon exhibit. The evening will be spent discussing and creatively expressing how Bacon’s satirical window into the social structures of the United States still holds relevance today, particularly in areas of gender, education, and class.
SHOUT OUTS
The Second Annual Midlife Conference is held from October 25th to 27th in Rockport, ME. The event will bring together experts, practitioners, and provocative thinkers for 2.5 days of in-depth presentations, interviews, and conversation—from finance to fashion and relationships to psychedelics. Together, they’ll address the most significant issues we face in middle age. Tickets are still available, and on Sunday, October 27th, from 2-3 pm, Tenaya and Mary Beth will be panelists on “Building a Business Focused on Building a Community.” They look forward to sharing their thoughts on how and why they launched held and what they envision for 2025. We hope to see you there!
CLASSIFIEDS
The Wave is a new vibrant, membership-based workspace nestled in the heart of Portland on Washington Avenue. With a panoramic window line offering expansive views of Back Cove, The Wave provides a refreshing environment to work, unwind, and connect with others! If you are looking for a place to work, host an event, or hold a company offsite, learn more at www.waveportland.com.
ABOUT
Held was an idea that developed over a cup of coffee. Tenaya and Mary Beth are passionate about their Portland, Maine, female community and ensuring others feel supported and connected.
Modern life can often be frenetic and lonely, and most people do not prioritize building their community because it feels daunting or inaccessible. Held believes that feeling seen and having a sense of belonging are key to one’s well-being. It’s committed to developing events that inspire, promote inclusivity, and celebrate diversity of thought to foster meaningful relationships and personal growth. Held designs each gathering to be transformative by reimagining human connection.
To receive invites, please sign up here and share with those who would be interested. We hope to see you soon!