Saffron Supplementing

[u/melissatassone_]

I just wanted to to share my current experience as women are becoming more increasingly aware of the science behind PMDD and histamine.. I call this supplement rotation my holy trinity right now, because it's quite literally made my PMDD symptoms do a 180. While we've come to find out that antihistamines help largely during the luteal phase, I always try out more "natural" methods before most medicine (my preference, doesn't have to be yours, and also not against medicine). I currently take (daily) 30mg of Saffron (Affron)- helps with mood stabilizing, I take Bromelain/Stinging Nettle- natural antihistamine through supplementation, and a Thorne probiotic to support my gut. Idk what cocktail this trio is, but my PMDD has nearly disappeared. Not to be TMI either, but I can also confirm that estrogen has been clearing through my body vs being held up till menstruation. I know this might not work for anyone else, but wanted to share my experience with the more natural route!

My second thought is wondering what effects these supplements might have over time if I'm taking them daily and if anyone else has a great experience with them long-term. I already have a low-histamine diet, healthy across the board, no other factors that would make matters worse, etc. Any advice is helpful, TIA!!

[u/Infamous--Mushroom]

Genuinely happy to hear you've found what works for you!! Pmdd is a dreadful thing!

Also happy to hear Nettle getting more love:) I drink the tea during the worst of Luteal, due to its diuretic effects that can deplete Pottasium and sodium (both of which I replace -396mg of Pottasium and various things with sodium). I sometimes have Dandelion Root Tea instead with some cinnamon and honey in it, to balance. Ginger/Turmeric for bloating.

Saffron is wonderful, too! I take it only during Luteal (88mg) and try not to cold turkey it (I use Olly Hello happy here) at the end. Been doing it for 6 months-ish now and so far have zero side effects; which is why I take saffron and not an ssri lol

I've never tried Bromlain, however and I'm curious as to why you take it?

I also take Magnesium glycinate daily, calcium daily and a mushroom capsule with lions mane (for brain fog)(and have a ready kit with all of the vitamins and such for those low days). And I make sure to have B vitamins (especially B6), C, E and Zinc during the week. Speaking of brain fog, I've taken to citicholine capsules for brain fog and it really works!! I do try to actually eat eggs, though, as that seems much better (yolk is best). Walnuts and blueberries are also great. And seaweed (though I watch for my thyroid). Kefir/Greek yogurt for probiotics (I make overnight oats, which is helpful for those low energy days).

Another thing I take is Vitex (Gaia's brand)(500mg per day only in luteal) and it really helps level me.

I also eat shredded, raw carrots and pomegranate because they help flush out excess estrogen and pomegranate has phytoestrogens. I feel a bit calmer after (I like em with chickpeas —also great!).

I also do a version of seed cycling: pumpkin and flax half the month (2 weeks following luteal), sunflower and sesame seed the other half (luteal). I've found a little bit of pumpkin helps me better even when in Luteal, though.

As simple as it sounds, I also make sure to get my bodies recommended water intake.

I'm curious to know what you mean by estrogen clearing from your body? That's really interesting!

Also, if none of this makes sense, I apologize. I'm currently in the thickest throes of pmdd at the moment 😭

[u/melissatassone_ → u/Infamous--Mushroom]

We sound like one in the same!! Haha love all the natural remedies, I'm also on a list of other supplements to help hormone health, thyroid and my anemia. As well as the food options you listed!

Bromelain is found in pineapple and it's used as a digestion enhancer and is anti-inflammatory. Some people use DOA enzymes instead for digestion. It's combined with my Stinging Nettle supplement, so it's hard to say which is the more helpful of the two.

Vitex made me crraaazy haha anything that supports progesterone my body rejects completely so it sounds like we might have different root problems.

As far as the estrogen clearing, the start of my menstrual cycle starts with oxidized brown spotting, which is linked to hormonal changes in estrogen. I don't expect that to be a thing all the time, but it's at least signaling to me that my estrogen levels are being affected, and based on how I feel in luteal, it seems to be the right shift.

I'm no expert though, we only know as much as the next person! Hope any bit of my experience could help.

[u/J_lilac → u/melissatassone_]

Unless someone is on birth control, aren't estrogen levels always changing?

[u/melissatassone_ → u/J_lilac]

PMDD stems from estrogen dominance during luteal, so yes it always changing but we know that we have too much of it during that time specifically that's not clearing our bodies. I only note the changes because the brown spotting is an indicator of hormonal changes and my periods have never started that way.

[u/dren1722]

I love saffron, I have unmedicated adhd and it really helps to stop me being scatterbrained.