Herbal Remedies We Love from Dominican Culture for PCOS
When it comes to women’s health, especially hormone-related conditions like PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), there’s a huge gap in everyday, natural, and culturally rooted care. From irregular periods to hormonal acne, weight fluctuations, and deep emotional fatigue, even women who don’t have PCOS can benefit from hormone-balancing support. That’s why I am sharing these herbal remedies from Dominican culture for PCOS, especially since these remedies have helped women through every phase of the menstrual cycle.
Dominican culture is rich with wisdom passed down from abuelas and traditional herbalists. These aren’t just “trendy teas” or quick-fix supplements. They are time-tested practices made from the earth and rooted in generations of care. Whether you’re working through a diagnosis, curious about natural hormone support, or simply craving a deeper connection with your womb and cycle, I hope this post gives you something meaningful to work with.
Below, you’ll find three of our favorite herbal remedies from Dominican culture for PCOS and hormone health. Each one has its own special role in supporting balance, reducing inflammation, or easing painful symptoms. Let’s get into it.
1. Anamu Tea: A Detoxifying Herbal Remedy from Dominican Culture for PCOS
Anamu is one of the most distinctive herbs used in Caribbean healing, known for its strong, garlicky scent and bold flavor. In the Dominican Republic, it’s respected for its immune-boosting and cleansing powers. Many elders believe anamu can “sweep” out what doesn’t belong in the body which is an idea that resonates deeply with how it supports hormonal health.
Why Anamu Supports PCOS and Hormone Balance
Anamu is packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. It’s believed to support liver function, which plays a huge role in hormonal detox. For women with PCOS, who often experience excess estrogen, irregular ovulation, or inflammation, this herb helps clear the internal clutter. It may also support more regular menstrual cycles and reduce cramping, which is why it’s one of the go-to herbal remedies from Dominican culture for PCOS symptoms.
Anamu Tea benefits
- Rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds
- Supports healthy liver function, which is key for hormonal detox
- May help the body clear excess estrogen and internal buildup
- Can promote more regular menstrual cycles
- May reduce cramping and pelvic discomfort
How to Brew Amanu Tea
IMPORTANT NOTE
Avoid during pregnancy or if you’re actively trying to conceive, as anamu may stimulate the uterus.
2. Raspberry Leaf: A Womb-Strengthening Herbal Remedy for PCOS
While not unique to the Dominican Republic, raspberry leaf tea is deeply woven into Dominican herbal traditions, especially among midwives and traditional birth workers. Known locally as hoja de frambuesa, it’s a beloved herb for toning the uterus and regulating heavy or irregular cycles.
How Raspberry Leaf Helps Women with PCOS
Raspberry leaf is rich in minerals like iron, calcium, and magnesium—nutrients that many women with PCOS are deficient in. Its toning effect on the uterus can help bring more regular, less painful periods, and its anti-inflammatory action may ease bloating and cramps. Some women even find it helps improve mood and lessen PMS symptoms. That’s why I always include it when talking about herbal remedies from Dominican culture for PCOS, especially for women looking to create more cycle awareness.
RASPBERRY LEAF BENEFITS
- Rich in essential minerals like iron, calcium, and magnesium
- Supports uterine tone, which may lead to more regular and less painful periods
- Anti-inflammatory properties can reduce bloating and cramping
- May help improve mood and lessen PMS symptoms
How to Brew Raspberry Leaf Tea
IMPORTANT NOTE
You can make a big batch and keep it in the fridge to sip cold throughout the day during your premenstrual window.
3. Manzanilla (Chamomile): A Soothing Herbal Remedy from Dominican Culture for PCOS and Stress
If you grew up Dominican, you probably know manzanilla as the tea your mom gave you when you had a stomachache, couldn’t sleep, or just “weren’t acting like yourself.” But it turns out, chamomile is also one of the most underrated herbal remedies from Dominican culture for PCOS especially because it gently supports your nervous system, digestion, and hormones all at once.
Why Chamomile is the Best Herb for PCOS
Chamomile has been shown to reduce cortisol (the stress hormone), improve sleep, and calm the nervous system. For women with PCOS, who often deal with insulin resistance and high cortisol, this can be a game-changer. It also soothes inflammation and may ease painful periods or digestive issues related to hormonal shifts. Because your gut health and hormone health are so connected, manzanilla offers a quiet, grounding way to bring the body back into balance.
chamomile flower BENEFITS
- Helps reduce cortisol (the stress hormone) and calm the nervous system
- Supports better sleep, which is essential for hormone balance
- Can ease inflammation and soothe painful periods
- May relieve digestive issues related to hormonal fluctuations
- Especially beneficial for women with PCOS who struggle with insulin resistance and stress
How to Brew Chamomile Flower Tea
IMPORTANT NOTE
Chamomile steam baths for the face or lower belly can help reduce inflammation and improve circulation, which may be helpful for hormonal acne or pelvic congestion.
The Bigger Picture: How Herbal Remedies from Dominican Culture for PCOS Reconnect Us with Ourselves
These remedies aren’t meant to be quick fixes. They’re a way to return to our roots, to slow down, and to trust the body’s ability to heal with the right support. When we turn to herbal remedies from Dominican culture for PCOS, we’re not just using plants, we’re drawing from the wisdom of our grandmothers, healers, and farmers who worked in rhythm with the land.
They remind us that healing doesn’t have to be complicated. That caring for your womb, your hormones, your emotional body is sacred. Whether you’re dealing with PCOS, irregular cycles, or just learning how to listen to your body’s rhythms again, these herbs can offer a foundation. A soft place to land.
A Gentle Reminder
Of course, herbal remedies should be part of a bigger healing picture. It’s important to work with a trusted health practitioner if you’re managing a medical condition, and to be mindful of how herbs may interact with medications. But if you’re looking for support that feels natural, ancestral, and deeply feminine, these herbal remedies from Dominican culture for PCOS are a beautiful place to begin.
You deserve to feel in harmony with your cycle. You deserve to feel supported, understood, and grounded. And if this blog helps you feel just a little bit closer to that, then I’m so happy you’re here.
What About You?
Have you ever tried traditional remedies for PCOS? Do you have a family recipe you grew up with? I’d love to hear your stories on Patreon!
