Phytoestrogens

Question about herbs and supplements

One reply indicates Pueraria mirifica has some effect but not enough.

Wikipedia  indicates it contains phytoestrogens and various sources suggest it is used in some Asian cultures in traditional medicine to help with menstrual issues and similar.

In humans, phytoestrogens are digested in the small intestine, poorly absorbed into the circulatory system, circulate in plasma, and are excreted in the urine. Metabolic influence is different from that of grazing animals due to the differences between ruminant versus monogastric digestive systems.

As of 2020, there is insufficient clinical evidence to determine that phytoestrogens have effects in humans.

Ethnopharmacology

In some countries, phytoestrogenic plants have been used for centuries in the treatment of menstrual and menopausal problems, as well as for fertility problems. Plants used that have been shown to contain phytoestrogens include Pueraria mirifica and its close relative kudzu.

In traditional Chinese medicine, where it is known as gé gēn (gegen), kudzu is considered one of the 50 fundamental herbs thought to have therapeutic effects, although there is no high-quality clinical research to indicate it has any activity or therapeutic use in humans ...Adverse effects may occur if kudzu is taken by people with hormone-sensitive cancer or those taking tamoxifen, antidiabetic medications, or methotrexate.

So OFFICIALLY:

A. We have ZERO god-damned evidence this is hormonally active.

B. But don't take it with hormone sensitive cancer or you might DIE!

Sure. That tracks.

Kudzu is an invasive species in my home state of Georgia where it has taken over the state like some of the images from games I've seen where the plot is the garden is secretly full of living people etc that got turned into vines.

I saw a discussion on maybe Twitter once about how it's a food source in Asia.

Initial reading suggests phytoestrogens MAY be moderately helpful but probably aren't sufficient to the needs of the trans community. Possibly useful information for getting moderate relief while closeted in a hostile environment but probably not really a DIY HRT alternative.