3 Libra-Inspired Hormone Balancing Recipes

The Libra season (late September to mid-October) is associated with balance, beauty, and harmony—qualities that resonate with the feminine energy and the need for equilibrium in our bodies, especially when it comes to hormones. These three Ayurvedic recipes, inspired by Libra’s quest for balance, incorporate ingredients known to support hormonal harmony.

Here are three fall-inspired, hormone-balancing recipes that focus on achieving equilibrium in the body. Each recipe incorporates seasonal ingredients and supports hormone health through nutrient-dense, whole foods:

1. Pumpkin & Lentil Stew with Ashwagandha

This hearty stew combines fiber-rich lentils, hormone-balancing pumpkin, and the adaptogen ashwagandha, which helps the body manage stress and maintain equilibrium.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup red lentils

• 1 ½ cups pumpkin (peeled and cubed)

• 1 small onion, diced

• 1 garlic cloves, minced (if you like garlic… cause I don’t and do not use it 😝)

• 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated

• 1 tsp ashwagandha powder (optional)

• 1 tsp turmeric powder

• 1 tsp cumin seeds

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• 4 cups vegetable broth

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot and sauté the onion, garlic, and ginger until soft and fragrant.

2. Add cumin seeds, turmeric, cinnamon, and ashwagandha powder, and cook for another minute.

3. Stir in the lentils and pumpkin, coating them in the spices.

4. Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil.

5. Lower the heat and simmer for 25-30 minutes until the lentils are soft and the pumpkin is tender.

6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

7. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

Benefits: Pumpkin is high in beta-carotene, which supports progesterone production, while lentils are a great source of plant-based protein and fiber to help balance estrogen levels. Ashwagandha aids in reducing cortisol, promoting overall hormone equilibrium.

Key Ingredients & Their Ayurvedic Benefits:

• Pumpkin: In Ayurveda, pumpkin is considered cooling and grounding, making it excellent for balancing the Vata and Pitta doshas, which tend to go out of balance during the autumn season. Its high beta-carotene content helps support the production of progesterone, a key hormone for menstrual regularity.

• Lentils: A staple in Ayurvedic cooking, lentils are sattvic (pure and nourishing) and provide plant-based protein and fiber. They help to balance all three doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—by supporting digestion and aiding in the elimination of excess hormones, such as estrogen.

• Ashwagandha: This powerful adaptogen is one of Ayurveda’s most revered herbs for hormone balance. Ashwagandha helps the body adapt to stress and lowers cortisol levels, which directly impacts the production of sex hormones. It supports thyroid health and boosts progesterone production, fostering hormonal harmony.

Ayurvedic Insight: Combining pumpkin, lentils, and ashwagandha makes this stew a nourishing, grounding dish that soothes Vata and Pitta imbalances, which are often exacerbated by the transitional autumn season.

2. Roasted Root Vegetables with Shatavari Dressing

This vibrant salad features fall root vegetables like sweet potatoes and beets, paired with a shatavari-infused tahini dressing to support women's hormone health.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium sweet potatoes, cubed

• 2 medium beets, peeled and cubed

• 2 carrots, sliced

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp ground cumin

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• 4 cups mixed greens (arugula, spinach, kale)

• 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds, toasted

Shatavari Tahini Dressing:

• 2 tbsp tahini

• 1 tsp shatavari powder

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 garlic clove, minced

• 1 tsp maple syrup

• 2-3 tbsp water (to thin)

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Toss the sweet potatoes, beets, and carrots in olive oil, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Spread them on a baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes, until golden and tender.

3. Meanwhile, whisk together the tahini, shatavari powder, lemon juice, maple syrup, and water in a small bowl. Adjust the consistency with more water if necessary.

4. Once the vegetables are roasted, assemble the salad by layering mixed greens in a large bowl or platter. Top with roasted vegetables and sprinkle with toasted pumpkin seeds.

5. Drizzle the shatavari tahini dressing over the salad and serve.

Benefits: Shatavari is known for its ability to support female reproductive health and balance estrogen levels. The root vegetables provide fiber and antioxidants to support detoxification and balanced hormone production.

Key Ingredients & Their Ayurvedic Benefits:

• Sweet Potatoes: Sweet potatoes are sweet and grounding, balancing the airy Vata dosha. Their natural sweetness and fiber content support steady blood sugar levels, which is essential for stable hormone production, particularly insulin and cortisol.

• Beets: According to Ayurveda, beets cleanse and strengthen the liver, which plays a crucial role in the metabolism and detoxification of hormones. Beets are also known to increase blood flow, which can aid in regulating the menstrual cycle and balancing estrogen.

• Shatavari: Shatavari, often referred to as the "Queen of Herbs," is a rejuvenating herb in Ayurveda known for supporting female reproductive health. It helps regulate estrogen levels, supports fertility, and reduces symptoms of hormonal imbalance, including PMS, menopause, and irregular cycles.

• Pumpkin Seeds: A great source of zinc, pumpkin seeds are highly regarded in Ayurveda for supporting reproductive health. Zinc is necessary for the proper function of the ovaries and the regulation of progesterone levels, making pumpkin seeds excellent for balancing hormones.

Ayurvedic Insight: This root vegetable salad, enriched with Shatavari dressing, is ideal for balancing Vata and Pitta while nurturing the reproductive system and supporting hormonal equilibrium. The warming spices and grounding roots help pacify the nervous system.

3. Apple & Cinnamon Chia Pudding with Maca

This chia pudding is perfect for a fall breakfast or snack, featuring warming spices and hormone-balancing maca.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup chia seeds

• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk

• 1 small apple, peeled and diced

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• 1 tsp ground ginger

• 1 tbsp maca powder

• 1 tsp maple syrup (optional)

• 2 tbsp chopped walnuts

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. In a jar or bowl, mix chia seeds, almond milk, vanilla extract, maca powder, cinnamon, ginger, and maple syrup.

2. Stir well, then let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes. Stir again to prevent clumping and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

3. Before serving, sauté the diced apple in a small pan over medium heat for 5 minutes, adding a little water if needed, until soft.

4. Top the chia pudding with sautéed apples and chopped walnuts.

Benefits: Maca supports energy and hormonal balance, especially for the adrenal glands. Chia seeds provide omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for reducing inflammation and supporting progesterone levels. The cinnamon helps regulate blood sugar, which is essential for hormone stability.

Key Ingredients & Their Ayurvedic Benefits:

• Apples: Apples are considered light and cooling in Ayurveda, making them ideal for balancing Pitta, particularly during the fall season. They are rich in fiber, which aids in detoxification, helping to eliminate excess estrogen from the body.

• Cinnamon: Cinnamon is a warming spice that helps ignite Agni (digestive fire) in Ayurveda. It helps balance blood sugar levels, which is essential for stabilizing insulin and cortisol. Properly balanced blood sugar leads to better hormone regulation and reduces cravings and mood swings.

• Chia Seeds: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, chia seeds help reduce inflammation in the body, which can support hormone balance by calming the Vata and Pitta doshas. In Ayurveda, fats are essential for nourishing the body and aiding in the production of hormones, including estrogen and progesterone.

• Maca: Though not traditionally Ayurvedic, maca is considered an adaptogen, much like ashwagandha. It helps the body balance the endocrine system, regulating hormone production and supporting libido and energy. Maca works well for balancing both Pitta and Vata and is especially helpful for women during times of hormonal fluctuation, such as during menopause or PMS.

Ayurvedic Insight: This chia pudding, with its warming spices and adaptogenic maca, is perfect for balancing Vata and Kapha while helping maintain steady blood sugar and energy levels throughout the day.

These dishes are nutrient-dense and specifically designed to balance hormones naturally through whole, seasonal ingredients.

Conclusion: Nourish Your Hormones this Libra Season

As the season of Libra inspires us to seek balance, these Ayurvedic recipes can help you maintain harmony within your body, particularly when it comes to hormonal health. With nourishing, grounding ingredients and hormone-supporting herbs, you can bring equilibrium to your system during this transitional time of year.

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