Hi xxd,

I'm a genetic female and since i've made some blood tests and found that i have low estrogen, low dhea and high delta-4-androstenedione, i've been thinking that the way to go for me is increase dhea, transforme testosterone and androstendione into estrogen via aromatase and at the same time blocking 5-alpha reductase.

So i've made some research trying to find out which herbs can help me and i actually can't find any dht blocker that doesn't inhibit aromatase at the same time.

So, as aromatase booster herbs i only can find white peony and licorice. But i've found now these two studies saying that licorice is actually an aromatase inhibitor.
http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/licorice-flavonoid-isoliquiritgenein-inhibits-aromatase-and-potential-chemopreventive-agent
http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/licorice-contains-compound-liquiritigenin-aromatase-inhibitory-action-10-times-more-potent

And i've found that all the well-known dht blockers as saw palmetto, pumpkin seeds, pygeum, red reishi mushroom, reduce aromatase.

So it would be counter-productive taking white peony with some of these dht blockers, right?!
The only herb that seems not to be counter-productive taking with white peony as a dht blocker is actually white peony that seems to work as 5-alpha reductase blocker as well.

In the next study they talk again about licorice beeing a aromatase booster, that contradicts those two studies above. And the first sentence seems to contradict the the rest of the conclusions of the study. if someone can enlighten me!?

"Paeoniflorin, glycyrrhetic acid and glycyrrhizin decreased significantly the testosterone production but did not change that of delta 4-androstenedione and estradiol. Testosterone/delta 4-androstenedione production ratio was lowered significantly by paeoniflorin, glycyrrhetic acid and glycyrrhizin. Estradiol/testosterone production ratio was increased significantly by glycyrrhetic acid and not changed by paeoniflorin and glycyrrhizin. These results suggest that paeoniflorin, glycyrrhetic acid and glycyrrhizin affect the conversion between delta 4-androstenedione and testosterone to inhibit testosterone synthesis and stimulate the aromatase activity to promote estradiol synthesis by the direct action on the rat proestrous ovary.