Like many, I was regularly served adverts for the Rheal Balance Tonic on my Instagram feed.
With Meta apparently fully aware of my late-thirties hormonal woes, the advert immediately drew me in thanks to its promise of hormonal balance.
As someone who has been searching for supplements to support my cycle, I decided there was no harm in giving the Rheal Balance Tonic a try. With my cycle feeling like a rollercoaster since having my daughter, I was keen to see if a daily powder could help me gain some equilibrium and feel less anxious.
I must admit, I was pretty sceptical about the product. Supplements to support a women’s menstrual cycles seem to be everywhere at the moment and I had been wondering if any of them were actually as effective as they claimed to be.
I decided to therefore give Rheal Balance Tonic a fair go and report back in a blog post – to see if my scepticism was warranted. I’ve been trialling the product for 5 months now and below is my very honest review of Rheal Balance Tonic.
What Are the Ingredients in Rheal Balance Tonic?
What initially drew me to the Rheal Balance Tonic is the fact that the ingredients are aimed at solely supporting a woman’s menstrual cycle.
As someone who already religiously takes Vitamin D, Magnesium, Vitamin C, Zinc, B12 and Symprove probiotic (yes, I take vitamins seriously), I wasn’t looking for a product that offered much more than this.
Below is a list of the ingredients included in the Rheal Balance Tonic.
1. Blueberry Powder
The first ingredient listed in the Rheal Balance Tonic is Blueberry Powder.
When consumed in a concentrated form, blueberry powder is a powerful antioxidant – delivering a blast of anthocyanin. These components are linked to health benefits such as a reduction in inflammation, enhanced cognitive function and improved heart health.
2. Hibiscus
Next up on the list is Hibiscus powder, designed to give you a big dose of vitamin C, alongside other minerals that support hearth health and lipid levels (these measure fat and cholesterol levels in your blood).
3. Baobab Powder
The third ingredient in the Rheal Balance Tonic is Baobab powder. This is an ingredient that offers fibre, high vitamin C and antioxidant content. Its main purpose in the tonic, however, is to aid digestion and promote good gut health.
4. Maca Root Powder
We’ve finally arrived at an ingredient in the Rheal Balance Tonic that is specifically aimed at supporting hormones: the maca root powder.
This is a herb traditionally used to support hormone regulation and overall health. As well as supplying vital vitamins, such as B, C and E, maca root also provides important minerals such as magnesium, copper, iron and potassium, all of which help regulate hormones.
Used to stabilise mood and energy levels, Maca Root is used holistically to treat PMS as well as menopausal symptoms such as sleep issues, mood swings and hot flashes.
5. KSM-66 Ashwagandha (500mg)
The ingredient that really drew me to trying the Rheal Balance Tonic is ashwagandha. An ancient herb, ashwagandha is said to help reduce anxiety, stress and inflammation; the symptoms I struggle with most during my cycle.
I have been wanting to try ashwagandha for a few years now, and so was excited to try it as part of the Rheal Balance Tonic.
However, and what is frustrating about the ingredients in the Rheal Balance Tonic, is the fact that the quantities of each ingredient (apart from ashwagandha) are not listed. This makes it difficult to know whether the quantities you’re taking are the bare minimum or are meeting your recommended daily dose.
I definitely believe the Rheal brand would hold more legitimacy if it explicitly stated the quantities of each ingredient and was a little more transparent.
What Does Rheal Balance Tonic Taste Like?
Having sampled my fair share of repulsive potions in the past, I was relieved to discover that the Rheal Balance Tonic doesn’t really taste of much at all.
It does have a slightly sharp tang, but no notable taste. Having said that, however, I’d say that with a glass of water the gritty powder isn’t the most pleasant texture and you’re better off mixing it with something else.
I’ve now got into the routine of adding it to my orange juice in the morning, or on my yoghurt and fruit, which is far more palatable. It’s actually a surprisingly nice addition to my mornings and I’ve enjoyed adding the Rheal Balance Tonic to my daily routine.
Rheal do offer a handy range of recipe ideas on their website, if you’re looking to incorporate the powder into a smoothie or nutritious breakfast.
What Time of Day Should you Drink Rheal Balance Tonic?
Although there is no specific time of day that you should take the Rheal Balance Tonic, the brand advise that you take it with a meal to assist with absorption. I take mine in the morning, as it’s easy to remember and feels fitting to take it to support me throughout the day.
The recommended dosage is 5mg, around one-heaped teaspoon a day.
Is Rheal Balance Tonic Organic?
One of my favourite aspects of the Rheal brand, and what persuaded me to invest in their product, is the fact their ingredients are organic and they are a certified B-Corp.
A B-Corp business is one that considers the effects of their activities on the environment, communities and eco-systems. For example, Rheal plant one tree for every order, in partnership with the charity Ecologi, and have planted over one million trees to date.
The ingredients used in Rheal products are also certified organic with OF&G and are plant based and gluten free.
How Much Does Rheal Balance Cost?
The Rheal Balance Tonic can be bought as a one-off item or in subscription form.
Rheal Subscription
The Rheal subscription offers the Rheal Balance Tonic for £21.25 (saving £3.75) and includes a free water bottle. As an aside, the water bottle is a lovely quality and has become my go-to bottle for work.
The subscription option then offers 15% off all recurring orders, with free postage. You can also swap products in and out, which is very handy, as I found they can send out a bottle of the tonic before I’ve had a chance to finish the last.
This situation is a bit of a (pleasant) mystery to me, as I’m using the suggested 1-heaped teaspoon a day – so I’m not sure why I’m falling behind. I’ve therefore had to pause my subscription because I’m stockpiling unopened bottles.
The subscription cost works out as around 58p per serving, which I do think is great value.
One-Time Purchase
If you buy a one-off purchase of the Rheal Balance Tonic, it will cost you £25 + postage.
As the subscription option is free to cancel at any time, I would suggest saving yourself some money (and getting a free water bottle), and signing up to the subscription option, even if you don’t end up re-ordering.
Can Rheal Balance Tonic Help with Perimenopause and Menopause?
As the Rheal Balance Tonic is designed to support ‘unbalanced’ hormones, it could be a valid option for those experiencing perimenopause or menopausal symptom.
Having read many honest reviews around this, there (again) seem to be mixed results and I really think the effectiveness of the tonic will vary (very much) from person to person.
As I keep repeating in this honest review of Rheal Balance Tonic, a supplement is never going to be a magic bullet for hormonal issues, but I see no issue in incorporating Rheal Balance Tonic into your routine to help support your cycles during menopause or perimenopause.
How Long Does Rheal Balance Tonic Take to Work?
If you search Rheal’s website, the answer to this question states: ‘We would love to be able to provide a timescale for when to expect noticeable benefits from our products. However, this is heavily dependant on the individuals and things such as diet, lifestyle, health, hormones and much more. The best way to ensure maximum benefit is to take the recommended serving daily, in the long-term.’
Again, and not to be the bearer of bad news, but if you’re hoping to drop a spoonful of the powder into a smoothie and feel transformed within hours, you’ll be left disappointed. As supplements take time to build in your body to reach full efficacy, it’s likely you won’t feel any results of Balance Tonic for at least your 1-2 cycles (or two months).
Looking at Rheal’s website, there are plenty of incredibly positive reviews of the Tonic working within a month. Of course, while I can’t argue with these reviews and I’m genuinely pleased so many women are finding relief from their PMS symptoms, I wonder if some of this is the placebo effect.
Rheal themselves have posted the guide below, which I really respect them for. Rather than promising quick fixes and playing on women’s vulnerabilities, Rheal provide a realistic timeframe regarding when you may fully experience the benefits.
If I were to go by their guidelines, it seems I could still be a couple of months away from reaching the Tonic’s full potential.
Does Rheal Balance Tonic Really Help with PMS?
The million dollar question: has the Rheal Balance Tonic really helped me with hormone support and has it reduced my PMS symptoms?
Well, the truthful answer is – I don’t really know.
I know this isn’t a hugely helpful answer when it comes to an honest review of Rheal Balance Tonic, but I think a concrete answer is incredibly hard to provide.
I think it would be unrealistic to expect a supplement, such as Rheal Balance Tonic, to transform my physical and mental health – particularly when it’s related to something so nuanced and complicated as hormones. Indeed, if you’re hoping to pop a spoonful of the powder into your juice and kiss goodbye to all hormonal issues, I think you’ll be bitterly disappointed.
As with any supplement, the idea of the Rheal Balance Tonic is that it will support your cycle, not transform it. Further to this, the affect that the Tonic has will also be inextricably linked to other lifestyle factors such as exercise, diet, genes and general stage of life (e.g. perimenopause or menopause).
To give Rheal credit, the brand’s marketing is very fair and unlike some (in our personal opinion) snake oil sellers out there – we’re looking at you Happy Mammoth – Rheal market the Balance Tonic as a supplement to simply ‘better support female health.’
There is none of the hyperbole seen with Happy Mammoth, who will claim to clear up ‘years of craziness’ or help you drop two stone in two weeks (eye roll).
Positive Affects of Rheal Balance Tonic
1. Mood is More Stable Before my Period
Since starting Rheal Balance Tonic 5 months ago, I’ve noticed that my mood is much more stable as my period approaches. In fact, during my last cycle I didn’t have any symptoms at all before my period, aside from a few weepy moments when I realised my daughter had lost her potbelly.
There are also times in my cycle where I genuinely feel great, mainly post-ovulation. Could this be the Rheal Lance Tonic? Quite possible. But it might also be due to better sleep, exercise, diet and a whole load of therapy.
2. Supporting Overall health
The ingredients in Rheal certainly lend themselves to supporting my overall health and I’m happy to be taking the Tonic for this reason. For example, the blueberry powder and hibiscus ingredients are much needed to support inflammation and provide high doses of vitamins – perfect for fighting all those toddler germs.
3. Less Bloating and Inflammation
Two noticeable differences since I started Rheal Tonic Balance are less bloating and inflammation throughout my cycle. I used to find that I would become painfully bloated before both my period and ovulation. Over the last few cycles, however, I’ve noticed that my bloating is far less and I’m no longer experiencing pain – a real win.
Added to this, I was also struggling with random inflammation throughout my cycle, particularly my hand and toe joints. This has subsided significantly over my last few cycles and I haven’t had any painful joints or swelling in my hands for 3 months now.
Downsides of Rheal Tonic Balance
1. Anxiety and Mood Changes Remain
Alas, I still suffer with anxiety, bad nights’ sleep and mood swings during my menstrual cycle.
Looking back, however, the intensity of these symptoms have lessened over the months and perhaps the change has been so gradual that it’s been less discernable.
For example, this week I’ve had perhaps the best week I’ve had in a year and I feel far more optimistic and relaxed than usual.
In my late 30s, however, I don’t think simply taking a supplement would change my mental health hugely; especially with my cycle becoming more intense post-child. I think if I wanted to really crack down on some of the more challenging symptoms of my cycle, alternative contraception/hormone replacement would be the answer, not a spoonful of a supplement.
2. Packaging is a Little Misleading
When I received my first Rheal Balance Tonic, I was surprised at how large the tub was and felt it was great value for money. What I’ve since discovered, however, is that the powder sits inside a much smaller tube, found within the main packaging.
However, and as I mention later in my review, I haven’t been too disappointed by this, having actually struggled to get though a tub in the suggested 30-day time frame.
Final thoughts: Honest Review of Rheal Balance Tonic for Hormonal Balance
I bought the Rheal Balance Tonic as a sceptical, cautious consumer. With my Instagram feed filled with products promising to reduce PMS, harmonise hormones and increase energy, I was worried this was just another faddy product.
After 5-months trialling Rheal Balance Tonic, and although my scepticism has certainly faded, I remain fairly neutral – and open minded – about the product’s benefits. While I’ve certainly seen some improvements while taking the Tonic, I also can’t honestly say that it’s been transformative.
Although this therefore might seem a negative review of Rheal Balance Tonic, I’d still argue it’s actually surpassed my expectations.
As with any supplement, the benefits take time to accumulate and I certainly feel as though this has been the case with the Rheal Tonic. Looking back over the last 5-months, there have been subtle positive changes, such as reduced bloating, inflammation and a reduction of PMS symptoms.
Have these been life changing? No, and I still struggle at times in my cycle.
From this perspective, I therefore view the product as simply another tool in my kit for helping support my body and mind. I have no plan to cancel my subscription anytime soon and look forward to seeing if the gradual changes continue.
Perhaps I’ll even follow up with a secondary review of Rheal Balance Tonic towards the end of 2024.
So, if you’re considering giving Rheal Balance Tonic a go, I would suggest going for it – but with managed expectations. Furthermore, to give yourself the best possible outcome, make sure you also tend to other areas of your life too, including daily exercise, good diet and sleep.
I’d love to hear how you get on.
Pin for later: Honest Review of Rheal Balance Tonic
