Menopause

See also : PMS

• Red Clover has been used for many years as a remedy for menopausal symptoms including mood swings and hot flushes. The flower of this plant is the most commonly used part. Because of isoflavones that it contains.
• Maca alleviates the symptoms of menopause and PMS
• Black Cohosh contains a plant-based estrogen that helps regulate hormones, offering relief to a wide range of women with menopause symptoms, such as vaginal dryness, itching, moodiness, depression and hot flashes.
• Wild Yam is an excellent natural menopause treatment for regulating hormones, especially progesterone. This hormone plays a role in controlling moods, and is used to help with depression, moodiness, irritability and anger.
• Ginseng has been used by the Chinese for thousands of years for many health conditions, including treatment of menopause. It is especially useful in keeping the vaginal walls supple and healthy, preventing drying, tearing and pain. Ginseng helps relieve insomnia, moodiness and hot flashes.
• Flax seeds and flax seed oil is highly touted as one of the best estrogenic foods for natural menopause treatment. They are high in isoflavones, lignans and alpha-linolenic acid, which is converted during digestion to omega-3 fatty acids. Adding daily flax seed to the diet can help relieve a wide range of symptoms. Never heat flax seeds or the oil as this destroys their nutrient properties.
• Vitex is known in English term as chaste tree or chaste berry. For centuries, vitex has been used as remedy for symptoms of menopause. Vitex is a Mediterranean flowering plant of the family Lamiaceae. According to Patricia Eagon, PHD of the University of Pittsburgh and the head researcher of the research team together with Pittsburgh VA Medical Center, vitex is producing an effect similar to the effects of estrogen in animals. Although further studies are still being made, the researchers found out those menopausal symptoms, especially hot flashes, are relieved when a woman uses vitex. Vitex easily bound to estrogen receptors in the body. When they tested the herbal plant with rats, the rat’s uterus became heavy, indicating that the organ is responding to estrogen in the body. The luteinizing hormone in the blood also decreased a clear indication that there is an increased estrogen level in the blood, since luteinizing hormone and estrogen are inversely proportional in normal circumstances.
• Black Cohosh : Black snakeroot, rattle root, bugwort, rattleweed, rattletop are some of the names for black cohosh. Insects are shunning away from this plant, perhaps the reason why it has some of the names above. But black cohosh is a plant beneficial to many women experiencing menopausal symptoms, especially hot flashes. According to a study in University of Illinois in Chicago, black cohosh is found out to be targeting the serotonin receptors. Serotonin receptors can help regulate the body’s temperature. There are beliefs that black cohosh is estrogenic, but there are evidences that it does not. Another study also showed that black cohosh acts on the opiate receptors of the body, thereby enabling it to regulate the human body’s temperature. For menopausal women who are having hot flashes, night sweats, and other related symptoms, black cohosh may just be the answer for relief.
• Panax Ginseng is controversial as alternative relief for menopausal symptoms. For several centuries, ginseng has been used in Asian countries as a tonic or restorative therapy. In a previous study, menopausal women who have been taking ginseng reported that their menopausal symptoms were reduced compared to those who are not taking any. The mechanism of action for ginseng is it increases the release of adrenocorticotrophic hormones (ACTH). ACTH is usually released when the body tries to cool off from the effects of hot flashes or hot temperatures. Ginseng basically helps lower the body’s temperature, a mechanism beneficial for those experiencing menopausal symptoms.
• Dong Quai is nicknamed the female ginseng. Scientifically it is Angelica sinensis, and this herb plant has been used for centuries in China to relieve some of the symptoms of menopause. There have been several studies made for dong quai. It shows that the plant can actually provide relief from hot flashes symptoms. Its mechanism of action is still under study. Doctors are recommending those who intend to take dong quai to visit their doctor first for further assessment.
• Passion flower : Some women are using passion flower to relieve menopausal symptoms. The extract of passion flowers has shown to have an effect on anxiety symptoms felt by these women. According to the studies, passion flower, or apricot vine or maypop herb, can help in the alteration of mood by increasing the levels of the body’s gamma-amino butyric acid, or GABA. If GABA is increased in the brain, it reduces the activities of some of the brain cells, causing the brain to relax and therefore reducing anxiety. A component of passion flower can also inhibit the monoamine oxidase at the synapse of the neurons. With this mechanism of action similar to monoamine oxidase inhibitors or MAOI, anxiety level is reduced, menopausal depression is relieved.
• Valerian : Insomnia is common in women experiencing menopause. In an article published by Reuters in August 2011, a study was conducted for 100 women at their menopausal stage. For a month, some of these women took 2 capsules of Valerian. Women who took the capsules reported that their quality of sleep has improved. No other adverse effects were reported, which shows that valerian may be one of the most effective herb in relieving sleeplessness in menopausal women.

• Cimicifuga relieves all symptoms of menopause including night sweats and hot flashes, vaginal dryness, bleeding and mood swings. It is especially suited to women experiencing arthritic pains in the joints of the hands, headaches on the right side of the head and neck, and despairing depression.
• Lachesis is well suited to women who experience extreme hot flashes, both day and night. The night time heat may be worse than during the day. There may be left-sided headaches and migraines. The woman needing Lachesis is often very talkative; and can be verbally nasty, making cruel, cutting remarks. These women tend to be on the warm side all the time and may crave alcoholic beverages.
• Sepia is a natural menopause treatment for many symptoms. The woman needing Sepia may be chilly most of the time, except during hot flashes. She may weep easily and desire strenuous exercise or physical activity, which often relieves her symptoms temporarily. Sepia provides relief for sadness, indifference, moodiness, vaginal dryness and pain during intercourse.

This information is not meant to be substituted for medical advice. Always consult a medical professional regarding any medical problems and before undertaking any treatment or dietary changes.