Herbs to Help With Menopause
Women begin the major hormonal changes of menopause between the ages of 45 and 55. At this time they endure many social changes along with symptoms ranging from hot flashes to depression. Here are some herbs that can help to counteract these frustrating symptoms.
Keep in Mind
Each body is different and as such different people will react to herbs differently. If you notice that a particular herb is causing more harm than good you may be having an allergic reaction or the herb may be interacting negatively with your medication. Consult an herbalist or an integrated medical practitioner before starting herbal remedies.
Stimulate Hormones
As menopause is the beginning of depletion of female hormones, some of these herbs may help to keep you feeling more balanced in the hormone department. This may help to alleviate your other symptoms as well. Black cohosh is an herb that can stimulate natural estrogen production along with improving the tone of the nerves. This herb has estrogen-like properties. Take two doses at 40 mg each of black cohosh in a capsule form for six months at a time. False unicorn root similarly acts like a hormone and can keep female hormones stimulated at the beginning of menopause. Make a tea with the root of the herb with a teaspoon of ground up root in a cup of water, then boil and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes before drinking. Chaste tree works well with false unicorn root, as it can stimulate the pituitary gland to help balance estrogen and progesterone. Take 40 drops of the concentrated liquid herbal extract every morning
Hot Flashes
Here are three herbs that help with hot flashes. Red clover can be taken to suppress hot flashes by manipulating the blood vessels to make them more pliable. You can take it in tablet form or in a tea where you add three teaspoons of the flowers to a cup of boiling water and let it steep for 15 minutes. Gamma-oryzanol is an extract from rice bran oil that has been used in Japan for anxiety and menopause. It treats hot flashes by reducing the amount of leutinizing hormone that is released by the pituitary gland and instead it stimulates endorphins. You can take a tablet of the extract in a dose of 300 mg per day. The common household herb sage has been used to help ease the hormonal transition that occurs in menopause. This is due to its estrogenic and soothing properties. Try it as a tincture with 40 drops twice a day mixed in some water
Depression
Here are two herbs to help with the depression aspect of menopause. Ginseng is a well-known herbal tonic that improves both mood and estrogen production. Try 300 mg a day of Siberian ginseng. St. John's wort has very recently become a major remedy for depression in general. It is especially effective with female hormone-related issues like PMS and menopause. Take 500 mg of the herb per day and keep in mind that it may take up to a month to show any effect.
Herbal Complements
For these herbal remedies to work you must lead a healthy lifestyle. Exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, avoid alcohol and caffeine and quit smoking to improve your menopause symptoms. You may also want to try yoga or breathing exercises to improve the accompanying anxiety.
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