Herbs for MenopauseMore and more women nowadays are searching out natural herbs for menopause. While there are a number of botanical and nutritional supplements that may be beneficial, there are other things that you can do to lessen your symptoms and improve your overall health. Examples 1. You may need to increase your level of physical activity. If you are a sedentary person, you will have fewer hot flashes and reduce feelings of depression by adding regular physical motion to your daily routine. 2. You may need to reduce your caffeine intake. Caffeine triggers hot flashes; as such, you may need to make some dietary changes. However, these changes are difficult to determine without evaluation on an individual basis.
If you smoke, you should quit. Not only is smoking known to cause cancer and emphysema; women who smoke have more daily hot flashes and the severity of the attacks are heightened. Alcohol consumption, too, is another common trigger.
So, you see that herbs for menopause are not the only alternative treatments to consider. They are simply supplements to a healthy lifestyle. Below, you will find a list of some of the most commonly recommended botanical, herbal and nutritional supplements for women’s health issues.
Black Cohosh This is one of the most popular natural herbs for menopause. Indeed, many women swear by it and have used this herb for centuries for the symptoms of hot flashes and night sweats. However, if you have decreased libido, vaginal dryness, breast tenderness, mood swings, or insomnia, you will need a different or an additional course of action.
Puncture Vine
The extract from the plant is known as Tribulus Terrestris. Like ginseng, it is a commonly used aphrodisiac, and thus should boost your libido. The difference is that ginseng has been sometimes reported to increase hot flashes, while puncture vine extract has not.
Red Clover Like many of the natural herbs for menopause, red clover contains “phytoestrogens”. Simply put, these are compounds found in plants that have an estrogen-like effect on the human body. Unlike synthetic estrogen imitators, phytoestrogens do not increase the risk of endometrial or breast cancer.
If your symptoms are caused by the sudden decrease in estrogen production that accompanies menopause, red clover may address all of them. But, don't take this to mean it’s a “cure-all." If, after beginning supplementation, you still experience unwanted symptoms, there is another underlying cause.
5-HTP
This is not one of the natural herbs for menopause, but it is a naturally occurring amino acid that dramatically reduces depression in both men and women. It has been used to treat sleep disorders, anxiety, migraines, fibromyalgia, eating disorders, obesity and attention deficit disorder.
Calcium, Magnesium and Vitamin D
Osteoporosis, a condition in which the bones become brittle and curvature of the spine can occur, is a common concern among women of menopausal age. A good daily vitamin and mineral supplement is integral to your continued good health. The B-group vitamins are essential for mood regulation and to maintain energy levels.
So, if you choose to use natural herbs for menopause, remember to also take a good daily multi-vitamin and try to include some of the other suggestions mentioned here. To determine the best plan for your personal symptoms, consult a competent health care provider. They can tailor you a complete course of action.
My name is Dr. Rami El-Hussieny, a practicing Naturopathic Physician in Lansing and Ann Arbor, Michigan.
If you have tried conventional medicine and are open to natural therapies, please contact me by using the form below and I will get back to you ASAP.
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