Is Menopause Disease ? Can Herbs Used For Menopause ?
Menopause Cure
Menopause is technically defined as the absence of a period for a year. It is not a disease, but a phase in a woman’s life, usually occurring between the ages of 45 and 55. Ovulation ceases and consequently menstruation stops during that phase. Ovaries start to slow the production of hormones like estrogen, testosterone and progesterone. Estrogen is an important sex and reproductive hormone. Hot flushes are common with women who are going through menopause. Some women also experience heavy bleeding, insomnia, headaches, mood swings, weight gain, fatigue, depression, irritability, joint and muscle aches, bladder control problems, hair loss, vaginal dryness, decreased libido, temporary memory loss, etc.
Herbal Remedies for menopause
A number of natural remedy supplements can be taken to prevent, lessen, or even reverse the symptoms of menopause. Many work to help the body increase its progesterone levels, thus diminishing the state of estrogen-dominance, while others contain plant-estrogens, which do not appear to disturb the progesterone-estrogen balance. Any herbal remedies for menopause should be thoroughly discussed with your health care provider since some of the herbal products can have harmful interactions with other drugs.
You should include in your diet grains, beans, seeds, oats, wheat, brown rice, tofu, almonds, cashews, fresh fruits and vegetables. Increase calcium in your diet to protect your bones. Make sure you’re getting essential fatty acids in your diet, which can be found in pumpkin seeds, walnuts, linseeds, fish, dark green vegetables and oils such as sesame, walnut, soya and sunflower.
Soya and soya products have been used for alleviation of menopausal symptoms, due to their high concentration of phytoestrogens. While safe in dietary amounts, the consumption of extraordinary amounts of soya and isoflavone supplements may be harmful to women with a history of estrogen-dependent breast cancer, and, possibly, to other women as well. The heavy or long-term use of soya products increase the risk of thyroid disease.
Licorice is a powerful adrenal stimulant and is a wonderful estrogenic herb. For this reason, it is useful during menopause. Care must be taken, however, not to take licorice too often, as it can deplete potassium and elevate blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, use it with caution or avoid it entirely. Part Used: Dried roots and rhizomes.
Black Cohosh, also known as bugbane, contains phytoestrogens. It may be helpful in the short term to treat hot flushes and night sweats. It seems to be extremely safe, although studies have been small and brief. Black Cohosh may be effective for the emotional symptoms which accompany the menopause. It is thought to help with the mood swings, depression and weepiness that are associated with hormone fluctuation. It may also help alleviate hot flushes, though studies have shown varying results.
Red Clover might help ease symptoms of menopause. It contains a plant estrogen that stimulates the ovaries. It is a good ‘alkalinizing’ herb that restores healthy body functions. It also contains isoflavones, which may help reduce hot flushes. Isoflavones can mimic the effects of estrogen. This herb also contains a number of nutrients including vitamin C, calcium and magnesium. Side effects of red clover may include nausea and headaches. Part Used: Dried flower heads of the fresh plant.
Vegetables in your garden can also contribute loads of vitamin C and bioflavonoids, both of which may help relieve hot flushes. Although most vegetables contain some vitamin C, those with large amounts include broccoli, beet greens, peppers, parsley, salad greens, citrus fruits, melons, berries, and apricots.
Bioflavonoids are also usually found in fruits high in vitamin C. For instance, the white membrane on the outside of a peeled orange and the whitish ribs inside a bell pepper are extremely rich in bioflavonoids. Be sure to eat them rather than throw them away. Hawthorn berries, elderberries, and bilberries are all also rich in this substance.
Vitamins A and E, aloe vera, and calendula are recommended to counteract vaginal dryness. A solution of calendula can be used as a douche.
Dong Quai helps to balance postmenopausal hormones and reduce hot flush symptoms. This herb is used as a nourishing blood tonic to regulate the menstrual cycle. Research showed that Dong Quai is extremely effective in providing long term relief from symptoms of menopause when taken regularly for 8 to 12 weeks. Its effects are most noticeable at the end of the treatment period. It should not be used during pregnancy, menstruation or while nursing. There have been reports of bleeding when taken with warfarin.
If insomnia is one of your symptoms, try drinking a soothing cup of chamomile and valerian tea an hour or so before bedtime. Valerian root has traditionally been used as a tranquilizer and sleeping aid. However, there have been reports of heart problems and delirium attributed to sudden withdrawal from valerian.
Evening Primrose Oil is well known for its breast pain relieving properties. Its seeds are rich in gamma-linolenic acid, which may be a nutritionally perfect fatty acid for humans. Some women find that gamma-linolenic acid helps them ease through menopause. Adverse effects include headache, skin rashes and nausea.
Ginseng: Most of the many types of ginseng are promoted for relieving stress and boosting immunity. A study found that it did not relieve hot flushes but did improve women’s sense of well being. Ginseng strengthens the adrenal glands, enhances immune function, increases energy, and normalizes blood pressure. Avoid it if you have very high blood pressure (over 180/100).
Ginkgo Biloba may improve memory and attention loss and help with symptoms of depression. It may also improve sexual function. It helps improve glucose and oxygen supply to the brain. Caution: risk of increased clotting time and thus hemorrhage. Should not be taken with drugs that reduce clotting such as Warfarin, Aspirin or coumarins.
St. John’s wort: May be helpful in the short-term to treat mild to moderate depression in women. It is an alternative to antidepressants for managing depression. However, it may increase skin sensitivity to the sun and cause a rash that develops in sunlight.
Chaste berry may inhibit prolactin, a natural hormone that acts on the breast. It is touted for breast pain and premenstrual syndrome.
Coconut Oil: If you’re experiencing vaginal dryness and sex hurts, try lubing up with coconut oil. It smells and tastes great, and it’s a wonderful natural, hormone-free lubricant.
Femal is an herbal remedy made from pollen extracts and has been shown to reduce menopausal symptoms in a trial comparing it with an inactive tablet. The main effect was on hot flushes.
Sage can be taken as a tea or as an extract in tablet form, to help with hot flushes. Sage reduces excessive sweating and it contains plant estrogens. You will find sage particularly helpful in eliminating night sweats. Caution with HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE and if taken with TAMOXIFEN. Part Used: Fresh or dried leaves.
Flaxseed and its oil contain plant estrogens and oils that are used as a treatment for breast pain and hot flushes. One small pilot study showed significant improvement in hot flush symptoms for women who used flaxseed daily.
Maca root is an herb native to South Africa that resembles a radish. It may help to treat a number of menopausal symptoms including hot flushes and vaginal dryness. Maca root may cause fatigue or stomach upset.
Liferoot: It is a uterine tonic that contains plant estrogens. It helps to reestablish emotional and vascular stability and eliminate hot flushes. It may also help to treat irregular, painful, or excessive menstrual bleeding. Part Used: Dried plant.
Raspberry is an astringent and nutritive estrogenic herb. It has a direct action on the muscles of the uterus, helps to tone weakened uterine muscles, and relaxes uterine and intestinal spasms. It also assists in correcting prolapse of the uterus and/or vagina. Part Used: Fresh or dried leaves and fruit:
Shepherd’s Purse is a pituitary regulator with androgenic properties. One of its primary attributes is its ability to normalize progesterone levels. If you are moving into menopause and have been experiencing excessive, irregular bleeding or spotting, this herb will help to regulate and increase the length of your menstrual cycles until the natural cessation of menses. Part Used: Dried flowering plant.
Wild Yam: It is a powerful estrogenic herb used by women around the world. It has a good anti-inflammatory action and gives relief from menopausal arthritis. It also has progestogenic properties, and may help to reduce heavy menstrual bleeding. Part Used: Dried roots and rhizomes.
Oregon grape and dandelion root are two other herbs that, some claim, help to reduce hot flushes, but this has not yet been confirmed.
Lignans, which are a component of fiber, also act as phytoestrogens. Lignans are found in flax, whole grains, legumes, and some vegetables.
Behavioral interventions: Avoid coffee, alcohol, spicy foods, and stress, which exacerbates menopausal symptoms. Relaxation and deep, abdominal breathing (6-8 breaths per minute) have been shown to reduce hot flushes by about 40% when practiced as minimally as twice per day. Eliminate hot baths or showers before bedtime. A healthy diet and regular exercise program will go a long way towards minimizing the symptoms of menopause and helping to maintain overall good health.
Category: HERBAL REMEDIES
