Greetings! Before adding anything to your health regimen, including
herbs, I suggest you seek the advice of your physician. I am not a
doctor and do not want you to mistake my answer for a medical
prescription. That said, I do believe you may be able to find herbs
that will help your condition.
The herb Black Cohosh seems to be prevalent in herbal remedies for
menopausal symptoms:
"Black Cohosh is used in formulas for menopause and PMS. Already
popular in Europe where most of the harvest is still shipped, it is
expected to see increased use in the United States. Black Cohosh could
become one of the top 10 selling herbs in the near future. At present,
there is no large-scale cultivation of Black Cohosh; nearly 100% of
the supply comes from wildcrafted sources. Without cultivation, this
herb will soon be wildcrafted to the point that it can no longer meet
the needs of the industry."
I also discovered references to Dong Quai:
"Dong quai has been called the 'female ginseng' and is excellent as an
all purpose women's herb. It has been used for centuries in China for
regulating the menstrual cycle and easing menstrual pain and cramping.
It can be used to help women regain normal menstrual cycles after
taking the Pill. It has proven helpful for relieving hot flashes
during menopause."
Wild Yam was also referenced as used in menopausal women:
"Wild Yam is also known to nourish the female reproductive system. Not
to be confused with tuberous sweet potato yam, wild yam is widely used
in the world today to supply nutrients essential for optimal glandular
function. It nutritionally benefits the urinary, nervous and
respiratory systems as well. Wild yam was commonly called Colic root
and Rheumatism root a hundred years ago in America. It is also used in
Chinese herbal medicine. It has traditionally been used for hot
flashes, irritability, depression, insomnia, and for other symptoms of
menopause."
Soy protein was suggested as well:
"Revival Soy can help your patients control menopausal
symptoms/menstrual disturbances while lowering their cholesterol.* The
FDA and American Heart Association have recommended that Americans eat
more soy."
Another interesting note is that chocolate can sometimes cause hot
flashes in menopausal women. An article I found also gave other
probable causes:
"Menopause cannot be prevented but symptoms may be treated. A woman
may feel better by: · avoiding smoking, caffeine, and excessive
alcohol. These chemicals increase irritability and make hot flashes
worse. Also, smoking can cause a woman to enter menopause at least 2
years earlier than the average non-smoking woman. · limiting intake of
red wine, aged cheeses, and chocolate. These foods contain a chemical
that may trigger hot flashes. · using lightweight blankets at night ·
avoiding going from a hot to cold environment, as this may bring on a
hot flash · wearing clothing made of cotton in loose layers to absorb
excess moisture · talking to a healthcare professional regarding
hormone replacement therapy · increasing intake of soy products, as
this appears to decrease the number of hot flashes."
I hope this information provides you with more food for thought.
Remember to consult a physician or health care representative before
taking any herb, especially if you are on other medication or have
another condition that the herbs could adversely affect.
SEARCH TERMS and LINKS:
herbs for menopause [Google search]
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=herbs+for+menopause
Prevention Magazine - Reference to Black Cohosh
http://www.prevention.com/cda/feature/0,1204,3931,00.html
DreamPharm's herbs for menopause and pms
http://dreampharm.com/Item/113.htm
Black cohosh menopause [Google search]
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=black+cohosh+menopause
Black cohosh root
http://www.health-pages.com/bc/
Black Cohosh
http://www.ncpmh.org/blacoh.html
menopause dong quai [Google search]
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=menopause+Dong+Quai
Dong Quai
http://www.rain-tree.com/dongquai.htm
Phytoestrogens (wild yam)
http://www.a-better-way.com/women.html
soy menopause [Google search]
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=menopause+soy
Menopause: Soy Protein Hot Flash Revival
http://www.soy.md/
Menopause Online (soy)
http://www.menopause-online.com/soy.htm
chocolate hot flashes [Google search]
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=chocolate+hot+flashes
Diseases and Conditions -- Discovery Health -- hot flashes
http://health.discovery.com/diseasesandcond/encyclopedia/2027.html |
