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Menopause&Natural Herbs
Menopause & Natures Super Foods
  Natural ways to relieve the symptoms of hormonal imbalance.
At menopause, the usual orderly ebb and flow of estrogen and progesterone becomes erratic, which is the reason for the symptoms many women experience.
If you're searching for hormone balancing herbs, we recommend that you choose one of the following.
Although we don't understand exactly how they work, they act on the pituitary gland, ovaries, and estrogen dependent cells in a way that has been shown in clinical trials to reduce menopausal symptoms.
**** Menopause & Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa).
This is traditionally known as the menopause herb and is one that is considered to be a hormonal treasure chest.
It's been shown to be effective at reducing the severity of hot flashes, memory loss, depression, and mood swings and to improve the thickness and elasticity of vaginal tissues.
Even The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) in Washington, DC, agrees that black cohosh may be an alternative for women who choose not to take HRT.
How much to take:
Dried root: two 500-mg tablets or capsules.
Dry standardized extract: Follow package instructions for each dose equivalent to 1.5 mg of 27-deoxyacteine.
Tincture 1:5: 1 teaspoon.
Tincture 1:1: 20 drops.
How often: Three times a day.
How long: Take for at least 3 months to determine if it's working for you.
It can be taken as long as you need it.
Cautions: Occasionally causes mild digestive complaints when first taken.
Do not use black cohosh in combination with HRT.
Women with estrogen dependent cancer, including breast, cervical, uterine, and ovarian, should definitely consult their physician before taking it.
**** Menopause & Chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus).
Chasteberry is probably better known as an herb for smoothing out the hormonal ups and downs of the menstrual cycle and PMS.
How much to take:
Fruit: two 500-mg tablets.
Dry standardized extract: Follow package instructions for each dose equivalent to 250 mg of 4:1 chasteberry extract.
Tincture 1:5: 60 drops.
Tincture 1:1: 12 drops.
How often: Two times a day.
How long: Take the herb for at least 3 months to determine if it's working for you; it can take several months to have the full effect.
Despite taking black cohosh or chasteberry, some women may still have hot flashes, insomnia, mood swings, or even heart palpitations.
It's appropriate to take another step, which is to choose an herb that specifically targets a breakthrough symptom.
If it's specific symptoms that are bothering you, here are some suggestions that may offer relief.
**** Sage ~ for Hot Flashes.
Add common garden-variety sage (the cooking herb) to your program if hot flashes and night sweats persist.
It's traditionally used to dry up secretions, including excessive perspiration.
How much to take:
As a tea: 1/2 teaspoon of dried leaf in 1 cup of boiling water.
Tincture 1:1: 20 drops.
How often: Three times a day.
How long: Sage works right away, so use it as needed.
**** Menopause & Valerian ~ for Insomnia.
Interrupted sleep patterns are very common at menopause.
Some women have a hard time falling asleep, wake up frequently, or have difficulty falling back to sleep once awakened.
My grandmother tells me her favorite all purpose herbal insomnia remedy is valerian, which has been shown to help you drift into a deep sleep and stay there.
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How much to take:
Tincture 1:5: 1 teaspoon in water or juice.
How often: 1/2 hour before bed. How long: Valerian works immediately.
It can be used for as long as is required to improve sleep patterns. Cautions: Do not drive after taking valerian, because it causes drowsiness.
Valerian should not be used while taking sleep medications or tranquilizers.
**** Menopause & St. John's Wort ~ for Depression and/or Mood Swings.
If the blues or mood swings persist, try St. John's wort.
It's helpful for treating mild to moderate depression.
How much to take: Dried herb: two 500-mg tablets
Dry standardized extract: one 300-mg tablet standardized to 0.3 percent hypericin.
Tincture 1:5: 1 teaspoon.
Tincture 1:1: 20 drops.
How often: Three times a day.
How long: You must use this herb continually for 4 to 8 weeks for it to be effective.
It can be used long term.
Cautions: Do not use St. John's wort with prescription anti-depressants.
It can cause sensitivity to the sun, so use the strongest sunblock available, and re-apply it often.
If your depression worsens, see your health care provider.
**** Menopause & Hawthorn ~ for Heart Palpitations.
Some women experience fluttering or racing sensations of the heart, or palpitations.
While benign, they can be alarming the first time you experience them.
(Check with your health care practitioner to be sure it's nothing more serious.)
A classic European women's herb called hawthorn has been used for centuries.
It acts on the nervous system to calm palpitations.
How much to take:
Tincture 1:1: 20 drops in water or juice, or follow label directions.
How often: Three times a day.
How long: Hawthorn is safe to use long term.
Caution: If you're using any kind of cardiac medication, consult your physician before taking hawthorn.  Newsletter
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