If you're a woman going through menopause, you may experience often drastic hormonal changes that can produce a variety of symptoms and side effects. You'll typically experience hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, depression, anxiety, vaginal dryness and even osteoporosis. The symptoms can be mild to rather intense and may even disrupt daily activities. Certain herbs can help to relieve these symptoms, however. Always consult your physician before taking any herbal remedy, because these herbs may interact with other medications or therapies.
Black Cohosh
Black cohosh is one of the most widely used herbal remedies for treating menopausal symptoms. Taking black cohosh can help you if you have menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings and irritability, depression, and vaginal dryness, states the University of Maryland Medical Center. Black cohosh may also help to protect you from osteoporosis. The University of Michigan Health System cites a three-month-long study of menopausal women who took 40mg per day of black cohosh extract that found the herb to be equally effective as estrogen therapy in relieving hot flashes. Another double-blind study found that black cohosh failed to relieve menopausal symptoms, however. Still, a review of eight clinical trials using black cohosh found the herb to be effective. UMMC recommends that you take 20mg of black cohosh twice daily to relieve menopause-related symptoms. Also, taking black cohosh with Saint John's wort may help to relieve psychological symptoms related to menopause, such as depression.
Red Clover
Taking red clover may offer the mild estrogen-like effects that soy tends to provide. Red clover may help to relieve your menopausal symptoms due to its concentrations of phytoestrogens---specifically isoflavones---which are natural substances with effects that resemble estrogen, reports UPMC. Isoflavones may help to relieve hot flashes, mood swings and vaginal dryness like chemical estrogen therapies do, but without the side effects. Several double-blind clinical trials have found certain dosages of red clover to be ineffective at treating menopausal symptoms, but others have found the opposite results. For example, a double-blind study found that taking red clover in a dosage equivalent to 80mg of isoflavones per day decreased the frequency of hot flashes. The study involved postmenopausal women, and a benefit from red clover was discovered after just one month of taking the herb, notes the University of Michigan Health System.
Sage and Alfalfa
Sage may also help to ease menopausal symptoms, specifically relating to hot flashes and "night sweats." A preliminary medical study found that taking sage and alfalfa extracts either decreased or eliminated hot flashes and night sweats in the studied women, notes the University of Michigan Health System. Sage tends to suppress sweat production in the body. Alfalfa has strong concentrations of phytoestrogens, which may explain its effects in treating menopausal symptoms, explains UPMC.
Asian Ginseng
Asian ginseng is another herb that may reduce menopausal symptoms, particularly the psychological effects of menopause. A double-blind study found that taking 200mg of standardized Asian ginseng extract each day helps to relieve depression, anxiety and other psychological symptoms related to menopause, explains the University of Michigan Health System. Asian ginseng hasn't shown effectiveness in treating any physical menopausal symptoms, however.
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