The stages of a woman's life center around the reproductive cycle, according to the Mayo Clinic. The cycle begins with menstruation and ends with menopause. During this time a woman may experience menstrual cramps, PMS, hot flashes, breast pain, vaginal dryness and a variety of other symptoms. Certain Chinese herbs may relieve some common female complaints as well as guard against diseases such as breast cancer. Always check with your doctor before taking herbs for medicinal purposes.
Black Cohosh
Black cohosh is the most widely researched herb for treating hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC. Although black cohosh contains a plant estrogen, the body does not react to it as such.
Black cohosh may also relieve dysmenorrhea, or severe menstrual pain . In traditional Chinese medicine, black cohosh is said to treat pain, diarrhea and the gum disease gingivitis. Check with your doctor about taking black cohosh.
Dong Qaui
Dong quai has been used for hundreds of years as a spice, tonic and medicine in China, Korea and Japan. In traditional Chinese medicine, dong quai is most often combined with other herbs. Some women report relief of symptoms such as hot flashes when taking dong quai. Dong quai is also purported to treat absence of menstruation, called amenorrhea, according the UMMC.
Red Clover
Red clover contains compounds known as isoflavones that act as plant estrogens or phytoestrogens. Isoflavones are purported to help relieve common menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness, according to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. In traditional Chinese medicine, red clover is believed to help clean the blood, clear heat and remove toxins.
Ask your health care practitioner about taking red clover to treat menopausal symptoms and other female health issues.
Green Tea
Green tea has been used to promote heart health and as an astringent, diuretic and stimulant in Chinese medicine. Research also suggests that green tea may have anti-cancer effects. An estimated 207,000 women were expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010, according to the National Cancer Institute. Animal and test tube studies propose that polyphenols contained in Green Tea prevent the growth of breast cancer cells.
An analysis of four epidemiologic studies indicated a reduced risk for breast cancer with green tea consumption. The research was lead by C.L. Sun of the Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. The findings were published in July 2006 in the journal Carcinogenesis.
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