Information On Natural Herbs To Help With Menopause

Menopause is a natural transition in a woman's life when her period stops. It typically occurs after age 45. Menopause may come with certain symptoms, such as a hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, mood swings, vaginal dryness, cognitive difficulties and changes in hair growth. Herbal medicine may help alleviate menopausal symptoms. For proper diagnosis and personalized advice on herbal combinations, dosages and safety, a botanically trained health care provider, such as a licensed naturopathic physician, should be consulted.

Dong Quai

Dong quai, also known by its Latin name Angelica sinensis, is traditionally used to treat a wide variety of problems related to the female reproductive tract, such as irregular menstrual cycles, premenstrual syndrome or PMS, painful periods, uterine and ovarian masses, chronic pelvic infection and menopausal symptoms. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, dong quai root has has been used medicinally for over a thousand years in China, Korea and Japan. While few human studies have evaluated the use of dong quai, lab tests suggest that dong quai contains compounds that may help reduce pain, enhance circulation and relax uterine muscles. Also, the UMMC reports that some women, when taking dong quai, experience relief of menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes. Dong quai may be taken as a tea, liquid extract or capsule.

Black Cohosh

Black cohosh, also called Cimicifuga racemosa, is a member of the buttercup family. Black cohosh has historical use in Native American medicine and alternative medicine for a wide variety of health ailments. In the gynecological realm, black cohosh has been used to induce lactation and to bring on menstruation, as well as to treat infertility, threatened miscarriage, labor pains and other ailments of the uterus and ovaries. Modern studies have evaluated black cohosh use for hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms, and results are conflicting. Dr. Sharol Tilner, a naturopathic physician and author of "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth" reports that black cohosh is particularly useful for menopausal symptoms that exist along with depression. Black cohosh's therapeutic effects may be due to constituents of the herb that have a similar effects to estrogen. Black cohosh may be taken as a tea, liquid extract or capsule.

Chaste Tree

Chaste tree, with the Latin name Vitex agnus castus, is a member of the verbena family. Chaste tree berries are used for menopause, uterine fibroids, menopause, endometriosis and other disorders of the female reproductive tract. Specifically in menopause, chaste tree is known to help with hot flashes, dizziness and vaginal dryness. Dr. Tilgner states that chaste tree works by balancing the luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and prolactin. Chaste tree berry is available as a tea, liquid extract or capsule.

Chaste tree, like all herbs, can have strong effects on the body and can interact with certain medications, including hormone therapy and birth control pills. To assure safety, herbs should only be taken under the guidance of a qualified health care professional.