Menopause represents the end of menstruation and therefore of fertility. According to the Merck Manuals website, in the United States the average age for menopause is around 51. Because of concerns regarding hormone replacement therapy, the conventional treatment for menopausal symptoms, many women seek alternative medicine. Herbs such as black cohosh, don quai and homeopathic remedies such as cimcifuga and belladonna might help decrease mood symptoms associated with menopause.
Menopause and Mood Symptoms
According to the Merck Manuals website, hot flashes affect about 75 percent of menopausal women, but the exact cause is unknown. Mood symptoms also are common and include mood swings, depressed disposition, irritability, anxiety, nervousness, sleep problems, memory and concentration issues. Night sweats also can contribute to interrupted sleep, feeling tired and a loss of concentration during the day.
Herbs
Certain herbs can be useful for decreasing symptoms of menopause. According to Asa Hershoff, naturopathic doctor and coauthor of "Herbal Remedies: A Quick and Easy Guide to Common Disorders and Their Herbal Remedies," black cohosh is the most popular herb for treating symptoms associated with menopause. This herb might help to reduce hot flashes, moods swings and depression, as well as vaginal dryness and irritation.
Dong quai, which also is known as Angelica sinensis, is another useful herb for alleviating mood symptoms associated with menopause. It has a calming, relaxing effect, improves the quality of sleep and helps with physical symptoms such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness.
Homeopathic Herbs
According to Hershoff, two of the most useful homeopathically diluted herbs for menopause are belladonna and cimcifuga. Belladonna, or nightshade, treats mood symptoms such as fears and extreme anger, which are aggravated at night, when lying down and in noisy environments. Sudden hot flashes, throbbing headaches associated with vaginal discharges during menopause also might be improved by belladonna. Cimcifuga, or black cohosh, can be prepared according to the principle of homeopathy and has been used for symptoms associated with menopause. It is indicated when a woman has significant sadness and a gloomy disposition, suffers from sleep problems, fatigue, back pain and hot flashes. Other indications for this remedy includes symptoms aggravated in cold, damp weather.
Safety
Homeopathically prepared herbs are considered safer than regular herbs because they undergo a process of dilution, which removes the toxic qualities of the herb. Herbs might interact with conventional drugs and also might cause side effects. Black cohosh might cause liver problems, mild stomach upset and headaches. Dong quai can cause skin rashes and might create serious problems when used with blood thinners.
Considerations
Herbs and homeopathic supplements should not replace conventional treatment and have not been researched as well as the standard drugs, nor are they regulated by the FDA. Due to possible side effects and drug interactions, supplements should be used under medical supervision.
References
- "Herbal Remedies: A Quick and Easy Guide to Common Disorders and Their Herbal Remedies"; Asa Hershoff, N.D. and Andrea Rotelli, N.D.; 2001
- "Homeopathic Medicines- A Quick A Quick and Easy Guide to Common Disorders and Their Homeopathic Treatments"; Asa Hershoff, N.D.; 2000
- Merck Manuals: Menopause, Introduction
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