Supplements For Night Sweats

Certain dietary supplements may be helpful in improving your night sweats. According to MayoClinic.com, night sweats are bouts of unexpected nighttime sweating that may occur even when the temperature in your bedroom is not overly hot. Possible causes of night sweats include certain medications and certain medical problems. Before taking dietary supplements to help treat your night sweats, talk with your doctor about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions.

Sage

Sage, also known as Salvia officinalis, is an herbal supplement that may be helpful in treating your night sweats. According to the University of Michigan Health System, sage, a member of the mint family, has been used to help treat numerous health problems, including excessive perspiration, menopause, indigestion, gingivitis and Alzheimer's disease. Sage is a small perennial evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean region, although it now grows throughout the world. Sage has a pungent taste, possesses slightly cooling tendencies, and bears blue or purple flowers. The dried leaves of the plant are used for medicinal purposes. Dr. William A. Mitchell Jr., a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Plant Medicine in Practice," states that sage is an effective herbal supplement to help treat night sweats. Sage, notes Mitchell, contains resins, tannins and bitter principles.

Schisandra

Dr. Sharol Tilgner, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," states that schisandra, also known as Schisandra chinensis, is an antibacterial, antioxidant, adaptogen and immune system modulator that has been used to help treat night sweats, asthma, chronic diarrhea, mental sluggishness, decreased strength and low work capacity. Schisandra is a calming sedative, stops spontaneous perspiration and is used as a liver restorative, lung tonic and immune system supporter. Schisandra is a hardy climbing shrub native to East Asia and belongs to the Schisandraceae family. It has an astringent, pungent, bitter, sour, salty and sweet taste and possesses warming tendencies. Practitioners of botanical medicine use the dried fruit of the shrub for medicinal purposes, including night sweats. Schisandra thrives in shady conditions.

Black Cohosh

Black cohosh is an herbaceous perennial plant native to the eastern part of North America, from southern Ontario south to Georgia. Black cohosh, also known as Cimicifuga recemosa, thrives in numerous woodland habitats, especially woodland clearings or meadows. Black cohosh belongs to the buttercup family and has a bitter, sharp, spicy and acrid taste. The root of the plant is used to help treat many health problems, including the signs and symptoms associated with menopause. According to Ed Smith, an herbalist and author of the book "Therapeutic Herb Manual," black cohosh is an antispasmodic and anti-rheumatic whose isoflavones bind to estrogen receptors and have mild estrogen-like activity. Tilgner states that black cohosh is used to help treat symptoms associated with menopause, such as hot flashes, or spontaneous perspiration. If you are in your first trimester of pregnancy, notes Tilgner, you should avoid taking supplements containing black cohosh.