Six-thousand American women reach menopause every day, adding up to over 2 million a year, according to the North American Menopause Society. Menopause is the cessation of menstruation, a natural transition that occurs for women between the ages of 40 and 58. Menopause-related symptoms include hot flashes, sleep disturbances, vaginal dryness, mood swings and memory changes. Certain herbs may be helpful in easing the symptoms of menopause. Of course, each individual woman experiences menopause differently, and so she should consult a qualified, botanically trained health care professional for personalized advice on herbal combinations, forms, dosage and safety.
Dong Quai
Dong quai, also known as tang kuei, dang-gui, and Chinese angelica, and by its Latin name Angelica sinensis, is an herb widely used in Asia as a spice, tonic and medicine. It's a fragrant plant with purple stems and white flowers. The root is used medicinally and its taste is sweet, bitter and slightly pungent. Dong quai is mainly employed to support female reproductive tract function and to treat associated ailments, such as menstrual cramps, menstrual irregularities and menopausal hot flashes. According to Dr. Tori Hudson, a naturopathic physician and author of the "Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine," dong quai root contains coumarins, and the herb's therapeutic effects may result from its ability to interact with estrogen, a predominant female hormone. Dong quai root also contains vitamins B12 and E, as well as biotin, nicotinic acid, folic acid and folinic acid. Dong quai is available as a tea, liquid extract or capsule.
Black Cohosh
Black cohosh is a popular herb for women's health ailments, including menstrual irregularities and menopausal complaints. Black cohosh is also known by its Latin names, Cimicifuga racemosa and Actaea racemosa, and by the common names black snakeroot, bugbane, bugwort and squawroot. It's a member of the buttercup family. The root is used to make medicine, and its taste is bitter, sharp, spicy and acrid. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, black cohosh may help alleviate numerous menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, irritability, mood swings, sleep disturbances and vaginal dryness. Hudson adds that black cohosh may be used in conjunction with hormone replacement therapy and that it may allow for lower doses of the prescribed hormones. Black cohosh is available as a tea, liquid extract, tincture, capsule or tablet.
Ginkgo
Ginkgo biloba is one of the oldest living tree species, and its leaves are used medicinally throughout North America and Europe. Practitioners of herbal medicine recommend ginkgo to improve circulation and enhance memory. Hudson states that ginkgo's active constituents are its terpene lactones and ginkgo flavone glycosides, which are responsible for ginkgo's ability to improve blood flow to the brain, hands and feet. She suggests that ginkgo may be helpful for menopausal women who experience changes in mental clarity, memory and concentration. Also, ginkgo may improve libido, which commonly diminishes during menopause. Ginkgo leaves have a slightly sour taste, and they may be taken as a tea, standardized extract, liquid extract, capsule or tablet.
References
- North American Menopause Society: Overview of Menopause and Aging
- "Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine"; Tori Hudson, N.D.; 2008
- "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth"; Sharol Tilgner, N.D.; 1999
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Black Cohosh
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