The Herbal Treatment For Night Sweats

Night sweats are a common occurrence and can significantly affect your quality of life. MayoClinic.com states that night sweats involve bouts of nocturnal sweating in which your clothes and bedding become soaked, even though your sleeping environment may not be overly hot. Night sweats may occur periodically or on a regular basis. Consult a qualified health care professional before taking any substance, including herbs, to help to treat your night sweats.

Night Sweats

Night sweats, also known as sleep hyperhidrosis, are usually caused by certain medications or medical conditions, states MayoClinic.com. Antidepressants, antipyretics, hypoglycemic agents and hormone replacement medications commonly cause night sweats. If you have tuberculosis, leukemia or hyperthyroidism, you may also experience night sweats. Night sweats are common in women going through menopause. Excessive night sweating may disrupt your sleep and can occur at any age. Night sweats range in severity from mild to marked.

Herbal Remedies

Certain herbal remedies may help decrease the frequency and intensity of your night sweats and improve your sleep quality. According to herbal medicine expert Ed Smith, author of "Therapeutic Herb Manual," schisandra is an herb that may help decrease night sweats and spontaneous perspiration. Other herbal remedies that may be helpful for night sweats include white peony and sage. Herbal remedies for night sweats and spontaneous sweating are often used in traditional Chinese medicine.

A Commonly Used Herb

Schisandra is one of the most commonly used herbs in treating night sweats. Schisandra, notes the University of Michigan Health System, is a woody vine that bears red berries containing lignans --- the principle active constituent of this plant. The berries of the schisandra plant are use in herbal supplements. Schisandra has antioxidant, adaptogenic and astringent action and is a calming sedative. Schisandra may help treat hepatitis, stomach inflammation, sleeplessness and chronic diarrhea in addition to night sweats. The schisandra plant is indigenous to East Asia.

Considerations

Herbal remedies should be treated with the same respect and caution afforded pharmaceutical drugs. Herbs can cause unwanted side effects in some individuals, especially pregnant women and people with certain medical conditions. Consult a health care professional with advanced knowledge of botanical medicine before using herbs to help treat your health concerns, including night sweats. It is important to know the procedures and risks associated with herbal supplementation, as well as alternatives, prior to taking herbs.