Menopause is a time when the female hormone levels drop, often causing an imbalance throughout the body. Many women experience a wild emotional ride, with rapidly changing feelings, mood swings, irritability, sadness, indifference and anger. One of the best ways to deal with controlling anger during this time is by helping women get back into hormonal balance. Herbal remedies can provide a relief for many symptoms during menopause, but they can also produce side effects. Always check first with a health practitioner before using unfamiliar herbs.
Creating Balance
Wild mood swings during menopause are the result of continually changing hormonal levels, which may leave you anywhere between exhausted and enraged. Many women have turned away from conventional HRT due to reports of possible serious side effects from the replacement hormones. Herbal remedies and homeopathic remedies made from herbs may provide just the solution you need to help resolve your emotional roller coaster and create a sense of balance.
Red Clover
Red clover helps to regulate female hormones due to its high content of phytoestrogens, plant-like compounds that act like estrogen on a woman's system, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Red clover is high in isoflavones, which have the potential to relieve a variety of menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and mood changes. By reintroducing the estrogen-like properties with red clover, a woman's body my be able to more easily regulate a hormonal imbalance triggering irritability, anger and other emotional changes. Research results are mixed regarding the efficacy of red clover, but anecdotal evidence from herbalists suggests that this herb may provide relief from the effects of an out-of-balance female hormonal system, according to "The Natural Menopause Handbook: Herbs, Nutrition, & Other Natural Therapies."
Black Cohosh
Black cohosh has some estrogenic effects on the body and provides many of the benefits of estrogen without the danger of artificial hormone replacement therapy, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. It has been used for centuries by traditional herbalists to balance women's hormones and is still used to relieve menopausal symptoms, including irritability, anger, mood swings and depression. It is not clear how much black cohosh is needed to produce similar effects to estrogen, and women who are at risk of hormonal-related cancers should avoid using it except under medical supervision. Black cohosh can produce side effects. Your health practitioner can recommend the best dose and treatment plan for your individual needs.
Saffron
The Indian spice saffron is used frequently in Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of menopausal symptoms related to depression, anxiety, anger, irritability, insomnia, mood swings and other emotional upsets, according to AltMD. Ayurvedic medicine deals with correcting imbalances in the system through diet, herbs and lifestyle. There is no recommended dose for saffron. Visit an Ayurvedic practitioner for detailed information about using saffron, including treatment and dosing directions.
Additional Considerations
If you suffer from severe mood swings that leave you angry during menopause, there are several ways to deal with it along with taking herbal treatments. Get enough exercise to allow you to vent pent up feelings of frustration, anger, rage and irritability. Eat a well-balanced diet high in fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Make sure you have someone who can provide emotional support when you need to talk it out.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Red Clover
- "The Natural Menopause Handbook: Herbs, Nutrition, & Other Natural Therapies"; Amanda McQuade Crawford; 2009
- Women to Women: Ayurveda and Menopause
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Black Cohosh
- "Ayurvedic Medicine: The Principles of Traditional Practice"; Sebastian Pole: 2006
- AltMD: Nurturing the Female Goddess Through Ayurveda
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