Hot flashes are a common symptom of menopause. According to MayoClinic.com, three out of four menopausal women experience them, although you don't have to be going through menopause to experience a hot flash. Some women don't consider hot flashes a problem, while others find them distressing. Hormone therapy and some antidepressants may help to alleviate hot flashes. Herbs may also help to alleviate hot flashes, although evidence to prove that they are effective is mixed. Get medical advice before using herbal supplements.
Examples
MayoClinic.com notes that black cohosh and red clover are sometimes used to alleviate hot flashes. A type of buttercup, black cohosh was traditionally used in Native American medicine as a treatment for arthritis and muscle pain, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Today it is used to alleviate menopausal symptoms including hot flashes. Red clover contains compounds, known as isoflavones, that work in a similar way to the hormone estrogen. Like black cohosh, red clover is used to alleviate menopausal hot flashes.
Administration
Red clover and black cohosh may be taken in several ways: teas, tinctures or capsules. Mississippi Baptist Health Systems notes that taking 80 mg of red clover isoflavones daily may be sufficient to reduce hot flashes. RxList states that once or twice daily doses of 20 mg to 80 mg of black cohosh have been used in clinical studies. Check with your health care provider that these dosages are suitable for you.
Effectiveness
Evidence to support the use of red clover and black cohosh in the treatment of hot flashes is mixed. For example, the results of a randomized, double-blind clinical trial published in the November 2009 issue of "Menopause" show that red clover and black cohosh are no more effective than placebo in reducing hot flashes. In contrast, findings published in the February 2007 issue of "Gynaecological Endocrinology" show that an herbal complex containing black cohosh and red clover reduce the incidence of hot flashes by 73 percent following three months of treatment. However, since red clover and black cohosh were combined with several other herbs, including dong quai and milk thistle, it is impossible to say whether these herbs would have had the same effects if used alone.
Safety Considerations
Red clover is listed on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's generally recognized as safe list. However, RxList states that it may cause vaginal bleeding, muscle aches and headache in some women. Black cohosh is also likely safe, although it may cause weight gain, headaches and a rash. Don't use either of these herbs if you have a hormone-sensitive cancer like uterine or ovarian cancer. Keep in mind that both these herbs may interact with other drugs you may be taking. For example, black cohosh may interact with atorvastatin, while red clover may heighten the effect of anticoagulants.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Hot Flashes
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Black Cohosh
- Mississippi Baptist Health Systems: Red Clover
- RxList: Black Cohosh
- "Menopause"; Safety and Efficacy of Black Cohosh and Red Clover for the Management of Vasomotor Symptoms: A Randomized Controlled Trial; S.E. Geller et al.; November 2009
- "Gynaecological Endocrinology"; Phyto-Female Complex for the Relief of Hot Flushes, Night Sweats and Quality of Sleep: Randomized, Controlled, Double-Blind Pilot Study; C. Rotem and B. Kaplan; February 2007
