Ginseng has been a part of Chinese medicine for more than 2,000 years, and today it is one of the most popular herbs in the United States. According to the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, nearly 6 million Americans use ginseng regularly for a variety of conditions, including menopause. However, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of ginseng for managing the symptoms of menopause. Consult your doctor before using ginseng medicinally
Treatment
Menopause occurs when your monthly menstrual cycle stops, which is typically when you reach your late forties of early fifties. Various hormonal changes take place during menopause and you may experience some unpleasant symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, anxiety and depression. Treatment options include adopting healthy lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise and smoking cessation, acupuncture and hormonal replacement therapy medicines. Some women use herbal supplements, such as ginseng, to help manage symptoms.
About Ginseng
Ginseng contains chemicals called ginsenosides that may be responsible for its health benefits. Although the name ginseng usually refers to both American and Asian ginseng, only Asian ginseng has been studied for possible benefits in the management of menopause. Asian ginseng may be used for depression, anxiety, and sleeping problems, which are symptoms that accompany menopause. Asian ginseng is also sometimes referred to as an adaptogen, which means that it helps you cope with stress and improves your overall health.
Preparations and Dosing
The most common form of ginseng is standardized extract, which is comprised of 5 to 7 percent ginsenosides. The standardized extracts are typically used in doses of 200 to 500 milligrams daily. Non-standardized extract is used in higher doses, typically 1 to 4 grams daily for tablets, or 2 to 3 milliliters of dried root tincture taken three times daily. Ginseng is usually taken continuously for two to three weeks then stopped for one to two weeks before resuming.
Effectiveness
If you are experiencing menopause, Asian ginseng may offer some benefit. Several small human trials have shown that Asian ginseng helps relieve some psychological symptoms of menopause, including depression and anxiety as well as enhances a feeling of general well-being. In these studies, Asian ginseng had no beneficial effects on the physical symptoms, such as hot flashes or sexual problems. One study showed that Asian ginseng had no beneficial effects on the symptoms of menopause.
