Night sweats are a common symptom of menopause, although MayoClinic.com notes that certain drugs, including hypoglycemic agents, antidepressants and hormone therapy, might also cause episodes of nighttime sweating. Night sweats are not usually serious, but see your doctor if they occur on a regular basis or if they are accompanied by other symptoms such as fever. Your doctor will advise you if treatment is necessary. Herbal medicines available over the counter in many pharmacies and health food stores are sometimes used to alleviate night sweats, although there is little scientific evidence to prove they work. Get medical clearance before using herbs to treat night sweats.
Chasteberry
Chasteberry, also known as vitex agnus castus, is commonly used as an alternative remedy for hormone-related conditions such as painful menstruation and to relieve symptoms of menopause. The results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 50 healthy pre- and postmenopausal women , published in the February 2007 issue of "Gynecological Endocrinology," show that it helps to reduce night sweats by up to 69 percent. However, chasteberry was combined with several other herbs, including red clover, American ginseng and milk thistle, so it is difficult to know whether it has the same effect when used alone. It may cause side effects such as headaches and gastrointestinal upset. Check with your doctor before using chasteberry.
Black Cohosh
A type of buttercup native to North America, black cohosh is mainly used as an alternative remedy for menopausal symptoms, including night sweats. It contains a host of active compounds, such as sugar compounds, anti-inflammatory effects compounds and chemicals that have similar effects to the female sex hormone estrogen. Do not use this herb without first consulting your doctor as its use has been linked with liver toxicity. Other side effects may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, headaches, joint pains and nausea.
Red Clover
Like black cohosh, red clover is commonly used to alleviate menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats. However, scientific evidence to prove it is effective is lacking. For example, the results of a large clinical trial published in the November 2009 issue of "Menopause" show that red clover was no more effective than a placebo treatment in reducing night sweats. Although red clover has not been associated with serious adverse effects, talk to your doctor before using it.
Considerations
Keep in mind that although these herbal drugs are freely available over the counter, they are not suitable for everyone. For example, red clover, black cohosh and chasteberry should not be used by women with hormone-sensitive cancers such as breast and ovarian cancers. The herbs might also interact with other drugs. For example, chasteberry may interfere with the effectiveness of oral contraceptives and dopamine D2-antagonists. Consult your doctor before trying to prevent, treat or cure any condition with herbs.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Night Sweats
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Chasteberry
- "Gynecological Endocrinology"; Phyto-Female Complex for the Relief of Hot Flushes, Night Sweats and Quality of Sleep: Randomized, Controlled, Double-Blind Pilot Study; C. Rotem, et al.; February 2007
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Black Cohosh
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Red Clover
- "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
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