Many products are designed to deal with symptoms of menopause, but people who take the alternative medicine approach to life prefer an herbal supplement. Keep in mind that herbal remedies for menopause aren't regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, so always check with your doctor before starting any supplement.
Flaxseed
Flaxseed and flaxseed oil, from the Linum usitatissimum plant, have been used for hot flashes--although it is more commonly used as a laxative. Flaxseed can be taken whole, crushed or as a powder; the oil can be in capsules or a liquid. The seed contains plant estrogens, and the oil does not. The Mayo Clinic's study in the 2008 summer edition of the Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology shows promising results for flaxseed reducing hot flashes associated with menopause.
Chasteberry
Chasteberry, from the Vitex agnus-castus plant, has been used as a menstruation remedy for thousands of years. It can be used as a liquid or solid extract and put into capsules. It has been used for breast pain, PMS and for menopause. It's a plant-based estrogen that, according to Girman in a 2003 American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology article, can alleviate headaches, irritability and breast tenderness.
Red Clover
Red clover, from the Trifolium pratense plant, is a folklore remedy for cancer and breathing problems. It's found in many menopause or menstruation formulas and used in tablets, capsules, tea or liquid. Scientifically, there has been no definitive answer as to whether this supplement actually alleviates menopausal symptoms, but it's included in many herbal formulas.
Black Cohosh
Black cohosh, from the Actaea racemosa or Cimicifuga racemosa plant, is a historically relevant herbal remedy for rheumatism. More recently, it's included in menopausal remedies and in menstruation remedies. It's used by fresh or dry stems or roots to make tea, pills, liquid tinctures, or in capsules. It has current funding from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine for more hot flash and menopausal studies.
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