Herbs For Menopause
Menopause is more than just the absence of ovulation. It brings physical & emotional changes leading to symptoms such as hot flashes, depression, anxiety, mood swings, night sweats & memory difficulties. Menopause usually begins around the age of 50, even though it has been noted in women as young as mid-thirties. Menopause is clinically defined as beginning 12 months after the last menstrual cycle.
The biology involved in menopause deals with hormone production in the body. As a female ages, the ovaries begin to wear down & no longer respond to the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) & luteinizing hormone (LH), which is sent by the pituitary gland to stimulate estrogen & progesterone production. Therefore, production of these hormones slows affecting egg release (ovulation.) The brain receives a signal that estrogen & progesterone levels are down triggering a release of more FSH & LH, which some doctors believe may be the cause of hot flashes.
For women approaching, or in menopause, the options often presented by physicians include either living with the symptoms or taking medications containing estrogen & progesterone. These medications often carry with them side effects which require additional medications to counter them.
So, what’s a woman in menopause to do to counter the symptoms? Herbal therapies offer a good alternative. Many women find herbal treatments help-ful in relieving some, or all, of the symptoms associated with menopause. Some of the more common herbs used for this purpose include black cohosh, dong quai, maca root, & red clover.
A flowering plant native to Eastern North America, contains phytoestrogens which are believed to bind with estrogen receptor sites & trick the body into thinking more estrogen is being produced. This slows down the production of luteinizing hormone which also helps reduce hot flashes. The estrogen-like effects also help counter many of the other menopausal symptoms such as vaginal dryness. Black cohosh has been associated with headaches & mild stomach discomfort and, in cases of overuse, increases in liver enzymes. The recommended dosage is a daily amount of approximately 80 milligrams.
An herb native to China, works similarly to black cohosh through the action of phytoestrogens. It also contains Vitamins A, E, & B12, which are all needed for overall health & symptom reduction. Dong quai has also been reported to dilate blood vessels & act as a mild sedative thereby reducing mood swings & the stress that accompanies menopause. The recommended dosage ranges between 400 & 600 milligrams daily.
It comes from South America & works as an adaptogen, which works with the body to stimulate & regulate hormones in the body. Maca root encourages an increase in estrogen & progesterone production & then helps regulate & balance it within the body. This root also contains many minerals & vitamins essential to health. This herbal remedy is reported to increase libido, reduce hot flashes & relieve vaginal dryness. The recommended dosage of 900 milligrams per day is also believed to reduce memory loss & slow the development of osteoporosis.
It grows naturally in Europe & Asia & has been introduced in North America, is another source of phytoestrogens. It’s also high in many vitamins & minerals. Soy isoflavanoids have been shown to help reduce the risk of postmenopausal osteoporosis & the chance of developing cardiovascular disease. St. John’s wort (especially when combined with Black Cohosh), chasteberry, & Vitamin E have all shown promise in treating the symptoms of menopause as well.
These herbs have some solid scientific backing but as with any herbal course of treatment they must be taken cautiously. Any side effects or new symptoms should be actually treated seriously. There’re no guarantees with any treatment & not all remedies work for every person. The best component of herbal treatments is the lack of, or reduced, side effects when compared with hormone replacement therapy.
Thor Sturluson is a biologist & an amateur herbalist living in Copenhagen Denmark.
If you’re searching for further information on herbs for menopause or other medicinal herbs & herbal supplements please visit these links.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Leave a Reply