Menopause brings an assortment of unpleasant symptoms into the life of many women. Hot flashes, irritability, and tiredness are common during the years before and after that last period. Other common symptoms include headache, heart palpitations, insomnia, and trouble concentrating. Fortunately, many of the discomforts of menopause can be treated safely with herbs.
Black cohosh has been used in Europe for many years for the treatment of hot flashes. It is a natural nervine and contains estrogen precursors. Precursors are plant components that the body can use as raw materials to produce hormones. Research has proven black cohosh to be valuable for many menopause symptoms. While the herb is safe, it is important to use a standardized dosage and not take more than recommended. Overdosing can cause nausea, vomiting, and vertigo.
Blessed thistle, a valuable herb for PMS problems, is helpful for menopausal headaches. Some herbalists feel it is even better than black cohosh for balancing the hormones.
Chasteberry is widely used in Europe for all menopause symptoms. It has been used in the past to suppress libido in monks, but doesn’t seem to have that effect on menopausal women.
Damiana restores vital energies and strengthens the reproductive organs. Known for rejuvenating the libido, it also helps to control and reduce hot flashes. It can irritate the urinary tract if used too frequently, so don’t use it more than two or three days in any given week.
Dong quai cleanses the blood and balances hormones in the body. It strengthens female organs and is calming to the nerves.
Ginkgo biloba helps the memory by increasing blood flow to the brain, and is generally good for the blood vessels. It also relieves cold hands and feet.
Ginseng is a potent energizer as it strengthens the adrenals. It is good for any sort of fatigue, but should not be used by people with high blood pressure.
Gotu kola has traditionally been thought to promote long life. It balances hormones and has a tonic effect on the nerves. Gotu kola is useful for energy production as well.
Hawthorn is one of the best herbs for the heart. It lowers blood pressure and increases oxygen to the heart. It’s also helpful in cases of restlessness and insomnia.
Kelp, from the sea, contains iodine, which helps the thyroid gland function properly, making weight control easier. Safe enough to use as food, it settles the emotions and helps with all menopause symptoms.
Licorice root is often recommended for energy and well-being because it restores exhausted adrenal glands. It normalizes ovulation when menses are infrequent, as they often are during those last months before menopause. It is possible to get too much licorice, but most of the cases of overdose have occurred when someone ate too much real licorice candy. Licorice overdose symptoms include weakness, swelling of the face and ankles, and headache. In addition, licorice should NOT be used in cases of high blood pressure or where digitalis based drugs are in use. Add potassium to the diet if using licorice root.
Nettle leaf nourishes the endocrine system and contains many minerals, including calcium, magnesium, and chromium. It can be foraged in the wild (use a good field guide and wear gloves!) and cooked like spinach. Nettle leaf tea is safe even during pregnancy and is great for anemia.
Passion flower is calming and strengthening to the nerves. It is especially helpful when the hormones are out of balance. It also promotes restful sleep.
Red clover is a valuable blood cleanser that contains plant phytoestrogens. It stimulates the ovaries and helps to heal ovarian cysts. This is an herb that is easy to harvest from the wild. Three or four fresh blossoms will make a nice cup of tea. Make sure foraged wild herbs are not growing near busy highways or farm fields that have been treated with insecticides.
Red raspberry leaf is an excellent tea for any female complaints. While it’s generally considered a pregnancy herb, it also helps tone and correct prolapse of the uterus.
Sage has estrogenic properties. It is useful in cases of mental exhaustion and nervousness. It is also very useful in the treatment of night sweats. Instead of taking capsules or tea, try adding fresh chopped sage leaves to soups and salads.
Sarsaparilla contains hormone precursors, and promotes energy. It also increases libido.
St. John’s wort is one of the best herbs for depression, anxiety, and mental burnout. It also strengthens the uterus and relieves painful irregular menses. St. John’s wort can cause the skin to be more sensitive to the sun, so use with caution.
Soybean can be added to herbal formulas or eaten in the form of tofu, soymilk, and other soy foods. It seems to be one of the best sources of plant phytoestrogens. Asian women are noted for being free of menopause symptoms, and it is thought the abundance of soy foods in the diet is the reason. Soy is also helpful for osteoporosis.
Suma is a Brazilian herb that is considered to be equivalent to ginseng in promoting energy and well-being. Containing estrogen precursors, it is particularly suited to women, and improves the libido.
Wild yam root is a source of natural progesterone. It is usually added to creams and applied to the skin. The herb is then able to enter the system transdermally. It has been used traditionally as birth control, and helps with menstrual cramps. For best results, the progesterone needs to be isolated from the herb and added to the skin cream in higher doses than would be available from the herb itself. It can also be taken as a tea or tincture.
Herbal medicine is an art, which means that a given herb may or may not work for a given patient. Be particularly cautious with herbs if you are under a doctor’s care for other health problems or are using any prescription drugs. Also be sure to follow recommended doses. An effective herbal combination for menopause should contain some of the herbs listed above.
