Herbal supplements for women going through menopause

The media and the medical community have made many women wary of using hormone replacement therapy. For a while, it seemed that every newscast carried more bad news about a therapy that for years had been touted as a menopausal woman's saving grace.

Years before, many women began the journey into alternative methods of therapy that could help control the symptoms and discomfort of menopause. With all the bad news about the current accepted methods, women flocked to the alternative practices. With them came the big drug companies, unwilling to give up their piece of the feminine baby boomer pie. It took less than a year for more than a dozen new natural products to appear on the drug store shelves. All marketed toward the menopausal woman, all-claiming to be natural and/or herbal.

Investigating the ingredients on any of these prepackaged menopause supplements; it is not surprising to find that they basically have the same active herbal ingredients. Most have some or most of the following herbs, vitamins and minerals. They are all available individually also making it easy to create a supplement plan suited to your own needs.

Phytoestrogen. Soybeans, wild yam and other plants are sources of natural estrogens that the human body can use in the place of synthetic hormones for balance in the system. Estrogen plays a large role in the female reproduction organs and is believed that low estrogen levels may play a part in the occurrence of breast cancer.

Black Cohosh. A century years old remedy for hot flashes. Black cohosh has been used in cultures around the world for not only menopause but also many other female concerns.

Calcium. Necessary for healthy, strong bones. Reduced bone density is a problem for most women after menopause.

Vitamin E, B-6 and folic acid are included to help maintain a healthy heart.

Kava Kava is said to promote restful nights and reduce irritability.

St. Johns Wart is and extract used to help maintain emotional balance.

Ginseng. Some products use Siberian ginseng others use Chinese or Korean. Ginseng is said to boost the immune system, increase energy and help maintain mental clarity.

Other herbs that can be used as supplements for menopause are chaste berry, don quai, valerian, motherwort and sage.

Vitamins a menopausal woman should be including in her diet are beta-carotene, vitamin C, magnesium and zinc.

Homeopathic Medicine has supplemental products for menopause also. Homeopathic Medicine uses formulas containing small amounts of natural ingredients known to stimulate and support the body's healing. Each formula works by mimicking the body's own natural reactions.

While some of the ingredients are bit unnerving, homeopathic doctors assure their patients that the amounts are so small there is no fear of any type of side effects when taken as proscribed.

Essential Oils recommended for menopausal women include geranium, jasmine, bergamot, coriander, nutmeg and sage.

Natural supplements can be a wonderful addition to the menopausal woman's arsenal. Whichever product you choose, read labels and always follow instructions. Herbal preparations do not work overnight, be prepared to wait ten days to a month before you begin to feel any significant results. Before starting any alternative therapy, it is always wise to consult with your physician. Many herbs can and do react with proscription drugs and may aggravate other existing health problems.