Herbs for Menopause Relief

Here is a list of herbs for menopause relief. These menopause herbs have estrogen like activities and may help treat the symptoms of menopause which include hot flashes, night sweats, thinning hair and vaginal dryness.

Menopause is a condition in which the menstrual flow stops, the ovary no longer releases eggs and the production of estrogen is reduced significantly. The symptoms of menopause start during perimenopuase which is between 2 to 5 years before the last menstruation. It may continue up to 3 years after the last menstruation and it is termed as postmenopause.

The reduction in estrogen levels that happens during menopause is known to reduce sex drive in women, loss of breast fullness, mood swings and weight gain. Hormone therapy is one of the treatments for menopause and so is the use of herbs as an alternative remedy. But HRT may cause undesirable side effects.

Herbs for menopause No. 1 - Black cohosh

Black cohosh is one of the most used menopause herbs as it has shown to produce estrogenic effects. Several human studies that were conducted indicate that black cohosh has the potential to reduce hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms such as irritability. One of its secondary benefits includes preventing thinning hair or hair loss.

Herbs for menopause No. 2 - Dong quai

Dong quai or angelica sinensis root is also known as the female ginseng. Chinese researchers suggest that dong quai contains estrogen-like compounds and is able to balance female hormonal system. Its potential secondary benefits include lowering high blood pressure, overcoming fatigue, and as remedy for fibrocystic breast disease and rheumatic diseases.

Herbs for menopause No. 3 - Licorice root

Chinese traditional medicine has been using licorice root for thousands of years to treat menopause. Licorice root contains glycyrrhetic acid which is a source of estrogen and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Herbs for menopause No. 4 - Motherwort

Motherwort has antispasmodic and sedative effects and is helpful in treating menopause symptoms such as mood swings and anxiety as it helps combat stress and promotes relaxation. Its additional benefits include lowering blood pressure and fighting against bacterial and fungal infections.

Herbs for menopause No. 5 - Rhodiola rosea

Rhodiola rosea is an adaptogenic herb which means it has the ability to help the body cope with physical and mental stress and emotional changes by recharging the adrenal glands. It is also helpful in treating night sweats which is one of the common symptoms of menopause.

Herbs for menopause No. 6 - Red clover

Studies indicate that red clover contains isoflavones and it has estrogen-like effects. Researchers suggest that red clover may help reduce hot flashes in menopausal women. Red clover may reduce the risk of breast cancer.

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Herbs for menopause No. 7- Saw palmetto

One of the accompanying results due to hormonal imbalance caused by menopause is thinning hair which may eventually lead to baldness. Saw palmetto is one of the known herbs that can help prevent or reduce hair loss. According to herbalists and alternative medical practitioners, saw palmetto also has the potential to improve sex drive and treat vaginal dryness.

Menopause herbs No. 8 - Chasteberry

Scientific findings suggest that chasteberry contains progesterone, testosterone, flavonoids, glycosides and terpenoids. Some of the benefits of taking chasteberry extract for menopausal women include providing relief for hot flashes and depression as it affects brain chemicals such as dopamine.

Herbal remedies for menopause No. 9 - Hops flowers

Hops flowers produce estrogen-like effects and has sedative properties and is helpful in treating anxiety, insomnia, mood swings and restlessness associated with menopause. The constituents in hops include tannins, flavonoids, lupulone and humulene.

Herbal remedies for menopause No. 10 - Wild yam

Wild yam contains phytoestrogens, phytoprogesterone and DHEA, which produce hormone-like properties and are helpful in regulating hormonal imbalance. The Baker Medical Research Institute, Victoria, Australia stated that taking wild yam extract as a short term remedy for menopause does not produce side effects.

Herbal remedies for menopause No. 11 - Evening primrose

There are conflicting opinions on the effects of evening primrose in treating menopause symptoms. Some studies suggest that it does help as a remedy for menopause especially in providing relief from hot flashes. One of the compounds in evening primrose oil is gamma linolenic acid. GLA is a fatty acid and is involved in the production of prostaglandins which is a hormone like substance.

The natural remedies for menopause page will provide more information such as the causes and symptoms.

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