Herbs for Menopause

Herbal alternatives for menopause

With recent doubts over the safety of Hormone Replacement Therapy, many women are looking for herbal alternatives to ease their menopause symptoms.   There are many possible herbs for menopause relief, but you should always consult your doctor before you try any of these remedies.  As well as suggesting the best herbal remedies for your particular symptoms, your doctor can ensure that herbs for menopause will not react with any other medication you are taking. Always follow the instructions that come with any herbal remedies carefully to reduce the risk of side effects.

Herbal Remedies for Menopause

Different herbs for menopause are used to treat different symptoms.  Here are a few suggestions for common menopause symptoms including mood swings, forgetfulness, hot flushes and urine infections.

Treating mood swings and insomnia with herbs for menopause

The moodiness associated with perimenopause and menopause can have a negative impact on your family friends and work colleagues, as well as you personally.  Using herbal remedies can be a natural way to combat menopause moodiness if you don’t want to try HRT, or are not considered suitable for this treatment.

Kava is an evergreen shrub found in Polynesia, and used all over the world to treat anxiety, moodiness and depression. It can also be used to treat insomnia and is particularly popular because your body will not become immune to it so it will not lose its effect. When taken correctly Kava has the effect of calming down your mind and body to allow beneficial rest and sleep.

Valerian Root, also known as Capon’s Tail or English Valerian is a European herb and has been used for centuries to control moods, treat anxiety and promote good sleep. Valerian root has a mild sedative effect and most doctors see it as a safe alternative to prescribed sedatives.

St. John’s Wort, also known as Goat Weed is an herb found in Europe and the US, which has been used since the Middle Ages to treat anxiety and menstrual problems.  Unlike other herbs for menopause, St. John’s Wort acts like MAO inhibitors used in modern antidepressants.  For this reason it should never be taken with prescription antidepressants, and you should avoid foods containing tyramine when you are taking it.

Treating forgetfulness with herbs for menopause

If you have always been alert and on the ball, the forgetfulness and absentmindedness that can come with menopause is very alarming.  There are various herbs for menopause that can be effective for sharpening your memory, helping you to retain a feeling of control over your life.

Ginkgo biloba is the most common herbal remedy for forgetfulness.  It is a non toxic herb that has been used for many years in China to stimulate brain action. As well as sharpening the memory ginkgo biloba can be used to treat mood swings and premenstrual syndrome.

Treating hot flushes with herbs for menopause

There are a number of herbs for menopause that are used as part of dietary supplements to treat hot flushes.  These include Black CohoshVitamin E, although the effectiveness of these supplements at preventing hot flushes is often in doubt. and

Another herbal supplement used to treat hot flushes is Red Soy and Clover.  This supplement contains isoflavins that act like oestrogen to relieve menopause symptoms. See the page on menopause supplements for more information about herbs for menopause that relieve hot flushes.

Treating urine infections with herbs for menopause

Thinning of the vaginal tissue due to reduced oestrogen levels during menopause can make menopausal women more prone to urine infections. Some herbs for menopause, when taken regularly, can help to prevent urine infections, although you still need to visit your doctor for treatment if you have an infection.

Among the herbs for menopause that are commonly used to prevent urine infections, the most popular is EchinaceaUva Ursi is an evergreen shrub which acts as a mild antiseptic and can be used to treat urine infections, but it should not be taken for more that seven consecutive days. which strengthens the immune system, and was commonly prescribed before the discovery of penicillin.

Footnote – source Wikipedia :

Kava (Piper methysticum) (Piper Latin for “pepper”, methysticum Greek for “intoxicating”) is an ancient crop of the western Pacific. Other names for kava include ʻ awa ( Hawaii), ‘ava (Samoa), yaqona (Fiji), and sakau (Pohnpei). The word kava is used to refer both to the plant and the beverage produced from it. Kava is a legal intoxicant in many countries and if consumed before driving can cause a DUI citation. It is a tranquilizer primarily consumed to relax without disrupting mental clarity. Its active ingredients are called kavalactones. In some parts of the Western World, kava extract is marketed as herbal medicine against stress, insomnia, and anxiety.

The Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), frequently misspelled as “Gingko”, and also known as the Maidenhair Tree after Adiantum, is a unique tree with no close living relatives.

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