Menopause Herbs for Relief

Many years ago, researchers studied the effects of vitamin E supplementation in reducing symptoms of menopause. Most,13 14 15 16 17 but not all,18 studies found vitamin E to be helpful. Many doctors suggest that women going through menopause take 800 IU per day of vitamin E for a trial period of at least three months to see if symptoms are reduced. If helpful, this amount may be continued. Using lower amounts for less time has led to statistically significant changes, but only marginal clinical improvement.19

In 1964, a preliminary trial reported that 1,200 mg each of vitamin C and the flavonoid hesperidin taken over the course of the day helped relieve hot flashes.20 Although placebo effects are strong in women with hot flashes, other treatments used in that trial failed to act as effectively as the flavonoid/vitamin C combination. Since then, researchers have not explored the effects of flavonoids or vitamin C in women with menopausal symptoms.

The mineral boron is known to affect estrogen metabolism. In one double-blind trial using 2.5 mg of boron per day for two months, hot flashes and night sweats worsened in 21 of 43 women, but the same symptoms improved in ten others.21 Women who are experiencing hot flashes or night sweats that have been diagnosed as menopausal symptoms and who are also supplementing boron (sometimes found in significant amounts in osteoporosis formulas and multivitamin-mineral supplements) should consider discontinuing use of boron-containing supplements to see if the severity of their symptoms is reduced.

Aging in women is characterized by a progressive decline in blood DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) and DHEA-sulfate (DHEAS) levels. These levels can be restored with DHEA supplementation. This process also improves the response of some brain chemicals, called endorphins, to certain drugs.22 These endorphins are involved in sensations of pleasure and pain; improving their response may explain why DHEA has an effect on mood symptoms associated with menopause. In one double-blind trial, however, menopausal women who took 50 mg of DHEA per day for three months had no improvement in symptoms compared with women taking placebo.23 Further study is needed to validate a role for DHEA in the management of menopausal symptoms.

Natural progesterone supplementation has been anecdotally linked to reduction in symptoms of menopause.24 25 26 In one trial, natural progesterone was found to have no independent effect on symptoms, and synthetic progestins were found to increase breast tenderness.27 However, a double-blind trial found that topical administration of natural progesterone cream led to a reduction in hot flashes in 83% of women, compared with improvement in only 19% of those given placebo.28 Preliminary research has found that oral, micronized progesterone therapy is associated with improved quality of life among postmenopausal women. However, oral micronized progesterone is available only by prescription in the United States.29 Hot flashes, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and sexual functioning were among the symptoms improved in a majority of women surveyed. Synthetic progestins, also available only by prescription, have reduced symptoms of menopause.30 31 32

Progesterone is a hormone and, as such, concerns about its inappropriate use (i.e., as an over-the-counter supplement) have been raised. The amount of progesterone in commercially available creams varies widely, and the progesterone content is not listed on the label because the creams are legally regulated as cosmetics, not dietary supplements. Therefore, a physician should be consulted before using these hormone-containing creams as supplements. Although few side effects have been associated with topical progesterone creams, skin reactions may occur in some users. Effects of natural progesterone on breast cancer risk remain unclear; research has suggested both increased and reduced risk.

Alfalfa
Alfalfa, also known as lucerne, is a member of the pea family and is native to western Asia and the eastern Mediterranean region. Alfalfa sprouts have become a popular food. Alfalfa herbal supplements primarily use the dried leaves of the plant. The heat-treated seeds of the plant have also been used.

Asian Ginseng
Asian ginseng is a member of the Araliaceae family, which also includes the closely related American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and less similar Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus), also known as eleuthero. Asian ginseng commonly grows on mountain slopes and is usually harvested in the fall. The root is used, preferably from plants older than six years of age.

Black Cohosh
Black cohosh is a shrub-like plant native to the eastern deciduous forests of North America, ranging from southern Ontario to Georgia, north to Wisconsin and west to Arkansas. The dried root and rhizome are used medicinally. When harvested from the wild, the root is black in color. Cohosh, an Algonquin Indian word meaning "rough," refers to the plants gnarly root structure.

Burdock
Burdock is native to Asia and Europe. The root is the primary source of many herbal preparations. The root becomes very soft with chewing and tastes sweet, with a mucilaginous (sticky) texture.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is one of the hormones produced by the adrenal glands. After being secreted by the adrenal glands, it circulates in the bloodstream as DHEA-sulfate (DHEAS) and is converted as needed into other hormones.

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Dong Quai
Dong quai is a member of the celery family. Greenish-white flowers bloom from May to August, and the plant is typically found growing in damp mountain ravines, meadows, river banks, and coastal areas. The root is used in herbal medicine.

Flavonoids
Flavonoids are a class of water-soluble plant pigments. Flavonoids are broken down into categories, though the issue of how to divide them is not universally agreed upon. One system breaks flavonoids into isoflavones, anthocyanidins, flavans, flavonols, flavones, and flavanones. Some of the best-known flavonoids, such as genistein in soy, and quercetin in onions, can be considered subcategories of categories.

Homeopathic Remedy Calcarea carbonica
The following is a list of health concerns for which Calcarea carbonica is listed as a homeopathic remedy. Refer to the individual concerns for more information.

Homeopathic Remedy Glonoinum
The following is a list of health concerns for which Glonoinum is listed as a homeopathic remedy. Refer to the individual concerns for more information.

Homeopathic Remedy Graphites
The following is a list of health concerns for which Graphites is listed as a homeopathic remedy. Refer to the individual concerns for more information.

Homeopathic Remedy Ignatia
The following is a list of health concerns for which Ignatia is listed as a homeopathic remedy. Refer to the individual concerns for more information.

Homeopathic Remedy Lachesis
The following is a list of health concerns for which Lachesis is listed as a homeopathic remedy. Refer to the individual concerns for more information.

Homeopathic Remedy Lilium tigrinum
The following is a list of health concerns for which Lilium tigrinum is listed as a homeopathic remedy. Refer to the individual concerns for more information.

Homeopathic Remedy Natrum muriaticum
The following is a list of health concerns for which Natrum muriaticum is listed as a homeopathic remedy. Refer to the individual concerns for more information.

Homeopathic Remedy Pulsatilla
The following is a list of health concerns for which Pulsatilla is listed as a homeopathic remedy. Refer to the individual concerns for more information.

Homeopathic Remedy Sepia
The following is a list of health concerns for which Sepia is listed as a homeopathic remedy. Refer to the individual concerns for more information.

Homeopathic Remedy Staphysagria
The following is a list of health concerns for which Staphysagria is listed as a homeopathic remedy. Refer to the individual concerns for more information.

Homeopathic Remedy Sulphur
The following is a list of health concerns for which Sulphur is listed as a homeopathic remedy. Refer to the individual concerns for more information.

Kava
Kava is a member of the pepper family and is native to many Pacific Ocean islands. The rhizome (underground stem) is used in modern herbal preparations.

Licorice
Originally from central Europe, licorice now grows all across Europe and Asia. The root is used medicinally.

Menopause
Menopause is the cessation of the monthly female menstrual cycle. Women who have not had a menstrual period for a year are considered postmenopausal.

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Menopause Symptoms
When women reach the age of menopause, hormonal shifts can cause both physical and emotional stress. Because of the inevitable but sometimes disconcerting signs of aging, as well as transitions involved with children growing up, a woman's life may be undergoing major changes at this time. Mood swings, depression, hot flashes, cold sweats, and irregular menstrual cycles--including missed periods and flooding--may all occur (over months to years) as the woman's body gradually adapts.

Motherwort
Motherwort came from central Eurasia originally, but has spread to all temperate areas of the world, primarily as a garden plant but also as an escaped weed. A similar plant, Leonurus heterophyllus, is used in China. The Chinese name for motherwort is yi mu cao, meaning "benefit mother herb." The leaves and flowers of this mint family plant are used as medicine. In Chinese herbal medicine, the seeds are also employed.

Progesterone
Progesterone is a hormone from a corpus luteum, formed by the cyclical rupture of an ovarian follicle. Progesterone is necessary for proper uterine and breast development and function.

Red Clover
This plant grows in Europe and North America. The flowering tops are used in botanical medicine. Another plant, white clover, grows in similar areas. Both have white arrow-shaped patterns on their leaves.

Sage
Sage is a silvery-green shrub with very fragrant leaves. The most commonly cultivated species of sage originally came from the area around the Mediterranean but now also grows in North America. The leaves of this common kitchen herb are used in medicine as well as in cooking.

Soy
Soy, a staple food in many Asian countries, contains valuable constituents, including protein, isoflavones, saponins, and phytosterols. Soy protein provides essential amino acids. When eaten with rice, soy provides protein comparable with that found in animal products. Soy is low in fat and cholesterol-free.

St. John’s Wort
St. John's wort is found in Europe and the United States. It is especially abundant in northern California and southern Oregon. The above-ground (aerial) parts of the plant are gathered during the flowering season.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that has a number of biological functions.

Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects cell membranes and other fat-soluble parts of the body, such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL; "bad" cholesterol) cholesterol, from damage.

Wild Yam
Wild yam plants are found across the midwestern and eastern United States, Latin America (especially Mexico), and Asia. Several different species exist. All of which possess similar constituents and properties. The root is used medicinally.

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