Herbs for Menopause: A More Natural Alternative to Conventional Hormone Treatments Menopause, the physiological cessation of menstrual cycles, is often accompanied by a number of unpleasant symptoms, including hot flashes, sleep disturbances, irritability, joint and muscle pain, and bleeding irregularities, just to name a few. While conventional treatments exist for coping with the experience of going through menopause, many women are increasingly becoming concerned about the potential side effects of conventional medicines. For these women, more natural remedies, including the use of herbs for menopause treatment, may provide the relief they are looking for. While both conventional drug treatments and more natural herbal remedies both seek to relieve discomfort during menopause, using herbs for menopause relief may provide women with a more natural way of encouraging the body to balance and heal itself. With growing evidence that some herbal remedies may reduce or even eliminate some of the symptoms of menopause, it is also not surprising that more women are turning to herbs for menopause relief.  According to a recent article that appeared in the New York Times, more than half of the women surveyed who treat their menopausal symptoms use soy supplements or herbs as either part, or all, of their therapy. Before you rush out and join the growing numbers of women turning to more natural ways of relieving menopausal symptoms, keep in mind that, given the number of herbs that have been linked with treating menopause, it is important that efforts be made to ensure that herbal remedies are appropriate for the specific symptoms you may be experiencing. Herbs for Menopause: What Options are Out There? Black Cohosh: This flowering herb that grows naturally in Eastern North America has been identified by some as an important herb for menopause. Specifically, it has been suggested that black cohosh may be helpful in relieving a variety of symptoms of menopause, including night sweats, hot flashes, anxiety, and depression. Black cohosh is said to contain phytoestrogen that works in a way similar to natural estrogen, and studies has indicated that black cohosh may be helpful in reducing some of the negative side affects associated with conventional estrogen drug replacement therapy. While black cohosh has been slower to be embraced in North America, it is widely used in Europe for treating PMS and juvenile menstrual problems. Don Quai: One of the most popular Chinese herbs for menopause, and treating women’s problems in general, don quai is another example of an herb that contains phytoestrogens. These phytoestrogens are said to bind to the body’s estrogen receptors, thus increasing estrogen levels. Don quai is also believed to be important in dilating blood vessels and increasing blood flow, which can help relieve hot flashes and vaginal dryness. While some research suggests that don quai is effective in providing long-term relief from symptoms of menopause and PMS when taken regularly for extended periods (between 8 and 12 weeks), it is also important to be aware that not all studies on don quai have supported its reputation as the “menopause herb.” Wild Yam: Wild Yam has a reputation as an herb that provides nourishment to the female reproductive system, and it has traditionally been used for a variety of menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, irritability, depression, and insomnia. Wild yams provide a rich source of diosgenin, a precursor to progesterone, and they are used as a primary source for synthetically derived progesterone. Wild yams have also recently gained recognition by some as one of nature’s best sources of phytohormones.   Shepherd’s Purse: Considered a weed in many areas, shepherd’s purse is an herb that functions as a pituitary regulator, while also having androgenic properties, making shepherd’s purse an herb to consider when trying to regulate progesterone levels in the body. If you are experience heavy irregular bleeding and/or spotting during the period of moving into menopause, shepherd’s purse may also prove helpful to regulate your menstrual cycles until their natural cessation. Chaste Tree Berry: This Mediterranean herb has long been used to treat hormonal imbalances, making it a popular choice for women seeking relief from menstrual irregularities and PMS symptoms. Chaste tree berry is also a natural flavonoid that has a progesterone-like effect. Chaste tree berry has been shown to be effective in altering the neurotransmitters that control hormonal levels, which in turn has been linked to positive outcomes for women seeking to regulate heavy bleeding due to decreased progesterone levels, and to alleviate mood changes that result from fluctuating hormone levels. Red Clover: The extract from the herb red clover contains a number of plant estrogens, including daidzein, genistein, and biochanin. Although the presence of these naturally occurring phytoestrogens have led people to propose red clover as an herb for menopause treatment, studies on its efficacy remain inconclusive. For example, while some studies have reported significant decreases in the occurrence and severity of hot flashes experienced by women taking red clover, other well-designed studies have reported no such significant benefits. St. John’s Wort: This long-living herb with yellow flowers has been used by many for centuries to treat a host of different ailments. Today, one of the most common uses of St. John’s wort is as an aid in alleviating depression. Although the composition of this herb and how it works is still not well understood, some scientific research has provided evidence that St. John’s wort can be useful in treating mild to moderate depression, a common symptom of menopause. Similar benefits have not been observed when the herb has been used to treat more severe depression. It is also important to know that St. John’s wort has been found to interact with other drugs, and that consultation with a physician is always recommended before beginning new treatments (including using herbal remedies). Sage: Among the many medicinal properties of sage is its usefulness during menopause as a treatment for hot flashes. Sage is also identified as an herb for menopause relief as it contains plant estrogens, reduces excessive sweating, and is particularly helpful in eliminating night sweats. Valerian Root: The dried root of the valerian herb has a long history of use in the treatment of insomnia and conditions of nervousness. Studies using animals have shown the use of valerian root to have sedative, anxiety relieving, and muscle relaxing properties. While clinical studies on humans are few, there has been some evidence that the use of valerian root is most helpful in reducing the time to sleep. If you suffer from insomnia as part of your experience of menopause, valerian root may provide some relief in this area. Red Raspberry: The leaves of the red raspberry plant make a delicious tea and can also be helpful for problems affecting the uterus. For example, it has been suggested that red raspberry can be beneficial in helping to tone weakened uterine muscles, while also relaxing uterine and intestinal muscle spasms. In addition, red raspberry leaves are also high in iron and are one of the richest sources of herbal manganese. Gingko Biloba: Gingko biloba, one of the oldest species of tree on earth, is among the oldest Chinese medicinal herbs. Many clinical studies have been done on ginkgo biloba which provide evidence of the herb’s favorable effects on vascular insufficiency and age-related decreases in brain functioning, including memory loss (one of the many symptoms of menopause). Due to its effects on the vascular system, gingko biloba extract has been found useful for women going through menopause, and those who have already ceased menstruating. Although the use of herbs for menopause treatment may not provide results that are as consistently effective as the results of hormone therapies, herbs may provide the more natural, safer route that many women are seeking. When combined with regular exercise and a healthy, balanced diet, herbal remedies may help women avoid the need for turning to estrogen replacement therapies. If you do consider trying herbs for even a few weeks under the guidance of a health practitioner, remember that other conventional therapies will always exist for you to fall back on.