Posted on November 10, 2007 in Herbs for Health
Women go through a physical and emotional upheaval both when the body makes its transition into and out of the child-bearing years.
However, as the difference is between growing up and growing old, is the difference between puberty and menopause. The latter comes with many problems like – stiff joints, insomnia, depression, bloating, vaginal dryness, sore breasts and hot flashes.
Modern medicine uses the Estrogen Replacement Therapy (ERT) to relieve women off menopausal discomforts. However, the unwanted risk of cancer associated with this Therapy is a put off for many women. There is another Therapy called the Hormone Replacement Therapy that combines estrogen with synthetic progesterone. However many women dislike the cyclical bleeding caused by this Therapy.
In this situation, herbs seem to be the safest alternative. They can ease the menopausal symptoms safely without any side effects. Here are a few herbs that have been used for years in the traditional Chinese and Indian folk medicine.
Black Cohosh – Black Cohosh or Cimicifuga racemosa – The rhizome of Black Cohosh reduces cramps by acting specifically on the uterus. It is also good for relieving muscular pain and hot flashes. It is also said to be an excellent herb to reduce cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
Chaste Tree –Vilex agnus-castus – The dried fruit of the Chaste tree is said to be a very good hormone balancer. It relieves depression during menopause.
Damiana – Turnera Diffuse – The dried leaves of help as an anti-depressant and a pituitary regulator. It is also a very good aphrodisiac and helps through a lot sexual difficulties.
Dandelion – Taraxacum officinale – During menopause there is often a hormonal imbalance. The liver is under extra stress due to this. The Dandelion root will relieve the liver of its stress and improve its function.
Dong Quai – Angelica Sinensis – This herb takes care of all your estrogen deficiency. It is high in plant estrogen called the Phytoesterols.
False Unicorn Root – Chamaelirium Lutenum – This herb has a directly acts on the uterus and the ovaries. It is good for women suffering from ovarian cysts. It is also a very effective estrogen regulator.
Gingko Biloba – This ancient Chinese herb relieves you of fatigue and depression during Menopause. It improves blood circulation and oxygenation of all body cells helping you feel energetic and active.
Ginseng – Panax quinquefolius – Ginseng alleviates mental and physical fatigue. It strengthens the adrenal glands, normalizes blood pressure, increases energy and strengthens the immune system.
Licorice – Glycrrhiza glabra – Licorice is a very good estrogenic herb and a powerful adrenal stimulant. It is very effective in controlling hot flashes.
Liferoot – Senecio bursas – It is rich in Phytoestrogens and helps in treating irregular, excessive or painful menstrual bleeding. It is also eases the uterine heaviness and helps eliminate hot flashes.
Raspberry – Rubus ideaus – Raspberry acts directly upon the muscles of the uterus and helps relax it . It is an astringent and an estrogenic herb.
Sage – Salvia officinalis – Treats hot flashes and reduces excessive sweating.
St. John’s Wort – Hypericum Perforatum – It is a mild sedative that can help in combating menopausal anxiety and depression.
Shepherd’s Purse – Capsella bursapastoris – This herb has androgenic properties. It normalizes progesterone levels. This herb will increase the length of your menstrual cycles until the natural cessation of menses.
May 12th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
[...] In the treatment of hot flashes as well as other menopausal symptoms True Acupuncture is significantly more effective than herbs for menopuase. It isn’t even a close comparison. This is interesting because most Traditional Chinese Medical practitioners insist it is just the opposite, and there is good reason for that. The reason is simple, TCM no longer understands True Acupuncture. Modern Chinese Medicine has herbalized acupuncture and that, unfortunately, just isn’t how acupuncture works. You cannot make the needle behave like an herb and you cannot use the same diagnostic system for both. They are two completely different modalities and need to be utilized as such. [...]