What Food & Herbs for Menopause?

If the menopause mystery is causing confusion, the first step to conquering the symptoms is to remember the food groups. Following a well-balanced diet is always a good way to feel better. Remember to eat three nutritious meals a day, along with a few healthy snacks. Take it easy on fatty foods, proteins and carbohydrates. Several herbs work well to quell menopause symptoms and offer other health benefits, as well.

Vegetables

• Natural soy foods contain phytoestrogens, plant estrogens that latch onto the body's estrogen receptors, mimicking female sex hormones. There is some concern that phytoestrogens cause an increased risk to women who have a family history of breast cancer. Tofu, roasted soy nuts and soymilk are good sources. Other foods containing phytoestrogens include carrots, yams, beans and legumes, apples and potatoes. According to drweil.com, the efficacy of soy supplements is questionable, as is the safety of the products. Soy foods also contain isoflavones, which help to balance hormone levels. Calcium-rich foods such as cheese, leafy green vegetables, sardines and figs help keep osteoporosis at bay.

Black Cohosh

• Black cohosh calms menopausal symptoms for some women. Although there is no proof, the herb seems to regulate hormone production and body temperature, thus reducing the incidence and severity of hot flashes and night sweats. Black cohosh appears to relieve depression, anxiety and heart palpitations, as well.

Red Clover

• According to Natural News, red clover is also a good source of phytoestrogens. This well-known herb appears to help in several ways. It not only relieves all symptoms of menopause, but also offers other health benefits such as increasing good cholesterol, lessening of heart disease risk during menopause and fighting osteoporosis.

Maca root

• South American maca root is a centuries-old treatment for menopausal symptoms and sexual ailments. It relieves vaginal dryness and hot flashes by balancing out progesterone and estrogen. Maca root restores libido that menopause often takes away. It has the ability to increase memory and lessen the effects of osteoporosis.

Other Remedies

• There are many other remedies to calm the symptoms of menopause. Foods such as oily fish, canola oil, fresh fruit and juices, and milk will help the body to maintain weight and stay hydrated. Flaxseed lessens the severity of symptoms, and protects against breast cancer and heart disease. Sage, dong quai, Asian ginseng and kudzu appear to relieve hot flashes, mood swings and vaginal dryness, but these herbs may contain phytoestrogens, so do not use if breast cancer may be an issue.