Herbal Remedies for Hot & Cold Flashes

Hot and cold flashes are characteristic of menopause or peri-menopause symptoms that arise as a result of a severe hormonal imbalance. It may be extremely difficult to deal with the stress and anxiety accompanying these symptoms, but with natural herbal therapies you can reduce the hot and cold flashes to a minimum. In this modern era, some need instant relief and opt for hormone replacement therapy, which would actually give rise to more side effects and complications. Herbal and natural remedies are often advisable for achieving sustained and effective results.

Symptoms of Hot and Cold Flashes

• There are physiological as well as psychological symptoms of hot and cold flashes. Physiological symptoms include night sweats, irregular menstrual cycles with episodic heavy and light periods, loss of libido, gastric problems, flatulence, nausea, bloating sensations, weight gain and dizziness. Psychological symptoms include depression, mood swings, memory loss and irritability.

Types of Hot and Cold Flashes

• Based on the intensity and frequency of occurrence, hot and cold flashes are ideally categorized into two distinct types--"slow hot and cold flashes" and "ember flashes." "Slow hot and cold flashes" appear infrequently and increase in intensity within a span of one minute and the effect tends to fade away in time, which varies from person to person. However "ember flashes" are less intense, are more periodic and last for a longer time, which typically is about 30 minutes.

Herbal Brews

• An extremely effective herbal brew prepared with a blend of dried herbs, such as sage, milk thistle seeds, rosemary, motherwort and ginseng is helpful if boiled in hot water. The solution is further strained and should be taken in regular intervals to regain proper hormonal balance, thereby reducing the severity and frequency of hot and cold flashes.

Tinctures

• Tinctures are prepared with water or tea that include wild yam, ginseng, licorice root, false unicorn root and black cohosh. A portion of the tea, approximately 1/4 tsp. should be taken three times a day to help decrease hot flashes.

Lifestyle

• Although there are a lot of diverse treatments available for hot and cold flashes, a few changes in diet and lifestyle can lessen the intensity of hot and cold flashes. It is advisable to avoid tea, coffee and red wine or alcohol to alleviate menopause symptoms. Moderate diet and regular exercise also help in improving the condition.

Popular Herbs

• There are many natural and herbal remedies that help strengthen and tone the reproductive system of women. Uterine tonics, made of ginger, oat straw, dandelion, chaste tree berry and raspberry leaf, have a positive effect on the reproductive system. Some uterine contractors made of herbs, such as blue cohosh root, parsley root, and pennyroyal flower, are used in some cases. For menstrual regulation and hormonal balance, licorice root, milk thistle seeds, wild yam root, lemon balm and chaste tree berry are used in combination. However, before experimenting with herbal medicines you should consult your doctor to avoid any side effects in future.