Herbs for Treating Menopause

There are many herbal supplements available on the market to help menopausal women deal with their symptoms. Common symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, depression and anxiety. Many women are seeking alternative therapies to treat their menopause symptoms. Herbal therapies offer an effective alternative to traditional hormone therapies. Herbs that are commonly prescribed and used to treat menopause are black cohosh, maca root and red clover. These herbs are commonly available in supplement form or in teas.

Black Cohosh

• Black cohosh is an herb that contains phytochemicals which are believed to relieve the symptoms of menopause. It also has phytoestrogens, in particular isoflavones, that attach to the estrogen receptors in the body. This ability makes it a great choice for relieving menopause symptoms such as night sweats or hot flashes, anxiety and worry and depression. It reduces the lutenzing hormone in the body, which is responsible for wild temperature changes. This in turn, reduces hot flashes. It may also help with the reduction of heart palpitations that often occur during menopause.

  Black cohosh may be taken for up to six months using two pills a day. It should not be taken for longer than six months as it may cause liver damage.

Maca Root

• The Maca root is a plant that looks like a radish. It has been used in South America for many years. When combined with food, Maca root was thought to impart aphrodisiac qualities and improve sexual functioning. It can also be used to reduce the incidence and severity of menopausal problems.

  While the Maca root does not contain any plant estrogen, it does contain something called adaptogen, which helps to balance the body's hormonal system. It also has high levels of the B vitamins along with magnesium, zinc and iron. Maca root can be taken in supplement form with a recommended daily dose of about 900 mg. It should be taken three times a day with meals. It can also be boiled and steeped to make a tea.

Red Clover

• Red clover contains high amounts of phytoestrogens, or plant hormones that copy the hormones in a woman's body. These phytoestrogens work to raise the levels of estrogen in your body and help to reduce menopausal symptoms. Red clover also has high levels of vitamins like Vitamin C and minerals like potassium and magnesium. It also contains high levels of calcium which is beneficial in slowing down the progression of bone loss due to menopause. Take red clover in supplement form to relieve menopause symptoms, the recommended dosage is about 400 mg to 500 mg.

  Always check with your health practitioner before embarking on any treatment plan containing herbal supplementation. Make sure you take herbal supplements according to his instructions.