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Holistic Menopause Relief

Menopause symptoms are often uncomfortable physically, emotionally and psychologically. The transition into menopause is marked by hot flashes, night sweats, depression, fatigue, dry skin and other symptoms resembling premenstrual syndrome. Holistic menopause relief focuses on promoting hormonal balance and reducing anxiety.

  1. Licorice Root

    • A staple in Chinese herbal medicine, licorice root is a powerful herb often used to balance female hormone irregularities. Licorice root can help relieve perimenopausal symptoms such as fluid retention, cramping, breast pain, fatigue and mood fluctuation. Licorice root can also help elevate progesterone hormone levels, which is necessary to balance out the increased levels of estrogen present in perimenopausal women. The elevation of progesterone will help counteract PMS-like symptoms that are caused by increased estrogen secretion. Licorice root can be found in tea and pill form in most natural health food stores. Licorice root tea can be made inexpensively by simmering one teaspoon of dried, organic licorice root in eight ounces of water for 10 minutes. Licorice should not be taken by those who have a history of high blood pressure, as large doses of the herb can exacerbate the condition.

    Garden Sage

    • When garden sage is mentioned, most people associate the herb with culinary seasoning. While wonderful in that capacity, garden sage is also a good herb for holistic menopause relief. Garden sage seems to have estrogenic effects on the body. The herb reduces the intensity of perimenopausal symptoms like hot flashes, breast tenderness, cycle irregularities. Garden sage is also used as a nerve tonic, alleviating anxiety and depression. Garden sage can be organically grown in the garden or flower pot. Garden sage tea can be easily prepared at home by infusing dried garden sage leaves in eight ounces of boiling water for 10 minutes. Drink the tea three times a day, or right before bedtime to help relieve night sweats and hot flashes

    Vitex

    • Vitex, also called chasteberry, helps relieve many perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms by promoting hormonal balance. The berries of this herb act on the pituitary gland, balancing estrogen and progesterone hormone secretions. This is of special importance to perimenopausal and menopausal women because elevated levels of the estrogen and reduced levels of progesterone are what cause most of the uncomfortable PMS-like symptoms experienced. Vitex can be taken in tea form by steeping one teaspoon of ripe, organic berries in one cup of boiling water for up to 15 minutes. Allow one to two months of daily consumption for optimum results as this herb is quite gentle.

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