The Best Used Herbs for Hot Flashes & Night Sweats

Hot flashes are caused by a decrease in estrogen levels. Hot flashes that occur while you are sleeping are called night sweats. If you are suffering from hot flashes or night sweats, there are several herbs that are said to be beneficial. The herbs can be bought individually or as a formula made with a blend of recommended herbs.

Black Cohosh

• Black cohosh is related to the buttercup and native to North America. It is used to relieve hot flashes and is the main ingredient in most herbal formulas for menopause.

  Known side effects include headaches, heaviness of the legs, weight gain and upset stomach.

  Do not use black cohosh if you suffer from allergies, a blood clotting disorder, endometriosis, uterine fibroids or if you have a history of cancer or have had a kidney transplant.

  Take 20 mg twice a day for relief of hot flashes.

Red Clover

• Red clover grows in meadows throughout the U.S., Asia and Europe. Red clover is used to treat hot flashes because of its high isoflavone content. For menopausal women, isoflavones act similarly to estrogen.

  Possible side effects include nausea, headaches and rashes.

  Do not take Red Clover if you are taking blood thinning medication, birth control pills, estrogen or tamoxifen.

  80 mg should be taken daily to control hot flashes.

Chaste Berry

• Chaste berry is native to countries in the Mediterranean Bay and southern Europe. It is also called monk's pepper because it is known to reduce male libido.

  Chaste berry is used for hot flashes because of its ability to increase progesterone and estrogen levels.

  Dizziness, rash and some mild gastrointestinal problems have been reported as side effects.

  Do not take chaste berry if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to become pregnant, if you have cancer, uterine fibroids or endometriosis or if you take any anti-psychotic medications.

  225 mg daily is the recommended dosage.