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It is natural for perimenopausal women to experience body changes and menopausal symptoms throughout this time. These can include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood swings, flooding and irregular menstruation. However, menopause does not have to be a time of discomfort. Herbs can be wonderful allies to the menopausal woman. Firstly, let’s talk about the prevention of possible problems. Exercise encourages bone strength, cardiovascular health and maximizes production and use of hormones in the body. Getting enough sleep, play time and keeping stress levels low all add to overall health and well being. Good reproductive health earlier in life can lead to a more pleasant menopause. If a woman experiences cramps, PMS or other reproductive imbalances earlier in life, that is the time to start working on reproductive and hormonal health. The woman who enters menopause with a good history of hormonal balance is ahead of the game when it comes to menopausal symptoms.
There is
no more creative force in the world than the menopausal woman with
zest.
Following are a few of the many herbs that can assist the menopausal woman. Evening Primrose Oil (Oenothera biennis) is anti-inflammatory making it useful for pain, inflammation and arthritis. It is high in gamma linolenic acids, which are helpful in regulating hormonal balance. Evening Primrose Oil reduces menstrual cramps, mood swings, depression and breast tenderness. Dosage: 1 – 3 capsules a day, depending on the product. Garden Sage (Salvia officinalis) helps night sweats, cold sweats and hot flashes. It is useful in relieving menstrual cramps and flooding. Dosage: 15 – 40 drops of extract as needed, 1 – 2 tablespoons dry herb in 1-cup hot water as a tea. Vitex (Vitex agnus-castus) is also called Chaste Tree Berry. Vitex is one of the finest hormonal balancers. It stabilizes progesterone fluctuations and decreases flooding. Vitex can be used to help reduce hot flashes, dizziness, PMS and mood swings. It has also been used for fibroids and endometriosis. Dosage: 30 – 60 drops of extract three times a day. Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus), also called Siberian Ginseng, is wonderful for overcoming stress and fatigue. It rejuvenates the entire reproductive system and encourages hormonal balance. Dosage: 20 – 60 drops of extract three times a day. Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis) encourages blood flow to the reproductive system to nourish and support reproductive health. It is high in minerals, especially iron. Dong Quai helps to encourage menstruation if it is coming on slowly. Do not use Dong Quai during menstruation if experiencing flooding. Dosage: 5 – 20 drops of extract three times a day. Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) is antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and relaxing making it useful for arthritis, painful joints and cramping. It contains estrogen-like constituents (not actually estrogen) to help with hormonal balance and reduce hot flashes. Do not use Black Cohosh with extreme low blood pressure. Dosage: 10 – 25 drops of extract three times a day. Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) is calming and relaxing to the nervous system, making it useful for nervousness and irritability. It is a uterine tonic and can be used to strengthen the reproductive system. As a cardiac tonic, Motherwort is useful in reducing heart palpitations. It is a digestive aid and is wonderful for hot flashes. Dosage: 30 – 60 drops of extract up to four times a day. Oat Seed (Avena spp.) is one of the finest tonics for the nervous system. It is a calming herb for periods of stress and agitation. Oat Seed can be used to wean from addictions from speedy substances such as cigarettes or coffee. Dosage: 10 – 20 drops of fresh Oat Seed tincture up to five times a day. Dry Oats do not work in the same way. Dry Oat Straw tea is high in many minerals including calcium, chromium, magnesium, niacin, silicon, sodium, and vitamin A. Dosage: 1 tablespoon per cup of hot water for tea. Drink up to three cups per day. Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) is one of nature’s most wonderful heart tonics. It helps to balance and normalize the heart’s function. Hawthorn works to reduce high blood pressure and heart palpitations. It can be used as a tonic for long periods of time. Dosage: 10 – 30 drops of tincture three times a day.
There is no more creative force in the world than the menopausal woman with zest. --Margaret Mead
Following are some helpful herbal recipes that I have developed over the years.
Hot Flash Formula: 1 part Wild Yam 1 part Eleuthero (Siberian Ginseng) 1 part Licorice 1 part Dong Quai 2 parts Black Cohosh 2 parts Sage 1 part Vitex 2 parts Motherwort Dosage: 1/4 teaspoon of the extract three times a day. This formula can also be used as symptomatic relief when a hot flash is coming on.
Estrogen Encouragement Therapy: 2 parts Eleuthero 1 part Dong Quai 2 parts Black Cohosh 2 parts Red Clover 1 part Vitex 1 part Fennel Dosage: 60 – 90 drops of tincture three times a day.
Bone Support Tea: 1 part Peppermint 1 part Horsetail 1 part Nettles 1 part Red Clover 1 part Oat Straw 1 part Alfalfa 1 part Chamomile Dosage: 1-tablespoon herb mixture per cup of hot water. Drink up to three cups of this nutritive tea a day.
A healthy diet is crucial in any phase of life. Some general suggestions for the menopausal woman include eating nuts and seeds, leafy green vegetables, whole grains and beans. Seaweeds are an especially beneficial food as they are high in Calcium, Iron and most trace minerals. Avoid all but small amounts of alcohol, sugar, caffeine, white flour, salt and refined and processed foods. Menopause is a time of powerful change for many women. It can also be a time of renewed vigor and health. My hope is that we as a culture can learn to view menopausal women, and the age of wisdom that they possess, with the respect and value this time of life deserves. It is time to honor the wisdom of aging.
About the Author: Elaine Sheff is a Clinical Herbalist, having graduated from both the Rocky Mountain Center for Botanical Studies and the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine. She is a certified instructor of Fertility Awareness and Natural Family Planning, a safe, effective birth control method used to avoid or achieve pregnancy. Elaine has a clinical practice providing herbal consultations for individuals with health concerns. In past years, she has been one of the organizers for the Montana Herb Gathering, an annual three day herbal conference. Elaine teaches herb classes throughout the western United States and is the founder and co-owner of Meadowsweet Herbs in Missoula, Montana. Meadowsweet Herbs is a retail store and manufacturer of fine herbal products.
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