This blog post on the best menopause herbs teaches you about the herbs you can consume to relieve menopause symptoms. It teaches you about the benefits of black cohosh and red clover which are the best alternative medicine herbs for menopause. It also teaches you about Ayurvedic herbs for menopause like ashwagandha and licorice.
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Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is one of the best Ayurvedic herbs for menopause. A study found that participants undergoing chronic stress who took 300mg of Ashwagandha root extract twice a day experienced a reduction in body weight and BMI. Their cortisol level, psychological and physiological markers of stress were also reduced. The Ashwagandha group also experienced improved mental wellbeing, improved eating behaviors and reduced food cravings. Ashwagandha is therefore useful for weight loss in persons experiencing chronic stress.
Ashwagandha is also used to reduce anxiety and stress and also to improve sleep. It is also used to relieve fatigue since it increases energy levels.
The Best Menopause Herbs:
Black Cohosh
Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemose or Actaea racemosa) is the number one herb for menopause since it is used as the herbal replacement for hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It has been shown by some studies to reduce menopause symptoms. However, more studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Black cohosh is one of the herbs for menopause hot flashes because it has been shown to reduce hot flashes and vaginal dryness. However, more studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Black cohosh is one of the herbs for menopause mood swings. This is because there is some evidence that when it is combined with St. John’s Wort it can improve the mood swings associated with menopause.
Do not use black cohosh if you are pregnant, have high blood pressure, or have liver problems.
Side effects of black cohosh include nausea, skin rashes, upset stomach, weight gain, muscle pain, breast pain or enlargement, vaginal bleeding outside of the menstrual cycle.
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Chamomile
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) is one of the herbs for menopause hot flashes because a study found that it reduced hot flashes when it was taken with dong quai. However, more studies are needed to confirm the findings.
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The Best Menopause Herbs:
Chasteberry
Chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus) is one of the herbs for menopause hot flashes because a small study found that it reduced hot flashes and anxiety. It is also said to reduce breast pain (mastodynia). It is also said to increase progesterone which can help maintain its balance in the perimenopausal period. However, more studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Do not use chasteberry if you have had hormone-sensitive breast cancer, uterine cancer or ovarian cancer. Do not use chasteberry if you are taking hormones for birth control or hormone replacement therapy.
Chasteberry has drug interactions with antipsychotic medications, Parkinson’s disease medications, and oral contraceptive pills.
Side effects of chasteberry include headache, nausea, itchy skin, and digestive problems.
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The Best Menopause Herbs:
Dong Quai
Dong quai (Angelica sinensis) is one of the herbs for menopause hot flashes because a study found that it reduced hot flashes when it was taken with chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla). It is also said to help balance and regulate estrogen levels during menopause. It is also said to ease pelvic pain in menopause. However, more studies are needed to confirm the findings.
Do not take dong quai before surgery as it interferes with blood clotting. Do not take dong quai if you are allergic to carrots, anise, caraway, celery, dill, and parsley. Avoid dong quai if you have a hormone sensitive cancer.
Dong quai has drug interactions with blood thinners like warfarin.
Side effects of dong quai include making you more sensitive to the sun. It can also increase the risk for cancer.
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Evening Primrose
Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) is one of the herbs for menopause hot flashes because it is said to reduce hot flashes. However, more studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Side effects include abdominal pain and nausea.
Use with caution if taking blood thinners or antipsychotic medications.
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The Best Menopause Herbs:
Ginger
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is one of the herbs for menopause nausea, vomiting, upset stomach and other digestive issues of menopause. Ginger is also beneficial for menopause joint aches and pains due to its anti-inflammatory properties. However, more studies are needed to confirm these findings.
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The Best Menopause Herbs:
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgo biloba) contains phytoestrogens which act like estrogen in the body and can help reduce the hormonal imbalance of menopause. It is used to improve mood, cognition and sexual function. However, more studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Ginkgo biloba has drug interactions with blood thinners like warfarin, anti-seizure medications, nifedipine, omeprazole, esomeprazole, diabetes medications, alprazolam and cholesterol medications known as statins.
Side effects of ginkgo biloba include interfering with blood clotting. It may cause an allergic reaction in some people.
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The Best Menopause Herbs:
Ginseng
The name “Ginseng” is used to refer to the American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) and the Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) . The Korean red ginseng is the one commonly used for menopause symptoms.
Ginseng is one of the herbs for menopause sexual problems like low libido because a study found that it improved sexual function and quality of life in menopausal women. It is also said to increase sexual arousal and improve the sex lives of menopausal women as well as reduce their risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
Ginseng is one of the herbs for menopause hot flashes because there is some evidence that it can alleviate menopause symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats.
Ginseng has also been shown to improve sleep and boost mood. However, more studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Avoid ginseng if you have diabetes.
Ginseng has drug interactions with blood thinners, medications for high blood pressure, heart disease, cholesterol, and diabetes.
Side effects include headaches, nervousness, skin rash, diarrhea, dizziness, insomnia.
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Green Tea
Green tea (Camellia sinensis) is one of the herbs for menopause brain fog because a study found that middle-aged and older adults who drunk green tea had a reduced risk of developing memory loss or concentration problems.
Green tea is also one of the herbs for menopause belly because it contains EGCG which may boost metabolism and aid in fat burning. However, more studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Green tea is also beneficial for bone health because a study found that drinking green tea offered protection from osteoporosis and fractures by improving bone density and reducing the amount of age-related bone loss. Another study found that green tea reduced the risk of developing fractures in elderly women and men. Another study found that drinking green tea before menopause is linked to higher bone mineral density in postmenopausal women. Therefore drink green tea every day.
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Kava
Kava (Piper methysticum) is one of the herbs for anxiety as per this but it causes severe liver damages. We therefore do not recommend it use.
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Licorice
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) contains phytoestrogens which act like estrogen in the body. Licorice is one of the herbs for menopause hot flashes because it is used to reduce hot flashes. However, more studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Licorice is also one of the Ayurvedic herbs used for menopause. It is used to relieve hot flashes, irritability and mood swings. It is also used in Ayurveda to maintain adrenal health and to reduce stress.
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Maca
Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is one of the herbs for menopause brain fog and depression because a study found that it had an effect on bone structure, memory impairment and depression. However, more studies are needed to confirm the findings.
Maca is relatively safe when cooked and eaten as a food (upto 3 grams per day). Side effects of maca include abdominal pain and nausea.
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The Best Menopause Herbs:
Red Clover
Red clover (Trifolium pretense) contains phytoestrogens which act like estrogen in the body and can improve the hormonal imbalances of menopause.
Red clover is one of the herbs for hot flashes because it has been shown by studies to reduce menopause symptoms. It is used to treat hot flashes, night sweats, menopausal anxiety, depression, and vaginal dryness. However, more studies are needed to confirm the findings.
Red clover should not be used by persons with breast cancer and other hormone-sensitive cancers.
Side effects of red clover include vaginal spotting, prolonged menstruation, skin irritation, nausea, headache.
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Red Raspberry
Red raspberry (Rubus idaeus) is used to reduce the heavy menstrual bleeding can come at the onset of perimenopause.
Side effects of red raspberry include a laxative effect which can result in loosening of stool. It also has a diuretic effect which can increase urination.
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St. John’s Wort
St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is one of the herbs for menopause menopause mood swings because it was found to improve the mood swings associated with menopause when combined with black cohosh. However, more studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Do not take St. John’s wort if you have bipolar disorder, if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if you are breastfeeding.
St. John’s Wort has drug interactions with medications used to treat depression like tricyclic antidepressants, SSRIs, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), antihistamines like loratadine, cetrizine, digoxin, drugs that fight HIV and many other drugs.
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The Best Menopause Herbs:
Valerian
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is one of the herbs for hot flashes because it is used to treat hot flashes and insomnia. It is also used to improve bone strength in osteoporosis. It also used to treat anxiety, headaches, stress, joint pain. However, more studies are needed to confirm the findings.
Do not take valerian with alcohol.
Side effects of valerian include causing liver injury especially when taking it with black cohosh and skull cap. Other side effects include digestive upset, headaches, uneasiness, excitability, and insomnia.
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To learn more read Studies on Herbs for Menopause
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FAQ
What are the best herbs to treat menopause symptoms like anxiety, belly fat, brain fog, depression, fatigue, hot flashes, insomnia, mood swings, night sweats, sexual problems, weight gain?
The best menopause herbs to treat anxiety include ashwagandha, chasteberry, red clover, valerian.
The best herbs for menopause belly fat include cayenne pepper, green tea, ginger, turmeric, cardamom and cinnamon.
The best menopause herbs to treat brain fog include green tea, maca.
The best menopause herbs to treat depression include maca, red clover, St. John’s Wort.
The best menopause herbs to treat fatigue include ashwagandha.
The best menopause herbs to treat hot flashes include black cohosh, chamomile, chasteberry, dong quai, evening primrose, ginseng, green tea, red clover, valerian.
The best menopause herbs for sleep or to treat insomnia include ashwagandha, ginseng, valerian.
The best menopause herbs to treat mood swings include black cohosh, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, green tea, maca, St. John’s Wort.
The best menopause herbs to treat night sweats include ginseng, red clover.
The best menopause herbs to treat sexual problems include black cohosh. ginseng, red clover.
The best herbs for menopause weight loss include Ashwagandha, cayenne pepper, green tea, ginger, turmeric, cardamom and cinnamon. Cayenne pepper, green tea, ginger, turmeric, cardamom and cinnamon increase the metabolic rate which this helps the body burn more calories.
What is the best treatment for menopause?
The best treatment for menopause is one that relieves menopause symptoms without increasing the woman’s risk for developing serious conditions. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) relieves some of the symptoms of menopause like hot flashes and night sweats. It also improves sleep, reduces vaginal dryness and painful sex. HRT also reduces the risk of developing heart disease and fractures from osteoporosis.
However, side effects of HRT include developing breast cancer, cancer of the uterus, stroke, blood clots in the legs, blood clots in the lungs, breast pain, vaginal bleeding, gall bladder disease, bloating, nausea, diarrhea, headache, mood changes, muscle cramps, skin rash, itchy skin, hives, and allergic reactions.
Consequently HRT is not the best treatment for women who do not want to develop these conditions.
Our Menopause Expert Doctor does not use HRT. She uses food as medicine, supplements and lifestyle modifications to provide relief for menopause symptoms. This is the best treatment for menopause since it does not cause other illnesses. Email AlmasiSkincare@gmail.com to consult her.
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