Natural Management of Menopause Part 1: Herbal Remedies

"So many women I've talked to see menopause as an ending. But I've discovered this is your moment to reinvent yourself after years of focusing on the needs of everyone else. It's your opportunity to get clear about what matters to you and then to pursue that with all of your energy, time and talent." — Oprah Winfrey

However, transitioning through to menopause can be a challenging time. Whilst it can feel scary, know that you’re not alone. There are a myriad of natural support solutions available that can help you to manage difficult symptoms, and turn this time into an exciting, bracing and health-enhancing journey. 

Many women going through menopause may experience hot flushes, hair loss, vaginal dryness, low mood, weight gain, brain fog, anxiety and difficulties with sleep, to name a few. Moreover, menopause can have an effect on bone density, cognitive ability and cardiovascular health.

Hormone therapy (HRT) has been the primary treatment for menopausal symptoms. However, because of the health risks associated with hormone therapy, many women cannot or choose not to use hormone therapy. Approximately 51% of women use naturopathic medicine and more than 60% perceive it be effective for menopausal symptoms. 1

Naturopathic medicine is indeed the most comprehensive way to support health because you look at the whole person addressing the cause as well as the symptoms of someone's issue. A combination of an intelligent diet, healthy lifestyle, healing herbs, supplements and holistic health treatments, can naturally reduce the severity of symptoms during the menopause and enhance your overall health and wellbeing. 

In this blog, Cloud Twelve Club's founder Naturopath, Herbalist and Homeopathic practitioner Jenya Di Pierro, who specializes in female hormonal health, talks about herbal alternatives to HRT.

What herbal medicine can I take for menopause?

Herbs are the oldest form of medicine and are essentially food. They are well understood and absorbed by the body, and act in a gentle, yet powerful way to nourish and restore our vitality.  

Hot Flashes

Hot flashes are one of the most uncomfortable symptoms of menopause.

Sudden rushes of heat and sweating are often accompanied by increased heart rate, chills, shivering, clamminess, anxiety, feelings of nausea, a “head-ache”-like sensation, visible reddening and blotching of the face and neck, an increase in core body temperature, increased metabolism, and interrupted sleep. Women report a minimum of seven hot flashes per day, or at least 50 hot flashes a week. Symptoms generally wane five to seven years post menopause, but can persist in some women for over 20 years; with median symptom duration of approximately four years. 2

The primary group of herbs that can reduce hot flashes are phyto-estrogens: 

Black Cohosh is probably the most famous herb used in the management of the menopausal symptoms and is effective for night sweat, hot flashes, insomnia, irritability, palpitations, cramps and headaches. 7

Sage is also estrogenic and improves circulation to the head. Sage is widely used for the treatment of hot flashes and sweats reduction. It also has positive effects on the nervous system including improved memory and concentration. Finally Sage supports digestion and absorption and is useful in increasing bioavailability of other herbs in the formula. 7

Red Clover has demonstrated ability to reduce menopausal symptoms, support the maintenance of bone density and protect the cardiovascular and immune system. This herb has been also traditionally used for prevention of breast and lymphatic cancers. 9

Steroidal saponins

Wild Yam has been proposed to have an estrogenic effect because of the theoretical ability of its steroidal saponins to bind to estrogen receptors. As a result of this action, it is commonly found in many menopause preparations where it may be used to help relieve symptoms such as hot flushes and headaches associated with menopause. In fact, active ingredient of Wild Yam, diosgenin has been used in hormone replacement therapies. In addition, Wild Yam is has calming, and relaxing properties which makes it very useful for menopausal symptoms related to anxiety and mood swings. 1

Energy Boost

From a herbal perspective, there is nothing better at restoring vitality than adaptogens. They aid in building our resilience to disease, helping us adapt to stress, supporting our energy levels, adrenal function and normalizing our immune function. Additionally, they have an ability to regulate and balance the intricate connection between the brain and the nervous system, the endocrine system and the immune system, which makes them a truly holistic category of plants. 

Rehmannia is one of my go-to adaptogens during menopause as in addition to supporting energy production, it is also used for prevention of muscle weakness and prolapses and we as strengthening of the bones and reducing inflammation. It is truly a wonder herbs as it also supports kidney function and reduces urinary frequency and incontinence.

Panax Ginseng is another adaptogen which increases energy and resilience to stress. It is also considered a rejuvenating tonic, which reduces the impact of the ageing process. Moreover, Panax helps with blood sugar regulation and is used for diabetes and insulin resistance. 

Wishing you the best of health. Part 2 coming soon. 

Jenya Di Pierro

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EMAIL: [email protected]

02033011012 

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Author: Jenya Di Pierro

Founder, Naturopath & Herbal Medicine Practitioner

BSc, MSc, DipCNM, AMH, ANP

References

Complementary Medicine for meno https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6419242/

Hot Flashes and Hypnosis https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3556367/

Estrogen and collagen connection https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2685269/

Gotu Kola https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3834700/

Estrogen during ageing https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3595330/

Menopausal symptoms https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4542113/

Herbs for menopause https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5783135/

Menopause and glucose https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5460681/

Red clover for cancer prevention https://europepmc.org/article/med/30596276

Estrogen function https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3389841/

Progesterone https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8705436/

Lemon balm https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7352304/

Jujube https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7735973/