Herbs traditionally used to relieve the symptoms of menopause. A variety of herbs have traditionally been used to relieve menopausal symptoms in Chinese and Western herbal medicine. Below are some of the most important to be aware of if you’re looking for symptomatic relief.
Anemarrhena: In TCM, the herb anemarrhena (or Zhi Mu) is traditionally used to relieve hot flushes, night sweats and vaginal dryness when Kidney Yin deficiency is present. It’s traditionally regarded as having cooling properties and the ability to moisten dryness, so is traditionally used in TCM to nourish Yin and cool deficiency heat.
Black cohosh: Traditionally used to relieve menopause symptoms such as disturbed sleep, mood swings, irritability, mild rheumatic aches and pains and hot flushes in Western herbal medicine.
Vitex: Also known as Vitex agnus-castus or chaste tree. It’s traditionally used to ease symptoms of menopause in Western herbal medicine, as well as to provide overall support for hormone health.
Dong quai: Traditionally used to relieve menopausal symptoms in TCM, where it’s also traditionally taken as a blood tonic to strengthen Jing.
What is peri-menopause? According to the Australian Menopause Society, peri-menopause refers to the time leading up to menopause when a woman may start experiencing changes in her menstrual periods such as, irregular periods or changes in flow. Cycles can be shorter or longer in length. Symptoms may also include hot flushes and night sweats, aches and pains, fatigue or irritability as well as premenstrual symptoms such as sore breasts. These changes may be caused by fluctuations in the production of hormones from the ovary. Some women can experience menopausal symptoms for 5-10 years before their final menstrual period. There is no way to predict the age at which a woman’s menopausal symptoms will start or how long they will last.
References available on request. Erika Bass is Technical Support team leader at Fusion® Health. She has over a decade of experience in the natural health industry, and a particular passion for helping women look and feel their best.
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ISSUE 59 • 2020
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