There are an untold number of herbs and natural supplements on the market. This is partially due to the fact that hormone replacement therapy has been found to create several health problems and that many people in today’s society are trying to live green and organic. With so many choices it can be difficult to know which herbs do what and how effective they are.

Chinese medicine has long been recognized as some of the best natural remedies around. Dong quai is a Chinese herb in the celery family whose root has medicinal properties. The root is usually boiled or soaked in wine, then the root is removed and the liquid is drunk. Dong quai also comes in tablet form and as a liquid extract. The root has been found to balance female hormones, but has not been officially tested for menopausal women.

Red clover is another herb which belongs to the legume family. This plant has been proven to relieve menopausal symptoms because it has compounds that act as phytoestrogens which is very similar to estrogen. Studies have shown red clover to relieve menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, reduce bone loss, and help reduce the risk of prostate cancer. However, long-term usage of red clover may be linked to uterine cancer and increases the effects of blood-thinning drugs. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take red clover.

Black cohosh, which is native to the U.S., was used by Native Americans as a remedy for women’s health problems such as menstrual cramps, hot flashes, and arthritis. Today, it is used as a supplement for hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and vaginal dryness. It is unknown why black cohosh is so effective at relieving these symptoms, but it is believed to have something to do with the compound 26-deoxyactein. Side effects of black cohosh include headache, nausea, indigestion, vomiting, and low blood pressure. Excessive doses may cause seizures, visual disturbances, and irregular heartbeat.

Another popular herb, especially in the U.S., is St. John’s wort. It has long been used to treat emotional disorders and was once thought to rid the body of evil spirits. St. John’s wort comes in many forms such as a capsule, tablet, liquid, and dry herb or tea. This herb is used to treat a number of conditions such as depression, anxiety, skin conditions, and menopausal symptoms. Most of the side effects are associated with short-term usage and include upset stomach, skin reactions, restlessness, erectile dysfunction, and dizziness.

Feminestra is another all natural supplement that is gaining popularity in the U.S. Feminestra is a leading nutrition and herbal supplement using a blend of rice bran oil and gamma oryzanol which has been found to be more potent that regular oryzanol. It has been clinically proven to relieve menopausal symptoms such as night sweats and hot flashes.

Damiana is a small shrub that produces small flowers, and fruits. Its flowers are said to smell like chamomile, and its leaves are traditionally used to make tea. It has long been used by native people in Central and South America because of its aphrodisiac effects. In modern medicine, it is used as a herbal medicine to treat everything from coughs to menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, loss of energy, and libido.

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Other natural herbs and supplements include primrose oil, chaste tree berry, soy, and ginseng. It is important that you talk to your doctor before starting any kind of regimen of natural supplements to make sure that they will not interfere with any current medications that you are taking.