Controlling the discomforts of Menopause the Herbal way!

Menopause, often referred to as 'the Change of life' is really just the normal natural transition period of a woman's body.

It's only been a few years when 'the Change of life' was still considered a hush-hush situation. Even when my Mom went through it, 30 or so years ago it still seemed to be perceived as an illness or a disease instead of a normal occurrence. By making the natural an unnatural it labeled the menopausal woman as a an inadequate, lacking, defective and incomplete being.

Today's woman is starting to move away from these archaic beliefs but only slightly. She is still standing partially in the shadow of these negative attitudes. TV ads, magazines, pharmaceutical industry etc are still trying to point out that to have real value a woman must appear young and fresh. To keep up with this prerequisite she will dye her hair to pretend the grey does not exist. She will wear more make-up in the attempt to hide wrinkles. She will try plastic surgery, unhealthy diets and horror of horrors, hormone replacement treatments (some of these HRT are made from the urine of pregnant mares) or synthetic estrogen which has a whole set of dangerous side effects, all in the name of staying youthful.

The menopause in short is when the woman's body stops ovulating. This menopausal period plays out differently in each woman. As an average at the age anywhere between 45 and 50 it starts and usually lasts last for 2 to 5 years however, for some women menopause may last a decade. Some women start earlier, for some it starts and stops, some have some of the symptoms others experience the whole lot. Some women have an easier time and breeze through this time of their life, while  others can't even sleep, have a hard time concentrating at work. All in all the menopause disrupts their whole life.

Estrogens are important but there are many risks in their uses

• Estrogens may cause fluid retention
• Heart disorders
• Increase in the severity of asthma
• Kidney stones
• Epilepsy
• Migraine headaches

• Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)
• Blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides)
• Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca)
• Licorice root
  
• Golden seal (Hydrastis canadenis)
• Ladies mantle Wchemilla vulgaris)
• Sage (Salvia officinalis)
• Siberian Ginseng

Motherwort tincture eases hot flashes, stressed nerves, relieves anxiety and can help relieve insomnia.The usual dosage is 18-20 drops of tincture about 4-5 times per day the last dose being just before bed time.  It has been found that Motherwort will lessen the frequency, the severity and the duration of hot flashes. Best results using this herb will come after using it for 1-2  months.

There is very strong scientific evidence that using a menopausal supplement that includes Black cohosh is effective against hot flashes and other symptoms. However it's important to discuss and check out all the possible side effects with a Doctor or Naturopath. Taking any herbal supplements with any type of prescription or non-prescription drugs could interact adversel.

• 4 oz Alfalfa leaves(dried)
• 3 oz Lavender (dried)
  
• 3 oz Hops (dried)
• 3 oz Licorice root
• 2 oz Bee pollen granule
• 2 oz Lady's Mantle (dried)
  
• 2 oz St. John's Wort (dried)
• 2 oz Chamomile flowers (dried)
• 1 oz Lemon-balm leaves (dried)

Combine all herbs to make an herbal tea blend. For best results powder-ize herbs in either a coffee grinder, blender or mortar pestle.
To make up tea pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 tbsp. of herbal tea blend. Let steep for 5 minutes and strain.
Drink four cups per day either hot or cold use small amount of honey to sweeten if necessary.

TIP: To make up the daily 4 cups at once use a small sized Melita coffee filter (it's the cone shaped one) spoon in the 4 tablespoons worth of tea-blend and tie up the top with a twist tie or piece of thread. This will act like a big tea bag, hang over side of tea pot and pour 4 cups of boiling water over it. Let steep for at least 15 minutes to assure the right strength of tea.

This information does not replace medical advice. It is important to consult a Doctor and/or Natutopath before taking any herbs. Just like drugs, herbal or botanical preparations have chemical and biological activity and may have side effects and interact with certain medications.

• Alcohol drinks, including wine and beer
• Caffeine, including coffee, black tea, cola and chocolate
• Spicy foods which include cayenne pepper and ginger
• Smoking including tobacco or marijuana
• Acidic foods (citrus, tomatoes, pickles)
• Hot drinks in the late evening or before bed (except milk)
• Hydrogenated and saturated fats which are in meat and margarine
• Stress especially anger
• Hot tubs and saunas

http://www.womentowomen.com/menopause/blackcohoshformenopausalsymptoms.aspx

http://www.menopause-black-cohosh.org/black-cohosh-research/menopause-hot-flashes.html

http://www.menopause-black-cohosh.org/black-cohosh-research/licorice-root-depression.html

http://www.menopause-black-cohosh.org/black-cohosh-research/vitamin-e-menopause-flashes.html