Some Great Herbs for Women
Women who are going through menopause, the 'change of life', often had
no idea how miserable this experience could be, until it was upon them.
You may change from a perfectly rational, cheerful and upbeat person
into an irrational, anxious, nervous bundle of nerves.
This bad movie may not end here. Along with heart palpitations, serving
only to increase your anxiety and nervous condition, irritability and
headaches enter the picture. Perhaps the worst of all is the episodes
of profuse perspiration associated with the infamous hot flashes. You
may become depressed (ya think?). Although not every woman experiences
all of these symptoms, just a few are enough to drive you crazy. Now
that we know that hormone replacement therapy is not a good idea, what
do you do? Fortunately, there are a number of herbs for menopause,
which provide safe and effective relief from these less than enchanting
symptoms.
Many of these herbs have been used for centuries, as a specific for
menopausal symptom relief, in a variety of cultures around the world.
Here are some of the best.
Black Cohosh is one of the best single herbs for menopause symptoms.
Native Americans used this plant extensively for many female complaints
and specifically for menopausal symptoms. This plant has a component
which is a precursor for estrogen " your body uses this estrogen
precursor to produce just the amounts of estrogen your body needs.
Black Cohosh is also an excellent remedy for hot flashes, anxiety and
depression. In addition to combating rheumatic conditions, it relieves
muscle cramps and attendant pain. Some studies suggest it may also help
manage blood pressure and reduce cholesterol.
If hot flashes are a problem, you'll want some Red Clover flowers in
your cupboard. Brew a cup of red clover tea and drink 3 or 4 cups each
day. Incidentally, red clover is also a treatment for ovarian cysts.
The dried fruits of the Agnus Castus tree is another one of the
excellent herbs for menopause. Its main virtue lies in its hormone
balancing qualities, which helps relieve depressive conditions,
especially in menopause.
Angelica, also known in Traditional Chinese medicine as Dong Quai, is
another of the hormone balancing herbs for menopause. Angelica contains
goodly quantities of natural plant estrogens, treating symptoms of
reduced levels of estrogen.
Sage, the common culinary herb, may be drunk as a tea to reduce
sweating and hot flashes. Drink 3 or 4 cups daily. Use this herb
liberally in your foods as well. If you're bothered by the dreaded
night sweats, sage is especially helpful in bringing you relief.
St. John's Wort, or Hypericum has a mild sedative effect which proves
useful if you're feeling anxious and may also help with depression.
This list of herbs for menopause is not exhaustive. Consult a qualified
herbalist or naturopathic doctor for specific doses and choices that
are right for you.
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