Herbs For Health During Menopause
There are a variety of herbs for health that can be used during menopause to relieve its symptoms. This article discusses some of these particular herbs, the reasons for menopause, its stages and symptoms, and also provides advice on the best kinds of herbs for health for treating them.
Herbs for health during menopause: What is menopause?
Menopause, defined simply, is the last menstrual period in a woman´s life. It marks the end of the reproductive years in a similar way that the first menstrual period marked the start. The process involves a decline of estrogen production in the ovaries of women as they approach menopause, gradually to the point where menstruation ceases altogether.
Because of the decline in estrogen, during menopause women can suffer a variety of symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms include: Hot flashes, mood swings, depression, forgetfulness, and weight gain.
You should consult your doctor before combining herbs for health during menopause with existing medication.
Types of herbs for health needed during menopause
There are two basic types of herbs for menopause support – phytoestrogenic and non-estrogenic herbs. Phytoestrogenic herbs contain phytohormones, compounds that mimic the body´s own hormones, non-estrogenic herbs help to stimulate the body´s internal hormonal production system.
Phytoestrogenic herbs for health
Phytoestrogenic herbs for menopause support are plants that contain phytoestrogens, in turn containing chemical structures similar to human estrogen.
There are several herbs for health which have phytoestrogens and therapeutic effects. Phytoestrogenic herbs often help menopausal women who are suffering from hormonal imbalance, by replicating the body´s own source of estrogen hormone. Phytoestrogens appear in large doses in herbs for health such as black cohosh, ginseng, soy, red clover and dong quai. Click on the following link to read more about phytoestrogen herbs.
Herbal supplementation, along with lifestyle and dietary changes can potentially alleviate menopausal symptoms naturally. One herbal remedy that Chinese Medicine practitioners often use for symptoms such as night sweats, hot flashes, and vaginal dryness is called Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, or Six Flavor Tea, which contains rehmannia, cornus, Chinese wild yam, moutan bark, poria, and alisma. This formula´s (not widely known in the West) function is to moisten the body and nourish yin. These herbs may also have phytoestrogenic properties. The herb, vitex agnus castus, or chasteberry can also be useful for reducing discomfort.
Non estrogenic herbs for health
Non-estrogenic herbs don´t have chemical structures that mimic estrogen. These herbs work to support menopause by stimulating the body´s endocrine system into making more hormones on its own.
What herbs for health during menopause should I use?
One of the biggest attractions of herbs for health during menopause is that they often do not have unwanted side effects (though each treatment should be taken on its merits) and research has proved their effectiveness. Having said that, in any treatment for hormonal related symptoms as suffered in menopause, a healthy diet and lifestyle critical.
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