4 Ways Dong Quai Can Help During Menopause
Native to the high mountains of China and Japan, Dong quai has been used for centuries in the treatment of menstrual problems in women. More recently, women have reported the benefits of the herb in treating the symptoms of menopause. Keep reading for four ways Dong Quai may help you ease your transition into menopause.
Replacing Estrogen
As a phytoestrogenic herb, Dong quai may help balance estrogen levels during menopause. Menopausal women, especially those in the early stages, often face rapidly fluctuating estrogen levels. This imbalance is the trigger for common symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, sleeplessness and vaginal dryness. Dong quai is thought to replace estrogen when it is in decline and compete with natural estrogens when they are too high, making the herb a good treatment for hormonal imbalance.
Relieving Stress
Women going through menopause often feel overwhelmed by stress - the result of biological factors like hormonal imbalances and more psychological factors like feelings of dread of old age and infertility. This can lead to a host of problems, including insomnia, irritability and depression. Dong quai is a natural sedative, making it effective in the treatment of these symptoms.
Nourishing Blood Flow
Blood flow slows down during menopause, leading to a host of ill-effects like headaches, poor circulation, fatigue and problems digesting food. Dong quai is thought to promote healthy circulation, relieving many of these symptoms. The herb also contains iron and can be used to treat anemia.
Relieving Pain
Taken together, osteoporosis, joint pain, muscle tension and other painful symptoms of menopause can leave you feeling beset with agony. As a natural pain reliever, Dong quai can help relieve many of these symptoms.
Should You Take Dong Quai to Relieve Menopausal Symptoms?
As is the case with most herbal remedies, further research is needed into how Dong quai works in the body. Reported side effects include nausea, dizziness, headaches and enlarged breasts in men. Despite its drawbacks, women have reported many benefits from the use of the herb during menopause. Combined with diet and exercise, it may help you to relieve your menopausal symptoms. Talk to your doctor however, if your symptoms become more severe.
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