Is Dong Quai Right for Me During Menopause?
Black Cohosh Ginkgo Biloba Dong Quai Ginseng Red Clover Soy Vitex Macafem
Black Cohosh
Black cohosh grows in the woods of eastern North America
Ginkgo Biloba
Traditionally used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years.
Dong Quai
Dong Quai is often referred to as "the female ginseng"
Ginseng
The Chinese word "rénshén" means "man root" in English
Red Clover
Originates from Asia, parts of Northern Africa, and Central Europe
Soy
Traditionally used in the Orient as a source of protein and medicine
Vitex
Vitex agnus-castus is also called chaste tree
Macafem
Originates from the Andean mountains of Perú

Is Dong Quai Right for Me During Menopause?

Menopause can leave you feeling beset by pain from all sides. Mood swings have strained your relationships, night sweats keep you from needed sleep and hot flashes strike at odd moments. With all this to contend with, you’d likely look anywhere for some relief. Fortunately, you do have treatment options. Herbal supplements, particularly Dong quai, have grown in popularity in recent years for the treatment of menopausal symptoms.

Is Dong Quai Right for Me During Menopause? A centuries-old staple of Chinese medicine, Dong quai has long been used for the treatment of female reproductive issues, including the transitions of menopause. Keep reading to learn more about this herb and whether it can help you find relief from your symptoms.

What is Dong Quai?

Indigenous to China, Dong quai is often referred to as the “female ginseng” for its similarity to the plant and its traditional use in treating women’s health conditions. Though little research has been conducted into Dong Quai, it is thought that the herb contains phytoestrogens -plant compounds that are believed to mimic estrogen in the body-. This helps promote estrogen balance in menopausal women, relieving symptoms like:

• Hot flashes
• Mood swings
• Irregular periods
• Vaginal dryness
• Loss of libido

Though Dong quai is traditionally known in China for its effectiveness in treating menopause, there remain no comprehensive studies that have demonstrated this fact. That said, the supplement has gained many converts in recent years, and can be found in the health supplement aisle of most grocery stores.

What Are Its Side Effects?

Is Dong Quai Right for Me During Menopause? Just as there is little scientific evidence of the positive effects of Dong quai, there is scarce verifiable knowledge of its side effects. Doctors generally recommend women abstain from the supplement during pregnancy, as the herb has been used traditionally to induce labor. Other reported side effects include headache, irritability, heart murmurs and skin rash.

Are There Alternatives?

Of course, the best way to beat your menopausal symptoms is often through simple lifestyle changes. Eating right and exercising regularly can correct many of the hormonal imbalances at the root of your symptoms. If lifestyle changes aren’t enough, however, you may want to talk to you doctor about your other options. Dong quai may not be right for you, but chances are another herbal remedy may prove more effective. Many women need to try different methods before they find the treatment option tailored to their needs.

Click the following link to learn more about menopause symptoms.

Main Sections
Macafem
Is an Andean plant regarded as one of the best treatments for menopause symptoms because of it boosts the endocrine system.
Dong Quai
Is an Asian plant that has been used for thousands of years to treat gynecological problems, blood disorders, and as a sedative.
Ginkgo Biloba
Is a popular and ancient Chinese herbal remedy used to improve circulation, mental performance, and menopause symptoms.
Ginseng
Is a root widely used by Chinese, Koreans and Native Americans as a preventative treatment and to increase vitality.
Soy
Is a healthy, low-fat source of protein and is used as treat menopause because of its high amount of phytoestrogens.
Red Clover
Is a variety of Clover with a high nutritional value and it's widely used as an immune-booster and menopause relief, but it has some side effects.
Black Cohosh
Is a phytoestrogenic herb from eastern North America and it is used as a supplement to treat several illnesses, including menopause symptoms.
Vitex
Used since roman times to help women with hormonal imbalances, but pregnant women should avoid it.
Which herb should women try? Today women are looking for relief from their menopause symptoms with herbs. Phytoestrogenic herbs and non-estrogenic herbs are good in relieving menopause symptoms, but recent studies show that non-estrogenic herbs have no side effects because they help the body to produce its own hormones instead of introducing hormones like the phytoestrogenic ones. Learn more about non-estrogenic herbs for menopause.
Is Dong Quai Right for Me During Menopause?