Herbal medications have been successfully used to treat the symptoms of menopause for many years. Herbs for menopause are gaining in popularity because more women are choosing natural herbal remedies to reduce hot flashes, depression, and estrogen deficiency. The following is a list of some popular herbal medications, dosage, and applications for treating menopause.
Black Cohosh
Long used by Native Americans to treat female reproductive health, black cohosh targets the uterus to reduce cramps, it also relieves hot flashes and muscular pain. Black cohosh can be grown in the garden with moist, heavy soil. Clusters of flowers with short stalks bloom on stable branches that produce new flowers as it grows. Dried roots and plant rhizome (the stem that grows beneath the ground) are used in herbal medication. Black cohosh is available in two hundred and fifty milligram capsules or tablets that can be taken up to four times daily, or one half teaspoon of tincture (extract) twice a day.
Chaste Tree
Also known as Vitex, Chasteberry, or Monk’s Pepper, this medicinal herb reaches a height of one to five feet with distinctive smelling flowers and foliage that need well drained soil, and full to partial sunlight. Chaste tree is a herbal elixir that helps balance hormones, stabilize estrogen, and fight the depression of menopause. Daily dosages of Chaste tree herbs are offered in three to six hundred milligram tablets and capsules, or in extract form taken in one half teaspoon dosages twice a day. If it is garden grown, the berries may be eaten directly from the plant to help relieve the discomforts of menopause.
Dong Quai
Typically known as female ginseng, this herbal root has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Named Angelica sinensis, this species of plant is in the tap root family. These plants have large vertical roots growing underground, they are typically cultivated for specific purposes. Dong Quai has high levels of estrogen from natural plants that help combat estrogen deficiency during menopause. Available in five hundred milligram tablets or capsules taken daily, or one half teaspoon of extract twice a day.
False Unicorn Root
The botanical name for this herb is Chamaelirium luteum, it is another medicinal plant used by Native Americans to treat the female reproductive system. An estrogen stabilizer, false unicorn root is a low maintenance plant that grows in moist, well drained soil. Directly targeting the uterus and ovaries, this herbal medication is often used to treat ovarian cysts. Five hundred milligram tablets or capsules can be taken daily, or one teaspoon of extract per day.
Liquorice Root
A naturally estrogenic herb and a strong adrenal stimulant, liquorice root herbal medications can be used to control hot flashes during menopause. Growing best in rich, deep, well drained soil and full sun, a liquorice plant usually takes two to three years to mature. Liquorice herbs can be taken as tea to alleviate hot flashes, daily dosages of five hundred to one thousand milligram capsules or tablets, or one and a half, to one teaspoon of liquid extract per day.
Life Root
Commonly known as Golden Ragwort, Squaw weed, or Golden Sececio, life root is an herbal medication that is frequently used to treat the female reproductive system. Containing natural plant estrogens, life root thrives in cool climates with heavy rainfall. Considered as noxious weeds in some areas, life root can be used as a uterine stimulant that helps to restore emotional stability and eradicate hot flashes. Five hundred milligram tablets or capsules may be taken daily, or one half teaspoon of extract can be taken twice a day.
Raspberry
A beneficial estrogenic herb and astringent, raspberry supplements help to strengthen the muscles of the uterus and reduces uterine pain during menopause. A hardy plant that will invade your entire growing space, raspberries thrive in locations with well drained soil and full sunlight. Can be taken as raspberry tea two or three times a day, two thousand milligram capsules or tablets per day, or one teaspoon of raspberry extract two or three times each day.
Menopause can be treated with these and other herbal medications on the market, before taking any herbal medication, speak with your doctor or health care provider.