Conditions in Focus
Menopause
Many women choose to take Herbal Medicine to alleviate the symptoms of the menopause, particularly following the concerns about HRT. Menopausal syndrome is the cluster of symptoms that women can experience during the menopause and includes hot flushes, mood and sleep changes, joint pain and stiffness, palpitations, lowered libido and vaginal dryness. These symptoms result from declining levels of oestrogen produced by the ovaries. The combination and severity of symptoms varies between individuals and may depend on overall health. It is therefore important to take a holistic approach with diet, exercise and lifestyle changes as well as treatment with herbal medicine. A study of the treatment of the menopause by herbal practitioners showed a significant improvement in symptoms particularly for hot flushes and low libido (Green et al, 2007).
The symptoms experienced by each individual will determine the choice of herbs used for treatment. Some of the herbs that might be selected by a Medical Herbalist include:
Oestrogen-modulators:
Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa) reduces hot flushes, irritability, fatigue and depression particularly when combined with St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum).
Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa) contains steroidal saponins and can reduce hot flushes.
Dong quai (Angelica sinensis) has been shown to reduce the intensity and frequency of hot flushes and alleviate sleep disturbance and fatigue.
Sage (Salvia officinalis) is beneficial if flushing is accompanied by sweating.
Adrenal adaptogens:
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) can reduce night sweats caused by adrenal exhaustion and insomnia.
Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) is one of the best adaptogens to reduce the effects of stress during the menopause.
Damiana (Turnera diffusa) can improve libido.
Nervine sedatives:
Hops (Humulus lupulus) is a phyto-oestrogen and specifically indicated for insomnia caused by hot flushes.
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is used to reduce insomnia and mood changes associated with the menopause.
Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) reduces anxiety and insomnia.
Passion flower (Passiflora incarnate) reduces anxiety and insomnia particularly when combined with motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) and black cohosh.
Diet and Lifestyle
Foods rich in isoflavonoid phyto-oestrogens, found in legumes such as soya, have been shown to reduce the symptoms of the menopause. Soya isoflavones can also be taken as a supplement. Japanese women who have a high intake of soya in their diet have a very low incidence of menopausal symptoms and breast cancer. Other supplements which may be beneficial are Vitamin E and calcium, magnesium and Vitamin D to prevent osteoporosis.
Weight gain can be a distressing symptom for women going through the menopause and may contribute to low mood. Changes in body fat distribution, decrease in muscle mass and weight gain are part of the aging process but in women during the menopause fat cells provide a source of oestrogen when levels from the ovary are declining. The body is keen to retain this oestrogen source to protect bones from osteoporosis. Raised stress induced cortisol levels, slower metabolism and decreasing oestrogen increase the likelihood of fat deposition around the middle of the body (Glenville, 2006). To minimise the symptoms of the menopause and prevent weight gain it is vital to combine a healthy diet, life style changes to minimise stress and regular exercise, with the benefits of a tailored combination of herbal medicines.
Glenville, M. (2006). Fat around the Middle. Kyle Cathie Limited. London
Green , J., Denham, A., Ingram, J., Hawkey, S., Greenwood, R. (2007). Treatment of menopausal symptoms by qualified herbal practitioners: a prospective, randomised controlled trial. Family Practice 24 (5): 468-474.
Trickey, R. (2011). Women, Hormones & the Menstrual Cycle. Holistic Health Group, Melbourne.
Menopause
Many women choose to take Herbal Medicine to alleviate the symptoms of the menopause, particularly following the concerns about HRT. Menopausal syndrome is the cluster of symptoms that women can experience during the menopause and includes hot flushes, mood and sleep changes, joint pain and stiffness, palpitations, lowered libido and vaginal dryness. These symptoms result from declining levels of oestrogen produced by the ovaries. The combination and severity of symptoms varies between individuals and may depend on overall health. It is therefore important to take a holistic approach with diet, exercise and lifestyle changes as well as treatment with herbal medicine. A study of the treatment of the menopause by herbal practitioners showed a significant improvement in symptoms particularly for hot flushes and low libido (Green et al, 2007).
The symptoms experienced by each individual will determine the choice of herbs used for treatment. Some of the herbs that might be selected by a Medical Herbalist include:
Oestrogen-modulators:
Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa) reduces hot flushes, irritability, fatigue and depression particularly when combined with St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum).
Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa) contains steroidal saponins and can reduce hot flushes.
Dong quai (Angelica sinensis) has been shown to reduce the intensity and frequency of hot flushes and alleviate sleep disturbance and fatigue.
Sage (Salvia officinalis) is beneficial if flushing is accompanied by sweating.
Adrenal adaptogens:
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) can reduce night sweats caused by adrenal exhaustion and insomnia.
Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) is one of the best adaptogens to reduce the effects of stress during the menopause.
Damiana (Turnera diffusa) can improve libido.
Nervine sedatives:
Hops (Humulus lupulus) is a phyto-oestrogen and specifically indicated for insomnia caused by hot flushes.
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is used to reduce insomnia and mood changes associated with the menopause.
Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) reduces anxiety and insomnia.
Passion flower (Passiflora incarnate) reduces anxiety and insomnia particularly when combined with motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) and black cohosh.
Diet and Lifestyle
Foods rich in isoflavonoid phyto-oestrogens, found in legumes such as soya, have been shown to reduce the symptoms of the menopause. Soya isoflavones can also be taken as a supplement. Japanese women who have a high intake of soya in their diet have a very low incidence of menopausal symptoms and breast cancer. Other supplements which may be beneficial are Vitamin E and calcium, magnesium and Vitamin D to prevent osteoporosis.
Weight gain can be a distressing symptom for women going through the menopause and may contribute to low mood. Changes in body fat distribution, decrease in muscle mass and weight gain are part of the aging process but in women during the menopause fat cells provide a source of oestrogen when levels from the ovary are declining. The body is keen to retain this oestrogen source to protect bones from osteoporosis. Raised stress induced cortisol levels, slower metabolism and decreasing oestrogen increase the likelihood of fat deposition around the middle of the body (Glenville, 2006). To minimise the symptoms of the menopause and prevent weight gain it is vital to combine a healthy diet, life style changes to minimise stress and regular exercise, with the benefits of a tailored combination of herbal medicines.
Glenville, M. (2006). Fat around the Middle. Kyle Cathie Limited. London
Green , J., Denham, A., Ingram, J., Hawkey, S., Greenwood, R. (2007). Treatment of menopausal symptoms by qualified herbal practitioners: a prospective, randomised controlled trial. Family Practice 24 (5): 468-474.
Trickey, R. (2011). Women, Hormones & the Menstrual Cycle. Holistic Health Group, Melbourne.
