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Herbs That Ease Menopause
Menopause is the natural termination of the menstrual cycle and reproductive years, usually occurring between 48 and 55. At this time, the ovaries start making less oestrogen and progesterone, the hormones that regulate menstruation. Ideally, this process is smooth and easy.
However, when the menopausal transformation is not harmonious, a variety of symptoms may present. Common among them are hot flashes, headaches, irritability, depression, insomnia, nervousness, leg cramps, night sweats, low libido, vaginal dryness and lethargy.
A standard medical prescription for menopausal difficulties has been oestrogen from animals, which relieves some of the symptoms and helps with the diminished calcium absorption of menopause. Chinese medicine, which primarily comprises the practice of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, can offer an additional or alternative method of facilitating this transition.
Chinese herbal remedies
Herbal formulas may be given alongside acupuncture or by themselves. These herbs are also used to clear heat, nourish the fluids of the body and calm the spirit/shen. In creating the ideal herbal formula, a number of herbs are typically combined to address the myriad of symptoms.
To clear heat and nourish fluids
Bai He (Lily Bulb), Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia), Mu Li (Oyster Shell) and Shi Hu (Dendrobium) may be combined with other herbs to address symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweating and vaginal dryness.
To calm the spirit/shen
To improve symptoms such as insomnia, irritability and depression, the herbs ci shi (magnetite), hu po (amber), ling zhi (ganoderma), xie cao (valerian root) and zhen zhu (pearl) may be combined with other herbs and taken.
How about acupuncture?
In Chinese medicine, the symptoms of menopause are often characterised as an empty heat condition. In relieving the symptoms, acupuncture may be used to clear heat (primarily characterised by feelings of heat), nourish the fluids of the body (which are being depleted by excessive sweating) and to calm the spirit/shen. Extremely thin needles are inserted at specific acupuncture points and gently stimulated with minimal or no discomfort. These acupuncture points are selected from over 1,000 acupuncture points on the body and ear, based on the presenting symptoms.
Course of treatment
Whether the treatment given is acupuncture and/or herbal formulas, there is usually an improvement in symptoms almost immediately. Treatment will continue while symptoms are evident. For the many women who have menopausal problems, it is of some consolation to know that most symptoms are temporary and will usually pass.
Diet and lifestyle recommendations
As with any health care programme, diet and lifestyle plays an important role. Useful foods to include in the diet are:
Black beans
Soy products
Saffron (stir spice into already
cooked rice or vegetables)
Aloe vera
Wheat germ
Mung beans
String beans
Seaweed
Tofu
Kidney beans
Barley
Black sesame seeds
Avoid
Coffee
Alcohol
Cigarettes
Excess meat consumption
Excessive amounts of stress
Additionally, useful supplements include calcium, B-complex, and vitamins A, C and E.
Dr Tracey-Ann Brown is an oriental medicine practitioner, herbalist and doctor of acupuncture. Email yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.
Source: The Gleaner