A Look into 21st Century Herbal Medicine – What Herbs Are Used to Treat Menopausal Symptoms?

A Look into 21st Century Herbal Medicine – What Herbs Are Used to Treat Menopausal Symptoms?

The treatment of unpleasant and debilitating menopausal symptoms with medicinal plants has a long tradition. This knowledge has been passed down through the centuries and now, for the first time, through scientific research we are beginning to understand how plants affect the body at a cellular level.

Menopause affects every woman in a unique way. An over-the-counter herbal remedy aimed at the “average menopausal woman” may relieve some of the symptoms, but may not relieve others. Symptoms of menopause can include depression, anxiety, insomnia, hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, loss of libido, memory loss, to name a few. So you can see that menopause can be a complex picture, with all symptoms needing to be addressed before the woman can regain a sense of well-being. Medicinal plants that contain phytochemicals called steroid saponins are very effective in treating menopausal symptoms. An example of such a plant is Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa) (see below). The compounds in these medicinal plants can exert an estrogenic effect by binding to estrogen receptors in the brain. This can relieve symptoms of falling estrogen levels. Although plant-derived phytoestrogen is not as strong as estrogen produced by the ovaries, it can still have a mild estrogenic effect, convincing the body that more estrogen is present, thereby reducing withdrawal symptoms. The hot flashes usually correlate with a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH), which is triggered when the body senses that estrogen levels are low. When phytoestrogens are present, LH surges and hot flashes decrease.

There are many medicinal plants that are effective in helping a woman transition to lower estrogen levels. Some of the most commonly used medicinal plants are listed below:

Black cohosh(Cimicifuga racemosa).

Native to North America and now grown in Europe, black cohosh root has long been used to treat gynecological problems, including menopausal and menstrual problems. Research has confirmed the validity of traditional knowledge. Two reviews published in 2003 in the Journal of the North American Menopause Society concluded that black cohosh is a safe natural remedy. The German Commission E also supports its use to treat menopausal symptoms and menstrual problems.

How it works

The effects of black cohosh are believed to be the result of complex synergistic actions of triterpene glycosides, and the effectiveness has been confirmed by clinical studies in Germany and Italy. Black cohosh has been suggested to have a mild esogenic effect on the body without causing undesirable thickening of the uterine lining. A clinical study conducted over 12 months found that black cohosh reduced the number and severity of hot flashes.

sage (Salvia officinalis)

The aerial parts of sage, native to the Mediterranean region and now grown worldwide, are traditionally prescribed for menopausal hot flashes. In an open-label study that lasted 3 months, a product containing sage and alfalfa extracts improved menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats. Sage has been shown to reduce sweat production in patients with excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) in several open studies. In fact, it is recommended by the Scientific Committee of the European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy (ESCOP) for excessive sweating.

How it works

Research shows that the phytochemical thujone, found in the plant's essential oil, has a mild esogenic effect. The mechanism by which sage reduces sweating is the subject of further scientific research.

Wild yam (Dioscorea villosa)

Wild yam is native to North and Central America. Both the Mayans and the Aztecs used this plant medicinally to relieve menstrual, ovarian, and labor pain. A more recent Western traditional use of Wild Yam is for hormonal imbalance during menopause.

How it works

The phytochemicals, steroid saponins, can exert estrogenic effects by binding to estrogen receptors in the brain (part of the negative feedback mechanism of estrogen control). So, if a woman experiencing menopause has low estrogen levels, Wild Yam can relieve the symptoms of estrogen withdrawal.

Saint Johnseasoning (Hypericum perforatum)

St. John's wort, native to Europe, is one of the most valuable European medicinal plants for treating depression, especially menopausal symptoms. This medicinal plant has been very well researched in many clinical studies, one of which found that St. John's Wort is as effective as imipramine (a tricyclic antidepressant) in treating mild to moderate depression. In another study, St. John's wort compared favorably with fluoxetine (Prozac), particularly for treating depressed patients with anxiety symptoms.

How it worksThe main phytochemical in St. John's wort, hypericin, helps increase the biochemicals in the brain that affect mood, namely dopamine and serotonin. If you buy this remedy without a prescription, you should note that some St. John's wort products contain too little hypericin to produce a positive therapeutic effect. In addition, this medicinal plant can interact with some pharmaceutical medications. So if you are taking prescription medication, this herb is best prescribed by a qualified naturopathic consultant.

Many women are now discovering that naturopathy can provide a natural alternative to hormone replacement therapy.