An insight into the herbal medicine of the 21st century - which herbs are used to treat menopausal symptoms?

An insight into the herbal medicine of the 21st century - which herbs are used to treat menopausal symptoms?

Treatment of unpleasant and weakening menopause complaints with medicinal plants has a long tradition. This knowledge has been passed on over the centuries and now we are starting to understand for the first time through scientific research how the plants act on the body at a cellular level.

The menopause affects every woman in a unique way. A over -the -counter vegetable remedy that is aimed at the "average woman in menopause" can alleviate some of the symptoms, but others may not. Symptoms of menopause can be depression, anxiety, insomnia, hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, libido lust, loss of memory, to name just a few. So you can see that menopause can be a complex picture in which all symptoms have to be treated before the woman can get a feeling of well -being again. Medicinal plants that contain phytochemicals called steroidsaponins are very effective in the treatment of menopause symptoms. An example of such a plant is wild yam ( dioscorea villosa ) (see below). The connections in these medicinal plants can have an estrogen effect by binding to estrogen receptors in the brain. This can relieve the symptoms of a falling estrogen level. Although phytoestrogen obtained from plants is not as strong as estrogen that is produced by the ovaries, it can still have a mild estrogen effect and convince the body that there is more estrogen and thus reduce the withdrawal symptoms. The hot flashes usually correlate with an increase in the luteinizing hormone (LH), which is triggered when the body feels that the estrogen level is low. If there are phytoestrogens, LH taps and hot flashes remove.

There are many medicinal plants that effectively support a woman in transition to a lower estrogen level. Some of the most common medicinal plants are listed below:

grape silver candle ( cimicifuga racemosa ).

The root of grape silver candle, which is based in North America and now grown in Europe, has long been used to treat gynecological problems, including menopause and menstrual complaints. Research has confirmed the validity of traditional knowledge. Two reviews published in 2003 in the Journal of the North American Menopause Society came to the conclusion that grape silver candle is a safe natural remedy. The German Commission E also advocates the use of menopause complaints and menstrual complaints.

How it works

It is assumed that the effects of the grape silver candle are the result of complex synergist effects of triterpen glycosides, and the effectiveness was confirmed by clinical studies in Germany and Italy. It was believed that grape silver candle has a mild esogenic effect on the body without causing undesirable thickening of the uterine mucosa. A clinical study that was carried out over 12 months showed that grape silver candle reduces the number and severity of hot flashes.

sage ( Salvia officinalis )

The above -ground parts of the ointment, which are located in the Mediterranean and are now grown worldwide, are traditionally prescribed for hot flashes in menopause. In an open study that lasted 3 months, a product with sage and alfalfa extracts improved the symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes and night sweat. Sage has reduced sweat production in patients with excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) in several open studies. In fact, the scientific committee of the European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy (ESCOP) is recommended for excessive sweating.

How it works

Research shows that the secondary plant substance thujon, which is contained in the essential oil of the plant, has a mild esogenic effect. The mechanism, reducing sweating by sage, is the subject of further scientific research.

Wilde YamSwurzel ( Dioscorea Villlosa )

Wilde Yams root is located in North and Central America. Both the Mayas and the Aztecs medically use this plant to relieve menstrual, ovarian and labor pain. A newer western traditional use of Wild Yam is for hormonal imbalance during menopause.

How it works

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

Sankt John Würze ( hypericum perforatum )

The St. John's wort native to Europe is one of the most valuable European medicinal plants for the treatment of depression, in particular from menopause complaints. This medicinal plant was very well researched in many clinical studies, one of which found out that St. John's wort in the treatment of light to moderate depression is just as effective as imipramine (a tricyclic antidepressant). In another study, St. John's wort was favorable compared to fluoxetine (Prozac), especially for the treatment of depressive patients with anxiety symptoms.

How it works The most important secondary plant substance in St. John's wort, hypericin, helps to increase the biochemicals in the brain that influence the mood, namely dopamine and serotonin. If you buy this means without a prescription, you should note that some St. John's wort products contain too little hypericin to achieve a positive therapeutic effect. This medicinal plant can also interact with some pharmaceutical drugs. So if you take prescription medication, this herb is best prescribed by a qualified consultant for naturopathy.

Many women now discover that naturopathy can represent a natural alternative to hormone replacement therapy.