Menopause - Manage your symptoms the natural way

Managing your symptoms the natural way, and trying to the avoid side effects of orthodox medicines, is something a lot of women strive for and there are indeed herbs that can help.

German chamomile flowers are a cooling herb and it's relaxing properties help reduce menopausal symptoms, it is mood enhancing and calming for anxiety and nervousness. As an antiseptic diuretic it soothes an irritable bladder (McIntyre, 2019) In a clinical trial including German chamomile there was a significant difference between a study group and a control group in the decrease in number and intensity of hot flushes from baseline to completion with response noted within the first month, there was also a marked improvement in sleep disturbances and fatigue (Kupfersztain et al., 2003).

Lady's mantel is an astringent to the reproductive system and anti-inflammatory for heavy, painful and irregular periods when peri-menopausal, toning to weak pelvic floor muscles and a cooling and balancing remedy. For the urinary system it cools heat and inflammation and relieves cystitis (McIntyre, 2019). In a study evaluating the phytochemical profile and biological properties of Lady's mantle the assessment showed the justification of use for woman related hormonal changes as well as promising anticancer activity (breast and ovarian anticancer effects) and the potential use in prevention of neuro-degenerative illnesses (Vlaisavljević et al., 2019).

Motherwort is a nervine that soothes anxiety, anger and irritability that can come with menopausal mood swings, helpful for headaches associated with the reproductive system and is cooling for hot flushes particularly if accompanied with palpitations, it has traditionally been used to increase libido (McIntyre, 2019). In an update of the European Medicines Agency Assessment Report it was shown scientific evidences supporting the traditional use of Motherwort for gynecological afflictions such as menopausal anxiety and irregular bleeding (Fierascu et al., 2019).

Sage is hormone balancing for irregular periods, beneficial for night sweats, insomnia and hot flushes. It's astringent tannins are helpful in reducing peri-menopausal flooding. With its antioxidant and rejuvenative properties it protects the nervous system from the aging process and acts as a brain tonic (McIntyre, 2019) In an open, multicenter clinical trial conducted in eight practices in Switzerland, 71 patients were treated with sage and the guidelines of efficacy were the change in intensity and frequency of hot flushes, the results showed a significant decrease by 50% within 4 weeks and by 64% within 8 weeks. Total number of hot flushes per day decreased significantly each week from week 1 to 8. The mean number of mild, moderate, severe, and very severe flushes decreased by 46%, 62%, 79%, and 100% over 8 weeks, respectively (Bommer et al., 2011).

Liquorice has mild oestrogenic properties which are useful for all menopausal problems, it can help curb heavy bleeding and peri-menopausal flooding. It is also an adaptogenic strengthening tonic and helps improve resistance to physical and mental stress. As a reproductive tonic it is helpful for low libido and it's a good antiinflammatory for skin problems (McIntyre, 2019). In a double-blind controlled clinical trial it showed how Liquorice is effective in reducing the frequency and severity of hot flushes, the licorice group saw improvement from the first week and improvement continued throughout the trial whilst it was taken daily, there was no difference in the placebo group (Nahidi et al., 2012).

Change of Life Traditional Herbal Tea (purchase here) has been specifically formulated with these herbs for those looking for an alternative to try and manage their menopausal symptoms, as shown in the many scientific papers presented some relief can be found within the first week but this grows the more the herbs are taken with many showing 8 weeks as the height of relief. It is recommended to drink this tea between 1 to 3 times per day or if herbal tea really isn't for you, another option is to infuse 500ml of water with 3 heaped teaspoons of tea overnight and add this to your daily water intake and drink throughout the day.

References

Bommer, S., Klein, P., & Suter, A. (2011). First time proof of sage's tolerability and efficacy in menopausal women with hot flushes. Advances in therapy, 28(6), 490–500. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12325-011-0027-z

Fierascu, R. C., Fierascu, I., Ortan, A., Fierascu, I. C., Anuta, V., Velescu, B. S., Pituru, S. M., & Dinu-Pirvu, C. E. (2019). Leonurus cardiaca L. as a Source of Bioactive Compounds: An Update of the European Medicines Agency Assessment Report (2010). BioMed research international, 2019, 4303215. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/4303215

Kupfersztain, C., Rotem, C., Fagot, R., & Kaplan, B. (2003). The immediate effect of natural plant extract, Angelica sinensis and Matricaria chamomilla (Climex) for the treatment of hot flushes during menopause. A preliminary report. Clinical and experimental obstetrics & gynecology, 30(4), 203–206.

McIntyre, A. (2019) The Complete Herbal Tutor, London, Aeon Books.

Nahidi F, Zare E, Mojab F, Alavi-Majd H. Effects of licorice on relief and recurrence of menopausal hot flashes. Iran J Pharm Res. 2012;11(2):541-548.

NHS (2022) Common symptoms of menopause [Online]. Available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/symptoms/ (Accessed 1 May 2023)

Vlaisavljević S, Jelača S, Zengin G, et al. Alchemilla vulgaris agg. (Lady's mantle) from central Balkan: antioxidant, anticancer and enzyme inhibition properties. RSC Adv. 2019;9(64):37474-37483. Published 2019 Nov 18. doi:10.1039/c9ra08231j