Best Herbs for Menopause

Menopause is the time that marks the end of a woman’s menstrual cycles. It is diagnosed after a woman has gone 12 months without having period—which typically occurs in a woman’s 40’s or 50’s. It is a natural biological process, but it can cause some uncomfortable symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, fatigue and insomnia. In this article, we’ll discuss the best herbs for menopause symptoms.

 

What Herbs Are Good for Menopause?

There are a variety of medicinal herbs that contain natural compounds that can help alleviate menopause symptoms. Some of the best natural herbs for menopause include:

 

 

Black Cohosh

Black cohosh (Actaea racemose), also known as black bugbane, is a flowering plant native to North America. This herb has a long history in Native American medicine, and today is used as a popular women’s health supplement that helps with menopause symptoms, fertility, and hormonal balance.

 

One of the most widely known uses for black cohosh is its ability to alleviate menopause symptoms. There is also a lot of compelling evidence that supports this use. One study found that women supplementing with 20 mg of black cohosh daily for 8 weeks had significantly fewer and less severe hot flashes than before they started the supplement. Other studies on women have confirmed similar findings, showing that black cohosh appears to have promising use for alleviating menopause symptoms.

 

 

Chasteberry

Chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus) is an excellent herb for women’s health. Native to the Mediterranean, this herb has been used across many different cultures for centuries as a natural remedy to promote healthy female hormonal balance. Chasteberry has been used to reduce symptoms of PMS and menopause, and may also help normalize estrogen and progesterone levels.

 

 

Evening Primrose

Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) is a species of flowering plant in the family Onagraceae, native to eastern and central North America. It is used extensively in various forms of traditional herbal medicine. While studies on evening primrose are limited, it has been used successfully for over 500 years in herbal medicine and is still used by many people today.

 

Evening primrose is commonly used for women’s hormonal health and may be able to help women restore hormonal balance. Modern researchers attribute the hormone balancing effects of this plant to the high amounts of high gamma-linoleic acid (GLA) found in it. GLA produces prostaglandins, a hormone that generates an inflammatory response and also regulates blood flow. Some women have had some success using evening primrose for improving hormonal health and also for treating menopause symptoms.

 

Evening primrose has been commonly used to reduce the severity of hot flashes. A study involving women going through menopause found that taking evening primrose for six weeks helped them have less severe, less frequent, and shorter hot flashes.

 

 

Shatavari Root

Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), also called satavar or Indian asparagus, is a medicinal plant native to India that has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. It is a member of the asparagus family, and the roots of the plant are used medicinally.

 

Shatavari has been used for many women’s health issues for thousands of years in Ayurveda—India’s ancient system of medicine. Now, scientific research is verifying the ancient uses of this plant. Recent research on shatavari suggests that it may reduce the symptoms of menopause. One study tested the effects of shatavari on menopausal symptoms in over 100 women and found that after 12 weeks, women taking shatavari reported a reduction in hot flashes and night sweats.

 

 

Wild Yam

Wild yam (Dioscorea villosa L.), also known as colic root, devil’s bones, American yam, and four-leaf yam, is a flowering plant with dark green vines and leaves that is native to North America. The tuberous roots of this plant have been used in traditional herbal medicine for centuries to treat upset stomachs, coughs, and menstrual cramps.

 

Today, wild yam root is used as a remedy for relieving symptoms associated with menopause and premenstrual syndrome (PMS). It is also a common ingredient used in topical creams used for pain relief. Wild yam root is one of the best herbs for menopause hot flashes and is often used for alleviating menopause symptoms. This is thought to be a result of the chemical compound disogenin found in wild yam.

 

 

Zuma Nutrition’s Womens Hormone Tonic

We at Zuma Nutrition have intentionally designed a formula specifically for improving women’s hormonal health. Our Womens Hormone Tonic features the above-mentioned hormonal support herbs, naturally extracted and carefully blended into a single potent formula.

 

Together, these herbs work synergistically to create a one-of-a-kind women’s health product that may help to balance hormones, regulate the menstrual cycle, provide PMS and menopause relief, and regulate and support the health of the endocrine system.†

 

Our master herbalist has formulated this product using only wildcrafted, organic, and biodynamically grown herbs, ensuring the highest quality and integrity that we can offer. We do not use any toxic chemicals, fillers, or preservatives in any of our products.

 

We recommend this herbal formula for any women going through menopause, as the herbs in this formula have a long traditional use of helping to alleviate uncomfortable menopause symptoms. †

 

 

Other Herbs and Vitamins for Menopause Symptoms

In addition to the top menopause herbs mentioned above, some other herbs and vitamins that can help with menopause symptoms include:

 

Dong Quai

Dong quai, also called female ginseng, is the root of the Angelica sinensis plant. It has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for millennia for a variety of women’s health issues, including treating menstrual cramps, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and menopausal symptoms.

 

Magnesium

Magnesium is an essential mineral that is commonly lacking in modern diets. However, this important mineral is needed for over 300 enzymatic activities in the body. Magnesium also eases anxiety and sleep disturbances that could be caused by the hormonal fluctuations of menopause.

 

Hops

Hops are most commonly known as a primary ingredient in beer. The hops plant, however, is a nervine sedative herb that has many great medicinal uses. It helps to relax the nervous system and support the body when it is under stress. This can be useful for women going through menopause. Nervine herbs like hops are great for supporting the nervous system during any type of great change in life, especially a change as significant as menopause.

 

St. John's Wort

St. John's wort is a bright yellow flower that has long been used as a natural remedy for depression. Depression and mood swings are common symptoms of menopause, so supplementing with St. John’s Wort may be able to provide a much-needed mood boost. St. John’s wort is thought to work by preventing the brain from using up neurotransmitters associated with positive mood, allowing these neurotransmitters to be used more effectively in the brain. This can have positive antidepressant effects and can help to improve mood and overall feelings of well-being.

 

Schisandra Berry

Schisandra berry is another famous herb in TCM. Schisandra is an adaptogen, so it helps the body better adapt to stress. It is also rich in antioxidants that can lower inflammation and improve blood circulation. Though most impressive of all, schisandra contains a natural compound called BMO-30, which studies have proven to be a safe and effective remedy for menopausal symptoms, particularly for heart palpitations, sweating, and hot flashes.

 

Ashwagandha

Hormonal changes can be stressful for your body and mind. Energy levels fluctuate, so does your mood, and it can be an uncomfortable and challenging time. Ashwagandha can be of great help here. Ashwagandha is one of the best herbs for stress, and can be particularly beneficial for stress and anxiety in menopause. This root, also known as Indian Ginseng, is a natural mood enhancer and adaptogen—meaning it helps the body better adapt to stress. Taking ashwagandha during menopause may help to greatly reduce common menopause symptoms.

 

 

Summary

Menopause is the time that marks the end of a woman’s menstrual cycles, diagnosed after a woman has gone 12 months without having period. It is a natural biological process, but it can cause some uncomfortable symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, fatigue and insomnia. Some of the best herbs traditionally used for relief from menopause symptoms include:

 

• Black cohosh
• Chasteberry
• Evening primrose
• Shatavari
• Wild yam

 

We’ve included these five herbs in our Womens Hormone Tonic, an organic woman’s health formula that supports optimal hormonal health and balance.†

 

In addition to these amazing herbs, some other herbs and nutrients for menopause symptom relief include:

 

• Dong quai
• Magnesium
• Hops
• John’s wort
• Schisandra berry
• Ashwagandha

 

Menopause is a time of great hormonal change, and as hormone levels fluctuate, different symptoms can be experienced as a result. It is important to focus on your hormonal health during this time to minimize your menopause symptoms. In addition to utilizing beneficial herbs for menopause, focus on eating a healthy, whole-foods diet, drinking plenty of water, getting plenty of rest, and doing things that keep your stress levels low.

 

 

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470187/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4029542/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30000866/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3710746/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4027291/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6718646/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4046613/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9418683/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16373244/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4890704/ 
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27763802/