Natural herbs and remedies for menopause

Menopause affects different women in entirely different ways. Here are some suggestions for natural ways to deal with the symptoms.

Night Sweats

Do you often wake up in the night feeling hot and drenched in sweat? This could be a nighttime equivalent of hot flush, called night sweats.

• Keep your bedroom cool.

• Use cotton nightclothes and bed linen.

• Keep a bowl of tepid water and a sponge within reach so that you can cool yourself down quickly and easily.

• Use relaxation techniques to stay calm.

• Try herbal remedies such as sage, vitus agnus-castus, nuo dao gen, and wu wei zi.

• Eat citrus fruits, which contain bioflavonoids.

• Consume vegetable oils, green leafy vegetables, whole grains and bread. These are rich in Vitamin E.

Muscle and Joint Symptoms

During menopause, collagen begins to break down and muscles lose their bulk, strength and coordination. Joints may become stiff. Try these natural ways for muscle and joint health.

• Exercise regularly.

• Consult your doctor for self-help tips if you have rheumatoid arthritis or osteoporosis.

• Use a poultice made of cayenne pepper for stiff and swollen joints.

• Try false unicorn root.

• Eat dairy products, green leafy vegetables, dried peas and beans. These are rich in calcium.

• Consume vegetable oils, green leafy vegetables, whole grains and bread. These are rich in Vitamin E.

Premenstrual Symptoms

If you have had premenstrual syndromes for a long time, you may experience fatigue, irritability, anxiety, tearfulness, breast soreness, water retention, skin problems, sugar cravings and insomnia with greater frequency and intensity than at menopause.

• Eat several small meals a day to avoid sugar cravings.

• Reduce intake of salt.

• Avoid alcohol and caffeine.

• Take adequate calcium, magnesium, vitamin B6 and vitamin E.

• Exercise regularly.

• Use oils of ylang-ylang, lavender and lemon grass, in a warm bath.

• Try black Cohosh.

Skin, Hair, Eye, Mouth and Nail Symptoms

• Moisturize your skin daily.

• Avoid soaps and bubble baths.

• Use special cleansing creams and lotions.

• Give yourself a manicure and a pedicure every six to eight weeks.

• Rinse your mouth with salty water or use an ointment for mouth ulcers.

• Limit exposure to the sun.

• Eat diet rich in vitamins A, B, especially B1, B2, B3, B6, B12 and folic acid, C, and E, as well as potassium, zinc, magnesium, bioflavonoid, iron, calcium and essential fatty acids.

• Apply elderflower oil on skin.

• Try Chinese herbs such as di fu zi and chi shao yao.

Include the following in your diet – Calcium from dairy products, green leafy vegetables, dried peas and beans. Magnesium from green leafy vegetables, nuts, soya beans, wholegrain cereals. Bioflavonoid from citrus fruits. Vitamin E from vegetable oils, green leafy vegetables, whole grains and bread. Vitamin A from carrots, spinach, turnip, and apricots. Vitamin B6 from meat and poultry, fish, wholemeal wheat and bran.

Insomnia

If you are unable to get adequate sleep at night, try these:

• Take a long walk or exercise before bedtime.

• Drink warm milk at bedtime.

• Try herbs such as St. John’s wort.

Stomach and Bowel Symptoms

Movement of the intestines is affected by sex hormones. You may experience constipation or bloating with abdominal distention.

• Drink plenty of fluids.

• Exercise frequently.

• Eat high-fibre diet that includes prunes, figs and other fruits.

• Cut down on sugar, dairy products, and alcohol.

Intellectual Symptoms

Have you been forgetful or unable to concentrate off late? Blame it on menopause. Find a job. Go back to university.

• Try St. John’s wort.

• Increase intake of vitamin B12 from fish, poultry, eggs and milk.

Breast Symptoms

There may be breast pain particularly during the premenopausal and postmenopausal years. Get yourself examined by a doctor to exclude a lump.

• Wear a well-fitting bra.

• Reduce saturated fat intake.

• If the breast pain is severe or prolonged, talk to your doctor.

Weight Gain

Metabolism slows down with age. This, along with a decline in the oestrogen levels may change the way your body fat is distributed.

• Be realistic. Fad dieting is dangerous.

• Drink a glass of water before you start to eat.

• Eat small meals.

• Eat slowly.

• Exercise an hour or so before a meal.

Sexual Symptoms

A woman’s sexuality does not decline with menopause. You can experience sexual pleasure well into old age.

• Apply a water-soluble vaginal jelly before sex.

• Avoid applying douches, talcum powder, perfumed oils, and soaps in the vagina or on the labia.

• Enjoy a longer foreplay.

• Avoid antihistamines. Eat more zinc rich foods such as sardines and wheat germ.