There are many symptoms of menopause and perimenopause. Different women experience different mixes of symptoms, depending mostly on hormonal makeup and lifestyle. Eighty-five percent of women report experiencing hot flashes them within the first year or two of menopause.
Up to half of women continue to have them regularly for years following the onset of menopause.
Below are some helpful natural remedies for balancing the body and mind during "the change."
Black Cohosh is a plant used widely in Europe for treating menopause and hot flashes. Black Cohosh may be just as effective as pharmaceutical estrogen in providing hot flash relief. It may even be effective at preventing excessive sweating[1].
Fatty acids, such as those found in flaxseed oil, have been thought to be effective in reducing menopausal symptoms. Flax contains plant lignans which are similar to estrogen, thus promoting normal estrogen levels.
A general tonic for women's reproductive health, evening primrose has a cooling effect on the skin and regulates the production of estrogen. It can act as a sleep aid due to its high gamma-linolenic acid count and increased prostaglandin production.
Daily servings of this herb have been reported to lower both the number and severity of hot flashes.
A plant containing high amounts of phyto-estrogens known as isoflavones has been shown to help reduce the intensity and frequency of hot flashes.
Homeopathic treatment options include Ferrum phosphoricum (good for reducing redness), Belladonna (an excellent herb for sporadic, rapid hot flashes), Sanguinarina (counteracts hot flashes on the face, neck and ears) and Kali Phosphoricum.
Several other similar-acting plants that support women in menopause include sarsaparilla, spearmint, licorice root, damiana, chasteberry, wild yams, motherwort, and red raspberry leaf.
Try drinking a few cups of organic sage tea daily. Sage tea can be found at your local grocery store or online. Besides providing hot flash relief, sage helps with digestion, infant diarrhea and headaches.
Some women have found that bioflavanoids found in Vitamin C can help reduce the frequency of hot flashes. In order to get hot flash relief, I would recommend eating more foods with Vitamin C.
Antioxidants in Vitamin E play a significant role in reducing the symptoms of hot flashes [2]. In order to get hot flash relief, take the recommended serving of a Vitamin E supplement or eat more foods with Vitamin E.
Most women are actually estrogen dominant due to the amount of soy in foods. In most cases of menopause, doctors actually prescribe more estrogen. Progesterone cream can help balance menopausal hormone levels and to reduce hot flashes. If you aren't sure what you need, get your hormone levels tested by your natural healthcare provider.
Besides from the list of natural remedies above, you can also practice these natural lifestyle tips to help get relief from hot flashes.
Synthetic bedding and clothing can contribute to overheating the body, especially while sleeping. Unlike natural cotton and linen, synthetic fibers cause us to perspire more often at night, a time when women most-often experience overheating. If you wear tight-fitting clothing made from synthetic fibers, such as turtlenecks, this can also aggravate hot flashes.
Avoid long periods in direct sunlight. Reduce the use of hot tubs, saunas, and even hot showers. Drink cool water with cucumber and stay in well-ventilated, cool areas of your home. Small room fans can help provide temporary relief for hot flashes.
Smoking has been linked to increased occurrence of hot flashes in menopausal women.
Many women report an increase occurrence of hot flashes during times of stress. Make sure to make time for yoga, breathing exercises, visualization, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic, biofeedback techniques, meditation or other forms of stress relief during the day. This will help ease heat in your body and mind.
Alcohol, fried foods, spicy foods, caffeine, diet pills, and very hot (temperature-wise) foods can create increased acid and heat in the body. It is best to avoid these substances, especially foods that cause acid reflux.
Engaging in daily exercise keeps you in shape and feeling young and healthy. Without a healthy body, it is harder to balance the necessary hormones to prevent hot flashes. Try going for more walks throughout the day. Simple cardio exercise is one of the easiest things you can do to improve your health. Weight training is also helpful.
By cleansing your body on a regular basis you can help balance your organs and hormone levels. I recommend performing a colon cleanse and liver detox at least 1 to 2 times yearly. These cleanses will help promote optimal health.
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