Natural Remedies for Menopause Symptoms

Every woman makes the transition through the menopause in her own way. Some breeze through the perimenopause and menopause with very few symptoms. But most struggle with hot flashes, fatigue, anxiety, low moods, palpitations, or other symptoms. 

Taking medication such as Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) can be beneficial to replace the declining hormones. But, for those who want to add in some natural remedies for menopause or complementary medicine to ease the pesky symptoms, here’s a few to consider.

Many plants have medicinal properties and health benefits. Herbal medicine has been used for centuries, with herbal tinctures becoming a key part of traditional herbal medicine.

Herbal tinctures for symptom relief 

Herbal tinctures are concentrated herbal extracts made by soaking the bark, berries, leaves, or roots from one or more plants in alcohol or vinegar. This draws out the active ingredient from the plant, concentrating them into a liquid. 

You’ll find herbal tinctures in various health food stores, they’re easy to take and inexpensive. Before you try any herbal remedies though, you must speak with your doctor or a qualified health practitioner. 

These remedies should be taken with caution short term, and may not be suitable to those on medication. Some herbal remedies have contraindications, and can interact negatively with medication.

Herbal tincture combinations 

For perimenopause relief or post-menopause symptoms, different combinations of herbal tinctures can be used to support your body to detox or balance.

• Agnus Castus (Chaste Tree) is a herbal remedy for perimenopausal symptoms, PMS (premenstrual syndrome), and endometriosis. The plant extract stimulates the pituitary gland, especially the function of progesterone and Luteinizing Hormone. It has a soothing effect on the nerves and promotes a sense of calm
• Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga Racemosa) has been found to reduce hot flashes, low mood and depression. It reduces the secretion of Luteinizing Hormone which is linked to those hot flashes and drying the vagina 
• Carduus Marianus (Milk Thistle) helps to strengthen the liver, lungs, and spleen. It helps the liver to metabolize oestrogens, and is useful for women who find they become less tolerant to alcohol, have prolonged hangovers, or those on medication
• Ginkgo Biloba assists with memory and brain function, promotes sleep, and is rich in phytoestrogen to restore hormone imbalance
• Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza Glabra) has a great effect on the endocrine system and is a source of plant estrogen, useful for perimenopause symptoms, and period cramps. It stimulates the adrenal glands and provides a natural source similar to cortisone
• Maca Root is beneficial for anxiety, low moods, and libido
• Sage is useful for hot flashes and night sweats, as it rebalances the sweat regulating system in the brain 
• St John’s Wort is good for low mood or mild depression (do not take this if you’re on antidepressants or anxiety medication)
• Valerian and Hops are fabulous for sleep (do not take these if you’re on sleeping medication)
• Wild Yam (Dioscorea Villosa) is often used to balance hormones. It contains diosgenin which is a precursor for progesterone. It relaxes muscles, soothes nerves and helps to relieve uterus pain and cramps

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is a choice that works well for many women, particularly when it comes to emotions. This is a system of medicine developed over 200 years ago by the German doctor and chemist, Samuel Hahnemann. 

Homeopathy works on the principle that your body has its own healing mechanisms. Homeopathic remedies work by stimulating your body energetically, so that you can heal emotionally and physically. 

These remedies are made from plant, chemical, mineral, or animal sources. The original material is diluted, then shaken vigorously. The benefit is that they are usually safe, gentle, non-addictive, and are available to purchase in some health food stores. 

If homeopathy is something you would like to try, it’s best to book a consultation with a qualified homeopath. Often these can last an hour, where your homeopath will take a detailed health history with current physical and emotional symptoms or medications, as well as consider any past traumas, family medical history, diet and lifestyle.

Homeopathic remedies for perimenopause

• Cimicifuga (Black Cohosh) can help women who are feeling sad or gloomy, as if a dark cloud is over their head, who sigh frequently, and struggle with hot flashes—particularly flushing heat in the top of their head. Often the periods are flooding and bring weakness, heart palpitations, and insomnia. Ovarian and breast pain are common, or rheumatic and arthritic pains with sore muscles in the neck and lower back
• Sepia is great for women who have struggled with hormone changes, puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, or have been on the contraceptive pill or HRT for a long stretch of time. They’re often exhausted, and feel weak with a dragging down sensation, almost as if their pelvic organs will fall out! They have lots of hot flashes, and can have dryness of the vagina
• Pulsatilla is helpful for those struggling with PMS or mood swings, crying, hormonal tears, sadness, feelings of loneliness, and heavy bleeds
• Sulfur can be used for hot flushes/flashes (particularly around the head, hands, and feet). It is good for those who feel burning hot at night, sometimes feel faint and fatigued, have heavy periods with tender breasts, suffer from insomnia, and can feel irritable or depressed
• Lycopodium can help those with PMS that comes with irritability, anxiety, and low moods, and frequent crying.  Some may experience memory loss around the time of the period and bloating
• Ignatia is great for women who worry, have frustration, or are grieving the loss of someone, or themselves. Often their period is early with dark coloured blood

Think about Bach flower essences

For the emotions, another solution to have in your handbag or on your desk might be Bach flower essences, such as Bach Rescue Remedy.

Bach Flower Essences were founded by Dr. Edward Bach in 1932, an English doctor who studied medicine at the University College Hospital in London. 

The original Bach Flower Remedies can help the emotional side of menopause and hormone imbalance. They gently restore the balance between the mind and body by casting out negative emotions such as fear, worry, hatred, and indecision, allowing you to feel peace so that your body can begin to heal itself.

Bach Rescue Remedy is a combination of five flower essences used for anxiety and stress to bring a sense of calmness It’s available in a tincture to add to water, chewing gum, or gummies.

Other flower essences to consider individually

• Impatiens to bring a sense of patience when irritable (great for the mood swings)
• Gorse for when there is mild depression, a sense of no hope, and difficulty in every situation
• Wild oat for women lacking in direction and feeling unfulfilled in the menopause years
• Star of Bethlehem to bring peace after loss of a loved one, grief, or a sudden traumatic experience

Final thought

I hope you found the ideas in this article helpful. Remember, different bodies will respond well to different remedies. This information is not to be taken as medical advice and you should always speak with a qualified practitioner or your doctor prior to taking natural or complementary medicine.