enopausal symptom for most women is also the
most uncomfortable. Women who would otherwise hardly notice the
transition into menopause definitely notice hot flashes! The
medical treatment that was usually suggested for hot flashes in
the past was hormone replacement therapy. While HRT can be very
effective in alleviating the symptoms it can also increase your
risk of breast cancer and stroke. It is no wonder that so many
women are using herbal remedies for hot flashes.
The exact cause of hot flashes is unclear, but hormonal changes
and imbalances are thought to be the main reason. Medical
professionals consider hot flashes as an estrogen deficiency
that can be triggered by stimulants, such as spicy foods
(ginger, cayenne, pepper), acidic foods (tomatoes, citrus,
pickles), hot drinks, alcoholic drinks, caffeine (chocolate,
coffee, cola, black tea), white sugar, stress, hot weather,
saturated or hydrogenated fats (margarine, meat), saunas and
hot tubs, marijuana or tobacco, intense exercise, and anger.
For many women, just eliminating that list of triggers plus
using herbal remedies for hot flashes will bring immediate
relief.
Hot flashes may last for a few minutes or even up to an hour.
They may be mild or very severe. Every woman will experience
them a little differently. Hot flashes which occur at night are
called night sweats. They can be accompanied with anxiety and
nightmares. Not all women experience hot flashes and fewer
experience night sweats. However, many women experience both
situations when they are going through menopause.
Exercise is a good way of decreasing hot flashes because it
decreases the amount of FSH and LH hormone circulation by
toning and nourishing the hypothalamus and raising endorphin
levels.
Herbal remedies for hot flashes include plants that have the
ability to cool the body, such as chickweed, violet, and elder;
plants which increase and nourish oxygen utilization of the
liver, such as dandelion, dong quai, polygonum multiflorum,,
and yellow duck; and plants which contains high phytosterols,
most notably black cohosh.
These are some of the most used herbal remedies for hot
flashes:
1. Dong quai relaxes and contracts the uterine muscles. Its
effect is not estrogenic, which is the main reason for dong
quai’s effectiveness. It treats hot flashes by stabilizing the
blood vessels.
2. Chaste berry or vitex affects the functions of the pituitary
and regulates dizziness and hot flashes. Its beneficial effects
are altering the secretion of FSH and LH hormones during
menopause. It lowers the levels of estrogen while increasing
progesterone levels, which keep vaginal walls and bones strong.
3. Black cohosh was used widely by Native Americans and later
by the American colonists for relieving menopause and menstrual
cramps. Clinical studies have revealed that black cohosh extract
relieves hot flashes, vaginal atrophy, and depression.
4. Motherwort lessens the frequency, duration and severity of
hot flashes. It relieves anxiety, insomnia, and stress.
Frequent usage will produce the best results.
5. Licorice root is historically used for treating various
female disorders. It also has been used effectively in treating
asthma and infections of the respiratory tract. It also
decreases estrogen and increases progesterone.
6. Essential oils of thyme or basil alleviate hot flashes when
utilized in baths, foot rubs, when inhaled, or combined with
massage oils.
These herbal remedies for hot flashes – when combined with
eliminating common triggers – can greatly reduce menopausal
symptoms in most women.
About The Author: Discover how YOU can relieve hot flashes and
menopausal symptoms without HRT. Pick up your free special
report “Coping with Hot Flashes the Natural Way” by clicking
here: http://www.survivemenopause.com
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