Herbs at menopause

 Let's go through some plants and their effects at menopause.

Dong Quai (angelica sinensis)

Dong quai is also called Chinese watercress in Swedish. It is a Chinese herb that is also easy to get in Sweden. It has been used for thousands of years for various women's ailments. A nutritious herb with minerals and antioxidants. Which has a strengthening effect on the liver, which of course is a central organ because it is, among other things, where the estrogen is broken down.

Allspice (vitex agnus castus)

Effective for hot flashes and sweating during the night. Allspice is also used to normalize hormone balances. It is mild in taste, easy to drink tea and safe to use.

Cardiac arrest ( leonurus cardiaca)

Calm is used for hot flashes, water accumulation and mood swings. An herb with many strings on its lyre. Among other things, it is soothing for the nervous system, bitter (good for the liver and digestion), immunomodulatory, diuretic and good for the cardiovascular system (hence the name).

Because many women gain weight and at the same time may not move enough, they can have problems with cardiovascular disease. Cardiac arrest can reduce palpitations and mild hypertension, ie high blood pressure. As with almost all plants, it is balancing, so you will not have heart problems if you take it without having problems with palpitations or high blood pressure.

Has also always been used for menstrual cramps, especially in case of delayed menstruation. Thanks to its calming effects, it is good for both anxiety, anxiety and sleep problems. An herb that in other words can help with many problems during menopause.

Läkesilverax / Black cohosh (cimifuga or actaea racemose)

Black cohosh is the most researched herb for menopause. A plant from North America that has been shown to be helpful against hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings and sleep problems. This also contains phytoestrogens. Black cohosh together with real St. John's wort has proven to be extra effective in the mood. Both to reduce depression and mood swings. The German government agency "The German Commission E", which provides scientific advice on herbal remedies, recommends using it for a maximum of 6 months as there are few long-term studies.

Ginseng ( panax quinquefolium and panax ginseng)

There are a number of varieties of ginseng, several herbs are referred to as a particular area of ​​ginseng. But the American and Asian are the "real" ginseng. These have slightly different properties, but both have, among other things, an energizing effect. While the plants are also generally strengthening for health, many nutrients have a balancing effect on the HPA axis and are balancing for the immune system.

If you suffer from low energy, I think first and foremost that you should exercise regularly and review your diet, or other lifestyle habits that may contribute to the lack of energy. But if these are already good enough and you still do not get the energy level, which many people seem to suffer from during menopause, ginseng can be helpful.

If, on the other hand, you are already an active person, with relatively much heat (gets hot easily, does things quickly, sweats easily and so on), ginseng can be a little too overstimulating. Given that many women get extra hot and have hot flashes during this period, I would recommend using the American ginseng (panax quinquefolium) which is less "hot" and more "cooling" for the system. It does not contribute as much to extra heat as the Asian. But the Asian is instead even more efficient at providing energy.    

Studies have shown that the root is also effective against depression at menopause. Although the plant provides energy, it has also been shown to be effective for sleep problems during menopause. A proof of the plants' fantastic balancing effects on our body.

Other helpful health-enhancing herbs for menopause

Nettles (urtica dioica)

Nettles are good for everything 🙂A fantastic herb that offers so much nutrition, which everyone needs, but perhaps above all in transitions in life. Just when the body is going through such a drastic change as when hormones change, a little extra of many nutrients is needed to regain balance. It becomes very clear during these periods if you do not get all the nutrients the body needs such as vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids.

Nettle is an excellent plant to meet these needs. And thanks to all its nutrition and other positive effects, nettle generally strengthens health and is recommended to be taken regularly for a long period. With sufficient intake of nutrients, of course, the energy level will also be better.

It contains, among other things, calcium, which is of utmost importance after menopause as bone health deteriorates in women. But also iron, which may be needed extra as heavy menstruation before the transition is common. Hives can lower blood glucose levels in those women who gain a lot of weight and may experience problems with elevated glucose levels.  

The plant is also anti-inflammatory, which can be positive as inflammation markers often increase when we gain weight. Which many do around menopause. However, the most important thing to reduce inflammation is to keep track of weight and to have a good diet.

Liver-strengthening herbs

Because the liver is such a central organ for the breakdown of estrogen, many may find herbs useful if they strengthen it. Estrogen is mainly formed in the follicular cells of the ovaries and is then broken down in the liver and intestines. During menopause, the follicles run out in the ovaries and thus most production of the sex hormones ceases. But before this happens, it is disorders that instead mean that you can get extra estrogen at pre-menopause. With heavy menstruation and irritation as a result.

Reduce the amount of caffeine and alcohol. And eat bitter plants , in foods such as arugula , endive salad , broccoli , Brussels sprouts and dandelion leaves . Or in teas. These bitter plants have a positive effect on the liver and the remaining parts of the digestive system . Regardless of age and gender.

Dandelion (taraxacum officinale)

The dandelion is a bitter herb and fantastic in every way and perhaps mainly for the liver. Use both the roots and the leaves, fresh and dried. Also contains many other nutrients.

Pastures

The most common ailment during menopause is hot flashes, sweating that comes and goes in relapses, including night sweats. As I wrote in the article " Diet and health during menopause ", it seems that these worries also get worse in cultures and in places where menopause is seen as a "problem". There thus seems to be fewer negative symptoms and experiences if you simply neutralize how we look at menopause and de-dramatize this period. I do not say this to individuals but to society as a whole. The whole society needs to accept that women need a changed reality when we go through this transition in life.

The first thing to keep in mind, and perhaps most importantly, is not to eat too many foods and herbs that are "hot", stimulating and that will make you sweat more. Such as hot spices, chili, ginger and even large amounts of garlic can be hot for some people. These will only drive the embankments and not balance the condition. Instead, it is recommended to eat more "cooling" foods and herbs. Such as raw vegetables, cucumber is a very clear example of a "cooling" plant, lemon balm and so on.  

But there are also plants that are specifically used for herds. Some of these I mentioned above.

Salvia (salvia officinalis)

The common culinary plant sage has phytoestrogenic effects. Saliva binds to GABA receptors in the brain and also helps reduce hot flashes and sweating. In addition to these effects, it acts positively on the memory and is anti-inflammatory. Among many other things.