Essential oils can help balance the body and help relieve the symptoms of menopause. Essential oils known to be helpful for menopause include clary-sage, geranium, jasmine, bois de rose, nutmeg, sage, rose maroc, bergamot, coriander, and red thyme. The following are a few formulas that may help during menopause. Also known as Dang Gui, Tang Kuei, and Chinese Angelica this herb helps to regulate hormonal balance. Because it helps regulate hormones, it prevents calcium loss due to hormonal deficiency. It is known as a women’s tonic. There is anecdotal evidence that it helps with menopausal symptoms.
Are you over 30 and find yourself stressed to the point that you feel overwhelmed or depressed? You may be low in DHEA.
DHEA is a natural steroid and precursor hormone produced by the adrenal glands, which are located above the kidneys. It naturally begins to decline after age 30. Your adrenal glands also produce the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline. If you are producing too many stress hormones as a result of stress, your body can’t produce enough DHEA to support a healthy hormone balance. This will cause you to feel overwhelmed and depressed. Did you grow up thinking you needed to drink at least a glass of milk a day to be healthy? The problem is, a large number of people have trouble digesting milk. In fact, milk allergies are the most common allergy in children. The negative effects of milk consumption can range from digestive symptoms to allergies to a possible increase in risk of diabetes and certain cancers. This is why many people have opted to consume non-dairy milks out of necessity or for health reasons. Almond MilkPros:
Benefits of ChasteberryChasteberry is a normalizing herb for female sex hormones. There is some scientific and anecdotal evidence that it is especially beneficial during menopausal changes, although more scientific studies need to be conducted. Its benefits are believed to include:
Black Cohosh is commonly used to treat menopausal symptoms. It is an adaptogen, which means that it helps bring the hormones into balance. If they are too high, it brings them down; if they are too low it brings them up. It also contains estrogenic substances and binds to estrogen receptors. It also acts on serotonin receptors and may relieve hot flashes and improve mood. The benefits of Black Cohosh include:
How to use Black Cohosh:
References
Duke, J. A. (1997). The Green Pharmacy. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press. Find a Vitamin or Supplement: Black Cohosh. (2016, May 6). Retrieved from WebMD: http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-857-BLACK+COHOSH.aspx?activeIngredientId=857&activeIngredientName=BLACK+COHOSH&source=2 Geller, S. E. (2007, January 8). Botanical and Dietary Supplements for Menopausal Symptoms: What Works, What Doesn’t. Retrieved from US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1764641/ Gottlieb, B. (1995). New Choices in Natural Healing. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press. Pedersen, M. (1998). Nutritional Herbology. Warsaw, IN: Whitman Publications. Bach Flower Remedies are a safe and natural method of healing. It was discovered by Dr. Bach from 1920 – 1930’s in England. They gently restore the balance between mind and body by eliminating negative emotions such as fear, worry, hatred and indecision which interfere with the equilibrium of the being as a whole. The Bach Flower Remedies allow peace and happiness to return to the sufferer so that the body is free to heal itself. Bach Flower Remedies work purely on an emotional level. They help balance and give a more positive slant to self-destructive emotions. It is safe to choose remedies for yourself. They are readily available online and in health food stores. There are also practitioners, such as naturopaths that can give you a consultation to help you find the right remedies for you. Just follow directions on the bottle for dosage. Remedies that are particularly helpful during menopause include:
References
Gottlieb, B. (1995). New Choices in Natural Healing. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press. Jordan, T. (2016, May 6). Menopause. Retrieved from Tessa Jordan: http://www.tessajordan.co.uk/health-topics/Menopause.aspx The 28 Bach Flower Remedies. (2016, May 6). Retrieved from The Original Bach Flower Remedies: http://www.bachflower.com/original-bach-flower-remedies/ The adrenal gland sit on top of the kidneys and pump out estrogen, testosterone, and the stress hormone cortisol. When the adrenal glands are fatigued (when you’re stressed, anxious, angry, or depressed) your body decides it’s more important to make cortisol rather than estrogen and testosterone. Ashwagandha is an Ayurvedic herb designed to help with adrenal fatigue, hormonal balancing, and improving a range of menopausal symptoms including hot flashes and mood swings. It is an adaptogenic herb, so if cortisol is too high, it will lower it; and if it’s too low, it will raise it. Cortisol contributes to muscle loss and weakness, wrinkles, and cognitive impairment. The benefits of Ashwagandha include:
ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER BEFORE BEGINNING A NEW HERB OR SUPPLEMENT. References Bayless, K. (2015, December 18). 10 Supplements You Should Be Taking After Menopause. Retrieved from Prevention: http://www.prevention.com/health/post-menopause-supplements Group, E. (2014, July 11). 7 Amazing Benefits of Ashwagandha Root for Women. Retrieved from Global Healing Center: http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/7-amazing-benefits-of-ashwagandha-root-for-women/ Your diet while going through menopause can have an impact on how your body responds to the hormonal changes. Some claim that a vegan diet my help women to get through menopause with much more ease. In any case, eating a healthy, whole foods diet is always a good idea. Some good foods to add to your diet during menopause include:
As little as 3 mg of boron can double blood levels of estrogen. If you want to increase these levels, include boron containing foods in your diet. Top boron-containing foods include strawberries, peaches, cabbage, tomatoes, dandelion, apples, asparagus, figs, poppy seeds, broccoli, pears, cherries, beets, apricots, currants, parsley, dill, cumin seed (in descending order of potency.) Soy contains photoestrogens which can ease symptoms of menopause and may decrease the risk of breast cancer. Although those with a history of breast cancer should check with their doctor before consuming large amounts of foods containing phyroestrogens. Avoid tea, coffee, alcohol, processed foods, dairy, sugar, deep-fried fatty foods, and excessive meat. Animal-based meats affect hormone levels rapidly and strongly. References
A Natural Approach to Menopause. (2016, May 4). Retrieved from Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine: http://www.pcrm.org/health/health-topics/a-natural-approach-to-menopause Duke, J. A. (1997). The Green Pharmacy. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press. Geller, S. E. (2007, January 8). Botanical and Dietary Supplements for Menopausal Symptoms: What Works, What Doesn’t. Retrieved from US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1764641/ Gottlieb, B. (1995). New Choices in Natural Healing. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press. Ni, M. (2008). Secrets of Self-Healing. New York: Penguin Group. Pitchford, P. (1993). Healing with Whole Foods. Berkeley: North Atlantic Books. Vitamins and Supplements Lifestyle Guide. (2016, April 29). Retrieved from WebMD: http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/lifestyle-guide-11/slideshow-menopause |
Tonya CruzI am a Duke Integrative Medicine trained Health Coach located in Charlotte, NC. I hold a B.S. and M.A. in Wellness Management. I have a passion for health and for helping others achieve the healthy life they desire. Archives
April 2017
Categories
All
|