Herbal Medicine for Treating Menopausal Symptoms

Herbal Medicine for Treating Menopausal Symptoms

Abstract

Herbal Medicine for Treating Menopausal Symptoms Eric Yarnell, N.D., R.H., and Kathy Abascal, B.S., J.D., Herbalist T he natural process of menopause sometimes causes negative symptoms in women as they transition through, and ada pt to, the change s in hormone s that accompany menopause. Allopathic treatment for these negative symptoms consists of supplying endogenous hormones for the remainder of a woman’s life. From a holistic perspe ctive, this prevents a woman from achieving the postmenopausal hormone balance that would be achieved in the natural course of her life. In addition, the Women’s Health Initiative and other large trials have recently revealed that combined conjugated equine estrogens (Premarin ® ) and medroxyprogesterone (Provera ® ) increase the risk of atherosclerotic complications, increase the risk and severity of breast cancer, and worsen cognitive function slightly. 1–4 Complete results on the use of Premarin are not yet in but there are strong indications that the symptom relief it offers may be outweighed by its negative effects on women’s overall he alth. Thi s lea ves ma ny women who want an altern ative approach. Botanical medicine has many treatment s for meno pausal symptoms. Combined with lifestyle changes, herbal therapies