Menopause Relief:
Hot Flash Remedies from the Natural World

Different women naturally view menopause in different ways. Some may see the process as a transition to be looked forward to, a change that signals the end of one phase of life and the beginning of a new one. Others will be more focused on the discomfort - the physical changes to the body, the stresses caused by hormonal changes, and the psychological and emotional distress that follows. Millions of women in North America struggle with the change of life, but relief can be found through natural herbal menopause remedies. Just ask any doctor about some of the remedies that follow.

Common Symptoms of Menopause
Menopausal women were surveyed by the journal Alternative Therapies, about the symptoms they developed. Hot flashes were the most common at 80%, while more than half reported mood swings and/or night sweats. About 30% had difficulty sleeping at all, while nearly 25% experienced unexpected weight gain. Other symptoms included vaginal dryness, fatigue, irritability and memory problems.

Relief from Hot Flashes
Hot flashes may be the first symptom that comes to mind regarding menopause. It is certainly a great concern for women going through the change of life. More and more of them are turning to herbal remedies to give them some relief. Science backs the effectiveness of these techniques. For instance, a 2002 review of menopause remedies found the herb black cohosh and foods made with soy could provide help for women suffering hot flashes.

The study also found evening primrose, red clover and dong quai to be ineffective in treating hot flashes.

Rhubarb as a Hot Flash Resource?
A study originating in Germany offers another option. Err 731, a rhubarb extract, is coming into its own as a safe and natural herbal remedy for hot flashes. While it is not easy to get in the United States, in areas where it is available it has aided greatly in reducing the incidence of hot flashes over a 12-week period. It even has been known to reduce anxiety in many cases.

Soy as a Natural Remedy for Hot Flashes
Soy contains phytoestrogens, which are key to combating hot flashes. Phytoestrogens are hormones that come from plants, which are very similar to human hormones. The use of foods containing phytoestrogen to combat hot flashes is controversial, which is not helped by conflicting studies. At least one study, however, published in 2007, found that a daily intake of soy nuts was a safe and natural way to reduce hot flashes, at least for some women.

Get a Doctor's Advice Regarding Herbal Remedies for Hot Flashes
The Alternative Therapies studies mentioned above concluded that more than 50% of the women studied felt at ease with the use of over-the-counter herbal remedies for menopause. While this is good news, it is still hampered by the fact that very few, less than a fifth, discuss herbal remedies for menopause relief at all with their doctors.

Any woman interested in natural or herbal remedies for menopause relief should definitely have a word with her doctor. Only such a medical professional can give real advice on how best to proceed.

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