Female Trouble - herbal remedies for hormonal problems - Brief Article

Vegetarian Times, July, 1999 by Bree Altman

Beginning with the onset of menstruation and continuing through menopause, women experience physical and emotional highs and lows linked with fluctuating hormone levels. And the symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause, such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and insomnia, can be particularly distressing.

Conventional medicine prescribes pharmaceutical estrogen to supplement a menopausal woman's diminishing estrogen production--a regimen known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT). But there are other, more gentle herbal options for handling this transition. Mother Nature has given us her own HRT, in the form of phytoestrogens. When taken as food or herbs, phytoestrogens, or plant estrogens, act like the body's own estrogen, keeping our hormones in balance.

To find the best estrogenic herbs, as well as other plants that may be beneficial to a woman's health at all life stages, we consulted Therese Walsh, L.Ac., Dipl. Ac., and senior herbalist at Elixir Tonics and Teas in Los Angeles; and David L. Hoffmann, M.N.I.M.H. Below are some of their recommendations of important herbs for women. But take note: Not all herbs are appropriate at all times. Especially to be avoided when pregnant: black cohosh, blue cohosh, chasteberry, dong quai and red clover.

Herb                  Function

Black Cohosh          Estrogenic, antispasmodic (fights muscle ten-
 (Cimicifuga race-     sion), emmenagogue (regulates menstruation),
 mosa)                 Used primarily for regulating hormones during
                       menopause, where it has proven effective in
                       relieving hot flashes and vaginal dryness.
                       Treats delayed and painful menstruation.
Blue Cohosh           Antispasmodic. Regulates menstruation and
 (Caulophyllum         relieves cramping. Useful in treating chronic
 thalictroides)        uterine inflammation caused by enaometriosis.
Chasteberry           Emmenagogue. Because of its hormone-
 (Vitex agnus-         regulating effect, this herb is useful in
 castus)               treating menopausal symptoms (like hot
                       flashes and vaginal dryness), PMS, ovarian
                       cysts and fibrocystic disease. It also
                       increases breast-milk production.
Cramp Bark            Antispasmodic, analgesic. Reduces muscular
 (Viburnum oputus)     and uterine cramping. Protects against
                       miscarriages.
Dong Quai             Emmenagogue, sedative, analgesic.
 (Angelica sinensis)   Considered the "ultimate woman's herb" in
                       Traditional Chinese Medicine, dong quai
                       regulates menstruation, treating painful or
                       delayed periods. Useful in alleviating
                       menopausal symptoms, especially hot flashes
                       and vaginal dryness. Often prescribed along
                       with other herbs, including chasteberry and
                       red raspberry.
Red Clover            Estrogenic, antispasmodic. Contains
 (Trifolium            isoflavones, which are believed to have a
 pratense)             preventive effect for estrogen-receptive
                       breast cancers. Good source of calcium, which
                       can reduce cramping. Some antibiotic effect.
Red Raspberry         Uterine tonic and relaxant. Treats irregular
 Leaves                or excessive menstruation. Tea can be
  (Rubus idaeus)       consumed in third trimester to facilitate
                       childbirth.

Herb                   Dosage(*)

Black Cohosh           Tincture: 2 to 4 milliliters ([ml.] 40 to 80
 (Cimicifuga race-      drops), daily
 mosa)                  Capsules: no more than 2 (500-mg.)
                        carosukes a day
                       Tea: 1/2 to 1 teaspoon (tsp.) in 1 cup
                        boiling water, 3 times a day
Blue Cohosh            Tincture: 0.5 to 2 ml. (10 to 40 drops),
 (Caulophyllum          3 times a day
 thalictroides)        Tea: 1 tsp. dried root in 1 cup water,
                        2 times a day
Chasteberry            Tincture: 3 ml. (60 drops) daily
 (Vitex agnus-          Capsules: 2 (500-mg.) capsules daily
 castus)               Tea: 1 tsp. ripe berries and leaves in
                        1 cup boiling water, 3 times a day
Cramp Bark             Tincture: 4 to 8 ml. (80 to 160 drops), at
 (Viburnum oputus)      least 1 to 3 times a day, as needed
                       Tea: 2 tsp. dried herb in 1 cup water,
                        3 times a day
Dong Quai              Tincture: 2 to 4 ml. (40 to 80 drops) daily
 (Angelica sinensis)    Capsules: 4 to 6 (500-mg.)
                        capsules daily
                       Tea: 1 to 2 tsp. in 1 cup boiling water,
                        3 times a day
Red Clover             Capsules: 4 to 6 (500-mg.) capsules daily
 (Trifolium            Tea: 1 to 3 tsp. in 1 cup boiling water,
 pratense)              3 times a day
Red Raspberry          Tincture: 2 to 4 ml. (40 to 80 drops) daily
 Leaves                Tea: 2 tsp. dried herb in 1 cup boiling
 (Rubus idaeus)         water, 3 times daily

Herb                   Warning

Black Cohosh           Large doses may produce
 (Cimicifuga race-      headaches and nausea. Avoid
 mosa)                  during pregnancy.
Blue Cohosh            Avoid during pregnancy.
 (Caulophyllum
 thalictroides)
Chasteberry            Has a strong taste. Avoid if you
 (Vitex agnus-          are suffering from low libido.
 castus)               High doses can bring on
                        headaches and skin reactions.
                       Avoid during pregnancy.
Cramp Bark             None
 (Viburnum oputus)
Dong Quai              Avoid
 (Angelica sinensis)    during
                        pregnancy.
Red Clover             Avoid
 (Trifolium             during
 pratense)              pregnancy.
Red Raspberry          None
 Leaves
 (Rubus idaeus)