Herbal Remedies

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Does herbal remedies for hot flashes really works?

The truth is, countless herbal medicines had been used to alleviate conditions of women suffering from hot flashes.  Among women, like it or not, physiological changes resulting to drastic reductions in estrogen levels among those entering their menopausal lead to hot flashes.

According to the study conducted by Ronit Haimov-Kochman and Drorith Hochner-Celnikier  Hadassah Hebrew University Hospital,  Israel, the most popular remedy is estrogen therapy that entails infusion of the liquid substance or intake of medicines to augment substantial decrease in the estrogen level.  Though effective to a certain extent, further studies have shown that it is not entirely curative.

Herbal medicines had become increasingly popular because of its holistic approach towards curing a wide array of diseases with very minimal side effects.  Estrogen therapy, a mainstream approach towards hot flashes, seems to alter the natural state of bodily conditions among aging women.

Symptoms

Women suffering from hot flashes normally feel that sudden hot sensation in their faces and upper body.  Usually, their hearts beat faster, accompanied by profuse sweating, dizziness, headaches and the weakening of their muscles.   Others reported to have vomited and a feeling of suffocation.  In some cases, their faces redden so much as if they are suffering from sunburns on their skin.

Causes

During menopausal, estrogen levels decease rapidly.  The body then produces hormones FSH and LH to augment, sometimes reaching as high as 1,300% of the normal range among those not having menopausal yet.  This sudden upsurge in hormonal levels is thought to be responsible for hot flashes.

Other factors are believed to trigger it, such as spicy foods, acidic foods, too much stress, hot weather condition, tobacco or marijuana, excessive physical activity and alcoholic substances, among others.  Menopausal, combined with lifestyles and food intakes, are the ones primarily responsible for triggering hot flashes.

Known Herbal Remedies for Hot Flashes

Numerous studies had been conducted to determine potent abilities of various herbal medicines believed to relieve hot flashes.  Before, ancient people, especially among those in the Orient, have long been using different herbs to cure hot flashes.  Among the leading herbal cures are the following:

1. Dong Quai

Sometimes called “female ginseng”, is an herb indigenous to China.  Its roots are normally dried and had been used for centuries to cure various ailments involving the female reproductive system, especially those in their pre-menopausal and menopausal stage.  It is a uterine tonic and it helps regulate the hormones.

However, its extracts are potentially toxic.  When taken in excess, its compounds responsible for alleviating hot flashes are also known to cause the thinning of the blood vessels, causing massive bleedings in various parts of the body.  It is also believed to increase skin sensitivity, hence possibly increasing the risk of acquiring skin cancer.

2. Chaste Berry

Also called “vitex” or “monk’s pepper”, chaste berry is a native of the Mediterranean region.  The leaves, stem, flowers and ripened seeds are harvested for medicinal purposes.  They may be decocted or made into syrup, while others are known to eat them directly as medicinal food.

A pharmacological study conducted by W. Wuttke, H. Jarry, V. Christoffel, B. Spengler and D. Seidlová-Wuttke of the Department of Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, University of Göttingen, Germany has shown its effective ability to address pre-menstrual syndrome and post-menopausal conditions.  Its use is officially recommended in Germany.

3. Black Cohosh

Also called as black bugbane, black snakeroot or fairy candle, is a native of eastern North American region.  It produces large compound leaves and is normally found in small wood openings in woodlands.

A 1998 reclassification study conducted by JA Compton, A. Culham and SL Jury showed that black cohosh contains a substance identical to estrogen, although more recent studies showed that its effective characteristics are due to the binding of the serotonin receptors.

4. Evening Primrose

Also known as oenothera, it is a native of North and South America.  Its roots are eaten as vegetables.  The seeds are shown to contain around 7-10% of gamma-linolenic acid, a rare essential fatty acid that are responsible for addressing pre-menstrual syndromes and even breast cancer.

However, as with any other herbal medicines, the above-described medicinal plants should be checked first before intake for possible complications, like allergies and other diseases that may be triggered by their substances.

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