Hanna Kroeger Blog

Menopause is a part of the natural progression of life for women and brings on various signs of change in the body as well as emotional changes due to fluctuations in hormone levels. While each woman experiences these changes differently, there are several herbs for menopause that can make the transition easier on the system. These herbs for menopause can not only help address the fluxes in hormone levels but can also be beneficial for the body as a whole.  Take a look!

Two Herbs for Menopause

Red Clover: The phytoestrogenic  isoflavones in Red Clover provide mild estrogenic effects when the body’s own secretion of estrogen is insufficient. During menopause, when estrogen levels decline, Red Clover can be beneficial in maintaining a smooth, symptomless transition. Unlike synthetic hormone replacements, the isoflavones produce phytoestrogenic effects for the system only when needed and ensure a natural check-and-balance. Additionally, phytoestrogens found in Red Clover provide a protective effect for the body by binding, without hormonal effects, to the estrogen receptors in the body and prevent more powerful and dangerous estrogenic substances from binding there. Because they are unable to bind, the dangerous estrogens are removed from the blood stream for breakdown and excretion. This same process is beneficial for reducing hot flashes, mood swings, and other menopausal complaints. Red Clover is a fantastic herb for menopause but be sure to choose a product that is standardized and not extracted with harmful solvents; our favorite is this supplement from Kroeger.

Black Cohosh: Whether this herb is used as a tincture or supplement, Black Cohosh softens the impact of menopause on the body by reducing the intensity and frequency of hot flashes and supporting the system during changes. Like Red Clover, Black Cohosh has been observed to compete with estrogen receptor sites when estrogen is overabundant but unlike Red Clover, it may promote estrogen production when estrogen is low. Black Cohosh is also a useful herb for menopause because of its sedative effect on the nervous system, making the emotional challenges during this time a bit easier. Hanna blended Black Cohosh with Anise seed, Yellow Dock root, and Ginger root to create her Female Balance Herbal Combination. This product is useful for the mood swings associated with menopause and menstruation by helping to keep the system balanced.

Beyond Herbs for Menopause

Hanna shared which vitamins and minerals should be taken alongside herbs for menopause in her books and stressed the importance of calcium. Bone health is a concern for women during menopause and calcium helps to address the bone loss that is common with menopause. Calcium supplements are especially effective when taken with Magnesium. For more products for bone support, visit our special bone health section here. B-complex is also important during menopause as it supports the nervous system. Hanna’s Anti-Fatigue is a B-complex vitamin with adrenal support in a base of licorice root while Okra Vites is a B-complex that also serves as a multi-vitamin in a base of okra fruit. Each of these products are special because they are made in a base of  a food product, allowing your body to absorb them more efficiently. Vitamin D deficiency can cause nervousness, irritability, and headaches during menopause so be sure to consider your intake of this as well. Evening Primrose Oil has also been useful during menopause for addressing the changes in mood and works best when used long term while Vitamin E has been known to eliminate hot flashes and night sweats.

Combine Spices and Foods with Herbs for Menopause

While herbs for menopause has been the focus of this entry, Hanna also shared how foods and spices can be beneficial during menopausal changes. Yams and Cinnamon were the most common recommendations Hanna gave to women who expressed concern during changes. Yams, whether eaten or used as a topical cream, can be beneficial for mood swings because of the natural vitamin B6 it provides to the body. Cinnamon, when added to the daily diet, addresses hot flashes naturally. Hanna also recommended alternating between these herbal teas each day for menopause: alfalfa, chamomile, peppermint, and red clover.

Hanna provided us with an outline of how to keep our systems healthy during the challenges of menopause and you can find products for menopause on our website, as well as additional products designed specifically for women. To learn about additional health benefits of cinnamon, see our recent post here. Be sure to share with us any vitamins, home remedies, or herbs for menopause you have discovered to be beneficial.

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