A Natural Remedy For Hot Flashes

A natural remedy for hot flashes is what you need if you are one of the 80% of menopausal women who suffers from these uncomfortable and embarrassing moments, and if you do not want to use hormone replacement therapy.

What Are Hot Flashes?

During a hot flash, the pulse will quicken, the skin goes red, and sweat can pour off the body as if you just walked into a sauna fully clothed. You may feel that you are about to faint or have a heart attack. What is actually happening is that the blood vessels are enlarged, sending more hot blood around the body. When the flash has passed, the effect of the sweating is often to leave you feeling very cold.

Hot flashes can be triggered by certain things in the diet, including hot spicy food, caffeine and alcohol (especially red wine). Keep a food diary to see if this is the case for you. Other triggers include anxiety, stress and anger. Sometimes a hot flash will come for no apparent reason.

Hot flashes are just one symptom of the menopause. Others can include depression, mood swings, feeling undesirable and becoming very sensitive to criticism. All of these symptoms are a result of the hormonal changes that occur over several years as the body's reproductive systems wind down.

Natural Remedies

There are many herbal remedies on the market. Vitamins can help too. If you have taken supplements for menstrual symptoms in the past that were effective for you, try taking those first. They may work for you again by regulating your hormones.

Some of the best remedies are listed below. Please note that if you have any medical condition such as diabetes or asthma some of these may not be suitable for you. Check with your doctor, telling him or her that you are looking for a natural alternative to HRT. Most doctors will be sympathetic to this.

Sage

Sage is a common herb easily grown in most gardens. Sage extract or sage tea can be very effective in reducing the occurrence and severity of hot flashes during the menopause.

Black Cohosh

Known by Native Americans as 'squaw root', black cohosh is a plant extract that can relieve menstrual cramps caused by low estrogen production, and can also be very effective during the menopause. As well as relieving hot flashes, it has been reported to help with menopausal depression and listlessness.

Black cohosh is also used to treat rheumatic arthritis, headaches, high blood pressure and osteoporosis.

Agnus Castus

This extract from the horse chestnut tree increases progesterone levels in women which helps with menstrual tension and menopausal symptoms. It is particularly effective for hormone-related acne and migraine. However, you may have to take it for some time before you feel the benefit. It is best taken first thing in the morning.

Combine agnus castus, black cohosh and sage for a complete natural treatment for menopausal symptoms.

Vitamin E supplements can also help with menopausal symptoms in some cases.

Consult with your doctor before taking any home remedies, to check that they are suitable for you. Do not take a natural remedy for hot flashes if you are also taking HRT.