What herbs and vitamins help with the symptoms of permenopause?
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The first step in helping women with PMS is to determine which subgroup most accurately fits their symptom picture.
Diagnosis & Tests -
Abnormal thyroid function and intestinal candidiasis should also be ruled out since these may produce, during the mid-luteal phase, a symptom picture similar to PMS. There are four sungroups of PMS:
A, C, D, or H.
PMS type A is the most common.
General Dietary Guidelines -
Limit consumption of refined carbohydrates and other concentrated carbohydrates, such as, honey, dried fruit, and fruit juice.
Increase protein intake, particularly from vegetable sources such as legumes.
Increase green leafy vegetables consumption, except brassica family foods (cabbage, brussels sprouts, and cauliflower).
Decrease milk and dairy product consumption.
Decrease intake of fats, especially saturated fats, while increasing intake of linoleic and linolenic acid.
Use only non-estrogen-supplemented red meat and fowl.
Decrease salt intake. Restrict alcohol and tobacco use.
Restrict intake of methyl-xanthines (coffee, tea, chocolate, and caffeine-containing foods and beverages).
Recommendations for PMS-
Chasteberry : 225 mg a day. Also called vitex. Choose a product standardized to contain 0.5% agnuside. Take when not menstruating.
Vitamin B6 : 50 mg twice a day. 200 mg daily over long term can cause nerve damage.
Evening Primrose Oil: 1,000 mg 3 times a day.Can substitute 1,000 mg borage oil once a day.
Magnesium : 250 mg twice a day.Take with food.
Calcium: 1,200 mg. daily in the form of calcium citrate.
St. John's Wort: 300 mg 3 times a day. Standardized to contain 0.3% hypericin.
Vitamin E: 400 IU once a day.
Vitamin C and flavonoids: 500 mg 3 times a day.
Boron: 2 mg once a day.
Chromium: 100 mcg. 3 times a day. Or a multi mineral that contains above quantities.
Dr. John Lee is one of the experts on menopause. Besides using natural progesterone for perimenopause, he has also said that the combination of black cohosh* and wild yam can help the body to make it's own progesterone.
Oftentimes, many of the unpleasant symptoms of menopause are due to an imbalance cause by a shortage of progesterone.
Those two herbs would be an inexpensive and simple way to favorably affect the untoward symptoms of menopause.
Another good source for women's health issues is Dr. Susan Lark, M.D. She specializes in natural treatments for women's health and has a newsletter and lots of good information.
Good luck and be well.
Kelley
*In recent months, black cohosh got an undeserved black eye, with news reports parrotting wild claims that the herb was associated with reported cases of liver damage.
But officials at the FDA, where this story got its start, found upon further investigation that in every case, the liver damage was due to ingestion of medications that are known to cause liver damage rather than from the cohosh, which has a long record of safety.
things like this that makes me glad i'm not a woman,, that and the pregnancy part. I will die. LOL
Here are some extracts from a book I am busy writing,, I know it will help. Good luck.
Borage/Starflower (Borago Officinalis)
Use Arial parts and Seeds
Good for dispelling melancholy, lifting depression and helping people to cope with difficult situations. It supports and restores the action of the adrenal gland, which helps us deal with stresses of all sorts, physical, emotional or psychological. This makes it very usefull for those who had to use steroid drugs for various medicinal conditions, since these tend to depress the adrenal gland. Is worth trying for anyone who is depressed, run down or suffering from post-viral fatigue or ME. COMBINE with Hypericum, Scutellaria, Verbena or Avena. The seeds are a rich of oil containing gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which is also found in evening primrose seed (Oenothera Biennis). Remarketed as starflower oil which has potent anti-inflammatory and tonic effects. Very usefull in the treatment of eczema, arthritis, menstruation problems and adverse situations of the menopause. Also helps to stave of the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. CULINARY: Young leaves can be used in salads but has a rough texture, though the flavour is cool and fresh like cucumber. Flowers are more popular and is pretty. Can be added to summer punches and fruit cups, or candied
AND
Hops (Humulus Lupulus)
Use Flowers of Female Plant (Strobiles)
Its main use is as a mild sedative. It can help to easy anxiety and tension, calm restlessness and bring peaceful sleep. Is also calming to the digestive system and can help with indigestion and irritable bowls and for this COMBINE with Chamomilla and Symphytum. To treat anxiety COMBINE with Valeriana or Passiflora and to help with insomnia COMBINE with Passiflora, Lactuca or Eschscholzia. Contains plant oestrogens and can be a usefull friend for woman going through menopause, also dampens sexual desire in men like beer. CULINARY: Is an essential ingredient in beer in Europe. Young shoots used to be valued as a vegetable in Roman times. OTHER: The leaves and flowers have been used to produce a brown dye. CAUTION: Not suitable for people suffering from depression.
AND
Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla Vulgaris)
Use Leaves and Flowering shoots
Helps control heavy menstrual bleeding. Is tonic to the womb and associated tissues, so problems with painfull or heavy periods and the changes that come with menopause are eased. Its soothing and anti-inflammatory action is usefull for managing conditions like Endometriosis and Pelvic inflammatory disease.
AND
Motherwort (Leonurus Cardiaca)
Use Arial Parts
Has a long history for use of heart complaints, both physical and emotional. Now it is mainly used when there is anxiety leading to heart symptoms such as palpitations and missed beats. Emotionally, the old writes say that it strengthens and gladdens the heart and drives out melancholy, a usefull part of many herbal tonics. It COMBINES well with Crataegus, Valeriana and Passiflora. Its also helps to normalize the menstrual cycle, especially when anxiety may be a factor in missing periods, and can ease tension when a woman has false labour pains. Most of all it plays a part in easing the symptoms of the menopause, the hot flushes and mood swings that can make life miserable. COMBINE it with Salvia, Calendula and Achillea.
AND
ST John’s Wort (Hypericum Perforatum)
Use Herb Tops and Flowers
Is a usefull wound healer, especially for burns, also sunburn, bruised and varicose veins. Can be applied in a cream base or made into an infusion as a wash, or an infused oil can be made by steeping the herb in vegetable oil for several weeks in sunshine. Internally it’s a good remedy for depression and anxiety. It’s safe for long term use but shouldn’t be combined with certain anti-depressants. Is highly effective in mild depression and has no side effects. COMBINE with Passiflora, Scutellaria or Avena. Is a good ally for anyone going through changes of any kind and is a good helper during menopause. Is also usefull for physical problems of the nervous system, like neuralgia after shingles, trigeminal neuralgia and conditions in which inflamed or irritated nerves play a part, like carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive strain injury and sciatica. CAUTION: Should not be used in conjunction with various anti-depressants or prescription drugs, as it can affect their uptake and metabolism. If you are on any medication check with your doctor or herbalist before taking it.
Peace be with you
DRAGON
I take lots of supps and my FAVORITE is this...I take 2 with dinner each night and NO MORE HOT FLASHES! :) WOOHOO! It's cheap and I can get it at my local grocery store...I get the other things I take from this site.
http://thecatalog.com/1292.html...
GOOD LUCK!
All soy products have natural estrogen. Soy milk, tofu, etc.
Also, the soy supplements like Estroven are good.
Black Cohosh has long been used to help with hot flashes as well.
I use soy milk with my cereal, take estroven and black cohosh and have never had to take anything else in 5 years.
Best of luck!
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