Herbs for Menopause: Herbal Supplements & Remedies

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By SheCares Editorial Team | Updated: Aug 26, 2021

Women seeking  natural ways to relieve menopause symptoms have several effective options from which to choose, with herbs being some of them.

Herbs for menopause can be taken advantage of in a variety of remedial forms, including supplements, infusions, and essential oils through aromatherapy. Although the full scope of their actions continues to be explored by science, many of their uses for menopause symptoms have already been tested in scientific studies.

Keep on reading to learn about herbs for menopause and see how they can benefit you on your path to a symptom-free life.

Herbs for menopause

Herbal Supplements

Herbal supplements for menopause

Of all herbal remedies for menopause, natural supplements are by far the most popular ones. They are not only easy to use, but they are also widely available through local herbalist stores or online sellers. They come in two types:

Phytoestrogenic Supplements

Phytoestrogenic herbs are some of the most abundant herbs for menopause. In fact, over 300 plants have been identified to date as containing phytoestrogens, including black cohosh, soy, red velvet, licorice, dong quai, and alfalfa.1

Phytoestrogens are compounds produced by plants that act similar to estrogen in the body. In women whose estrogen levels are rapidly changing, phytoestrogens bind to the body's estrogen receptors and mimic its functions. This helps ease the effects of hormone fluctuations, relieving symptoms of an imbalance and - possibly - helping prevent osteoporosis.2

It is important to keep in mind that long-term use of phytoestrogens is not recommended as it may make the body less capable of producing its own hormones, further worsening the hormonal imbalance.

Hormone-Regulating Supplements

Hormone-regulating supplements are another popular type of herbal supplements for menopause. They are very effective for reducing menopause symptoms, but their mechanism of action is different from that of phytoestrogenic ones.

Hormone-regulating supplements for menopause do not contain estrogen-like compounds. Instead, they act directly on the body's own endocrine glands, such as adrenal glands. By doing that, they stimulate them into producing hormones and easing menopause symptoms, including loss of libido, hot flashes, sleep problems, and mood swings.3

Since hormone-regulating supplements, like Macafem, do not introduce hormones into the body, they can be used long-term. As such, they can cover women's needs through postmenopause, thus lowering their risk of menopause problems.4

Herbal Infusions

Herbal infusions for menopause

Besides consuming them as supplements, various herbs for menopause can also be enjoyed in the form of infusions. They are available in tea bags or loose leaves, allowing women to adjust their concentration as needed.

Research has shown numerous benefits of sipping on herbal infusions for menopausal health. Some of them include:5,6,7,8,9

  • Valerian's effects on alleviating insomnia, headaches, and menopause stress
  • Black cohosh root's reductions in hot flashes and night sweats
  • Red clover's abilities to strengthen bones, helping slow down osteoporosis
  • Ginseng's benefits for low libido and sexual dysfunction
  • Chasteberry tree's actions for alleviating hot flashes and breast pain
  • Ginkgo biloba's potential in regulating mood swings
  • Green tea's role in preventing osteoporosis and menopause heart disease

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy for menopause

Another way to take advantage of the medicinal properties of herbs for menopause is aromatherapy. This ancient practice uses essential oils to stimulate the body's beneficial responses, both emotional and physiological.

While it can be done on its own, aromatherapy is oftentimes paired with massage therapy, which is another beneficial alternative therapy for menopause. What is more, these effects are usually seen in a matter of weeks.

Numerous scientific studies have shown significant reductions in menopause symptoms after aromatherapy sessions with and without massage, including hot flashes, depression, anxiety, low libido, sleep disorders, and pain. They also found substantial improvements in osteoporosis prevention as well as women's quality of life.10,11,12,13,14

Some of the most popular aromatherapy herbs include the following (keep in mind that are generally used in combination, rather than on their own): 

  • Lavender
  • Geranium
  • Rose
  • Rosemary
  • Jasmine
  • Evening primrose
  • Bitter orange flower (neroli oil)
  • Basil
  • Citrus
  • Peppermint

Key Takeaways

It is key to remember that individual reactions to herbal remedies may vary greatly from woman to woman. As such, it is also a good idea to consult a doctor to ensure that they are the right fit and to establish the recommended dosage. Nevertheless, herbs for menopause have shown in scientific studies to have the potential to relieve pesky symptoms and improve women's passage through the transition. Due to their ease-of-use, herbal supplements – such as phytoestrogenic and hormone-regulating supplements – are the most popular herbal products women buy. But other herbal remedies for menopause are also worth considering, including natural infusions and aromatherapy.