Plants And Herbs For Hot Flashes And Night Sweats

The use of botanicals and herbs for hot flashes and night sweats, as well as other symptoms related to menopause, has become increasingly popular. Due mostly to the studies completed by the Women?s Health Initiative relating to the health risks associated with long term use of hormone replacement therapy or HRT.

The Women?s Health Initiative (WHI) began in 1991 and many of the health issues related to older women are still being studied. The study concerning hormone replacement therapy ended in 2002, because of the large number of reported adverse events. The study concluded that HRT increased a woman?s risk of developing blot clots and stroke. Estrogen only therapy increases a woman?s risk of endometrial cancer, if she still has her uterus. Estrogen-progesterone combination therapies increase a woman?s risk of heart disease and breast cancer, as well as blood clots and stroke. Other side effects of HRT include leg pain and breast tenderness.

Before the WHI reported their findings, HRT was believed to reduce a woman?s risk of developing heart disease. Now, the only health benefit it is believed to provide is a reduction in osteoporosis, which can be accomplished with dietary supplementation of calcium, magnesium and Vitamin D, as well as cutting out caramel colored soft drinks. While some researchers consider ?low-dose? HRT safer, mostly because women experience less leg pain and breast tenderness, it does not reduce hot flashes and night sweats as effectively as herbs and other botanicals. And, there is no evidence supporting its use to prevent osteoporosis.

Research conducted in France in 2006 reported a 60-70% reduction in hot flashes and night sweats in women using low-dose HRT. Research has shown that certain plant components and herbs for hot flashes are more effective. Soy isoflavones have been shown to reduce hot flashes and night sweats by nearly 90%. Black cohosh, one of the most frequently recommended herbs for hot flashes, is even more effective. Although the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology renounced the use of herbs for hot flashes at one time, they have since changed their viewpoint slightly. Possibly, because numerous researchers had expressed the opinion that doctors should discuss these options with their patients.

Scientists in laboratory settings have demonstrated the safety of black cohosh, since its effectiveness brought up questions of safety. It does not increase growth of estrogen-sensitive breast cancer cell lines and does not thicken the endometrium, the lining of the uterus. Estrogen causes the endometrium to thicken, leading to endometrial cancer if progesterone is not used to cause the lining to be shed. There could be other health benefits associated with black cohosh, although modern research has not been conducted concerning them.

The WHI reported that 38% of the women studied suffered from high blood pressure. Black cohosh was used historically by Native Americans to treat high blood pressure. It is a natural diuretic. The drugs commonly used to control blood pressure are diuretics. Other historical uses included the treatment of rheumatism and as a mild sedative.

Other herbs for hot flashes and night sweats include red clover and sarsaparilla. These were both used historically by native healers for symptoms relating to hormonal imbalances. Red clover contains isoflavones similar to those found in soy and may be an option for women who are allergic to soy. Researchers are currently studying sarsaparilla for many health benefits including cancer prevention. Neither of these may be as effective as black cohosh when used alone (studies indicate that of all the herbs for hot flashes and night sweats, black cohosh is the most effective), but because of the numerous health benefits associated with their use and because they may relieve some of the other symptoms associated with menopause, they are sometimes added to black cohosh in dietary supplements specifically designed for menopausal women.

For more information about plants and herbs for hot flashes and night sweats, please visit the Menopause and PMS Guide.

Tags: Hot Flashes, Menopause and Sweating, Night Sweats