6 Herbs for Menopause and How to Work Them Into Your Wellness Routine

Menopause is a natural biological process that marks the end of a woman's reproductive years. While it's a normal part of aging, the symptoms can be challenging to manage. 

Several medical treatments are available for menopause, but many women are turning to herbal medicine and natural remedies to alleviate their menopausal symptoms.

This article will explore botanicals and herbs for menopause, how they work, and their potential benefits. From red clover to black cohosh, we'll provide a comprehensive guide to help women easily navigate this transitional time.

Symptoms of Menopause

Perimenopause is the transition before menopause and can begin anywhere from two to ten years before menopause. This stage in life happens to every woman due to naturally declining levels of reproductive hormones and marks the end of the menstrual cycle.

There are also unnatural causes of menopause, such as surgery removing the ovaries, chemotherapy, and radiation. Whatever the reason, this hormonal change can cause both physical and emotional challenges.

If you've gone 12 months or longer without a menstrual period and are between 45 and 55 years old (although the exact age varies), you may be experiencing menopause.REF#1346

Here are some signs to watch for:

• Mood changes
• Dry skin
• Chills
• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Problems sleeping
• Weight gain
• Thinning hair
• Slow metabolism
• Irregular periods
• Vaginal dryness

What Are the Benefits of Herbal Remedies for Menopause?

Herbal remedies can offer a holistic approach to managing menopause and several benefits for women. They have a long history of traditional use, providing us with knowledge about their safety and effectiveness.* 

Herbal products can gently manage menopausal symptoms without the risks associated with synthetic hormone therapy (HRT).* Hormone therapy can have adverse side effects such as hair thinning, joint pain, and bone thinning. 

Many herbs work for menopause as they contain phytoestrogens. These plant compounds can mimic the effects of estrogen in the body, helping with symptom relief and supporting sleep quality and mood.* 

This makes herbal remedies a popular alternative to traditional hormone replacement therapy, empowering women to take control of their health and well-being, as well as manage their symptoms naturally and safely.*

Is It Safe To Take Herbs for Menopause?

When used under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional and advanced herbalist, herbal remedies for menopause can be a safe and effective way to manage menopausal symptoms. With their long history of traditional use and growing scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness, herbs may help women navigate the transition of menopause.*

It's important to note that not all herbs are safe for everyone. Like any medication, herbal remedies can have potential risks and side effects, especially when misused or combined with other medicines.

Consult with a healthcare professional before using dietary supplements and herbal remedies for any ailment, particularly if you have a pre-existing health condition or are taking other medications. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid using certain herbs as they may adversely affect the fetus or infant.

10 Herbs for Menopause*

The good news is that menopause symptoms may be manageable to some extent. The following herbs can help maintain hormone balance, relieve vasomotor symptoms (VMS) like hot flushes, and keep you feeling your best during the transition.*

Black Cohosh

Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa) is native to the United States and also goes by the names Snakeroot, Bugbane, Fairy Candles, or Rattletop.

Native American tribes traditionally used Black Cohosh to support the female reproductive system in addition to a healthy inflammatory response.*

Evidence points to Black Cohosh as a safe way to support your body through menopause symptoms, particularly hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances.REF#1343

Although Black Cohosh is generally considered safe for short-term use, it may cause side effects in some women, such as gastrointestinal upset, headaches, and dizziness.

Mimosa

Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin) may be your favorite brunch drink, but it’s also a beautiful and unique plant with various benefits.* Though it produces vibrant pink flowers and interesting fern-like leaves, its bark is most often used as a supplement.

This plant has a history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine to support a healthy stress response and mood.*

Mimosa helps support the adrenal glands, which produce hormones like adrenaline, cortisol, and DHEA.* This makes Mimosa ideal for supporting a healthy stress response.*

The plant also offers antioxidant support and promotes sleep and emotional and mental calm.* This benefits women going through menopause since rest isn't always easy to come by during this phase of life.

Passionflower

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), another plant native to the United States, is a unique and beautiful flower that produces large, fleshy fruit. The stem and leaves have the highest number of beneficial phytochemicals, which are naturally occurring bioactive compounds found in plants that can provide health benefits to humans.

Passionflower supports calm and relaxation and promotes healthy sleep, which is why we view this herb as an important one for menopausal women.*

A study on hypertensive rats showed that Passionflower might effectively control blood pressure in humans.REF#1359A clinical trial to implement a placebo-controlled study is needed to determine whether these findings apply to humans.REF#1360

St. John’s Wort

St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum), native to Europe, is now grown in most of the northern hemisphere. This lovely yellow flowering plant grows naturally in the most common places, like roadsides and fields.

It has a long history and references to St. John’s Wort in writings by Gaius Plinius Secundas from ancient Greece. Later, European peasants believed this plant helped protect them from evil spirits and the like.

St. John’s Wort extract has been scientifically studied and found to support mood.* Plus, the flowers offer antioxidant properties, making St. John’s Wort a good choice for overall health and wellness.*

Regarding its use for menopausal women, St. John's Wort supports mood during the menopausal transition.*REF#1349

St. John's Wort can interact with certain medications. Those who take antidepressants should consult with a healthcare professional before using St. John's Wort to avoid adverse side effects.REF#1353

Alfalfa

You might be familiar with Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) as hay for livestock. But it’s also nutritious for us, so it’s popular to consume as sprouts or in supplement form.

One aspect that makes Alfalfa stand out from other plants is that its roots reach far down into the earth, giving it one of the highest mineral profiles of any land plant.

As such a nutrient-rich plant, Alfalfa can be used to maintain female hormone balance.* It contains antioxidants and is believed to help support healthy hair, skin, and nail growth.*

One study examined the effects of Sage and Alfalfa on menopausal women and noted that it effectively addressed menopausal challenges such as hot flashes.*REF#1350

Other clinical trials concluded that Alfalfa (among many other herbs) effectively supports a woman’s body through common menopausal symptoms.*REF#1351

Red Clover

Similar to Alfalfa, Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) is a common plant grown as a nutritionally dense food for livestock.

It has been traditionally used to support immune function and, of course, for women's health.*

This herb contains flavonoids that are generally used to support women experiencing menopausal symptoms or women with menstrual irregularities.*

Dong Quai

Sometimes known as female Ginseng, Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis) is a perennial plant native to China, Korea, and Japan and used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat various ailments, including menopausal symptoms and menstrual cramps. 

Combined preparation of Dong Quai and other herbs may help alleviate discomfort due to hot flashes and night sweats.*REF#1354

Dong Quai may have potential benefits for women due to its estrogen-like activity, which could be helpful for women at risk for estrogen-based illnesses or medical conditions.REF#1357

While Dong Quai is generally considered safe, it can interact with certain medications, including blood thinners and hormone therapies. 

Evening Primrose Oil

Evening Primrose Oil (Oenothera biennis) is a plant native to North America used for centuries by indigenous peoples to treat various ailments, including skin conditions, gastrointestinal issues, and respiratory problems.* The oil extracted from its seeds is rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid that the body uses to produce prostaglandins.

Evening Primrose Oil is a popular supplement for menopausal women due to its potential to alleviate hot flashes, mood swings, and other symptoms.REF#1355 It may also help alleviate breast tenderness, bloating, and irritability associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

While generally considered safe, Evening Primrose Oil can cause side effects such as upset stomach and headaches, particularly at high doses. Individuals taking blood thinners or seizure medications should also exercise caution when using Evening Primrose Oil. 

Ginseng

Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is a perennial plant native to Asia and is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat various ailments, including menopausal symptoms, and may reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes and night sweats.REF#1361

Ginseng may support cognitive function, mood, and overall quality of life in menopausal women.REF#1361

Ginseng can interact with certain medications, such as blood thinners.

Soy

Sometimes referred to as the "soybean," Soy (Glycine max) is a plant native to East Asia that has become a popular dietary staple worldwide. 

Soy foods are rich in soy proteins and isoflavones, which can support bone strength and muscle mass in menopausal women.REF#1356

Soy may also affect weight loss and glucose metabolism.* It's important to note that soy may interact with certain medications.

How to Use Herbs for Menopause*

Now that you know more about these wonderful plants and how they can support a woman's body during menopausal changes, we'd like to share a few ways you can put these herbs to use. 

The following herbal supplements are designed specifically to provide targeted support for menopausal women and include many of the herbs we mentioned above.*

Menopause Support Daytime

Gaia Herbs Menopause Support Daytime supports the natural hormone shifts of menopause and can help maintain healthy female hormone balance and well-being.* This supplement features herbs traditionally used to relieve occasional hot flashes.*

It contains a blend of herbs we mentioned above, including Red Clover, Alfalfa, Black Cohosh, and St. John’s Wort, as well as Chaste Tree, Vervain, and Oats.

The Oats used in Menopause Support Daytime are extracted immediately after harvest to preserve full spectrum compounds for optimal potency.* They’re grown on the Gaia Herbs Farm in Brevard, North Carolina.

To support your body through all of the herbs for menopause found in Menopause Support Daytime, take one capsule three times a day between meals.*

Menopause Support Nighttime

As you may know from experience, when your body is navigating the natural changes of menopause, a good night’s sleep often doesn’t come easily.

Made with an herbal blend designed to support healthy hormonal balance, Gaia Herbs Menopause Support Nighttime can help you enjoy a comfortable and restful sleep.*

This product contains Black Cohosh, Mimosa, Passionflower, and St. John’s Wort. The Liquid Phyto-CapsⓇ are vegan and free of dairy, gluten, soy, corn, peanuts, shellfish, sugar, tree nuts, and yeast.

Take two capsules of Menopause Support Nighttime one hour before bedtime for a good night’s rest.* Keep in mind that you’ll see the best results after one month of use.

Black Cohosh

The above two herbal supplements are harmonious blends of several herbs for menopause.* However, taking a single herb extract such as Gaia Herbs Black Cohosh is also an option.

Black Cohosh is traditionally used for maintaining balance during menopause and is one of the most widely known herbs for women’s health.*

This herb extract can help keep your body and mind balanced through hormonal fluctuations as you move from one phase to the next.*

For best results with this supplement, take one capsule two times daily between meals.

Use Quality Herbs and Herbal Supplements

Because we believe you deserve to know what's in your herbal supplements, we created meetyourherbs.com, the world's first herb traceability platform. All Gaia Herbs products are purity-tested to provide you with the highest-quality supplement.

By using your product’s herb ID number, you will discover the origin of your herbs; learn how they were grown, harvested, and extracted; and see validation of your product’s level of purity and potency.

Plus, Gaia Herbs is proud to be a Certified B Corporation®, which means our company meets the highest social and environmental impact standards, transparency, and accountability.

Support Your Body Naturally During Menopause

Menopause brings significant changes. But with herbs for menopause, you can support your body gently and naturally to maintain healthy hormone balance and get the rest you need through it all.*

Perimenopausal, menopausal, or postmenopausal women can find these herbs (and others) in our herbal supplements. Gaia Herbs Menopause Support Daytime, Menopause Support Nighttime, and Black Cohosh are supplements designed specifically to support women in these stages of transition.

Your body is resilient. Support its natural rhythms and changes, and you’ll be well on your way to a balanced, calm strength.*