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Every woman has differing factors that play a role in their health, including genetics, lifestyle, diet, stress, and environmental exposures. You’ve very likely heard me say that working with the person, rather than the condition, will almost always achieve the best results. This is also true when addressing peri-menopausal and menopausal symptomology. There is not one herb or supplement that effectively supports every change individual women experience throughout this stage in life.
To begin with, regular exercise, healthy lifestyle and diet choices, stress reduction techniques, and adequate good quality sleep are the foundation of health whether someone is 18, 35, 50, or 80.
Many women experiencing menopause symptoms seek support from herbs. Black Cohosh, often called the “menopause herb,” is not very effective alone. Chaste Tree is far more effective for hot flashes and night sweats, which works via the pituitary. When combined, these two herbs are far superior to either alone.
Women’s Transition Compound is a formula based on tradition, my 49 years of clinical practice, and science. It is designed to support a normal healthy transition through the peri-menopausal years and menopause. It combines Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus), which in my opinion is the single most effective herb for supporting women through menopausal symptoms, with Black Cohosh. The combination has a synergistic effect far better than either herb by itself. To this base formula is added Shatavari, the Ayurvedic female reproductive system trophorestorative and mild adaptogen, along with Dang Gui (Dong Quai), the Queen of the nervines Milky Oat, Night Blooming Cereus, and Sage. Dang Gui has been used in Traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years to promote blood flow, cardiac health, and to promote women’s reproductive function. I use Milky Oat for people who have occasional feelings of anxiousness, stress, and turmoil. They burn the candle at the top, the bottom, the middle, and the back. This is used along with Night Blooming Cerus, the nervine cardiac tonic, and Sage which helps reduce sweating, enhances digestion, and has nootropic effects.
Another example of this synergy is Herbalist & Alchemist’s Women’s Formula for general reproductive cycle health. This tonic formula is helpful for menstruating women from the onset of menses through perimenopause.
This formula synergistically blends nurturing and supportive herbs. It starts with Chaste Tree to help support healthy hormone levels during this time of transition . It is frequently used in Europe to support women through their menstrual cycle, and support ovarian health. I add the herbs Processed Rehmannia and Dong Quai to build blood, along with Raspberry Leaf to tonify the uterus. Dong Quai (Dang Gui) also enhances pelvic/uterine circulation and supports cardiovascular health. Ginger is added to support digestion, circulation, and the body’s natural inflammatory response to menstruation, and finally Motherwort to address PMS-induced aches, irritability, and stress.
Women’s Calmpound helps support emotional balance, especially women with occasional PMS irritability or peri-menopausal anxiousness. The ingredients include Chaste Tree, which in human studies has been found to reduce both PMS and peri-menopausal symptoms, particularly emotional ones. We add the calming nervine herbs Motherwort, Skullcap, Blue Vervain and Pulsatilla, a classic combination dating back to the Eclectic physicians who first noted that these herbs used together are far more effective than any single herb used individually. They are used for occasional irritability, emotional agitation, a sense of fear or foreboding, and stress-induced muscle spasms, headaches, and nervous tics commonly experienced by women during their menstrual cycle, peri-menopause, or menopause.
A formulation of nutritive and moistening herbs that address the usual vaginal dryness resulting from the menopausal hormonal changes is Replenish Compound. The yin tonic Fresh Milky Oat, used by the Eclectic Physicians (1830-1940s) to support healthy sexual functioning in women and men, is combined with the classic Ayurvedic female reproductive system tonic, Shatavari, which moistens dry tissue, supports healthy hormonal levels, and supports healthy sexual functioning. To this strong base formula we add another Yin tonic, Licorice, to help support healthy hormone levels, and Dang Gui/Dong Quai to promote pelvic circulation and the body’s natural vaginal tissue cornification. A Yin tonic is moistening and nourishing to the nerves, and that along with the nervine properties (nourishing to the nerves) are very beneficial. White Pond Lily, a traditional Thomsonian/Physiomedical solution, is used to support mucous membrane tissue irritated from dryness during menopause, and is the final herb in this formula. The combination of these herbs enhances the health and normal lubrication of vaginal mucous membranes.
To support women who are experiencing normal symptoms of menopause, such as fatigue, yin deficiency (dryness), occasional low mood, brain fog, and hormonal changes, I formulated Women's Adapt a combination of adaptogenic herbs with nutritive tonics. It combines the energizing adaptogens Shatavari and Red Ginseng to rejuvenate and support female libido, endocrine, immune, and nervous system function. Several human clinical trials on post-menopausal women have shown that Red Ginseng improves women’s libido, reduces menopausal symptoms, and supports cardiovascular health. The formula also contains Processed Rehmannia, a restorative yin and blood tonic, Ginseng and Shatavari to alleviate vaginal dryness, and fragrant Rose petal for mood support, nervine activity, and to heal the “emotional heart.” The final herb in this formula is uplifting nervine Damiana, which has an extensive history of use for promoting both female and male libido and supporting mood and thyroid function.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.
This blog is intended as an informational guide. The remedies, approaches and techniques described herein are meant to supplement, not be a substitute for, professional medical care or treatment. They should not be used to treat a serious ailment without prior consultation with a qualified health care professional.
