Herbal medicines can be absolute life savers during perimenopause and menopause. Many herbs have multiple actions and uses so they can be targeted to support many different areas of the body. I often recommend herbs to my clients and an easy way to include herbs into your routine is through herbal tea- you can get a really nice medicinal benefit from herbal teas so don’t dismiss them until you try!
Here’s my top three favourite herbs.
ONE – Salvia officinalis ~ Sage
Sage tea is my go-to for hot flushes and night sweats. Sage is traditionally used for hyperhidrosis (excess sweating) as it has astringent properties which help it ‘dry or slow down’ excess fluid loss. I often recommend my clients drink 1-3 cups per day and it has such a great effect for uncontrollable sweating, temperature changes and overnight sweating.
TWO – Actaea racemosa ~ Black Cohosh
Black cohosh is one of the most widely used botanical medicines, mainly for its oestrogen receptor activity and reduction of hot flushes. Many studies compare the use of Black cohosh to oestrogen replacement/HRT and have found Black cohosh to be as effective as HRT in reducing menopause related symptoms like vaginal dryness, low libido and hot flushes. In tea form it is relatively safe to use, although caution should be taken for those on HRT, we would recommend consulting with a naturopath or herbalist before using Black cohosh.
THREE – Lepidium meyenii ~ Maca root
Maca root is actually in the brassica family (broccoli, cabbage etc)! It is a traditional South American plant which has been used traditionally as an adaptogen to support fertility, hormone balance and even anaemia. It is highly anti-inflammatory and supports liver function, it is widely used to reduce the side effects of perimenopause and menopause and is especially useful for energy, boosting mood and libido. I usually prescribe 1tsp a day to my clients, it’s quite powerful even in small doses and is delicious added to smoothies or hot drinks.
As mentioned above, for specific advice we would recommend consulting with a naturopath or herbalist for support as not all herbs may suit where you are at in your journey.
Reference:
Hechtman, Leah. (2014). Clinical naturopathic medicine / Leah Hechtman. Chatswood, N.S.W. : Elsevier Australia
Journal of Menopausal Medicine. (2024). Various sources. https://e-jmm.org/
