Plant Medicine for Menopause

CHICAGONutritional supplements, along with diet, exercise and stress management, can help women feel their best as they enter perimenopause and menopause, according to Tori Hudson, N.D., clinical professor, National college of Naturopathic Medicine, and director, A Womans Time Clinic, who spoke at the eighth annual Natural Health Research Institute (NHRI) symposium.

As a practitioner, Dr. Hudson said her primary job with perimenopasue and menopause patients is to make them feel better, reducing symptoms such as hot flashes, while not increasing the risk of other diseases. This is where plant medicine can shine.

Dr. Hudson said black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) is the most researched plant for menopause symptoms with more than 100 published scientific papers and presentations. Black Cohosh does not have estogenic action and does not contain phytoestrogens, which is why it is thought to be safe in breast cancer patients.

Most of the black cohosh studies show 50-percent reduction in hot flash symptoms or more, and some show mood support, she said. She mentioned a 2004 in vitro study that found isopropanolic black cohosh extract was safe for women with a history of breast cancer (Menopause. 2004 May-Jun;11(3):281-9.) And a 2007 study showed is was associated with  a 61-percent reduction in breast cancer risk (Int. J. Cancer 2007; 120:1523-1528).

Ginseng is another herb Dr. Hudson uses in menopausal patients. She noted a 2012 study found red ginseng reduced menopause symptoms significantly, including hot flashes (Menopause 2012;19(4):461-466). This study also found it decreased total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Dr. Hudson cautioned that ginseng could cause insomnia, so she recommends her patients take it in the morning.

In a 2006 study, Dr. Hudson said 100 mcg of hops significantly decreased menopause symptoms after six weeks, but not after 12 (Maturitas. 2006 May 20;54(2):164-75). She said she recommends hops for help with menopause, but doesnt rely on it alone; instead, she combines it with other menopause-helping ingredients.

Kava can also help address menopause symptoms, as a 2000 study found it reduced anxiety in menopause patients, especially in women who were also taking hormone replacement therapy (Minerva Ginecol. 2000 Jun;52(6):263-7). Another study found  kava reduced anxiety within one month in perimenopausal women  (Maturitas. 2003 Feb 25;44(2):103-9).

While Dr. Hudson noted some reports have shown kava can be associated with liver damage, she said doses of up to 210 mg kavalactones per day should be safe.

Kudzu (Pueraria mirifica) may be growing all over the southern United States, but it also helps women as they enter menopause, Dr. Hudson explained. A 2007 study found 20, 30 or 50 mg/d of kudzu decreased vaginal dryness in women with menopause after 12 weeks (Menopause. 2007 Sep-Oct;14(5):919-24). And in 2011, a study found 25 and 50 mg/d increased sexual health in menopausal women (Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2011 Aug;284(2):411-9). However, Dr. Hudson noted kudzu is rich in phytoestrogens, so she avoids using it in breast cancer patients

Maca (Lepidiym meyneii) , a south American herb, at 3.5 g/d reduced anxiety, depression and sexual dysfunction in a randomized clinical trial of postmenopausal women (Menopause. 2008 Nov-Dec;15(6):1157-62). And a 2012 review found maca had a positive effect on sexual dysfunction in menopausal women (BMC Complement Altern Med. 2010 Aug 6;10:44).

Red clover, an isoflavone extract, works mildly  Dr. Huson said. She said doesnt use it much because it's hit and miss. However, she noted a 2010 study found red clover extract with  80 mg of isoflavones, reduced anxiety and depression in postmenopausal women (Maturitas. 2010 Mar;65(3):258-61).

A double blind Taiwanese study with peri-menopausal women found French maritime pine bark (as Pycnogenol from Horphag Research) decreased blood pressure, increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and decreased the perimenopause symptoms of depression, anxiety, sexual dysfunction and insomnia (Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2007;86(8):978-85).

Dr. Hudson covered Sibiric rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum), an herb that's currently only sold to professionals. A 2006 study found 250 mg of the botanical reduced hot flashes and anxiety, and increased well-being (Menopause. 2006 Sep-Oct;13(5):744.-59)

Lastly, Dr. Hudson noted St. Johns Wort at 900 mg/d for 12 weeks in menopausal women improved psychological and psychosomatic symptoms as well as feelings of well-being (Adv Ther. 1999 Jul-Aug;16(4):177-86).