Herbal Remedies For Hot Flashes: Are They Effective?

Herbal remedies for hot flashes are an alternative to the use of hormonal therapy. This route is taken when it has been determined that hormonal therapy is too dangerous for a particular patient. This is particularly true for women who have had breast cancer.

But as recent studies have made all too clear - hormone therapy can actually increase the risk of breast cancer, stroke, and heart problems. The herbal remedies for hot flashes are all scientifically based and in many cases the hormonal treatments are based in part from the herbal remedies.

Certain plants are capable of creating estrogenic and progestational effects, thereby achieving the same or similar results as hormone therapy. In the United States the idea of using herbal remedies for hot flashes is just finally gaining widespread acceptance while in Germany 70% of doctors prescribe herbal remedies. In Europe herbal remedies are also covered by insurance in the same manner as hormonal therapy.

Herbal remedies for hot flashes include Black Cohosh, also known as Squawroot, Black snakeroot, Rattle weed. Hot flashes are some of the early symptoms of menopause and include night sweats, anxiety, and sleeplessness. Your hot flashes can generally last from just a few seconds to 6 minutes or longer and come on several times a day. The degree will vary from person to person and in some can be very severe.

Hot flashes can not only be very embarrassing but also debilitating as well. They can cause you to have problems sleeping at all or to toss and turn all night. One of the most effective herbal remedies for hot flashes involves using the rhizome of the Black Cohosh plant. Native Americans would boil this plant to make a tea that would treat various illnesses that affected women. This herbal remedy works by blocking the receptors for estrogen, which results in the LH (a hormone) being lowered.

You will need to consult with your herbalist to determine if this will work for you. They will tell you how to take this herb to gain the best results for your case. Or you may want to try one of the many herbal remedies already available in health food stores that contain black cohosh. Many doctors today have also been studying homeopathic medicine as well to provide another alternative.

The use of herbal remedies for hot flashes is a natural process. When used as prescribed they have not had any reports of toxic side effects. That certainly isn't the case with hormone replacement therapy!