-IBIS-1.7.6-
tx
reproductive system
menopause
Botanicals
primary herbs
Arctium lappa: alterative, estrogenic
Angelica sinensis: digestive, anti-spasmodic, hormonal tonic with analgesic, uterine-relaxing properties (Anderson Geller; Heron; Mitchell, p. 78)
Cimicifuga racemosa: highly effective in relieving menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, profuse perspiration, depressive mood, prolapse, headaches and ringing of the ears; has compared favorably with conjugated estrogens with regard to menopausal symptoms; enduring effects noted by 6-8 weeks, but continued use without monitoring is not recommended longer than 6 months.
Dioscorea villosa: anti-spasmodic, digestive that contains phytoprogesterones: pregnenolone and diosgenin; spastic contractions and nausea in the abdomen; yellow skin and conjunctiva; boring pain radiating from the umbilicus, and tenderness better with pressure (Felter, p. 344; Mowrey, pp. 151-156)
Glycyrrhiza glabra: Contains phytoestrogens and steroidal estrogenic saponins capable of balancing female hormones; best limited to the first half of menstrual cycle or menopausally 2-3 weeks out of the month to avoid bloating and water retention (Heron)
Humulus lupulus: a bitter, digestive herb that contains phytoestrogens (Heron)
Leonurus cardiaca: specifically indicated for uterine pain or atony associated with anxiety and tension (Felter; Mitchell, p. 78)
Medicago sativa: nutritive, contains phytoestrogens capable of providing some estrogenic activity when estrogens are low, and competes for estrogen binding sites when estrogens are high (Heron)
Piper methysticum (Kava): beneficial for associated anxiety.
Salvia officinalis: rich in flavonoids and phytosterols, calcium, magnesium, zinc and thiamine, saponins, fatty acids and essential oils, garden sage eliminates night sweats, cold sweats and hot flashes, regulates hormonal change, eases irritated nerves, banishes depression, relieves dizziness, trembling and emotional swings, eliminates headaches, strengthens the liver, aids digestion, and decreases gas, relieves menstrual cramps and flooding, and other therapeutic effects (Weed, p. 111-112)
Senecio aureus: long-term tonic can produce favorable results with small doses of the blossom tincture; eliminates severe menstrual pain, nausea and debility, tonifies the uterine muscle, regulates the menstrual cycle, slows flooding, cures anemia, soothes the nerves, moderates emotional swings, relieves PMS symptoms, increases libido, and other beneficial effects (Weed, p. 109-110)
Vitex agnus-castii: a slow-acting tonic, lacking phytosterols, but capable of enhancing progesterone, leutinizing hormone and luteotroic hormone, while also inhibiting FSH and prolaction; reduces and eliminates hot flashes and dizziness, relieves chronic menstrual cramps, eliminates flooding, spotting and irregular cycles, redirects hysteria into focused action and emotional calm, clears skin problems, relieves hormone-related constipation and digestive distresses, relieves water retention and tissuye distension, along with other therapeutic benefits. (Weed, p. 107-108)
complementary herbs
formula: general menopause: powdered herbs:
Glycyrrhiza glabra, 2 parts
Arctium lappa, 2 parts
Angelica sinensis, 2 parts
Dioscorea villosa, 1 part
Leonurus cardiaca, 1 part
instructions: 2 cap. three times daily or 30 drops tincture of same formula three times daily. (Hudson)
formula: general menopause tincture:
Vitex agnus castus, 2 parts
Leonurus cardiaca,1 part
Chamaelirium luteum, 1 part
Angelica sinensis,1 part
Hypericum perforatum,1 part
Salvia officinalis, 1-2 parts
Cimicifuga racemosa, 1-2 parts
Glycyrrhiza glabra, half to 1 part
Viburnum prunifolium, half to 1 part
Medicago sativa, half to 1 part
instructions: 3-5 ml. three times daily, away from meals and before bed.
Can add Taraxacum officinale and Berberis aquifolium. (Heron)
formula: hot flash tincture:
Vitex agnus castus, 3 parts
Leonurus cardiaca, 3 parts
Aletris farinosa, 3 parts
Dioscorea villosa, 3 parts
Arctium lappa, 2 parts
Orange elixir, 2 parts
instructions: 30 drops three times daily. (Hudson)
formula: hot flash tea:
Salvia officinalis, 3 parts
Mentha piperita, 3 parts
Leonurus cardiaca, 2 parts
Centella asiatica, 2 parts
Rubus idaeus, 2 parts
Thymus vulgaris, 1 part
Rosmarinus officinalis, half part
Infuse 1 tbsp. herb mixture in 1 pint of boiling water.
instructions: 2-3 cups per day. (Stansbury)
formula: suppositories for vaginal dryness and loss of elasticity :
Medicago sativa, powder, 1 tbsp.
Glycyrrhiza glabra, powder, 1 tbsp.
Angelica sinensis, powder, 1 tbsp.
Dioscorea villosa, powder, 1 tbsp.
Vitamin E oil, 2 tbsp.
Humulus lupulus essential oil, 10 drops
Cupressus sempervirens essential oil, 10 drops
Melt 1 oz. cocoa butter and stir in other ingredients. (Stansbury)
formula: osteoporosis tea:
Taraxacum officinale (leaf), 2 parts
Avena sativa, 2 parts
Urtica spp., 2 parts
Rumex crispus, 2 parts
Medicago sativa, 2 parts
Equisetum hyemale, 1 part
Capsella bursa-pastoris, 1 part
Infuse 1 tbsp. of mixture per pint of boiling water.
instructions: 2-3 cups per day. (Stansbury)
formula: cardiovascular support:
Crataegus monogyna, 2 dr.
Selenicereus grandiflorus (toxic), 2 dr.
Borago officinalis, 2 dr.
Allium sativum, 1 dr.
Capsicum frutescens, 1 dr.
instructions: 20-40 drops three times daily (Stansbury)
footnotes
Beuscher N. Quarterly Rev Natural Med 1996:19-27
The most widely studied black cohosh preparation is Remifemin, which contains 20mg/formononetin as a competitor for the estrogen receptor for both in- vitro and animal models.
Duker EM. Planta Med 1991 57:420-4 .
Abstract: In a placebo-controlled trial, significant suppression of LH was evident in women receiving Cimicifuga fluid extract compared to placebo, but there was no significant negative effect on FSH. More recently, chromatography demonstrated black cohosh to contain three compounds with varying effects on estrogen receptors and LH production.
Snow JM. Protocol J Botanical Med 1996:17-19
Abstract: No serious side effects have been reported in clinical studies using black cohosh. The major complaints noted have been minor gastrointestinal effects.
Stolze H. Gynecology 1982;1:14-16.
Abstract: Stolze found either total cessation of menopausal symptoms (ie. hot flashes, profuse perspiration, depressive mood, and ringing of the ears) or significant improvement in over 80% of 629 women receiving black cohosh for 6-8 weeks. In 60 women with menopausal complaints,
Stoll W. Therapeutikon 1987; 1, 23-31.
Abstract: Stoll compared black cohosh with conjugated estrogens 0.625mg/day and placebo. After 12 weeks, there was a notable increase in the degree of proliferation with black cohosh, and also improvement in menopausal symptoms, requiring no additional treatment, in contrast to those receiving estrogen or placebo.
Warnecke G. Medwelt 1985;36:871-874.
Abstract: Warnecke found black cohosh given for 12 weeks compared favorably with conjugated estrogens 0.625mg/day and diazepam 2mg/day with regard to menopausal symptoms. Positive estrogen-like stimulation of the vaginal mucosa was noted for black cohosh and conjugated estrogen therapy as early as 4 weeks of therapy.
Warnecke G. Psychosomatic dysfunctions in the female climacteric. Clinical effectiveness and tolerance of kava extract WS 1490. Fortscher Med 1991;119-122. [Article in German]
Weed, Susun. Menopausal Years: The Wise Woman Way. Ash Tree Publishing: Woodstock, NY, 1992.