“Herbal medicines include herbs, herbal materials, herbal preparations and finished herbal products, that contain as active ingredients parts of plants, or…”.1
Umbrella
What may the Herbs for Menopause Umbrella include?
Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:
- Botanical Products
- Botanicals
- Chinese Medicine
- Herbal Medicines/Products/Remedies/Supplements/Therapies/Treatments
- Herbs
- Medicinal Herbs
- Phytomedicines
- Phytotherapy
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Botanical
What is a botanical?
DotS the definition of a botanical may vary. The (United States) Office of Dietary Supplement’s (ODS) definition is:
“A botanical is a plant or plant part valued for its medicinal or therapeutic properties, flavor, and/or scent”.2
Herbs
What are herbs?
DotS the definition of herbs may vary. In Botanical Dietary Supplements – Background Information: What Is A Botanical? the ODS’s definition is:
“Herbs are a subset of botanicals”.3
Different Herbs
What are some different herbs?
DotS different herbs may include:
- Black Cohosh (Actaea Racemosa, Cimicifuga Racemosa)
- Dong Quai (Angelica Sinensis)
- Evening Primrose/Evening Primrose Oil (Oenothera biennis)
- Flaxseed/Flaxseed Oil
- Ginkgo Biloba
- Ginseng (Panax Ginseng or Panax Quinquefolius)
- Kava/Kava Kava (Piper Methysticum)
- Red Clover (Trifolium Pratense)
- Soy
- St John’s Wort
Herbal Products
What are herbal products?
DotS the definition of herbal products may vary. The ODS’s definition is:
“Products made from botanicals that are used to maintain or improve health are sometimes called herbal products, botanical products, or phytomedicines”.4
Herbal Medicine
What is herbal medicine?
DotS the definition of herbal medicine may vary. On page one in Natural Therapies & Supplements: Common Natural and Complementary Therapies – Herbal Medicine the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health’s (JH) definition is:
In Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine: About Us – Definitions: Herbal Medicines the World Health Organization elaborate on:
The JH also explain:
“Herbal medicines are available in various forms. These include herbal teas, alcoholic extracts, non alcoholic glycerine extracts, powders, tablets, capsules and topical creams”.7
Traditional Chinese Medicine
What is traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)?
DotS the definition of TCM may vary. In Traditional Chinese Medicine: What You Need To Know – What Is Traditional Chinese Medicine? the (United States) National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) explain:
“Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has evolved over thousands of years. TCM practitioners use various mind and body practices (such as acupuncture and tai chi) as well as herbal products to address health problems”.8
In Natural Therapies & Supplements: Common Natural and Complementary Therapies – Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture the JH’s definition is:
“Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a system of healthcare that includes acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, remedial massage (anmo tuina), exercise and breathing therapy (qigong), and diet and lifestyle advice. It is one of the oldest healthcare systems in the world”.9
Menopause Symptoms
Do herbs relieve menopause symptoms?
In 4 Things To Know About Menopausal Symptoms and Complementary Health Practices the NCCIH include:
Hot Flushes
Do herbs relieve hot flushes?
In Menopause & Herbs: Over the Counter Herbal Products the JH elaborate on:
Elephants
What may be some elephants in the herbs for menopause room?
DotS elephants in the herbal medicine room may vary. In Herbal Medicine: Summary the (United States) MedlinePlus explain:
“Many people believe that products labeled “natural” are always safe and good for them. This is not necessarily true. Herbal medicines do not have to go through the testing that drugs do. Some herbs, such as comfrey and ephedra, can cause serious harm. Some herbs can interact with prescription or over-the-counter medicines”.12
Health Care Provider
What if I choose to use herbs for menopause?
If you choose to use herbs for menopause it may also be in your best interest to choose to tell all your health care providers you are doing this.
In Are You Considering A Complementary Health Approach? Take Charge of Your Health the NCCIH note:
“Tell all your health care providers about any complementary or integrative health approaches you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care”.13
In Drug Interactions: Understanding the Risk – Understand Your Drug and Possible Side Effects the (United States) Food and Drug Administration also note:
“Talk to your health care providers and pharmacist about all the drugs that you take. Discuss all OTC and prescription drugs, dietary supplements, vitamins, botanicals, minerals and herbals you take, as well as the foods you eat”.14
In Safe Use of Medicines for Older Adults: What Are Medicines? What Are Drugs? the (United States) National Institute on Aging agree:
“Make sure your doctor knows about ALL the medicines you take. This includes those prescribed by other doctors, as well as vitamins, supplements, herbal remedies, and over-the-counter drugs you use every now and then”.15
Health Topics A-Z
Where may I find Health Topics related to Herbs for Menopause?
In Health Topics A-Z you may find:
Links
Where may I find Links related to Herbs for Menopause?
Your Country may have Links similar to:
Links
This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.- 9 Myths and Misunderstandings About Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT): 6. Myth – Complementary Medicines and Therapies Are As Effective As MHT and Safer
- Avoiding Drug Interactions: What You Should Know
- Bioidentical Hormones Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Bioidentical Hormones: Are They Safer?
- Bioridiculous
- Botanical Dietary Supplements – Background Information
- Botanical Supplement Fact Sheets
Complementary Medicine Options for Menopausal Symptoms
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine
- Complementary and Alternative Therapies Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Complementary/Alternative Therapies for Menopausal Women
- Dietary Supplements
- Dietary Supplements
- Dietary Supplements
- Dietary Supplements [Topics]
- Dietary Supplements: What Is Safe? Common Misconceptions About Dietary Supplements
- Drugs and Supplements: Herbs, Supplements and Vitamins [Topics]
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- HRT and Alternatives
- Herb Society of America
- Herbal Medicine
- Herbal Supplements: What To Know Before You Buy
- Herbs and Supplements [Topics]
- Home Remedies: Anxiety and Herbal Remedies
- Home Remedies: Herbal Supplements May Not Mix With Heart Medicines
- Hot Flashes: Manage Without Medication?
- Hot Flashes: What Can I Do?
- Hot Stuff: What’s New About Hot Flashes?
- Integrative Medicine: Alternative Medicine Becomes Mainstream
- Integrative Medicine: Find Out What Works
- Managing Menopause: Don’t Let Symptoms of Menopause Reduce Your Quality of Life
- Mayo Clinic Minute: What Is Integrative Health and How Can It Help? [+ Video]
- Mayo Clinic Q and A: Dietary Supplements Useful In Some Situations, But Also Can Be Harmful
- Mayo Mindfulness: What Does It Really Mean? [+ Video]
- Menopause & Herbs
- Menopause Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Menopause FAQs: Hot Flashes – Q. Is it safe to take dietary supplements or herbal therapies for my menopause symptoms?
- Menopause Management: Complementary Therapies – Herbal Therapies and Remedies for Menopause
- Menopause – Complementary Therapies [Multiply Languages] [Video]
- Menopause – What Are the Symptoms? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
- Menopause: Complementary Therapies for Menopausal Symptoms [Video Interview Stories]
- Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Managing Your Symptoms – Hot Flushes and Night Sweats [NICE Guideline]
- Menopause: Non-HRT and Lifestyle Options [Video Interview Stories]
- Menopause: Non-Hormonal Treatment & Relief for Hot Flashes
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: 4 Things To Know About Menopausal Symptoms and Complementary Health Practices
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: 4 Tips: Start Talking With Your Health Care Providers About Complementary Health Approaches
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: 5 Tips: What Consumers Need To Know About Dietary Supplements
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: 5 Tips: What You Should Know About Popular Herbs
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: 6 Things To Know When Selecting A Complementary Health Practitioner
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Are You Considering A Complementary Health Approach?
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Black Cohosh
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Chasteberry
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Dietary and Herbal Supplements
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Ginkgo
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Green Tea
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Herbs At A Glance
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Know the Science: 9 Questions To Help You Make Sense of Scientific Research
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Know the Science: How Medications and Supplements Can Interact
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth: What the Science Says About Complementary Health Approaches for Menopausal Symptoms
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Natural Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Safer, or Better
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Placebo Effect
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Red Clover
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine (SAMe): In Depth
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Soy
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: St. John’s Wort
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: St. John’s Wort and Depression: In Depth
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Traditional Chinese Medicine: What You Need To Know
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Valerian
- National Institute of Medical Herbalists [United Kingdom]
- Natural Medicines
- Natural Remedies for Hot Flashes: Do Mother Nature’s Natural Remedies Work?
- Natural Therapies & Supplements
- Non-Hormonal Treatment Options for Menopausal Symptoms
- NonHormonal Treatments for Menopausal Symptoms
- Office of Dietary Supplements
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Dietary Supplement Fact Sheets
- Office of Dietary Supplements: My Dietary Supplement and Medicine Record
- Phytoestrogens
- Questions and Answers on Dietary Supplements
- SAMe
- Talking To Your Health Professionals About Complementary Medicine
- Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine
- Vaginal Dryness Alternative Treatments
- Video Series-2018 – Nonhormone Prescription Options for Hot Flashes
- Video Series-2018 – The Truth About Nonpharmacologic Options for Hot Flushes
- Video Series-2020 – What You Need To Know About Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
- What You Need To Know
- What You Need To Know About Dietary Supplements
- Wild Yam
- Women’s Wellness: Mindfulness May Ease Menopausal Symptoms
- Women’s Wellness: Treating Hot Flashes and Night Sweats Without Hormones [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
Sources
Where may I find the Sources quoted?
You may find the Sources quoted at:
Sources
- Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine: About Us – Definitions: Herbal Medicines. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/traditional-complementary-integrative-medicine/about/en/ Accessed: 10 December 2020
- Botanical Dietary Supplements – Background Information: What Is A Botanical? Updated: 02 October 2020. Office of Dietary Supplements https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/BotanicalBackground-Consumer/ Accessed: 10 December 2020
- Botanical Dietary Supplements – Background Information: What Is A Botanical? Updated: 02 October 2020. Office of Dietary Supplements https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/BotanicalBackground-Consumer/ Accessed: 10 December 2020
- Botanical Dietary Supplements – Background Information: What Is A Botanical? Updated: 02 October 2020. Office of Dietary Supplements https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/BotanicalBackground-Consumer/ Accessed: 10 December 2020
- Natural Therapies & Supplements: Common Natural and Complementary Therapies – Herbal Medicine. Updated January 2017:1. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health’s https://jeanhailes.org.au/contents/documents/Resources/Fact_sheets/Natural_therapies.pdf Accessed: 10 December 2020
- Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine: About Us – Definitions: Herbal Medicines. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/traditional-complementary-integrative-medicine/about/en/ Accessed: 10 December 2020
- Natural Therapies & Supplements: Common Natural and Complementary Therapies – Herbal Medicine. Updated January 2017:1. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health’s https://jeanhailes.org.au/contents/documents/Resources/Fact_sheets/Natural_therapies.pdf Accessed: 10 December 2020
- Traditional Chinese Medicine: What You Need To Know – What Is Traditional Chinese Medicine? Last Updated: April 2019. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/traditional-chinese-medicine-what-you-need-to-know Accessed: 10 December 2020
- Natural Therapies & Supplements: Common Natural and Complementary Therapies – Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture. Updated January 2017:2. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health’s https://jeanhailes.org.au/contents/documents/Resources/Fact_sheets/Natural_therapies.pdf Accessed: 10 December 2020
- 4 Things To Know About Menopausal Symptoms and Complementary Health Practices. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/tips/things-to-know-about-menopausal-symptoms-and-complementary-health-practices Accessed: 10 December 2020
- Menopause & Herbs: Over the Counter Herbal Products. Page Last Updated: 12 March 2020 | Topic Last Reviewed: 20 October 2018. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/natural-therapies-supplements/menopause-herbs Accessed: 10 December 2020
- Herbal Medicine: Summary. Page Last Updated on 05 October 2020. Topic Last Reviewed: 21 September 2017. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/herbalmedicine.html Accessed: 10 December 2020
- Are You Considering A Complementary Health Approach? Take Charge of Your Health. Last Updated: September 2016. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/are-you-considering-a-complementary-health-approach Accessed: 10 December 2020
- Drug Interactions: Understanding the Risk – Understand Your Drug and Possible Side Effects. Page Last Updated: 27 July 2016. Food and Drug Administration https://www.fda.gov/drugs/special-features/drug-interactions-understanding-risk Accessed: 10 December 2020
- Safe Use of Medicines for Older Adults. What Are Medicines? What Are Drugs? Content Reviewed: 26 June 2019. National Institute on Aging https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/safe-use-medicines-older-adults Accessed: 10 December 2020