“Herbal medicines are those
with active ingredients made from plant parts,
such as leaves, roots or flowers”.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. In Herbal Medicines the (United Kingdom’s) NHS’s definition is:
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:
The JH also note:
“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
On page one 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
What is the best herb for hot flushes?
In Menopause & Herbs: Over the Counter Herbal Products the JH elaborate on:
Safe or Not
Are herbs safe?
In FDA: 101: Dietary Supplements – What Are the Risk of Dietary Supplements? the (United States) Food and Drug Administration caution:
Many supplements contain ingredients that can have strong effects in the body. Additionally, some supplements can interact with medications, interfere with lab tests, or have dangerous effects during surgery. Your health care professional can help you decide what supplement, if any, is right for you”.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 Menopause & Herbs: Over the Counter Herbal Products the JH elaborate on:

- The quality and standard of herbal preparations, including those available over the counter and online, can vary considerably
- Some herbal products can interact with other pharmaceutical therapies, but their labels might not necessarily carry a warning
- The best way to use herbal remedies is under the guidance of a well-trained herbalist/naturopath”.13
In Herbal Medicines the NHS note:
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.New or Updated
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- Hot Flashes
- Hot Flashes: What Can I Do? [+ Video: What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Menopause?]
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- Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause
- Key Technical Issues of Herbal Medicines With Reference To Interaction With Other Medicines
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- Mayo Clinic Minute: Help With Hot Flashes Due To Menopause [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
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- Menopause Management: Complementary Therapies – Herbal Therapies and Remedies for Menopause
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- Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Managing Your Symptoms – Hot Flushes and Night Sweats [NICE Guideline]
- Menopause: Understanding the Changes and Finding Relief | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 256
- 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
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- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Know the Science: How Medications and Supplements Can Interact
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- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Traditional Chinese Medicine: What You Need To Know
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- SAMe
- Study IDs Non-Hormonal Options for Menopause Symptoms
- The Power of the Placebo Effect
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- Using Natural Therapies In the Menopause Transition – Webinar
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- Video Series-2022: Perimenopause, Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions
- Video Series-2023
- Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: A Simple Approach To Menopausal Assessment and Management
- WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine
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- Webinars: Previous – The Microbiome and Nutrition in Midlife Women
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Sources
Where may I find the Sources quoted?
You may find the Sources quoted at:
Sources
- Herbal Medicines. Page Last Reviewed: 18 October 2022. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/herbal-medicines/ Accessed: 07 May 2023
- Botanical Dietary Supplements – Background Information: What Is A Botanical? Updated: 11 December 2020. Office of Dietary Supplements https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/BotanicalBackground-Consumer/ Accessed: 07 May 2023
- Botanical Dietary Supplements – Background Information: What Is A Botanical? Updated: 11 December 2020. Office of Dietary Supplements https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/BotanicalBackground-Consumer/ Accessed: 07 May 2023
- Botanical Dietary Supplements – Background Information: What Is A Botanical? Updated: 11 December 2020. Office of Dietary Supplements https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/BotanicalBackground-Consumer/ Accessed: 07 May 2023
- Herbal Medicines. Page Last Reviewed: 18 October 2022. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/herbal-medicines/ Accessed: 07 May 2023
- Natural Therapies & Supplements: Common Natural and Complementary Therapies – Herbal Medicine. Updated October 2021:1. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health’s https://jeanhailes.org.au/contents/documents/Resources/Fact_sheets/Natural_therapies.pdf Accessed: 07 May 2023
- Natural Therapies & Supplements: Common Natural and Complementary Therapies – Herbal Medicine. Updated October 2021:1. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health’s https://jeanhailes.org.au/contents/documents/Resources/Fact_sheets/Natural_therapies.pdf Accessed: 07 May 2023
- 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: 07 May 2023
- Natural Therapies & Supplements: Common Natural and Complementary Therapies – Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture. Updated October 2021:1. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health’s https://jeanhailes.org.au/contents/documents/Resources/Fact_sheets/Natural_therapies.pdf Accessed: 07 May 2023
- 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: 07 May 2023
- Menopause & Herbs: Over the Counter Herbal Products. Page Last Updated: 18 March 2022 | Topic Last Reviewed: 20 November 2018. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/natural-therapies-supplements/menopause-herbs Accessed: 07 May 2023
- FDA 101: Dietary Supplements – What Are the Risks of Dietary Supplements. Content Current As of: 02 June 2022. Food and Drug Administration https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/fda-101-dietary-supplements Accessed: 07 May 2023
- Menopause & Herbs: Over the Counter Herbal Products. Page Last Updated: 18 March 2022 | Topic Last Reviewed: 20 November 2018. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/natural-therapies-supplements/menopause-herbs Accessed: 07 May 2023
- Herbal Medicines. Page Last Reviewed: 18 October 2022. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/herbal-medicines/ Accessed: 07 May 2023