The word menopause literally means the permanent physiological, or natural, cessation of menstrual cycles, from the Greek roots 'meno-' (month) and 'pausis' (a pause, a cessation). In other words, menopause means the natural and permanent stopping of the monthly female reproductive cycles, which is usually manifest as a permanent absence of monthly periods or menstruation. Some women turn to herbal remedies or to certain estrogen-like chemicals in plants (called phytoestrogens) for help. These products are not regulated through the same government system as drugs are. There is limited and conflicting research on their safety and effectiveness. For those women who want a natural alternative to Hormonal Replacement Therapy there is a new herbal treatment with the herb called Black Cohosh. Menopause presents many uncomfortable symptoms such as hot flashes and mood swings. These symptoms can be reduced with the use of Blach Cohosh and St. John's wort.

Most important, even though menopause is not an illness, you shouldn't hesitate to get treatment if you're having severe symptoms. Many treatments are available, from lifestyle adjustments to hormone therapy.

St. John's wort

May be helpful in the short-term (2 years or less) to treat mild to moderate depression in women (when given in doses of less than 1.2 milligrams a day.) A recent study showed it is not effective in treating severe depression. It also can increase skin sensitivity to the sun and may interfere with prescription antidepressants.

What exactly is Black Cohosh?

This herb, which also goes by a few other names like black snakeroot, bugwort, bugbane, rattleweed and rattletop, is known to be found in North America and is part of the plant family of the buttercup. The active ingredients from this plant is taken from the roots and rhizomes. These parts of the plant are then prepared by extracting the juices of the Black Cohosh for use in certain tablets and capsules.

The herb has been used by Native American Indians for a number of medicinal purposes like for the treatment of malaria, malaise, rheumatism and a whole lot of other diseases and ailments. It was used as a herbal remedy during the 19th century for menstrual problems. These medicinal properties of the herb has indeed been widely known in the past and its usage as a treatment for such menopausal problems like hot flashes is just another addition to the long list of ailments that it can treat and help with.

Vitex Angus Castus also known as chaste tree berry, is a hormone balancer. Since most of the symptoms of menopause arise from an imbalance of hormones, the corrective action of Vitex Angus Castus is the perfect solution.

Horse Chestnut promotes circulation through the veins. Horse Chestnut is known to assist in preventing menopausal women's tendencies to develop varicose veins.

Prevention

Menopause cannot be prevented; however, steps can be taken to help reduce the risk factors for other problems associated with menopause. At a 1994 National Institutes of Health Consensus Conference, the recommendation was made that postmenopausal women not on estrogen therapy consume 1,500 mg of calcium daily to prevent loss of bone mineral density.