Today, more than ever, more and more women are searching for alternative treatments for menopausal symptoms. For years, those who chose to use herbs and other natural ingredients instead of Hormone Replacement Therapies were considered less than modern women. As the negative impact of HRT became more well known, women began looking at these older, less intrusive methods of controlling hot flashes, mood swings and other hormone related symptoms of menopause.

Most herbal remedies can be purchased in any good health food store and many herbal blends can be picked up at the local super center or drug store. The best way to insure that the herbs you take are the best is to grow your own. Begin planting your menopause garden at the first sign of symptoms or before as a few of these plants take a year or more to mature.

Seven herbs are considered the wonder herbs for menopausal women. All are relatively easy to grow, easy to harvest and can be planted in a small flowerbed or even a container on the patio. Seeds for all of these plants can be purchased online. To find the best sources, use a search engine and search the phrase "medicinal herb seeds."

Black Cohosh

Benefits

Black cohosh has been used for centuries, beginning with Native American women and soon passed on to the pioneer women who went west. Black cohosh is rich in plant-based hormones and is used to relieve irritability, aching joints, fatigue and works wonders controlling hot flashes and night sweats.

Growing

Black cohosh should be planted in the late summer or early fall for a harvest next summer. The soil needs to be slightly acidic, moist and rich in nutrients. Black cohosh can grow to a height of 8 feet after several years. Roots can be divided after 3 years for thinning, medicinal use or replanting.

Use

Cover the jar tightly and store in a dark cupboard for six weeks. Strain the tincture through cheesecloth or a finely woven strainer and rebottle.

To use, add 9 – 10 drops to a shot glass of water, three times daily. At no time should you exceed more than 40 drops in a twenty four hour period.

Motherwort

Benefits

Motherwort is used not only for menopausal symptoms but also for PMS and can be used to help control high blood pressure. Motherwort is best known for its ability to eliminate irritability almost immediately. It can be used in conjunction with black cohosh for relief of hot flashes and night sweats.

Growing

Motherwort can be grown in the same type bed with black cohosh, as it prefers the same type of soil. This plant prefers a bit of shade, so it will work well around the borders of your garden bed.

Use

The flowers of the motherwort plant are the parts used for treating menopausal symptoms. Teas made from motherwort are extremely bitter, so it is best to make a tincture as described above.

To use, add 5 – 25 drops to a shot glass of water as needed.

Sage

Benefits

Sage is another wonder herb for menopausal women and needs a place in any menopausal garden plot. Sage has a high calcium content and promotes the natural estrogen production in a woman’s body.

Growing

Sage prefers full sun and can be grown either in the garden or on a sunny windowsill. In the garden, it can reach a height of two feet and can survive most winters if covered or mulched to protect the roots. Seedlings need a lot of water, but once the plant is established, it prefers a drier soil.

Use

Sage can be used in many ways to incorporate the beneficial properties into the system. Fresh sage can be used in cooking and in teas, tinctures and infusions for relieve of headaches and relief of hot flashes. Sage is easy to dry, either in the sun or in a dehydrator or oven, and dried sage leaves can be used in place of fresh leaves in all applications.

Yarrow

Benefits

Yarrow is an herb that has been in use since ancient times. Most commonly used as poultice to stop bleeding and heal wounds, recently it has come to light that yarrow is also effective as a remedy for bladder infections and shrinking fibroids and hemorrhoids. Those who are experiencing heavy hot flashes should avoid yarrow until those symptoms have passed as the plant aids progesterone production which could cause acceleration of hot flashes and night sweats.

Growing

Yarrow prefers soil similar to black cohosh and motherwort and likes full sun. The white flower blossoms are the part of the plant used in remedies and can be used fresh or dried.

Use

Yarrow can be used in teas, tinctures or infusions. At the first sign of a urinary tract infection, put two handfuls of fresh flowers or a handful of dried flowers into a quart jar and add boiling water until full. Allow to sit for 12 hours and then drink a cup or two a day until symptoms are gone.

St. Johnswort

Benefits

St. Johnswort has been used for centuries as an antidepressant and nerve tonic both in America and in Europe. In Germany today, it is still proscribed by doctors for depression more often than any pharmaceutical drug. St. Johnswort is also known to relax muscle spasms, relieve aches and soothe dry, itchy skin.

Growing

St. Johnswort grows into small bushy plants that love the full sun. It tolerates poor soil well and grows fine during the droughty seasons of the year.

Use

To use St. Johnswort, harvest the flowers when they are in full bloom. St Johnswort can be used in teas, tinctures and massage oils. This herb does not work overnight and it should be allowed several weeks before benefits are noticed.

Stinging Nettle

Benefits

Stinging nettles have the highest chlorophyll content of any soil growing plant. They also provide nourishment for those areas of a woman’s body that produce natural estrogen, i.e., the adrenal glands, the kidneys and the lungs. Nettles contribute to healthy growth of hair follicles, which can help prevent thinning hair and hair loss, as we grow older.

Growing

To plant nettles, scatter seed in an out of the way corner where no one is liable to step on it or stumble into the plants. Nettles grow well in rocky or poor soil and love the sun. The growing nettles do sting if touched by bare skin and can causes rashes for some people. If stung by a nettle, aloe vera will help to take away the sting and ease the itch of the rash if it develops.

Use

To harvest stinging nettles, use leather gloves and scissors. Cut the tender tops of the nettle plant before they blossom. Steaming the plants immediately will soften the needles and make them easier to handle.

Stinging Nettles makes a wonderful green tea and since there is no toxicity associated with the plant, you can experiment with the amounts until you find the taste that pleases you personally.

Vitex

Benefits

Vitex or Chaste Tree is a slow, gentle plant remedy for regulating the menstrual cycle, and can relieve endometriosis, fibroids and supports hormone producing glands.

Growing

Vitex prefers sandy soil and sun and can grow to 9 feet or more. It produces beautiful lavender flowers during the summer and berries during the fall.

Use

The berries are the medicinal part of the plant and need to be dried before use in capsules, teas or tinctures.

If using Vitex in capsule form, two with every meal is recommended. One cup tea daily or 2 droppers full 3 –4 times daily are suggested otherwise.

In Conclusion

Any one or more of the seven wonder herbs should be included in every woman’s menopause garden. Other foods that should be included in the menopausal woman’s diet include soy foods, known for their high phyto-estrogen count, and nutritional yeast for its high concentration of the B Complex family of vitamins.

Armed with these herbs and foods, the symptoms of menopause should be alieved and you can sail through this time of change with little or no difficulites.

As with all alternative treatments, you should check with your health care provider before beginning any new therapy. Many herbs do react with prescription and over the counter drugs, so caution is advised, as is consulting your doctor and/or a certified natural healer.