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Herbal Healing: The Best Herbs for Women’s Health
It is no surprise that women must deal with a hoard of unique health problems particularly during menstruation, pregnancy, nursing, and menopause. However, many women claim that western medicines come with a plethora of painful side effects. So how do you effectively deal with your period cramps or hot flashes if pills don’t work for you? Luckily, there are several herbal remedies and plants each having potent phytochemicals that can help ease symptoms of various women’s health issues. Consult your doctor before trying some of these soothing natural alternatives:
1. Wild Yam
Wild Yam has been used for centuries to treat diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and muscular cramps. However, it is of particular interest to women going through menopause, as it contains a chemical called diosgenin. Diosgenin can influence the production of useful hormones like estrogen and DHEA. Thus, wild yam is offered as a natural alternative to estrogen therapy for women going through menopause.
2. Red Raspberry Leaves
Raspberries aren’t just a delicious fruit. Their leaves are rich in important nutrients like antioxidants, vitamins B and C, zinc, phosphorous, magnesium, iron, and potassium. Moreover, red raspberry leaves are often referred to as the “women’s herb” as it provides relief from PMS symptoms like cramping, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting due to the presence of fragarine, a phytochemical that strengthens the muscles of the pelvis.
3. Chaste Tree Berry
Also called Vitex, this herb is used to stimulate progesterone, a female hormone that rises about 2 weeks before menstruation. It thus helps in balancing hormone levels in the body, making PMS, menstruation, and menopause symptoms less painful.
4. Cranberry
Besides being a superfood high in antioxidants and other useful nutrients, there is loads of research to suggest that cranberries can lower the risk of UTIs. A 2016 medical review found that doctors commonly included cranberries in their prescriptions for women with recurrent UTIs. This is because they are high in PACs or proanthocyanidins, a chemical that prevents certain bacteria from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract. Since UTIs are more likely to affect women than men, buying a high-quality cranberry supplement may be a smart investment.
5. Dong Quai
Dong Quai has long been used in traditional Chinese, Korean, and Japanese medicine for its blood purification and circulation benefits. However, it has also been popularly dubbed the “female ginseng” for its use in treating symptoms of PMS and menstruation.
6. Red Clover
Widely used to treat symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, red clover is a great choice for women going through menopause owing to its high isoflavone content. There is also some research to show that red clover helps with other symptoms like vaginal dryness, anxiety, and depression.
7. St. John’s Wort
A gentle mental health herb, St. John’s Wort has been used as a natural alternative to medications like Prozac and other antidepressants. It is said to work much better than prescription drugs, and fewer users stopped taking it as compared to antidepressants. A number of the herb’s active ingredients, including hypericin, hyperforin, and adhyperforin may play a role in its benefits. Hence, it can be used to treat mood swings, depression, and anxiety symptoms that often come with PMS and menopause.
8. Fenugreek
Fenugreek has been used to improve blood sugar levels and prevent heart disease. However, is also commonly used by nursing women to promote the flow of breast milk.
8. Black Cohosh
Black cohosh’s flowers and roots were traditionally used in Native American medicine. Today, it is a popular women’s health herb functioning as a phytoestrogen to help with menopause symptoms, hormonal balance, and even fertility.
It blows that women deal with health issues they never even asked for. From a monthly blood fountain to a 5 year-long discomfort in your late 40s, it feels impossible to catch a break. So it feels good to know that nature is on your side, growing and nurturing the best for you in herbal healing, no matter what your symptom. Check out our exclusive women’s health herbs only on HerbsDaily.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11428178
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4931538/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4863270/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26471215/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28064110/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22504147/
