Natural alternatives to HRT with herbs with Herbs

There are many natural alternatives to HRT with herbs.

HRT is hormone replacement therapy and often used for women when they are going through the menopause.

This is to manage the symptoms of declining oestrogen such as hot flushes, vaginal dryness, low moods, insomnia and sweating.

However, before HRT, women had used herbal medicine for millennia to support them through this transition.

Generally, herbal medicine is very safe especially compared with the risks found with HRT such as increasing the chances of breast cancer.

In addition, there are ethical benefits for using herbal medicine. For example; a popularly prescribed form of HRT is called Premarin. The clue for what it is made of is in the name.

Premarin= pregnant mares urine. Premarin is made from extracting the hormones from urine of pregnant horses and these horses are kept thirsty and kept in terrible conditions- which you can read about here.

However, there are plenty of alternatives using herbal medicine!

Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) has been well researched at managing menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats and also inhibiting the development of osteoporosis.
Wild yam (Dioscorea villosa) relieves inflammation and cramping so great for managing joint or digestive pain. However, it is also used in menopausal women to promote healthy vaginal lubrication due to it containing steroidal saponins which may have a hormonal like effect on the body.
Chaste tree berry (Vitex Agnus Castus) is fantastic at modulating progesterone levels which is often associated with spotting blood. It also helps preserve fertility in menopausal women wishing to still have a child.
St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is an amazing herb to have on hand if you are suffering from low moods. It is a herb of the sun and really brings the sunshine in on our dark days. It does speed up clearance of drugs from the liver so not one to take if you are on prescription medication.
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) this beautiful flower has sedative. and soothing like effects so a cup of passionflower tea before bedtime is great for those struggling to sleep or having anxiety.
Sage (Salvia officinalis) is a common culinary herb that can be used to dry up excessive sweating and is a real ally to menopausal women.
Although libido can be helped with a dreamy man such as Tom Hardy you could also try Shatavari (Asparagus racemosa) an Ayurvedic herb for fertility and libido. In fact Shatavari means woman with 1000 husbands so you know this herb is going to be a great ally in that department!