Guest Author - Carolyn Chambers Clark, ARNP, EdD

MENOPAUSE HERBS BY NAMES AND ACTION*
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Alfalfa
strengthen bones, stop bleeding, ease inflammation, balances hormones
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Anise
gas, infection, cough, nausea, menopausal symptoms
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Astragalus
tonic, combats fatigue, increases stamina, wards off tumors
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Bayberry
diarrhea, bleeding or hemorrhage (uterus, stomach,lungs,bowels), tone thyroid
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Bilberry
strengthens connective tissue, urinary tract, stress, anxiety
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Black cohosh
hot flashes, depression, vaginal pain/dryness/itching, heart, circulation
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Blue cohosh
muscle spasms, nervousness
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Buchu
bladder infection, digestion, fluid retention
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Burdock
falling hair, swellings, wounds, skin
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Catnip
digestion, sleep, stress, appetite, anxiety, pain, stress
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Celery
appetite, sedative, muscle spasms, kidney
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Chamomile
headaches, sleep aid, fever, appetite, inflammations
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Chickweed
reduces mucus buildup in the lungs, useful for circulatory problems, colds, coughs, skin conditions and warts
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Cinnamon
uterine hemorrhaging/bleeding, weight loss, yeast infection,
digestion, diarrhea, nausea, congestion, diabetes
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Comfrey
external use only for wounds and all skin conditions
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Damiana
depression, sexual tonic, aphrodisiac, energy tonic
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Dandelion
fluid retention, breast cancer, age spots, abscesses, spleen, liver, pancreas, cholesterol, stomach
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Dong Quai
hot flashes, vaginal dryness, other menopause symptoms
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Fennel
appetite suppressant, gas, GI spasms, acid stomach, after effects of chemotherapy and/or radiation treatments
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Fenugreek
laxative, lubricates the intestines, reduces fever, eyes, sinus, lungs
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Feverfew
headaches, menstrual problems, muscle tension, pain
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Garlic
infection, enhances immune system, lowers blood pressure, circulation, colds and flu, digestion, liver, sinuses, ulcers, yeast infection and most diseases or infections
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Ginger
hot flashes, indigestion, motion and morning sickness,nausea, vomiting, spasms and cramps, circulation, indigestion; external for sores and wounds
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Ginkgo
memory, brain function, circulation, depression, headache, cramps, heart and kidney
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Ginseng
energy tonic, stress, adrenal strengthening,immune function, appetite, circulation diabetes, infertility,protects against radiation exposure
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Gotu kola
increases sex drive, decreases fatigue and depression, sleep disorders, stimulates brain, heart and liver, vs. kidney stones
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Green tea
combats fatigue, lowers cancer risk, delays arteriosclerosis
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Hawthorn
dilates coronary blood vessels, lowers cholesterol, restores heart muscle, anemia, raises immunity
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Hops
anxiety, heart, insomnia, nervousness, pain, restlessness, stress
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Horsetail
enhances calcium absorption (for strong hair, nails, teeth, bones), helps heal broken bones, diuretic, arthritis,osteoporosis, heart and blood vessel disease, inflammation,muscle cramps
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Lavender
inhale (aromatherapy) for stress and depression; rub on burns, forehead (for headache), or skin (burns, psoriasis)
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Milk thistle (silymarin)
most potent liver-protector available, stimulates new liver
(silymarin) cell growth, adrenal disorders, inflammatory bowel disorders, weakened immune system, psoriasis ______________________________________________________________________________

Mullein
sleep aid, breathe easier, laxative, painkiller, removes warts, kidneys
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Oat straw
antidepressant, nerve tonic, skin disorders
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Papaya
appetite, digestion, heartburn, indigestion, bowel disorders
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Parsley
tumors, worms, gas, freshens breath, thyroid, bladder, kidney,
liver, lung, stomach, high blood pressure, obesity
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Peppermint
headache, spasms, indigestion, chills, heart trouble, nausea,
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Primrose
weight loss, hypertension, hot flashes, menstrual problems
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Red clover
weight loss, anxiety, stress, antibiotic, kidney problems,
bowel disorders, infection, skin
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Red raspberry
decreases menstrual bleeding, relaxes uterus and intestinal
spasm, healthy bones and skin, hot flashes, menstrual cramps, canker sores, diarrhea
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Rosemary
headaches, stabilizes blood pressure, liver, relaxes stomach,
memory, menstrual cramps
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Sarsaparilla
regulates hormones, increases energy, PMS, sexual interest,
protects against radiation exposure
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Skullcap
anxiety, headache, nerves, muscle cramps, spasms, stress
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Slippery elm
bladder infection, diarrhea, colds/flu, sore throat, bowels
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Tea Tree
disinfect wounds, all skin conditions, vaginitis, warts, douche
for yeast infections
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Thyme
headache, cholesterol, liver, yeast infection, gas, mucus

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Turmeric
cholesterol, anticancer, anti-inflammation, protects liver

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Valerian
anxiety, fatigue, high blood pressure, insomnia, cramps, spasms, stress, ulcers
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Wild yam
PMS, menopause-related symptoms, gallbladder, hypoglycemia, promotes perspiration, inflammation, kidney stones
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* For informational purposes only. Consult your health care practitioner for medical treatment.
See individual herb articles in Basic Information down the left side of the page under Subjects for cautions and more information.

For more information on menopause, click on...