9+ Best Chinese Herbs For Menopause [2024]
January 25, 2024
Essential Takeaways
- Menopause can come with a vast range of symptoms that differ in severity.
- When properly dosed and sourced, Chinese herbs for menopause can help alleviate symptoms.
- The best way to find a trustworthy and customized herbal medicine plan for menopause is to book a consultation with the certified Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctors at Qi Health.
Menopause and the years leading up to menopause can bring about countless frustrating symptoms. From the infamous hot flashes to insomnia, anxiety, and hair loss, many women have negative experiences for years before menstruation ends.
At the same time, the risks and side effects of the most common Western treatment for menopause, hormone therapy, give many women pause. Instead, many people are turning to Chinese herbs for menopause to promote hormone health and find relief from the symptoms of menopause and perimenopause, beckoning a more peaceful transition out of the fertile phase of life.
What Is Menopause?
Menopause and perimenopause mark a time in a woman’s life when their menstrual cycle begins to change and then stop. Perimenopause or menopausal transition refers to the years when changes begin to occur, when periods become less regular, and symptoms like hot flashes may appear. Once your menstrual cycle tracking reveals that it has been 12 months since your last period, this is considered menopause.
The entire menopausal transition varies from person to person. The transition to menopause takes about seven years on average but could go on for up to 14 years for some. For most, this transition begins between ages 45 and 55.
Common Menopause Symptoms
Because many of the female body’s functions and hormones change during the menopausal transition, there are often symptoms and side effects accompanying menopause.
These symptoms vary from person to person, but the most common menopause symptoms include the following:
- Hot flashes
- Anxiety
- Changes to the menstrual cycle
- Difficulty controlling the bladder
- Skin changes like acne, oiliness, or dryness
- Night sweats
- Reduced libido
- Hair thinning
- Trouble sleeping through the night
- Brain fog
- Discomfort during sex
- Heart palpitations
- Irritability and changes in mood
- Weight gain or change in body shape
While some may experience all of these symptoms, others may only notice a few. Regardless, it’s normal to seek out a solution to help ease these symptoms in order to maintain your lifestyle and daily comfort.
Many people turn to Chinese herbal medicine to ease uncomfortable menopause symptoms and regain the energy, mood, and sleep patterns they deserve.
Can Chinese Herbs Help With Menopause Symptoms?
Some studies show that Chinese herbs can have similar effects as hormonal therapy on menopause symptoms, providing encouragement for many females looking for a more natural path to hormone balance and symptom relief.
Due to the anti-inflammatory, cooling, mood boosting, and pain relieving qualities of some herbs, the right blend of high-quality herbs may help ease the symptoms of menopausal transition.
It’s important to note that not all herbal remedies are the same, and since herbal supplements are not regulated by the FDA, it’s all too easy for women to spend money and waste time taking sub-par supplements that do not produce the desired results.
The best way to ensure you are taking the right blend of high-quality herbs for your specific needs is to consult with a certified Chinese Medicine Doctor. With Qi Health, it’s easy to talk with an herbal practitioner about your health goals and receive the perfect blend of herbs for your needs.
Best Chinese Herbs To Use During Menopause
The best Chinese herbs for menopause vary from person to person. The exact blend of herbs should be formulated based on someone’s health history, their current symptoms, and their health goals.
Functional Medicine doctors at Qi Health can help formulate a customized blend of herbs for your specific needs. Through a one-on-one consultation and regular follow-up appointments, the Traditional Chinese Medicine doctors at Qi Health match you with the exact blend of herbs formulated for your symptoms. Get your personal blend of Chinese herbs for menopause by booking your consultation today.
Many herbal blends for menopause include the following herbs.
Dang Gui (Radix Angelica Sinensis)
What it is: A relative of carrots and celery, dang gui (also known as dong quai or female ginseng) has been used as an herb for menstrual cramps and overall women’s health for over 2,000 years. In terms of menopause treatment, dang gui is often used to help soothe a rapid heartbeat, treat dry skin, and improve blood flow.
It’s important to talk to your doctor about any other medications that may interact with dang gui before adding them to your herbal blend.
How it can help:
- Improves libido
- Balances hormones
- Supports positive mood
- Treats rapid heartbeat
Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba)
What it is: Bai shao, also known as white peony root, has been used for millennia to ease pain, reduce inflammation, and support the hormones. Because bai shao contains phytoestrogens and paeoniflorin, it can support estrogen in the body. Studies have shown that bai shao can reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and support healthy blood flow. It is also often used to treat anxiety, which is a common symptom of menopause.
How it can help:
- Reduces anxiety
- Relieves pain
- Balances estrogen
- Reduces inflammation
Zhi Mu (Rhizoma Anemarrhenae)
What it is: Hundreds of formulas in Chinese medicine use zhi mu for its cooling properties and anti-inflammatory effects. This plant is native to China and Mongolia, and its dried root is used to clear heat and moisten dryness. Many women turn to zhi mu to find relief from hot flashes, night sweats, and dryness.
How it can help:
- Alleviates dryness
- Relieves hot flashes
- Reduces night sweats
Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri)
What it is: In Chinese medicine, one of the most commonly used herbs for perimenopausal symptoms is chai hu, commonly known as Red Thorowax Root or Hare’s Ear Root. It is often used for mood support during the menstrual phase and menopause transition. Because perimenopause can often cause irritability, anxiety, and mood swings, chai hu is a popular herbal remedy during this stage.
How it can help:
- Relieves pain
- Eases stress
- Reduces anxiety
Huang Qin (Scutellaria baicalensis)
What it is: Huang qin, known as the golden herb or Chinese skullcap, is a common treatment for insomnia, inflammation, and high blood pressure. Sleep issues are among the most common perimenopause symptoms, making Chinese skullcap a popular remedy for women experiencing perimenopause. Chinese skullcap also calms ascending liver yang, which can help ease headaches and irritability. The cooling properties of huang qin may help with hot flashes.
How it can help:
- Treats hot flashes
- Eases headaches
- Reduces irritability
- Addresses insomnia
Shu Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae Preparata)
What it is: Shu di huang, or Chinese foxglove root, can help nourish the liver and kidney yin, which can reduce the occurrence of night sweats. This herb can also help address perimenopause symptoms like brain fog, heart palpitations, and insomnia.
How it can help:
- Promotes mental clarity
- Reduces night sweats
- Supports sleep
- Treats heart palpitations
Fu Shen (Poria Cocos Sclerotium)
What it is: Fu shen is a medicinal mushroom used to benefit digestion, boost the mood, and promote healthy sleep patterns. It can even help maintain memory function and reduce heart palpitations. Since it addresses so many symptoms of menopausal transition, fu shen is a common component in herbal treatments for menopause.
How it can help:
- Boosts mood
- Decreases anxiety and depression
- Combats insomnia
Shan Yao (Rhizoma Dioscoreae)
What it is: Shan yao is Chinese yam, which is typically used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat concerns with the stomach, kidneys, and other organs. It offers exciting benefits for those with diabetes mellitus and is often used to support reproductive health in women. Because it contains phytoestrogens, Shan Yao can even help balance estrogen function in the body. This property has made it a leading subject of study as Western medicine explores the benefits of Chinese herbal remedies for menopause.
How it can help:
- Improves skin
- Balances hormones
- Acts as estrogen
Shan Zhu Yu (Fructus Corni)
What it is: Shan zhu yu, or Japanese dogwood fruit, is a sour red fruit that is commonly used in herbal medicine for women’s health, especially for women with heavy periods. It can help to stabilize the menstrual cycle and is also used to stabilize kidney and liver function. A 2020 study also found that shan zhu yu can help treat depression, making it a top option for women experiencing mood issues during the menopausal transition. Often used as a treatment for frequent urination and palpitations, Japanese dogwood fruit addresses various symptoms of perimenopause.
How it can help:
- Addresses frequent urination
- Reduces heart palpitations
- Treats depression
Yin Yang Huo (Herba Epimedii)
What it is: Yin yang huo, also referred to as horny goat weed, is often used to promote menstrual health and fertility. This leafy herb contains phytoestrogens, which can mimic the functions of the estrogen hormone in the body and help those experiencing perimenopause and postmenopause find a more balanced experience. Menopause can cause reduced bone density as well as high cholesterol levels, both of which yin yang huo has been used to treat.
How it can help:
- Promotes bone health
- Mimics estrogen
- Supports healthy cholesterol levels
More Information About Menopause
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Are There Other Remedies For Menopause Symptoms?
One treatment route for menopause symptoms is hormone therapy (HRT), in which a doctor will prescribe a low dose of estrogen and progestin. These hormones can help ease symptoms like hot flashes and bone loss, but many women steer clear of this option because of the breast cancer and cardiovascular risks it can pose.
Antidepressants and a wide range of other prescription medications may be recommended depending on your symptoms. It’s important to get clarity on the possible side effects and risks of each medication to decide if that route is right for you.
For many, medications come with too many side effects and risks. In these cases, doctors might suggest trying home remedies and optimizing nutrition with dietary changes. For example, avoiding caffeine can help prevent hot flashes and insomnia. Over-the-counter lubricants can help with vaginal dryness and pelvic floor physical therapy can help strengthen the muscles to avoid incontinence.
Practicing regular exercise and healthy movement can also help with sleep and other menopause symptoms. In many cases, a customized herbal medicine plan is the perfect complement to these lifestyle changes, giving the body the extra support it needs to maintain balance and comfort.
What Are Less Common Menopause Symptoms?
Menopause and perimenopause are different for every person. In some cases, less common menopause symptoms can arise.
These can include:
- Digestive problems
- Bloating
- Soreness or tenderness in the breasts
- Migraines
- Tingling sensation in the extremities
- Dry eye
- Weak nails
- Joint pain
- Changes in taste
- Burning sensation in the mouth
Being aware of the vast number of possible menopausal symptoms is a good reminder of why treatments for perimenopause and menopause should never take a one-size-fits-all approach.
At Qi Health, certified Traditional Chinese Medicine doctors speak directly with patients to thoroughly understand all symptoms and concerns before formulating a personalized blend of high-quality herbs.
Then, they continue to meet with patients on a monthly basis to make any needed changes to the dose and blend of Chinese herbs for menopause. This way, your treatment continuously responds to your progress and health goals.
Book your consultation to get started.
How Long Does Menopause Last?
Perimenopause, or menopause transition, is the period leading up to menopause, which is marked by 12 consecutive months without a period. During perimenopause, it’s very common to begin experiencing menopause symptoms.
This stage can begin as many as 14 years before menopause actually occurs, but this timeline varies from person to person. Most people experience menopause symptoms for five years, but some have symptoms for longer.
Manage Menopause Using Chinese Herbs
To avoid concerning side effects and risks of hormonal therapy and prescription medications, many people turn to Chinese herbs to find a more comfortable and joyful transition through menopause. It’s important to bear in mind that not all herbal remedies are created equal, and because they are not regulated, thorough research is required.
In addition, determining the best blend of herbs for your specific symptoms and ensuring that there are no interactions with your current medications or other health conditions is crucial.
The best way to ensure that you are purchasing the best quality Chinese herbs for menopause is by using Qi Health. With Qi Health, you can conveniently consult with certified Traditional Chinese Medicine doctors who will get familiar with your complete health history and all of your symptoms.
This way, they can craft a customized herbal medicine plan that is responsive to your needs and conditions. Regain balance and find beauty in the menopausal transition with personalized, high-quality Chinese herbs for menopause. Book your consultation today!
External Sources
- Hormone therapy: Is it right for you? Mayo Clinic
- What Is Menopause? - National Institute on Aging
- Signs and symptoms of menopause - NHS Inform
- Chinese herbal formulae for the treatment of menopausal hot flushes: A systematic review and meta-analysis
- FDA
- Why Is Dong Quai Called the ‘Female Ginseng’? - Healthline
- Effects of Paeonia lactiflora Extract on Estrogen Receptor β, TPH2, and SERT in Rats with PMS Anxiety
- Additional Benefit of Chinese Medicine Formulae Including Dioscoreae rhizome (Shanyao) for Diabetes Mellitus: Current State of Evidence
- A Novel, Stable, Estradiol-Stimulating, Osteogenic Yam Protein with Potential for the Treatment of Menopausal Syndrome
- Mode of Action of Shan-Zhu-Yu (Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc.) in the Treatment of Depression Based on Network Pharmacology
- What Is Horny Goat Weed? - Health.com
- Menopause - Diagnosis and Treatment - Mayo Clinic
- Menopause - Cleveland Clinic
