Menopause is a natural phenomenon that occurs in every woman’s life when they stop menstruating. It is not healthy; however, it can be very uncomfortable, making day-to-day life challenging. Many people opt for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to balance out the hormonal changes associated with menopause. However, HRT is controversial, and some don’t feel comfortable going down this route and choose natural remedies such as herbal teas to relieve symptoms of menopause.
Keep on reading to learn more about top herbal teas for menopause.
What Is Menopause?
Menopause starts when a woman’s natural menstrual cycle ends. It typically starts between the age of 45 and 58, the average age being 51 in developed countries. It can happen earlier due to different reasons such as premature ovarian failure, immune system disorders, or certain medical procedures and is known as premature menopause. Menopause can last for several years and has three stages:
Perimenopause: It is a transitional period that starts prior to menopause where the menstrual cycle becomes irregular with late or absent periods because of the slow production of estrogen.
Menopause: It is a lack of menstruation for 12 months straight when the ovaries have stopped making most of the estrogen.
Postmenopause: It refers to the years following menopause when there is a complete loss of eggs and estrogen.
Symptoms Of Menopause
Following are the symptoms women experience when they are going through perimenopause and menopause:
Irregular Menstruation
The first sign of perimenopause and menopause is typically extremely irregular periods. They might become less or more frequent and lighter or heavier than unusual.
Lower Fertility
Before the start of menopause, estrogen levels begin to decrease, lowering fertility and reducing the chances of getting pregnant.
Hot Flashes
Hot flashes are most common during the menopause phase. Hot flashes are when a person starts to feel a sudden heat sensation in their upper body. The sensation starts from the face, neck, or chest and travels downward or upward. Symptoms of hot flashes also include excessive sweating and red patches. Some women might experience chills and cold sweats instead of hot flashes.
Vaginal Discomfort and Dryness
Vaginal discomfort, dryness, and itching might start during perimenopause and progress into menopause.
Emotional changes
Many experiences anxiety, depression, low moods, irritability, and crying spells when going through menopause.
Sleep Disturbances
A common symptom of menopause is sleep disturbances which might stem from vaginal discomfort, night sweats, or anxiety.
Top Herbal Teas for Menopause
Following are top herbal teas effective in relieving uncomfortable menopausal symptoms:
Red Clover Tea (ASIN: B00DLM36J6)
Red clover tea is helpful in treating night sweats and hot flashes during menopause. Red clover has isoflavones that are structurally similar to estrogen; hence, it effectively balances hormones and reduces menopause symptoms. It also helps treat hypertension, improve bone strength, and enhance immunity.
Sage Tea (ASIN: B00D42FW86)
According to a study, sage tea helps improve concentration and reduce night sweats, hot flashes, fatigue, and panic in postmenopausal women.
Ginseng Tea (ASIN: B000FLLR6A)
According to a study on postmenopausal women with osteopenia, Ginseng improved cellular bone biomarkers such as serum osteocalcin, also known as a bone formation protein. Another study showed how ginseng tea could help manage hot flashes and night sweats during menopause. It has other benefits, such as decreasing cardiovascular disease risks and improving sexual arousal.
Fennel Tea (ASIN: B015OGE4JM)
Fennel tea has high anti-inflammatory effects, which can help people manage their menopausal symptoms. A study showed that fennel helped manage sleep and sexual problems, anxiety, and depression in women going through menopause and postmenopause.
Gingko Biloba Tea (ASIN: B00QMO0QD4)
Some findings suggest that Gingko Biloba tea can be helpful in counteracting problems such as low concentration and libido in menopausal women. However, it might have a few side effects, including gastrointestinal disorders, headaches, and allergic reactions.
Green Tea (ASIN: B01FKO5LNQ)
Green tea is packed with rich antioxidants, caffeine, and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which help during menopause. There are many benefits of green tea, including a metabolism boost that helps fight weight gain many people experience in menopause.
Licorice Tea (ASIN: B00DLKV6L8)
Drinking licorice tea may help people entering menopause, especially if they are experiencing hot flashes. It can reduce their occurrence and shorten their duration. Licorice also has estrogen-like effects, which can improve overall stress levels and respiratory health.
Chasteberry Tree Tea (ASIN: B0011DRYW2)
Chasteberry tree is a powerful ingredient when it comes to treating premenstrual and menopausal symptoms. It helps ease breast pain, also known as mastodynia, and reduces hot flashes. Drinking chasteberry tea also increases progesterone, maintaining a healthy balance between hormones during the transition period of perimenopause into menopause.
Some Other Alternatives to Manage Menopausal Symptoms
Individuals who want to manage their menopausal symptoms can pursue the following alternatives:
- Eating a healthy and balanced diet
- Being physically active
- Quitting smoking
- Managing stress and worries
- Controlling blood pressure
- Controlling blood sugar levels
- Managing weight
- Strengthening pelvic floor muscles
- Limiting drinking alcohol
- Practicing yoga or meditation
- Taking dietary supplements (Vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium)
- Keeping the surroundings cool
Our Final Thoughts
Dealing with menopause can be hard, thanks to its many uncomfortable and painful symptoms. Menopause is the period when the menstrual cycle ends, and there has been no menstruation for 12 months. The period before menopause is perimenopause, and after menopause is postmenopause. Menopausal symptoms include irregular menstrual periods, hot flashes, breast pain, vaginal discomfort, emotional disturbance, etc.
There are several treatments and natural remedies which can help make the menopause period easier. One of those natural remedies is drinking herbal tea. Herbal teas are a safe alternative, providing several benefits. They help deal with hot flashes, manage weight gain, decrease stress, increase sexual health, and more. The top herbal teas for menopause include green tea, licorice tea, ginseng tea, red clover tea, sage tea, etc.
So, sip a warm cup of herbal tea and avail its benefits.
