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Remedies for Menopausal Symptoms
The Menopause Self Help Book
by Susan M. Lark, M.D.,
The Wild Rose Scientific Herbal by Terry Willard, Ph.D.,
Menopausal Years The Wise Woman Way by Susun S. Weed
are drawn heavily upon for this segment. All references are provided here.
HEADACHES AND MIGRAINES
When headaches or migraines play a part in your process, try to regard
them as evidence that the body needs time to be alone, to recharge. Lie
in total silence, in complete darkness, and sleep, if possible, until
the headache is gone.
Some women find that menopause brings relief from a lifetime of migraines,
and others find that migraines appear for the first time during menopause.
Headaches may also be suddenly triggered by short-lived allergies to certain
foods. Migraines have often been found to be a side effect of ERT/HRT.31
It seems that actions other than pain relief (anodyne) will help when
treating headache. A wide variety of herbs has been found useful for a
myriad of physical and emotional traumas. They include cayenne, chamomile,
elder flower, feverfew, garden sage, ground ivy, Jamaican dogwood, lady's
slipper, lavender, marjoram, peppermint, rosemary, rue, skullcap, tansy,
thyme, valerian, wood betony and wormwood.31
It would be wise to avoid known triggers such as citrus fruit, yogurt,
aged cheese, miso, liver, cured meats such as ham, red wine, aspartame,
MSG, chocolate and the nightshade family (tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant,
peppers, tobacco).31
Black cohosh root tincture may ease
a headache. 10 drops of the tincture is considered equivalent to two aspirin.31
Feverfew will often clear migraine
occurrences after a month of treatment using the fresh herb (2-4 leaves),
a tablet, or a tea. If chewing the leaves irritates your mouth, a tea
can be made from the dried leaves. The fresh flowers can also be chewed
when you feel a headache coming on.31
Vervain and Lady's mantle were sacred
herbs in the ancient matriarchies.31 The tincture of vervain
flowers 20-40 drops in water, before bed and as needed, treats the nerves,
relieves insomnia, depression, nervous exhaustion and moderate headaches,
including migraines. Lady's mantle aids women taking on or leaving the
role of mother. Try 10-25 drops of tincture of fresh herb several times
a day to relieve headaches.31
Black willow, Jamaican dogwood,
passionflower, valerian and wood betony are all said to ease the pain
of a migraine once it has started. If there are digestive symptoms such
as nausea, vomiting or acid indigestion, herbs such as black horehound,
chamomile, golden seal or meadowsweet may be useful.13
St. John's Wort tincture, 25-30
drops, and Skullcap tincture, 3-5
drops taken together as needed, up to half a dozen times a day may help
headaches. For migraines take as soon as the aura appears, before pain
appears, and repeat every 10 minutes for 3-6 doses.31
Wild yam tincture, 10-30 drops up
to 6 times daily, or an infusion 1-2 cups daily. The lower dose is helpful
for chronic headaches.31
Essential oils: A soothing bath
using essential oil emulsions of lavender, rosemary, marjoram and peppermint
is often helpful. Or use a drop or two of the helpful essential oils lavender
or peppermint rubbed directly on the forehead or temples. Rub a drop or
two of lavender, chamomile, or peppermint essential oil between your palms
and inhale deeply for 3 or 4 minutes.9
Stomach-related headaches may be
helped by drinking a tea containing carminatives and bitters, made from
equal parts of skullcap and valerian. A short-term treatment for headaches
associated with menstruation is a tea made with equal parts balm, lavender
and meadowsweet.13
Magnesium and Vitamin
B6 may help reduce headaches.31
Habitual use of aspirin may increase
the duration and frequency of headaches.31 One undesirable
side effect of aspirin and other NSAIDS is their inhibition of cartilage
repair and acceleration of cartilage destruction.3, 2, 22, 27, 28
Researched and written by the ProjectAWARE group, 2000
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