3.5 Herbal remedies

There are many over-the-counter herbal remedies available for menopause, with larger chemists and health food shops often having whole shelving sections dedicated to menopause products. These include formulations containing several herbs, or single herbs or oils in tablet form, and they can come with promises of ‘curing’ menopause symptoms. With all herbal remedies, however, we should remember that ‘herbal’ does not necessarily mean ‘gentle’. Herbs can be powerful drugs. They come with possible side effects, contraindications and interactions (with prescribed medications, for example), so it’s important to closely follow the guidance on dosage, and to take any advised breaks in usage of a product.

Table 1 Herbal menopause remedies, benefits and warnings

Remedy Benefits and notes Warnings
St John’s Wort (single herb) Relieves low mood and hot flushes.
  • Not suitable for those with a history of breast cancer.
  • Interacts with other medications, especially anti-depressants.
Black cohosh (single herb) Relieves hot flushes.
  • increased vaginal bleeding
  • decreased blood pressure
  • abnormal heart beat
  • blood clots
  • potential liver toxicity
Ashwagandha
  • Adaptogen (chemicals that help normalise the body and return it to equilibrium).
  • Present in Ayurvedic preparations.
  • Reduces stress and production of cortisol, relieves hot flushes and night sweats.
  • nausea, upset stomach, diarrhoea
  • drowsiness
  • not suitable for those with over-active thyroid
  • can interfere with other medications
Soya and red clover (contained in formulated products) Contain isoflavones, a type of phytoestrogen that mimics action of oestrogen, providing general relief of symptoms.
  • Limited evidence of effectiveness.
  • Not suitable for those with a history of breast cancer.

Those considering exploring herbal treatments should always ask their GP for advice first. If there are no medical reasons why they shouldn’t take herbal remedies, the safest way to go forward with this route is to have a consultation with a qualified herbalist. You will find a register of herbalists in the UK at the National Institute of Medical Herbalists website.

OpenLearn - Talking about the menopause: symptoms, support and the role of exercise
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